PUBS, bars and restaurants will be allowed to welcome customers back indoors from Monday May 17. Customers have been able to take outdoor bookings for a month now, but finally they will be able to use indoor seating as we move to the next stage of the roadmap out of lockdown. Even though indoor dining […]
PUBS, bars and restaurants will be allowed to welcome customers back indoors from Monday May 17.
Customers have been able to take outdoor bookings for a month now, but finally they will be able to use indoor seating as we move to the next stage of the roadmap out of lockdown.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
Even though indoor dining is back on the menu, we’ll still have to follow lots of rules to reduce the risk of coronavirus.
For instance, table service and social distancing measures are among the rules that will remain in place.
Customers will also have to follow the rule of six indoors, meaning six individuals or two households can share a table.
But the hated 10pm curfew has been scrapped and drinkers don’t have to order a substantial meal with their alcohol, putting an end to the Scotch egg debate.
Here's what to do to keep you in the loop:
To avoid missing out on a table, many businesses are asking customers to pre-book.
You may also be asked to order and pay using an app to help with table service.
Here are the apps you’ll need to have on hand to enjoy eating and drinking out again.
The orderpay app is a great one to have to see what’s open and serving in your area.
It tells you which bars and restaurants near you are open, and you can use it to order takeaway items, book tables and pay for your meal.
The app tells you what type of service is available at each restaurant, the opening hours and booking availability of the venue you’ve selected.
Greene King reopened 442 pubs back in April and has asked customers to downloads its free app before turning up.
The app allows you to view the menu, order food and drink, and pay for your bill, with all drinks and meals served directly to your table.
Downloading the free Slug and Lettuce app allows you to book tables, order food and drink and search for nearby venues.
The owners of Harvester Mitchell & Butlers, which owns other big chains including O’Neill’s, Toby Carvery, and All Bar One, has reopened hundreds of branches for outdoor dining already.
Having the Harvester app means you can place and pay for your orders and book a table as soon as possible.
Nicholson’s is operating a table service to maintain social distancing as it reopens.
While the Nicholson’s app doesn’t let you order drinks to your table, it does allow you to reserve a seat in your local, which could prove invaluable.
The Vintage Inns app gives you discounts on food and drink as well as an easy way to make your order.
You can also book a table and view the menu ahead of time.
The app powered by Heineken, Swifty is free for all consumers and allows you to book in advance, view menus, and order & pay from your table.
It works with a variety of venues and lets you get discounts and build up loyalty points.
Wetherspoons opened 400 pubs England in April in time for outdoor dining.
Wetherspoons has a further 475 pubs across the UK, many of which will also be unlocking their doors once indoor pub visits are allowed.
Punters can order drinks and food although the chain is running a reduced menu while some restrictions remain in place.
‘Spoons customers can pay through the free app, although staff members will still be on hand to take orders and payment at the table.
Find out more about the restrictions lifting for pubs and restaurants in the UK.
Scotland has got other plans when it comes to reopening.
See which Bryon restaurants are opening with their own beer bars.
