How was the "new normal" pub/cafe experience for you?

[Jamiescott1]

Haven't been to any in the UK yet.
I want an enjoyable experience- no apps or one way systems etc.
Got sick of the uk so gone abroad and had a normal experience, no restrictions at all.
The uk hospitality business has lost out on about £100 a week from me and is unlikely to return to that level until restrictions are lifted

my gf went to a restaurant that was only serving their food in take away containers.
Do they not have a dishwasher to wash their crockery and cutlery?

 

[greyman42]

Good choice starting it on a Wednesday. Wales is starting on a Monday. I think poor weather in most of England ten days ago was the reason it wasn't a worst case scenario.

Or perhaps the drinkers deserve a bit of credit for good behaviour.

 

[mmh]

I had my first visit to a pub since March 20th yesterday evening. It was an awful experience. No pubs in Conwy town were open (allegedly two are reopening today, but my favourite has no outside so can't open), so I walked to Llandudno Junction where neither pub was open, and got the train to Llandudno.

Most pubs and bars weren't open (unusually for a tourist resort few have gardens.) The two I went in were clearly obeying orders under duress. Name and phone number taken at the door in both, order taken at the door and delivered to me outside. No distancing (but then there hasn't been any for a long time anywhere here.) Dismal atmosphere, but a good moan with some fellow coronasceptics. The second pub called last orders at 8:30, so I went to drown my sorrows at home instead, via a train where I had my ticket checked for the first time since about January. Quite surprised by that.

The new normal can get stuffed.

 

[yorkie]

Good experiences in York with other forum members yesterday. Now is a good time to visit York as many places are open but there aren't many visitors.

If anyone is struggling to get a good experience in your own town, come to York; the staff in everywhere we have been were happy to serve us. Table service was on offer at most places.

For example the first place we went to had a covered outdoors area (not quite a beer garden) and drinks and food orders were taken. We paid on our way out. The service was fantastic. Upon entering we were asked for contact details but only one person had to do this for the group.

The second place had someone at the end of the passageway leading to the pub; they explained the process which is to either scan a QR code or send a text. We then got a code which we showed when we arrived at the pub. We were given a choice of where to sit. Again this was table service. We paid at the end and they came to us to take payment.

Both were quieter than normal but doing a reasonable trade under the circumstances. Nothing was onerous or dystopian.

In both cases the staff were great. I would encourage people to visit places like these; the livelihood of the excellent staff depend on us.

We often organise forum meet ups which include a walk and a visit to the pub; if this interests anyone please do get in touch!

 

[Mag_seven]

Got sick of the uk so gone abroad and had a normal experience, no restrictions at all.

If you don't mind me asking, where is this?

 

[yorksrob]

For those wanting a nice day out, I can also recomment Hull Old Town. Plenty of good pubs open on Saturday when I went there. Socially distanced, but reasonably busy. Jovial atmosphere

 

[takno]

Good experiences in York with other forum members yesterday. Now is a good time to visit York as many places are open but there aren't many visitors.

If anyone is struggling to get a good experience in your own town, come to York; the staff in everywhere we have been were happy to serve us. Table service was on offer at most places.

For example the first place we went to had a covered outdoors area (not quite a beer garden) and drinks and food orders were taken. We paid on our way out. The service was fantastic. Upon entering we were asked for contact details but only one person had to do this for the group.

The second place had someone at the end of the passageway leading to the pub; they explained the process which is to either scan a QR code or send a text. We then got a code which we showed when we arrived at the pub. We were given a choice of where to sit. Again this was table service. We paid at the end and they came to us to take payment.

Both were quieter than normal but doing a reasonable trade under the circumstances. Nothing was onerous or dystopian.

In both cases the staff were great. I would encourage people to visit places like these; the livelihood of the excellent staff depend on us.

We often organise forum meet ups which include a walk and a visit to the pub; if this interests anyone please do get in touch!

