How restaurants, pubs and bars are reopening in Sydney
After weeks shut down under COVID-19 restrictions, venues across Sydney are finally reopening. Here’s everything you need to know about pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants reopening, including which venues are open in your area.
NSW
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Bars, clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes are opening their doors to patrons for the first time in weeks as NSW begins easing COVID-19 restrictions.
It’s not business as usual however, with only 10 customers allowed at a time and many restrictions still in place.
With cases continuing to be confirmed across the state, not everyone will be flocking to the pubs, with two thirds of Daily Telegraph readers saying they will be staying home today.
Here is everything you need to know about the pubs and restaurants reopening on Friday, including full lists of venues open in your area.
CAN I GO TO THE PUB FOR A BEER NOW?
Well, yes and no.
Pubs that serve food will now be allowed to open to patrons for sit-down dining only.
This means you’ll be allowed to go to the pub for a meal, and order a beer to your table. Going to a pub or bar to order drinks only is still banned.
If a club, bar or hotel has a kitchen and the capacity for sit-down dining, they can open that part of their business.
Restaurants and bars inside shopping centres will also be able to open with the 10 person limit.
Any night entertainment venue, such as nightclubs, cannot reopen unless they have a restaurant.
HOW ARE VENUES CHANGING TO STAY SAFE?
With a strict 10 person limit and social distancing rules, going for a pub meal will look a lot different on Friday.
Sit down dining only will be strictly enforced, meaning buffet style restaurants and pubs and clubs with bar ordering should switch to full table service.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today said that no one should be walking up to the bar.
“There will be table service available and that’s the safest way to do it,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Venues will have to space tables at least 1.5 metres from each other and ensure customers do not sit too close together.
Australian Hotels Association NSW Director John Green said menus would be single use with communal cutlery and salt and pepper shakers out.
“This is hospitality but not as we’ve ever seen it before,” Mr Green said.
“Venues will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitised before, during and after trading and staff will be regularly looking after hygiene, washing their hands regularly,” he said.
He also said buffets would need to change the way they serve customers.
“Given the risk of serving utensils as a touch point, buffets have some serious challenges to overcome,” he said.
SO ARE ALL MY FAVOURITE VENUES OPEN NOW?
Not necessarily.
Dining establishments including pubs that can open within the parameters set by the state government may open from today, however many are planning to stay shut for a variety of reasons.
Many venues that usually cater to larger groups of customers may not find it cost effective to open, a spokesman for Clubs NSW said.
“The reality is, for most clubs the restrictions will be too cost prohibitive, however it’s the first positive step towards an eventual return to normal trade,” the spokesman said.
Celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge said he won't consider opening his Banksia Hotel until at least 20 patrons are allowed.
Mr Green from the AHA said low stock and staffing issues may also force venues to remain closed for this weekend.
“I’ve spoke to some of our members who won’t be open immediately — having been shut down for more than seven weeks they have to ensure they have enough drinks and food and they have the staff on hand, so not all venues will open immediately,” Mr Green said.
SO WHAT VENUES NEAR ME WILL BE OPEN?
The Daily Telegraph has compiled a list of some of the most popular restaurants in Sydney which will be open for business today including Rashays, Nakano Darling and the Prince of York. And a number of local eateries will be opening their doors across Sydney and the Central Coast. Check out our full list here.
INNER WEST SYDNEY
Whacky Newtown favourite Thai Potong is among the venues opening in the Inner West today.
See the full list of what’s open in the Inner West here.
WEST AND SOUTH WEST SYDNEY
XS Espresso based in the famous Emu Hall in Emu Plains is one of the many cafes and
restaurants that will reopen today in the West and Southwest, and store manager Christian Georgees said staff were excited.
“We are very happy that we’ll reopen,” Mr Georgees said. “More importantly, our staff can come back to work, get some hours, and get an income, especially because we haven’t been supported by any of the government schemes.
“The most important thing is getting customers and staff back in the doors to get everyone feeling comfortable again.”
See the full list of what’s opening in the West and Southwest here.
NORTHERN BEACHES
The popular Albert & Moore cafe in Freshwater is among the businesses opening their doors on the North Beaches.
See the full list of what’s open on the Northern Beaches here.
NORTH SHORE
Coal Loader Cafe in Waverton and some eateries at the Chatswood interchange will be serving diners on the North Shore this Friday.
See the full list of what’s open on the North Shore here.
CITY AND EASTERN SUBURBS
For the CBD and Eastern Suburbs, many venues including popular Coogee Bay Hotel and the Quay Restaurant are staying shut.
See the full list of what’s opening in the CBD and Eastern Suburbs here.
ILLAWARRA AND SUTHERLAND SHIRE
In the Illawarra and Sutherland Shire, popular Wollongong bar Dagwood are among those reopening.
Co-owner Ben Abraham said the bar was already overwhelmed with bookings, after announcing they’d be running hour-and-a-half sittings to groups of up to 10 people from 12pm to 12am, Thursdays through Sundays.
See the full list of what’s opening in the Illawarra and Sutherland Shire here.
CENTRAL COAST
Finally, a swag of small cafes and restaurants will open to customers for dine in services on the Central Coast, while council has announced the opening of skateparks, playgrounds and Gosford Olympic Pool.
Most of the major clubs will remain closed to customers including Mingara Recreational Club, Ettalong Diggers and Wyong Leagues, however Gosford RSL has chosen to open its bistro while abiding by the 10-person limit.
See the full list of what’s open on the Central Coast here.
SO NOW THAT CLUBS CAN OPEN, ARE THE POKIES BACK?
Short answer — no.
While Clubs can reopen their bistros and cafes for seated dining, other seated activities such as using poker machines are still banned.
Clubs are expected to keep all other parts of their business closed off to customers other than the dining area.
DO I NEED TO CALL AHEAD TO MY LOCAL PUB?
The Premier has urged anyone considering heading to their nearest pub or restaurant on Friday to book ahead, to not only avoid disappointment but also long lines.
“We recommend you ring ahead or go online to make a booking,” Ms Berejiklian said this morning.
“If you are lining up to potentially eat inside a venue, please make sure you maintain social distancing. The irony is we don’t want people spreading the disease as they’re waiting outside in a queue.”
Mr Green said licensees are motivated to make sure everyone sticks to the 10 person rule.
“The majority of members are seeing this as a small step to an opportunity to reopen in a larger scale in the future … we need to demonstrate that we can get this right,” he said.