Doghouse Bar and 212 Cafe Bar reopen in Leeds city centre
and live on Freeview channel 276
While a number of venues have brought in booking systems, reservation fees or time limits on tables, Doghouse Bar in Kirkgate and 212 Cafe Bar in Brewery Place have gone for a first come, first served approach.
And regulars heading back there will find a fresh new feel thanks to the temporary closure in recent months giving both bars an opportunity for a refurbishment.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCo-owner Stuart Dixon said: "We've spruced the place up before but never done a great deal. We used the time we were closed to do stuff like sanding all the floors down, rather than shut the bars further down the line and we got working to get ready for reopening.
"They totally smell cleaner! You don't realise at the time how it smells of spilled, stale beer. Everything is sparkling clean."
Given their city centre locations, the team decided against trying out takeaway or delivery options while they were unable to trade as normal.
Staff were furloughed instead, with supportive landlords at both sites also showing flexibility when it comes to paying rent.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"We'd just like to say thank you to the people who supported us through these times," Stuart said. "We have got a lot of friends and people who we'd class as family who have helped us.
"People have come in and carried on drinking since we reopened. We want to say thank you to everyone."
Those visiting either of the bars now will find steps being taken to help people socially distance, such as the layout of tables and chairs being rearranged.
With a move to table service, the venues have decided against screens at the bar or visors for staff that some people might find off-putting.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"We said to our managers, if you want to wear masks then it's up to you," Stuart said.
"We're doing table service only, we come over to serve you. We've made it a bit more European."
There is no requirement to book in advance, although customers who do want to reserve a table can still call ahead as in pre-lockdown days.
Stuart said: "If somebody messages us on social media for a table of four then we would book it for them. There's no timescale on tables, as long as you're drinking. We just want to let everybody relax."
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWelcome back to Leeds is an info hub designed to help guide you safely back to the city centre in the months ahead. welcometoleeds.co.uk #backtoleeds
Also in news: Nomadic Brewery in Leeds is reopening its taproom
A message from the editor:
Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.
While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdInevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.
Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.
For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004.
Thank you
Laura Collins, editor