PUBS and the hospitality industry served customers indoors this week for the first time in months, giving Colchester venues without beer gardens a much-needed boost in custom.
The spread of the highly transmissible Indian variant has placed plans for Stage 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown in jeopardy, but Stage 3 was given the green light by the Prime Minister in a public briefing on Friday.
Some venues have been very busy since reopening in the last round of lockdown easing but with them having greater capacity, you may be more likely to bag a spot at your favourite bar or restaurant.
Everywhere should be doing table service and abide by the rule of six indoors.
But what about those doing walk-ins?
Here are five pubs in Colchester where you don't need to book a table:
The Magnet
The Magnet is Colchester first ever micropub and situated inside part of the old Norfolk, in North Station Road.
It opened to punters for the very first time on Friday.
Social distancing rules mean when The Magnet first opens there will be room for 25 drinkers, but once rules are relaxed there will be space for more punters inside.
Find out more at www.themagnetpub.co.uk and www.facebook.com/magnetmicropub.
Playhouse
The Wetherspoons pub is a favourite with drinkers in Colchester due to its cheap prices and food options.
All Wetherspoons are not taking booking after reopening, so you can walk in.
There's lots of room inside Playhouse, which used to be a theatre, for drinkers too.
The Camulodunum
The High Street pub, which is owned by Greene King, is now open again inside and out.
Booking is advised, but not essential, with space available for walk ins on a first come, first served basis.
The pub is particularly popular with sports fans.
Visit www.facebook.com/Camulodunum.Colchester.
Read more:
- All the pubs in Colchester which are reopening from Monday
- Sneak peak of Colchester's first ever micropub The Magnet
Purple Dog
Eld Lane's Purple Dog is one of the oldest drinking establishments in Colchester, dating from the 17th century.
The pub is currently accepting walk in visits from members of the public both inside and in its garden.
You can book tables too, if you want to ensure your place as it can get very busy at weekends.
Visit www.facebook.com/ThePurpleDog.
The Fox and Fiddler
The St John's Street pub is now back open to punters.
You don't need to book in advance of a visit either, although must follow the rules in place once at the pub.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/TheFoxandFiddler.
Two more pubs where you don't need to book are The Castle, in High Street, and The Friar, in St Christopher Road.
Have we missed you off this list?
We're sure there are more pubs in Colchester where you don't need to book.
Let us know if your pub or bar is open to walk ins by emailing robbie.bryson@newsquest.co.uk.
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