I was in York for the last couple of days seeing friends. There are some pretty good hotels a available cheap, loads of pubs open, everybody seems mostly relaxed, and while there aren't a lot of tourists the whole centre is humming with life. You could even go to Yorvik, although spending an hour in a damp cave with a mask on sounds like my idea of hell.

Overall it wasn't quite as good as London, but was definitely better than Edinburgh is today. Would recommend

 

[Jamiescott1]

If you don't mind me asking, where is this?

Croatia.
Masks were made mandatory in shops on Monday, but i dont really go in shops on holiday.

Masks are mandatory o n public transport and for servers in restaurants but neither are followed or enforced.

No social distancing, disposable menus or ordering from apps or any other nonsense there is in the uk.

 

[sheff1]

The second place had someone at the end of the passageway leading to the pub; they explained the process which is to either scan a QR code or send a text. We then got a code which we showed when we arrived at the pub.

Was there an alternative option if you were not in a position to scan a code or send a text ?

 

[BJames]

Croatia.
Masks were made mandatory in shops on Monday, but i dont really go in shops on holiday.

Masks are mandatory o n public transport and for servers in restaurants but neither are followed or enforced.

No social distancing, disposable menus or ordering from apps or any other nonsense there is in the uk.

A friend has booked a holiday to Croatia soon. Your experience sounds as good as possible under the circumstances, I might have to book myself.

My own experience in England was fine except the TV being on BBC News with its doom and gloom rolling news. Tables in the restaurant I went to were generally spaced out anyway, and I don't really mind not sitting within breathing space of others, at least you can have a decent conversation with the people you're with.

Caffe Nero is quite annoying near me. Very directive, arrows, don't touch this and that, you're going the wrong way etc... doesn't exactly make you want to stay inside for a drink. Leaving your details optional via a QR code (actually, not sure if it's optional but it certainly wasn't being enforced).

 

[yorkie]

Was there an alternative option if you were not in a position to scan a code or send a text ?

Very possibly but we didn't get that far, as the first option presented was the QR code; the forum member who was asked the question isn't familiar with QR codes, so then the offer of a text was made and accepted.

 

[Journeyman]

Always try and get single seat if going First Class , never fancied the thought of someone opposite.

That to me is the biggest appeal of travelling in first. No-one next to me, no-one opposite.

 

[Journeyman]

Caffe Nero is quite annoying near me. Very directive, arrows, don't touch this and that, you're going the wrong way etc... doesn't exactly make you want to stay inside for a drink. Leaving your details optional via a QR code (actually, not sure if it's optional but it certainly wasn't being enforced).

I went into a Caffe Nero in Edinburgh today - it's the first day they were allowed to have indoor customers. Apart from the removal of a few tables, and the required "you are entering a 1m zone" signs as per Scottish Government guidance, it was all pretty normal. They're using takeaway packaging for now and the food range was a bit smaller than usual, but it was good to be back and I enjoyed it.

Collection of details was by scannable QR code on a sign by the bar. I don't trust these things so "forgot" to do it. Would have been much happier using a form of some sort.

 

[BJames]

I went into a Caffe Nero in Edinburgh today - it's the first day they were allowed to have indoor customers. Apart from the removal of a few tables, and the required "you are entering a 1m zone" signs as per Scottish Government guidance, it was all pretty normal. They're using takeaway packaging for now and the food range was a bit smaller than usual, but it was good to be back and I enjoyed it.

Collection of details was by scannable QR code on a sign by the bar. I don't trust these things so "forgot" to do it. Would have been much happier using a form of some sort.

Glad to hear yours was good. My branch has never been the friendliest so I was not surprised. Won't put me off though, I prefer their drinks to the other chains. May try some more independent cafes over the next couple of weeks though.

 

[Journeyman]

Glad to hear yours was good. My branch has never been the friendliest so I was not surprised. Won't put me off though, I prefer their drinks to the other chains. May try some more independent cafes over the next couple of weeks though.

