Mobile-Free Monday

I’m sure most of us are guilty of sneaking a peek at our social media in between courses when eating out with friends or family. In fact, the sight of a mobile phone on the dinner table has become as common as the cutlery. With that in mind, one pub has a challenge for all the phone-addicted foodies out there.

Last night, The Fat Boar in Wrexham launched ‘Mobile-Free Monday’ in the hope of encouraging customers to appreciate what is happening right in front of them, rather than online. All customers have to do is pop their phone away in a small lock box on their table, to which only staff have the key, for the duration of their evening, and in return they will receive a rather generous 25% off the bill.

Restaurant manager Jade Darlington told the BBC: “I think we all feel a certain amount of pressure to be constantly checking emails, social media, texts and all the other messaging on our phones.

“But if we can do something to encourage people to put their phones down and concentrate solely on one another and the fun night out they are having with us, then I think that’s a really positive thing.”

As stated on the Fat Boar’s Facebook page, the requirements of Mobile-Free Mondays are simple:

1. Book your table in advance 
2. Pop your phones in the box on your table
3. Lock the box and pass us the key
4. Enjoy your meal
5. Receive 25% off your food bill

The proposal has been a hit on social media, receiving thousands of video views and hundreds of comments and shares. It has also been covered by media outlets around the world, from Denmark to the USA.

For anyone who is interested, the offer is currently available in the Fat Boar’s Wrexham site and if successful, will be rolled out to their sister site in Mold. So if you happen to be in North Wales and fancy a mobile-free meal with a discount reward, look no further!

We’ve had a lot of interest in our Mobile Free Monday offer! Reading all the comments has been very entertaining! But just so everyone is aware…….1. It’s a bit of fun 2. Our insurance cover is quite adequate3. No we don’t want to sell your mobile on eBay 4. Hopefully this video will help!

Posted by The Fat Boar Wrecsam on Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Open for Business!

Every week we are bringing you the latest pub and bars openings from around the UK. If you see somewhere you like, give it a follow and you can receive news, offers and events from them. Who doesn’t want an excuse to pop in for a pint?

The Wellington Ale House, Birmingham

Formerly the Duke of Wellington, one of the oldest pubs in Lichfield has re-opened with a new look and a new name. Now The Wellington Ale House, the pub is once again open to the public following a £130,000 refurbishment programme. It boasts a fabulous range of food, real ales and an extensive beer garden with decking. Although looking thoroughly modern these days, the building actually dates back to 1818 – hence the name.

Follow The Wellington Ale House

Pessimist Gin & Wine Bar, Lincoln

What could possibly be better than a selection of 150 gins? If you answered ‘nothing’ then we have something that is going to make you very happy! The Pessimist is now open for business in a former coffee warehouse with decor that reflects the building’s former industrial use. And if the extensive array of gins wasn’t enough to tempt you, there’s also some home-cooked food and dozens of wine choices thrown in for good measure. What’s not to love?

Follow the Pessimist Gin & Wine Bar

Olivello Ristorante & Harry’s Bar, Linthorpe

This Italian restaurant and cocktail bar took its name from the famous Lake Como drinking spot – a favourite of George Clooney. They even received a message from their namesake to wish them well and let them know they had told their celebrity regular all about the opening. Which will of course come in handy for his next trip to Middlesbrough. Make sure you try the cocktail tree, George!

Follow Olivello Ristorante & Harry’s Bar

Mixers Bar, Carlisle

Carlisle’s newest nightlife spot is hoping to bring a bit of variety to the town with its live music acts, DJ’s and wide-ranging bar offerings. Despite being brand new and only open 2 days a week, the bar has already hosted Adele and Robbie William’s tributes and a resident house DJ. And in keeping up the momentum, tomorrow night will see the venue welcome a Lady Gaga act.

Follow Mixers Bar

White Bear, Barrowford

Following a £150,000 refurbishment, the historic Grade II-listed White Bear has re-opened (an event they used to raise money for charity, might I add). As well as wood-flooring, an improved bar (with added gin shelf), and new furniture, the 400 year old pub has also been kitted out with Burnley FC memorabilia and will see BT & Sky Sports projected around the building – just in time for the big summer of sport!

Follow The White Bear 

The Blue Arrow, Glasgow

If you’re a fan of La La Land, this could be the perfect place for you! The Blue Arrow, Glasgow’s first dedicated jazz club, will be opening its doors to the public this weekend on Sunday 18th February. With exclusive acts and events, the owners are hoping to not only pay homage to performers of the past who have ‘shaped the scene’, but also nurture the talents of a new generation of jazz performers.

Follow The Blue Arrow

If you know of a pub opening that you would like us to feature in our blog, do let us know! You can email us at [email protected] or leave your suggestion in the comments.

Click here to view last week’s openings.

Could you take on the Monster Roast?

The Sussex Arms in Twickenham has introduced the Holy Grail for Sunday roast enthusiasts with their ‘Monster Roast’, also known as the Sharing Roast – if you’re feeling generous.

