Where to enjoy a pint al fresco
It’s been a long three months for those seeking a crisp pint in the sun but their wait is finally over.
Beer gardens returned to thirsty punters on Monday as outdoor hospitality areas were given the green light to reopen as lockdown restrictions continue to lift.
Health and hygiene measures will be in place across facilities including social distancing and capped numbers.
Some popular restaurants have upgraded their outdoor seating areas whereas others have created new spaces to allow reopening.
We’ve compiled a list of top beer gardens open for business across the area.
●Smiths: Smiths Bar on Dalblair Road had just updated their popular sun trap days before lockdown was announced in March, meaning not a drop of alcohol has been enjoyed in their new beer garden.
Their newly decorated spot complete with twinkling fairy lights- boasts plenty of space to keep distance from others in the fresh air.
●Arthur Street Kitchen: The town centre cocktail bar and eatery has a huge outdoor space for folks to enjoy a tipple.
Complete with grass, bean bags and soft furnished booth like tables, customers can enjoy a cocktail in comfort and style.
●Smoking Goat- Another town centre spot whose charming outdoor space in Academy Street can now be accessed via the back gate, avoiding those steep stairs to the basement pub.
Bar boss David Storrie
previously told the Post:“We’ve been working hard making adaptations to our beer garden out the back. Many people actually don’t know it’s here and until now it’s been used as a smoking area.”
●The Fox & Willow : The Carrick Road bar and grill has moved its beer garden out front to the car park.
The spacious outdoor venue has capped the maximum per table to six and are taking bookings via their website. Walk ins will be welcomed subject to availability.
●The Redstone Inn: The pub on Main Road, Ayr have given their outdoor spaces a major facelift.
The smoking area to the side of the pub is complete with electric heaters and lights. And the spacious back beer garden can seat 56 people with more standing.
They are taking bookings to hire out the back beer garden for any special occasion missed during lockdown, and will have its own entrance and access to toilets.
●McKays Troon: This awardwinning watering hole has a massive outdoor drinking spot, which could host up to 200 people before lockdown.
There’s still plenty of space to distance to enjoy a cold one.
●The BUF Prestwick: This popular spot on Prestwick’s Main Street is known for its sun-trap outdoor area. Bookings are now being taken via their website with three hour time slots and parties of four to six people.
Tables can be secured with a £30 deposit (deducted from the bill), or refunded if £30 isn’t spent.
●The Chestnuts Hotel: The family-style restaurant will open their beer garden with bookings only. The Chestnuts team say: “This enables us to control the number of guests on the premises at any one time ensuring the safety of our customers and staff.”
From Monday to Wednesday (2pm – 8pm) drinks, tea and coffee only will be served and from Thursday to Sunday (2pm – 10pm) food will be available from the takeaway menu from 4pm – 8pm.