I don't know how Caffe Nero is managed, so it might have something to do with who is in charge of particular branches. I like Costa myself, but none of the central Edinburgh branches have sit-in facilities yet. Some Costas are franchised, so there might be some variation in when and how they reopen.

My local shopping mall has reopened its food court, which is now an enormous empty space with about three tables in it. Never mind two metres distancing, they've gone for about ten!

 

[45107]

Croatia.

Masks are mandatory o n public transport and for servers in restaurants but neither are followed or enforced.

That does not seem to me to be a normal experience with no restdictions.
Unless ignoring rules/laws/regulatio/restrictions is the normal behaviour for Croats.

 

[Bantamzen]

my gf went to a restaurant that was only serving their food in take away containers.
Do they not have a dishwasher to wash their crockery and cutlery?

I hope she asked for a discount? There's absolutely no need for any of that, just some jobsworth making up rules.

 

[Butts]

Croatia.
Masks were made mandatory in shops on Monday, but i dont really go in shops on holiday.

Masks are mandatory o n public transport and for servers in restaurants but neither are followed or enforced.

No social distancing, disposable menus or ordering from apps or any other nonsense there is in the uk.

Bit like the smoking regulations over there by the sound of it - right on

 

[Butts]

That to me is the biggest appeal of travelling in first. No-one next to me, no-one opposite.

Travel on the right LNER Service (at least in the pre-covid days) and you could often have a carriage to yourself !!

 

[Bletchleyite]

That to me is the biggest appeal of travelling in first. No-one next to me, no-one opposite.

Agreed, also a seat that is both window and aisle.

Travel on the right LNER Service (at least in the pre-covid days) and you could often have a carriage to yourself !!

Travel on pretty much any train now and you can

 

[Journeyman]

I hope she asked for a discount? There's absolutely no need for any of that, just some jobsworth making up rules.

Not necessarily. Remember kitchen staff have to social distance. It might not be possible to do that and handle washing up at the same time.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not necessarily. Remember kitchen staff have to social distance. It might not be possible to do that and handle washing up at the same time.

Possibly, but serving food to eat in in a takeaway container is just rubbish. You can get quite nice compostable fibre plates and wooden cutlery that still give a premium feel if that is necessary for the reason you state, and just allow the whole thing to be chucked straight in the compost bin at the end.

 

[Bantamzen]

Not necessarily. Remember kitchen staff have to social distance. It might not be possible to do that and handle washing up at the same time.

Socially distance where possible. Plenty of other places are managing it, if they are going to charge restaurant prices the least they could do is offer restaurant service.

 

[LowLevel]

Went out for a pint or 7 yesterday across 3 pubs (normal 4% bitter spread over 6 hours or so, so no drunkenness I hasten to add!) with a colleague from work.

All establishments I know well. They seemed to be reasonably bustling but not busy, the same process - leave a name and number - in each, with one doing a temperature check as well. Usual friendly and efficient table service and we could sit where we liked. I got chatting to the barman in the first one as I know them pretty well about how things were working for them - they reckoned it had settled down remarkably well, it wasn't too quiet though they had slightly reduced the number of different short life products like real ale and and the customer's were largely behaving though they had introduced a yellow/red card system, with anyone reacting badly to being given a red card (go home, come back tomorrow) was being immediately and permanently barred.

It was great - almost like a normal afternoon session around the various local hostelries.

 

[Llandudno]

I had my first visit to a pub since March 20th yesterday evening. It was an awful experience. No pubs in Conwy town were open (allegedly two are reopening today, but my favourite has no outside so can't open), so I walked to Llandudno Junction where neither pub was open, and got the train to Llandudno.

Most pubs and bars weren't open (unusually for a tourist resort few have gardens.) The two I went in were clearly obeying orders under duress. Name and phone number taken at the door in both, order taken at the door and delivered to me outside. No distancing (but then there hasn't been any for a long time anywhere here.) Dismal atmosphere, but a good moan with some fellow coronasceptics. The second pub called last orders at 8:30, so I went to drown my sorrows at home instead, via a train where I had my ticket checked for the first time since about January. Quite surprised by that.

