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I'm off for a wander through Camden and Westminster today, calling in at a few pubs to see what the mood is.
Starting in Hampstead, where things are starting to come to life. Tables back outside the Coffee Cup and Mani's
Starting in Hampstead, where things are starting to come to life. Tables back outside the Coffee Cup and Mani's
Despite the headlines about pubs opening at 6am, none here are yet. Not even for browsing. First opens its doors at 11am.
Neil Remedios from The Horseshoe is putting out 2m strips outside the pub to help drinkers social distance. They're open from midday, with more than 100 bookings this weekend. Still accepting walk-ins, if the fancy takes you.
Been sat outside the Coffee Cup for the last 45 mins. For the first time, the 'new normal' feels almost identical to the old one. Even down to the toddler wrestling with the parent trying to feed them, only to throw the food on the floor anyway.
Meanwhile the King William IV is open to punters. Pictures of one of the first pints to be poured in the village coming up.
Into the Horseshoe. Here we go. Contact tracing alert.
Here's the general view at the Horseshoe. Plastic screens between tables and a QR code for you to scan when you arrive to register your details. Hand sanitiser stations around too. Now to wander down Rosslyn Hill to Belsize Park...
Dropped in at the debut of the new Belsize Village "streatery", which has got a few out despite the weather. Very blustery but suspect it will do well when the next heatwave hits. One of those things that I'm surprised didn't happen pre-Covid.
Richard Steele's is in on the QR code stuff. They've also got Pulp playing. Had forgotten the underrated joy when a great song comes on in a pub.
Plastic cups here. On the plus side the playlist is good, if not on the loud side. Either that or I'm getting old and deaf. Let's go for that.
Finally. Good to be back.
Few drinkers outside the Lady Hamilton in Kentish Town Road. (This is a request stop only, inform the driver if you wish to alight)
Pubs generally quieter than they had expected. Soton Arms said it hadn't been as busy as they had anticipated. I haven't seen anything close to the trouble expected either. Camden Town-bound.
Called in at the Edinboro Castle which is full of bookings. So off to Westminster. Leicester Square and parts of Soho are eerily quiet. More pubs seem to be closed than open.
St Martin's Lane is dead. Banners for Madame Butterly and Rusalka flutter redundantly above the ENO while three sit on the steps outside.
Soho is finally where people are. Probably a few thousand knocking about. Social distancing of the 1m+, not really being observed. Remarkable is the amount of people who have just come out and brought their own drinks.
Last stop then home, Court in er...Tottenham Court Road.
Usual T&T measures. "Steady" seems to the buzzword of the day for bar managers. Also a bit of a nightmare trying to remember which pubs are table service and slow, or whether it's the bar after all.
Usual T&T measures. "Steady" seems to the buzzword of the day for bar managers. Also a bit of a nightmare trying to remember which pubs are table service and slow, or whether it's the bar after all.
Both for me, if you're wondering. One for thirst, one for pleasure. Today's step count.
Euston Road's quiet. Former post-council meeting watering hole O'Neills is the exception. Skinners Arms shut. Further afield, doors also closed on the Euston Flyer and Mabel's Tavern.
See also: King's Cross. Also bad news if you're on the 11.46pm to Peterborough. Cancelled.
All aboard the 11pm party tube from Camden Town. Think you might just get a seat. I've seen Sundays busier than this.
Some takeaways: 'Super Saturday' was always going to be overblown. Of course there'll be some drink-related incidents today, Soho was packed, but it's largely been very orderly.
Pubs will take some time to get used to it - but I wonder whether the numbers will get much above this. People were rightly terrified into staying in their own homes - of course they'll be reluctant to go out again while the virus is about.
The 'drinking experience' didn't feel much different to six months ago. It's still good fun. Just have to log-in with an app, use hand sanitiser and space out more. Pubs being less crowded, as there's no standing, isn't a bad thing for the punter.
And the final takeaway from tonight...