The feast consists of a trio of meats, a selection of veg including; broccoli, red cabbage, parsnips, carrots, and potatoes. All of which is served in a giant Yorkshire pudding, with a jug of gravy on the side.

When the chef came up with the idea one quiet Sunday afternoon, he and the other staff did not think it would be taken seriously, according to general manager Rob Smith.

He told The Morning Advertiser that after getting the ‘right reactions’ from customers they decided to put the Monster on the menu. And it seems to have been doing rather well!

More than 30 were sold on the first day of officially going public and a video on the pub’s Facebook page of the chef presenting the dish to a lucky customer has been shared far and wide, reaching more than 90,000 views so far.

So, single-handed or shared – how will you eat yours?

https://www.facebook.com/thesussexarmstwickenham/videos/1856232341062869/

Open For Business!

Reports of increases in pub and bar closures over the past few years haven’t been good news for anyone. These social hubs are a focal point of our society and do a great service to their communities. Not to mention, they’re fun!

The main thing we can do to help is make sure we support them, and supporting them means using them! So every week we are going to focus on the positives and bring you the latest pub and bars openings from around the UK. If you see somewhere you like, give it a follow and you can receive news, offers and events from them. Who doesn’t want an excuse to pop in for a pint?

Support your local – use your local!

Malones Irish Bar – Edinburgh

The renowned Irish bar is back in a new location and boasting a 27m mural dedicated to one of the greatest TV programmes of the 90s, Father Ted. The bar reopened on Saturday 27th January offering local live music, big-screen sport and a cracking selection of Irish whiskies. Sláinte!

Click here to follow Malones Irish Bar.

Royal Oak, Ambleside

The Royal Oak in Ambleside, which has been described as being at the heart of the community, is now open after having itself a six-figure refurbishment. The Greene King owned pub now offers nine local and national cask ales, a range of craft beers and lagers, as well as an extensive selection of gins with more than 19 to choose from.

Click here to follow the Royal Oak.

Prosecco House, London

Prosecco House, London’s first ever dedicated prosecco bar, opening its doors on Monday 5th Feb – a soft launch before the grand opening on Friday 23rd. Located on the River Thames near City Hall and Tower Bridge, the bar offers around 20 specially sourced varieties of prosecco from Veneto, Italy, as well as prosecco-based cocktails and Italian bar snacks.

Click here to follow Prosecco House.

The One Bull, Bury St Edmunds

A lovely story from Bury St Edmunds as The One Bull has re-opened having been forced to close last year after a fire in a neighbouring shop damaged the pub. The town’s oldest public house is now back in business and selling beers from their very own brewery, the Brewshed. And you’ll no doubt find a delicious dish to compliment your pint with The Bull’s entirely homemade menu.

Click here to follow The One Bull.

BrewDog Lothian Road, Edinburgh

Drinkers reportedly queued for hours to get a glimpse at BrewDog’s second Edinburgh site on Lothian Road. The bar offers an impressive selection of beers on tap (more than 20) as well as a wide-ranging food menu and an outdoor seating area for the summer months. Lovely!

Click here to follow BrewDog Lothian Road.

The Duck Inn – Stanhoe, Norfolk

The multi award-winning Duck Inn at Stanhope has re-opened with a new look and fresh menu after a speedy 2 week refurbishment. The popular pub has been entered the Michelin Guide, named ‘one to watch’ in the Top 50 Gastro Pubs, and were the Good Food Guide’s Restaurant of the Year for the East of England. Impressive and most certainly worth a visit!

Click here to follow The Duck Inn.

The Turks Head Inn, Gloucester

Opening at noon this Sunday, The Turks Head Inn microbrewery is hoping to restore the art of chatting to its clientele with its no-nonsense approach to pubbing. That means “no wi-fi, no Facebook no children, no TV”. Sounds ideal! All ales will be served directly from the barrel and there will also be a large selection of ciders available. Dogs and sheep are welcome.

Click here to follow The Turk’s Head Inn.

If you know of a pub opening that you would like us to feature in our blog, do let us know! You can email us at [email protected] or leave your suggestion in the comments.

The House that Fizz Built

Fizz fans – stop everything – because Prosecco House, London’s first ever dedicated prosecco bar, will be opening its doors today. Which I think is exactly the kind of news we all need on a Monday.

Located on the River Thames near City Hall and Tower Bridge, the bar offers around 20 specially sourced varieties of prosecco from Veneto, Italy, as well as prosecco-based cocktails and Italian bar snacks.

Glasses will start from £7.50, and bottles from £30 available as standard, magnums and go up to jeroboams. They have also teamed-up with Deliveroo, so you can even have your favourite tipple delivered straight to your door.

The venue’s grand-opening will take place on Friday 23rd February, but from now until February 13th it will be on a ‘soft-opening’, during which time customers can get 30% off their bill. Opening Hours are 11am – 11pm Sunday – Thursday and Friday – Saturday 11am – 12am.

You can take a sneak peek at Prosecco House with the video below from TimeOut London.

Chin-chin!