NOT just another night on the town!
As Nottingham’s pubs, bars and restaurants welcomed customers back for the first time on a Saturday night in 2021, we sent ANDREW TOPPING out to see what it was like
QUEUES FORM AT PUBS AND BARS AS MANY HEAD OUT FOR A DRINK ‘ON SPEC’
SATURDAY was the day, the first time all year I’ve been able to go into Nottingham and experience a great city night out.
Unlike many people, I hadn’t prebooked and it was my mission to find somewhere – anywhere – to let me sit down and enjoy a pint.
I scoured everywhere, starting off at Market Street, Angel Row and Long Row before seeing tables and outdoor seating rammed.
It didn’t look particularly positive from the outset.
My hopes were dashed even further when I saw the queue – at least 10 groups deep – for the Slug and Lettuce before speaking with a man on the door who told me it “could be an hour, if not more”.
This would put off most people, but some in the city did not seem deterred.
James Clarke, 23, was in that queue with his friends and told me they would not be put off.
“We’re willing to wait as we chanced coming out tonight without booking anywhere,” he said.
“We didn’t know how busy things would be because of everything going on, but it’s surprisingly busier than I thought.
“It’s nice to see so many people in the city again – it does feel like it’s going back to normal.”
Whether he eventually got in I do not know. But like James and his friends, many people out in the city were “chancing it”.
Many popular bars and pubs were not taking bookings, operating on a first come, first serve, basis which sparked long queues.
One of those bars was Pepper Rocks, off Bridlesmith Gate, with several parkbench-like tables outside and a flock of people waiting around the corner.
However, for some the wait was too much.
“We’ve already been to other places and had bookings but we thought we’d chance getting into Pepper Rocks tonight,” said 19-year-old Lucie Pemberton.
“The queue itself isn’t bad, but we came out quite early when it was sunny and warm, and the longer we leave it, it’s going to get too cold.
“That’s the main issue with everything being outside – otherwise I’d happily queue.”
I decided to try my luck up by Nottingham Castle, and on my walk towards Maid Marian Way I heard speakers blaring at Ye Olde Salutation Inn.
The popular – and historic – pub appeared to have live music playing and, again, I couldn’t see many free tables.
One of my biggest observations was that there was a great buzz in the city with everything back up and running.
While it might not be ideal, having everything outside means there is a lot of noise, a hum, to the city which makes you feel like it’s got its groove back.
And as I made my way up towards the castle I saw the flood of people sat down outside Fothergills, in what I’d probably say was the biggest of any outdoor seating areas I’d seen all night.
This is when I encountered a man who, unlike many people in the city, had not come out specifically for a drink.
Roan Haggar, 24, was queuing for food at the Castle Pub and Kitchen when I met him – but this wasn’t the main event of his and his girlfriend’s evening.
“We have been around looking for a couple of places to get something to eat,” he said.
“We’ve just finished a murder mystery tour around the city.
“You pay £10 and you go around looking for clues. It lets you see loads of the city that you might not normally see. It’s quite neat.
“We’re just hoping to get some food now and then head home.”
Heading home was looking like my inevitable fate if I didn’t find somewhere to drink – and soon.
I decided to head down towards the wreckage of the old Broadmarsh shopping centre and try my luck near the railway station.
It was here that I bumped into a young couple who had been experiencing similar problems.
The couple – friends or otherwise I did not ask – had been trying various places across the city and even queued for 40 minutes at one place before giving up.
But to bank on definitely getting a drink, the pair were carrying a couple of cans of Strongbow Dark Fruits – which looked like a wise move.
“It’s good to be out in the city but it’s very busy, and it’s impossible to get in anywhere,” said Aaron Charlesworth.
“We were in the queue for about 40 minutes at Tier near Market Square. They’re only doing walk-ins, but we still didn’t get in.”
Nineteen-year-old Aaron and his female friend – who opted against giving her name – and myself then went our separate ways.
They headed off towards the Canalhouse, Via Fossa and Waterfront, while I tried my luck inside Cured, the newish hip-looking bar sitting atop the canal.
I went inside and asked if a table I’d spotted outside was booked up. The woman behind the bar told me they weren’t taking bookings at all. Bingo.
One pint of Amstel please bartender! I’d hit the jackpot, and in truth I’d always planned that this would be the place I’d get a drink if push came to shove.
As I sat and enjoyed the pint, watching the world go by and listening in on conversations, I took it all in.
People out, enjoying themselves and being able to forget about the torrid 13 months we’ve just experienced.
While it’s certainly not over yet, and we’ve got some way to go, it felt like a real step forward.
I’ve been longing to get back into Nottingham for a pint since the day everything was closed down, and it was such a welcome sight to see life back in our wonderful city.
And despite everything being limited to outdoor only, it really did feel like a normal Saturday night in Nottingham.
It’s good to be out in the city but it’s very busy, and it’s impossible to get in anywhere
Aaron Charlesworth