Creative thinking has one clever publican giving new hope to the idea of catching up with mates at the local.
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Ask many people what they have missed during the COVID-19 restrictions and they will inevitably say "catching up with my friends at the pub".
Or maybe they will say "after work drinks with my colleagues at the pub".
He's now giving people the chance to catch up for a solid social stint at the pub.
Licensee of the Bowral Hotel in the NSW Southern Highlands, Conor Murray immediately launched his plan for groups of up to 10 people to book his pub for three solid hours.
He put a price tag of $100 per person on the initiative, which includes a meal with a few drinks on the side.
All this with an open fire as a backdrop and even a large screen that can be pulled down to play something entertaining in the background.
He is well aware that "something entertaining" could soon be the NRL, which is set to kick off - again - on May 28.
Even, better news is that the three-hour catch-up at the pub can be booked at any time during trading hours which are 10am until late, seven days.
"We are following all the rules of COVID-19 restrictions," he said. "We allow a maximum of 10 customers for seated dining at any one time, there is plenty of room for tables to be well spaced we have sanitising stations throughout the pub and drinks are only served when people are also dining," he said.
"We now offer table service only, no one can go up to the bar to order.
"It is basically what you would expect when attending a wedding."
Even better news is that the group booking concept is not restricted to lunch and dinner trading hours. If the pub doors are open the three-hour group bookings are welcome.
"The great news is that as of June 1, we will be able to host 50 people and still have plenty of room to space everyone out," Conor said.
His response followed an announcement by the NSW Government just after midday on May 22.
Conor said that even if the pub had reached its dining limit customers were still welcome to buy a taco to takeaway.
While news of the group dining opportunity is spreading quickly, Conor assures that individual diners are also welcome for lunch and dinner seatings, provided the hotel is not already at its COVID-19 capacity.