The apps you need to book tables at pubs and restaurants as they reopen
PUBS and restaurants can welcome back customers today as lockdown restrictions ease further.
The PM confirmed last week that stage two of his roadmap out of lockdown could go-ahead as planned today.
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Hospitality businesses can now open for outdoor service, but will have to wait until May 17 at the earliest before allowing customers to sit inside.
You can enjoy a pint in a pub beer garden once again although punters will have to follow a strict set of rules.
Even for outdoor bookings, boozers can only offer table service and social distancing still needs to be observed.
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.
How To Find Out When The Pubs Reopen
Here’s what to do to keep you in the loop:
- Turn on breaking news alerts on your phone to see the headlines
- Download The Sun app to get the latest daily updates as we report it
- Sign up for newsletters or emails from your favourite chains
- Check and follow their social media accounts
- Sign up to The Sun's newsletter to get the latest news sent straight to your inbox every day
To avoid missing out on a table, many businesses are asking customers to pre-book a table and pay using an app on their phone to help with table service.
Here are the apps you’ll need to have on hand to enjoy eating and drinking out again.
Orderpay
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
Greene King is reopening 442 pubs today and is asking 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.
Slug and Lettuce
Downloading the free Slug and Lettuce app allows you to book tables, order food and drink and search for nearby venues.
Harvester
The owners of Harvester Mitchell & Butlers, which owns other big chains including O'Neill's, Toby Carvery, and All Bar One, is opening hundreds of branches for outdoor dining from today.
But the firm has also warned "a majority" of its pubs and restaurants will stay shut due to outdoor-only restrictions.
Having the Harvester app means you can place and pay for your orders and book a table as soon as possible.
Nicholson's Pubs
Nicholson's is operating a table service to maintain social distancing as it reopens today.
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.
Vintage Inns
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.
Swifty App
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
Wetherspoons is opening 400 pubs England today as lockdown restrictions ease.
Wetherspoons has 875 pubs in total across the UK, but not all have outdoor space so some won't be able to welcome back customers until later.
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.
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