Return of the Sunday session as venue restrictions ease

DARWINITES flocked to the pub at the weekend to enjoy one of Australia’s favourite pastimes – the Sunday session – as coronavirus restrictions ease in the NT

Jack Dolbel, 19, Sophie Schinkel, 19, and April Davies, 19, enjoy a Sunday session at the Beachfront Hotel at the weekend. Picture: Che Chorley

DARWINITES flocked to the pub at the weekend to enjoy one of Australia’s favourite pastimes – the Sunday session – as coronavirus restrictions ease in the NT.

Among the revellers at the Beachfront Hotel were Jack Dolbel, Sophie Schinkel and April Davies.

The trio, all 19, downed a jug of Great Northern alongside a bowl of chips and a schnitty.

It was their first foray into a pub since restrictions lifted on Friday at midday.

The smiles on their faces said it all – nothing beats a drink at the pub.

Mr Dolbel said an afternoon gazing at the ocean with a cold drink in one hand was going down well.

“We could have stayed at home but we decided to come in just for the experience,” he said.

He said he would not take the Sunday sesh for granted and would be out enjoying a drink for as many Sundays as there were in a year.

Ms Davies, on the other hand, was keen to tuck into a pub meal.

“I’m so glad I’m out at the pub and about to get a schnitty,” she said.

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Beachfront Hotel owner Guy Dunne said it was comforting to see the support from locals over the weekend.

“There’s been really strong support from our local community, which is pleasing to see,” Mr Dunne said.

“We’ve been taking bookings online for the last two weeks so we were able to plan and really accommodate everyone with a lot of space.”

The venue, which typically operates as a pub, has had to change its business model to accommodate the COVID-19 restrictions.

“It’s a really different feeling, rather than being a pub we are more of a restaurant at the moment so everyone is seated for a meal and a drink and it’s been nice actually,” he said.

“Everyone is being respectful of the rules and regulations that are in place, really understanding and it’s gone smoothly.”

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He said he was looking forward to the Stage 3 restriction lifting on June 5, which will give venues and patrons more flexibility.

“In the meantime it’s just nice to have people back,” he said.