Two bars in Newcastle are inviting customers to come down for drinks as the clock strikes midnight on Monday morning, to celebrate the latest lifting of lockdown restrictions.
Pubs and restaurants across the UK have been shut for months, since the country went into tier 3 and 4 at the end of last year, before going into another national lockdown at the start of January.
But on April 12, venues will be able to welcome patrons for a spot of al fresco drinking and dining, with owners readying new outdoor areas and beer gardens on their own premises, in car parks and on pavements so they can be ready for what is expected to be a busy few weeks of outside custom before indoor trading comes back into force on May 17.
And two places in Newcastle who aren't wasting anytime in welcoming back regulars are The Bank and Switch, two well known places in Newcastle's gay scene.
On Thursday both bars put out identical statuses on their Facebook pages, which read: "As we are eager to welcome back everyone how would you feel if we opened at 0:01 until 3am Monday morning?
"Would you all come out and join us or wait until the afternoon opening?"
Plenty of people were quick to comment on the posts and tag their friends in and, by Friday afternoon, bookings were live to book picnic tables in the big outdoor area in the space between the bars and neighbouring haunt Boulevard.
They are available to book for three hours and from parties of 2-6 people. Each booking made on the QTap app carries a £10 redeemable deposit.
If you'd rather wait for your first real drink in months, other popular bars in the same area are returning later on Monday with the likes of The Yard, Blonde Barrel. Tipsy Cow, Pink Room and Powerhouse all re-opening for outdoor service.
There will also soon be a new face on the scene when Bobby's opens its doors in the premises formerly known as The End and Secrets at the end of Scotswood Road.
