The Prince Alfred Hotel is battling COVID uncertainty one arm at a time, offering a free drink to locals who get the jab.
Rolling lockdowns have taken a huge toll on Melbourne hospitality, but the industry is still fighting, and concerned for businesses in other states experiencing ongoing closures and restrictions.
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is gaining momentum, and Port Melbourne Town Hall is one of many vaccination centres in Victoria.
Directly across the road, Port Melbourne’s iconic Prince Alfred Hotel took to social media in a bid to get people taking a shot, offering a free drink to anyone who gets the vaccine at the Town Hall.
The post has so far received nearly 3100 Likes, and thousands of comments – mostly praise for the initiative.
Just a few weeks ago a number of venues on Bay Street were listed as exposure sites, as Victoria faced its fourth lockdown. Owners of the Prince, Anna and Tom Streater, know first-hand how much the lockdowns negatively affect business and the community, and sympathise with other regions currently facing lockdown.
They say they’re happy to “put our hand in our pocket” to fund the initiative, hoping to encourage locals to ‘do their bit’.
“If this is part of the solution to keeping Melb open, we’re happy to sling a few freebies as an incentive for you to get vaccinated,” Anna said on Instagram.
“Present your little blue card at the bar after your jab and we’ll give you a pint, a wine, a rum and Coke … whatever you want.
“And prolly [sic] a hug too if we were allowed.”
