Brits could be able to order pints at the bar as Boris Johnson eyes plans to relax social distancing rules next month.
Officials are carrying out a review of whether restrictions on social contact can be ditched at the final stage of the lockdown roadmap on June 21.
Mr Johnson promised the review would report back before the end of May but the timetable has slipped, with confirmation not expected until next week.
Fears over the spread of the Indian variant prompted nervousness in Government over whether step 4 of the roadmap could go ahead on June 21 as planned.
But Government sources said they were feeling optimistic that the data was "on track" to fully ease restrictions.
This means that measures like table service at pubs could go, with punters finally allowed to order their drinks at the bar.
Hospitality bosses have been pressing for a relaxation of the rules which would help lockdown-hit bars and restaurants to serve more customers.
Asked if the rules could be eased to let drinkers stand at the bar, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Well 'one metre plus' is something that is very much at the heart of the certification review.
"So like I said we will set out the detail as soon as possible."
Pressed on whether people can look forward to being to order a drink at the bar, the spokesman said: "That is one of the things under consideration as far as the certification review because it relates to the 'one metre plus' rules.
"So we will have to wait until we have more clinical data before we can make that judgement."
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “From our dialogue with Government, we understand that the Government rightly recognises that bar service is a priority for pubs and bars, as it would represent a major step in making up the shortfall in capacity that is imposed by table service and other restrictions.
"We are confident that it will remain under consideration in the Government’s ongoing reviews and hope very much that it will be achievable at the earliest possible time.”
The Prime Minister will give an update in coming days on the latest data on the Indian variant, which could pave the way for the next stage of unlocking.
However, he is expected to stop short of giving a cast-iron commitment in case hospital admissions and case numbers go up, with final confirmation only coming the week before on June 14.
