Pubs and bars have gradually been reopening from 4 July and things will be a little different whilst Covid-19 safety rules are in force. Below is CAMRA’s rough guide to the new way of pubgoing, updated to reflect the September changes to government guidance.
Note additional comments at the end regarding changes from 14th October.
Check out
WhatPub for all the information we have about which pubs are reopening and when. Links are also provided to the pub’s website and social media for more details, including any changes to opening hours.
If you are using public transport to get to the pub, check out the
Travel South Yorkshire website for current timetables and social distancing arrangements and don’t forget your face covering, which is now a legal requirement on public transport and in taxis (unless you have a valid exemption)!
So how do things work now?
As each pub, bar and food hall are unique and different, there are some differences in the way they are doing things but all the basics are the same in line with government Covid-Safe guidelines with the management and staff working hard to ensure they are providing a clean, safe and comfortable environment to enjoy food and drink:
- When you arrive you will normally be greeted by a member of staff who will take your NHS Test & Trace contact details (you can either using the new NHS app or the venues own system), ask you to sanitise your hands and show you to a freshly cleaned table. Some venues may require you to book a table in advance, some are walk-in and some a mixture of both.
- You must have a table, standing in pubs to drink is no longer permitted and unfortunately once all tables are taken no more customers are allowed in.
- Pubs now operate table service (how civilised!). You are asked where possible to look at drinks menus either printed or online rather than perusing pump clips at the bar.
- A maximum of 6 people may sit together and you shouldn’t mix with other groups. The same rules now apply both indoors and outdoors.
- Social distancing arrangements may be in place such as one way systems, separate entrances and exits and limitations of the numbers in the toilets at any one time.
- Contactless card payments are preferred in venues that accept them as this reduces the risk of Coronavirus being spread through cash handling. Some venues are taking orders and payments online either via a website or an app.
- You are asked not to move furniture around as the positions are all measured out to comply with social distancing rules.
- You should follow social distancing advice at all times including if you are outside smoking or queuing to gain entry as well as within the venue.
- Use your “indoor voice”, shouting can potentially spread germs further. Venues will keep any music and TV to background level to ensure raised voices are not necessary.
- You must wear a face covering when not sat at your table (so when you arrive and are shown to a table along with when you need to move around the venue such as to visit the toilets for example).
- All pubs, restaurants and takeaways must be closed with everyone out by 10pm. It is expected that the bars will stop serving around 9:30pm to allow drinking up time so you should ensure you have your last drink (and any take home purchases) by then.
Please be nice to the staff implementing the new rules. They are government rules designed to keep everyone safe through the pandemic, if the staff do not manage the pub in a covid-secure manner they could be closed down!
FROM 14th OCTOBER – NEW 3 TIER LOCAL RESTRICTION SYSTEM
In Tier 1 areas (Medium Alert) the above applies.
In Tier 2 areas (High Alert) an additional rule of not being allowed to be indoors with people from outside your own household applies (therefore if you go to the pub with anyone you do not live with you will need a table outside, unless they are in your support bubble).
In Tier 3 areas (Very High Alert) you can only go to pubs if you are having a meal
>> Government Guidance
>> CAMRA’s response to new 10pm close rule
>> SAVE OUR PUBS – Email your MP to ask pubs get government support to survive the restrictions
Brewing restarted on the day the pubs were allowed to reopen, with an old-skool Transatlantic Pale Ale named 106 Days Later to commemorate the pubs reopening (though for many of our favourites it was a few more days until they opened their doors). To continue the theme, the IBUs were set at 106, coupled with flame-out hops Centennial, Rakau, and Lemondrop, with Rakau and Lemondrop again for dry-hop. The bulk of the brew was casked and donated to regular customers, with a small amount being canned.
Also out very soon in small-pack are all three versions of the collaboration with Germany’s Freigeist brewery, appropriately enough all related to German metal band Rammstein. The base brew, Mein Herz Brennt is a Berliner Braunbier, resurrecting a near-extinct style. Reise Reise has the addition of cranberries and redcurrants, while Blitzkriek has been aged in a Bordeaux red wine barrel with cherries and redcurrants. Blitzkriek is in cans while the other two are bottled. 
The Wisewood Inn re-opened their doors under the current ownership in October 2015, relaunching a pub that had struggled for at least ten years under various pub companies , it is now well supported by the local community.
Since previously winning Pub of the Month in July 2017, they have expanded and made lots of positive changes to create an even better environment and the pub now has its very own on-site microbrewery – Loxley Brewery.
The Wisewood Inn has four cask pumps serving Loxley Brewery ales, there are also two guest pumps which are rotated frequently, these pumps have seen many fine local breweries and many more from further afield.
The ‘Cellar Bar’ has also been refurbished to an exceptional standard and is the perfect place to grab a pint in the winter months with the real log fire and candlelight. In the summer months, the roller blinds are opened up on to one of the largest beer gardens in Sheffield and the spectacular views of the Loxley Valley surround. The Cellar Bar is also the perfect place to have a function of any kind.
The pub has also undergone a kitchen extension, serving delicious homemade food every day of the week but the Sunday Roasts are particularly popular!
The Wisewood Inn had been planning on hosting their second beer festival in June which obviously hasn’t been possible, instead advantage has been taken of the closure forced by the Covid-19 lockdown to start work early on the pub refurbishment that was originally planned for later in the year, so the pub will reopen looking great!
The refurbishment has given the pub a new bar and and bar back. They’ve increased the hand-pumps from 5 to 6 and have a new set of keg lines. Their brewery has now started brewing keg beer and they are about to add new fermenters doubling their production capacity. Their beer range has now been rebranded to match their bottle branding with named beers replacing the previous numbered beers and to top it off they have a portable beer bar converted from a vintage Citroen van which in a former life delivered bread in France, so it has moved from selling one yeast product to another.
The pub will be reopening on Monday 6th July operating under the government Covid-19 secure guidelines with table service, contactless payments and reservations required for food. Check out their 
The pub was rescued from dereliction in 2002 and firmly established as a popular real ale pub with the back room added as an extension to cope! The Kelham has two rooms and impressive little beer garden at the rear whilst the bar offers up to 12 well kept cask beers with an effort made to ensure variety of styles, all at fair prices. A simple food menu is served at lunchtime every day except Sunday.
Josh and Louise took over the pub two years ago and has not only maintained the established standards but made some subtle improvements too! Congratulations to both on the award!
PUB REOPENING
With the easing of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the Kelham Island Tavern will reopen on Saturday 4th July with limited capacity in the pub and beer garden. New reduced opening hours will operate – 2pm to 8pm for seated customers, with takeaway drinks available 3pm-7pm. Check their Facebook page for more information.
The Anglers Rest was under threat a few years ago when the pub company that owned it decided to sell and there was a proposal to convert it into residential use, leaving the village with no pub and little other facilities. However thanks to it being listed as an asset of community value, locals were able to get together to form a community enterprise to buy and operate the pub, which is also now home to the village post office and coffee shop, keeping those facilities for this rural community.
The pub itself is comfortable and friendly, offers a selection of real ales including some from local breweries and serves meals and also hosts various events.
PUB REOPENING
During lockdown the Post Office remains open and the pub/cafe is operating as a takeaway and shop.
The pub will be reopening to enjoy food and drink on the premised from Monday 6th July with reduced hours and Covid-19 secure service. Check their 