Corcaigh_the_Cat
Well-known member
First Friday after opening had a nice night in the club garden for an hour, extended by another three hours when we managed to get a table in the marquee. They've had a real go to get people under cover. The club opening hours have changed already, only opening from Thursday to Sunday, not enough demand Monday to Wednesday. That's the Billingham Catholic Club, not a big club but it has a fantastic committee, forward thinking and having a go at catering for the members.
The evening after I popped to one of the local pubs, they were closing at 7, it's a regulars pub and the cold was keeping demand down as the day cooled off. It's a tiny beer garden facing north, no cover or heating, it was understanably very quiet.
Last Friday the weather was gorgeous and we managed to get a couple of tables in a west facing beer garden in another local. Had a very happy four hours with all tables taken most of the time. The beer garden is on the roadside so people know it's there and the pub acts as a wind break. They have no protection from rain and it will be empty when the downpours come. Their kitchen was open and popular.
After my walk the other day I popped into my nearest beer garden to see if I could get a pint, it was closed but the landlord popped out for a word and to say they're opening this weekend but no measures have been taken by the pub owners to improve their outdoor facilities and the kitchen is going to be closed. Despite it being a good sized west facing garden it's hidden from the road. It's not going to be my first choice. Nothing has been done to make things a little more comfortable, no cover and no heating.
I haven't had a pint there but the Wetherspoon pub in the centre of Billingham has put up a decent sized tented area, it looks to be popular, even when chilly this week there's been quite a few in when I've passed.
As Jam said above, if the sun isn't shining and it's not warm you need wrapping up. I'm not going to bother if it's raining.
One thing, hospitality has been pushed towards table service and it makes for a far better social experience. No long waits at the bar away from the people you're spending the evening with.
The evening after I popped to one of the local pubs, they were closing at 7, it's a regulars pub and the cold was keeping demand down as the day cooled off. It's a tiny beer garden facing north, no cover or heating, it was understanably very quiet.
Last Friday the weather was gorgeous and we managed to get a couple of tables in a west facing beer garden in another local. Had a very happy four hours with all tables taken most of the time. The beer garden is on the roadside so people know it's there and the pub acts as a wind break. They have no protection from rain and it will be empty when the downpours come. Their kitchen was open and popular.
After my walk the other day I popped into my nearest beer garden to see if I could get a pint, it was closed but the landlord popped out for a word and to say they're opening this weekend but no measures have been taken by the pub owners to improve their outdoor facilities and the kitchen is going to be closed. Despite it being a good sized west facing garden it's hidden from the road. It's not going to be my first choice. Nothing has been done to make things a little more comfortable, no cover and no heating.
I haven't had a pint there but the Wetherspoon pub in the centre of Billingham has put up a decent sized tented area, it looks to be popular, even when chilly this week there's been quite a few in when I've passed.
As Jam said above, if the sun isn't shining and it's not warm you need wrapping up. I'm not going to bother if it's raining.
One thing, hospitality has been pushed towards table service and it makes for a far better social experience. No long waits at the bar away from the people you're spending the evening with.