The new normal can get stuffed.

I walked over the bridge to/from Conwy yesterday as I didn’t think we were allowed to use the train or Arriva bus, if you see an Arriva bus that is as they have stopped running some routes all together and operating about 1 bus in 4 on others!

The only pub open was the Liverpool Arms which has a few outside tables on the Quay. Managed to bag a table just, but you cannot take your pint and sit on one of the Council benches on the harbour wall like normal. The handpumped Welsh Pride was excellent, even in a plastic glass at £4.10 per pint!

I am still hoping Wetherspoons gets permission to purchase the old library in the middle of town, the Council keeps knocking them back, but no-one else has the money to do anything with this eyesore!

 

[route101]

That to me is the biggest appeal of travelling in first. No-one next to me, no-one opposite.

Yes, big attraction to me. LNER had good seating for this , avanti not so much.

 

[route101]

Travel on the right LNER Service (at least in the pre-covid days) and you could often have a carriage to yourself !!

Im travelling on LNER from Glasgow next Monday , will be interesting to see how busy it is.

 

[adc82140]

My local-- perspex at the bar, order your first drink there then sit down. "Service please" flags issued to wave when needed. Name and number taken, then you are issued with a laminated customer number. For future visits, you only need to show your customer number. Loads more seating outside, spread across the car park, alongside a temporary bar in a large garden shed. Service available through the window of that. Pub quiz off for now.

 

[geoffk]

Went to pub 9 days ago with two others, and we were the only ones there (normally our regular Tuesday evening pub). One of us signed in, no problem paying in cash and we were served at the bar. Only real change was the bar stools taped up to stop punters sitting there. First cafe visit was at Hellifield station yesterday; the day steam returned, so quite busy. I ordered at the counter and was advised I could sit inside or on the platform. Food and cup of tea brought out to me. No screens at either place. All good.

 

[mmh]

I walked over the bridge to/from Conwy yesterday as I didn’t think we were allowed to use the train or Arriva bus, if you see an Arriva bus that is as they have stopped running some routes all together and operating about 1 bus in 4 on others!

I've been walking or getting the train. No masks needed on the train for another week, while Arriva insist on them I believe. As you say it's difficult to find a bus though! The 5 is hourly but only via Llanrhos not Deganwy, the 14 (Conwy to Llysfaen via Llanrhos, West Shore and Llandudno is still running but only every two hours!) The 13 (Llandudno to Prestatyn via Deganwy and Junction claims to be running hourly but there are two hour gaps randomly, and it's running to/from "Llandudno Police Station" - I've yet to work out what stop they mean by that! Trains aren't stopping at Conwy sadly.

The only pub open was the Liverpool Arms which has a few outside tables on the Quay. Managed to bag a table just, but you cannot take your pint and sit on one of the Council benches on the harbour wall like normal. The handpumped Welsh Pride was excellent, even in a plastic glass at £4.10 per pint!

Strange that they'd be bothered by by people drinking on the wall. I wonder if that's an instruction from the council. It's been a popular spot for drinking for the past couple of months - some of the regulars from the Legion and the Mail Coach often meet there after work and on the weekends.

I might walk over there later, I really fancy a relaxing pint which sadly isn't what I got the other night in town. £4.10 though, eek! I'm surprised the Blue Bell hasn't opened - it's got a pretty big garden.

I am still hoping Wetherspoons gets permission to purchase the old library in the middle of town, the Council keeps knocking them back, but no-one else has the money to do anything with this eyesore!

Completely agree! I can't see what else anyone would want to do with the place. I think some business owners have been complaining it's not suitable, but I think they're being very short sighted. Part of the attraction of Conwy is that it isn't a museum in aspic but a real living town. Wetherspoons would attract more people to the town who'll also spend in other places. The other pubs could do well off it - most have already gone upmarket in their approach and pricing, so it's not direct competition. Llandudno is a perfect example of how Spoons can live perfectly happily alongside other pubs and be a positive for a town.