Claire Byrne Live mocks up what pubs could look like under new guidelines for viewers

RTÉ showed host Claire Byrne alongside Joe Duffy and Nuala Carey seated in a makeshift pub to illustrate new guidelines

As we move into Phase One of easing restrictions across the country, our minds are all still on the big things we’re missing. A night in a hotel, a restaurant dinner and, most of all for many of us, a night at the pub.

Allowing patrons back onto the high stools will be a difficult task, as the government is tasked with keeping people socially distanced and as safe as possible while enjoying a pint.

Imagining what pubs might look like when we are allowed back is difficult, but last night’s episode of Claire Byrne Live helped us envisage the ‘new normal’ of a summer drink.

The show used Fair City‘s pub McCoy’s to show viewers what it would be like to enforce new guidelines on pub goers when restrictions lift. The guidelines proposed would allow pubs to open earlier than Phase 5 (August 10), which they had been previously set for.

Under the proposed guidelines, table service will be a requirement and there will be no sitting, standing, ordering, payment or drinking at the bar allowed.

A maximum of six customers will be allowed at a table, and live music and DJ’s will not be allowed.

On last night’s show, Byrne was joined by Joe Duffy and Nuala Carey in McCoy’s to try out the new guidelines, which Duffy said left a lot to be desired.

“Unless you’re coming to the pub with your crossword or a game of Boggle and all you want to do is sit in the corner on your own, so to speak, people won’t come. This is worse than I thought it would be. I hadn’t imagined it like this.

“I knew there was going to be distance but I thought it’d be much more intimate and you could have a conversation but you can’t. You can’t really have a conversation unless you bellow.”

You can watch the segment in full below:

Claire takes a trip to McCoy's pub in Fair City to have a drink with @billykeane15, @joeliveline & @nualacarey25  but there's a catch! We've imposed possible pandemic restrictions there and it is very different to your normal pub experience. #CBLive pic.twitter.com/we1CVd5f4L

— Upfront with Katie Hannon (@RTEUpfront) May 18, 2020

Featured image: RTÉ

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