A historic Rotherhithe boozer says it saw a surge in punters making bookings as the government announced its tier two rules last week.
The Black Dog Pub Company owns and runs the Mayflower, alongside Leadbelly’s Bar in Canada Water and the Prince of Wales pub in Kennington.
Its owner, Paul Graham, told the News staff saw a stampede of customers eager to get back into their locals since the new rules were announced.
“We had 750 bookings in just the first few hours when they said that London was going to be in tier two,” he said. The venue was quickly fully booked for Christmas, too.
Even as the pubs served takeaway pints during lockdown, punters were still chancing their luck and asking if they could sit inside, he told the News.
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“People were still asking if they could come inside,” he said. “I think people just really miss the pub.
“I think it’ll be different going into a pub though, there won’t be that hustle and bustle. `People will obviously spend more on food, it’ll be a different kind of experience.”
The pub-owner said he did not expect any radical changes to the rules, which bar meeting friends indoors, until at least Easter.
To accommodate that, the businesses have invested in outdoor heaters, as different households can still meet outdoors including in pub gardens.
“I think people just feel safer outside,” he said.
Looking for a place with outdoor heaters to have a pint or a meal? Here’s a few:
The Florence, Herne Hill
• The Ivy House, Nunhead
• The George Inn, Borough
• Vinegaryard, London Bridge
• Skehans, Nunhead
• The Founders Arms, South Bank
• Flat Iron Square, Southwark
• Mercato Metrapolitano, Elephant & Castle
• Leadbelly’s, Canada Water
• The Anchor, Bankside
• The Bermondsey Yard Cafe
• Theo’s, Camberwell
• Llewelyn’s, Herne Hill
• The Anchor & Hope, The Cut