This week has and will continue to see pubs around the country re-emerge or stretch to renewed diminished capacity in the light of eased restrictions, and operators are wasting no time executing enticements.
Never in the field of public houses have so many been so happy about so few customers, and large and small the premises have been dusted and preened to welcome the maximum socially-distant density allowed.
On Australia’s most famous strip of sand, the Bondi Beach Public Bar (BBPB) reopened Wednesday to the mandated seated patronage, able to host up to 150 people, split between the bar, dining area and heated outdoor area.
Offering a “gift to Bondi for going through some tough times” the BBPB is touting 50 per cent off all meals and a range of beer, wine and cocktails – all day, every day for the month of June.
This means $5 tacos, wines and beers, $10 burgers, margaritas and espresso martinis, and $15 steaks, all by the rules, served seated.
“This one’s for you Bondi. We’ve missed you,” came the cry this week.
“We are also very happy to announce that we are re-launching our Friday and Saturday nights, featuring some of Sydney’s most loved DJs in ‘no standing, only vibing’ mode.”
In Sydney’s west, Lewis Land Group (LLG) has also resumed business at its extra-large-format The Fiddler in Rouse Hill and Camden Valley Inn, ushering modest hordes of locals back in time for the long weekend.
Abiding by the rule of one person per four square metres, The Fiddler can seat 50 people per dining area, for a total of 300 persons in the venue, while the Camden Valley Inn’s assorted spaces accommodate 200 people in total.
The full menu will be available at both pubs, counting The Fiddler’s pizzeria and the Inn’s popular coffee-rubbed steaks.
Booking limits of ten apply, and measures to assure hygiene have been implemented as 197 staff return to work and many hundreds of guests head onsite.
“Both The Fiddler and the Camden Valley Inn have hand sanitizing stations available at the bars, and we also have stickers on the floor that detail where our customers can stand,” explained LLG group marketing manager Michael Latham.
“While we do have a long way to go before we are allowed to host the maximum number of guests in our venues, the relaxed restrictions have come at a very welcome time for us. Our staff are excited to get back to work and we’re so happy to be able to open our doors again.”
