Not long to wait, now...
Several York pubs with beer gardens say they are on course for an April 12 re-opening.
Among them are the Lamb and Lion Inn on High Petergate; it's nearby sister pub the Guy Fawkes Inn; and, in Acomb, Greene King pub The Quakerwood.
Country pubs with big beer gardens or outdoor seating areas are also planning on a big re-opening - among them The Drovers Arms at Skipwith.
Under the easing of lockdown restruictions announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, pubs and restaurants can re-open outdoor seating areas such as beer gardens from April 12.
Customers will be able to enjoy food or just a drink while sitting outdoors, in groups of up to six from different households. Bigger groups will be able to sit together if they are from no more than two households.
The Lamb and Lion's new general manager Michael Lader admits he can't wait to welcome customers back for 'alfresco dining and drinking'.
"We have been busy renovating our secret beer garden during lockdown and regulars really will see a huge difference, with space for up to 120 people and outdoor music!" he said.
"What's not changed is our impressive Minster view. In fact, we have installed an Instagram frame so you can now get that perfect photo of yourself with The Minster!"
The Press hopes to feature as many local pubs that will be re-opening on April 12 as possible. If your pub is one of them, tell us about it below...
Community answers
Is your pub opening on April 12?
"It is great news that beer gardens will be able to reopen on April 12. We want to list as many local pubs as possible whose will be reopening then. Are you one of them? Tell us about your plans!"
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
What's the name of your pub?Inn on the Green
Where is your pub?Acomb
Do you have a beer garden/ outside seating area, and if so are you planning to re-ope on April 12Opening April 12th at 12pm, call for availability weekends and rainy days
Describe your beer garden/ outside seating areaOn sunny days our beer garden benefits from the sun all day, its a hidden gem in Acomb. We have capacity for over 60 people
Will there be any special offers to tempt people back?We have revamped our food offering and introducing a few new cocktails to the menu.
Any changes/ improvements to the pub since you closed for lockdown?We have had a couple of gazebos built to provide shelter for the rainy days and some shade on the sunny ones.
Say something about how much you're looking forward to welcoming customers backWe can't wait to see all our regulars and welcome new faces to the pub too. We've missed everyone during the lockdown.
How tough has lockdown been for you?The last 12 months have been quite hard. It's been difficult to plan things due to the ever changing rules and also trying to create a nice but safe atmosphere for our customers. Looking forward to the first steps towards normality
Send us some photos of your beer garden and your pub
View of the Gazebos by Wilsons handyman Services 
View from the top of the beer garden What's the name of your pub?Gold Cup Inn
Where is your pub?Low Catton, approx 8 miles east of York
Do you have a beer garden/ outside seating area, and if so are you planning to re-ope on April 12Yes, we're reopening our beer garden on the 13th April for food and drinks (weather dependent) whilst also continuing call and collect takeaways!
Describe your beer garden/ outside seating areaOutdoor seating for up to 70 customers split across 4 separate seating areas is available, so there's plenty to choose from! You can watch the world go by at the front of the Pub, enjoy a shady spot at the side, shelter from April showers in the grassy terraced area or relax with a pint in our traditional, spacious beer garden. With well established trees, the beer garden boasts nature's own canopy! We'll do our best to seat walk-ins, you can also book an outdoor table by calling us on 01759 371354.
Will there be any special offers to tempt people back?
Any changes/ improvements to the pub since you closed for lockdown?During lockdown we've been busy sprucing up the Pub with a fresh lick of paint and a deep clean. We've worked hard to ensure the Pub is as Covid safe as possible with a one-way system, hand sanisiter stations, screens at the bar and socially distanced tables. Takeaway ice-creams are a recent addition to our menu which have been very popular with walkers! Also, our new gazebos, kindly donated by one of our lovely customers, will provide shelter from those unpredictable April showers!
Say something about how much you're looking forward to welcoming customers backCustomers are the heart of our Pub and we're really looking forward to catching up properly with familiar faces and welcoming new people too! Our outdoor dining menu includes children's meals so there's plenty of choice for all the family and we're dog friendly as well. Behind our large car park we have a paddock with Pygmy goats; April & Bambi have definitely missed saying hello to our wonderful customers! Between 13th April-16th May our outdoor seating will be open 5-8pm Tuesday-Friday and 12-8pm Saturday & Sunday, we hope to see the beer garden bustling again soon!
How tough has lockdown been for you?We've been running the Pub as a family business for over 30 years and this past year has been the most challenging to date, especially since we had to close during the busy Christmas period! Offering takeaways was a new venture for us, and a steep learning curve, but we're really grateful for the overwhelming support we've received from customers. Being unable to serve alcohol during the third lockdown has been tough too, we can't wait to get back to pulling pints again!
Send us some photos of your beer garden and your pub
6 seater benches at front of Pub 
We've got you covered! 
Perfect spot for a pint 
Can't wait to get back to pulling pints! What's the name of your pub?The Jefferson Arms
Where is your pub?Thorganby
Do you have a beer garden/ outside seating area, and if so are you planning to re-ope on April 12Beer garden, outside seating
Describe your beer garden/ outside seating areaBeer garden with multiple socially distanced benches and tables. 6m x 3m gazebo with tables and chairs.
Will there be any special offers to tempt people back?We will be re-introducing our beer club for all our customers. £20 annual subscription and discounted pints of cask and keg beers Monday to Friday.
Any changes/ improvements to the pub since you closed for lockdown?Extra outside seating and covered area.
Say something about how much you're looking forward to welcoming customers backFantastic to welcome back all of our regular guests and start on a path to normality.
How tough has lockdown been for you?
What's the name of your pub?The Churchill Hotel
Where is your pub?Bootham
Do you have a beer garden/ outside seating area, and if so are you planning to re-ope on April 12Our beer garden will reopen on the 12th April. It will be open from 11am until 11pm daily.
Describe your beer garden/ outside seating areaWe have a heated and covered terrace then further covered tables arranged on the lawn around a central firepit. We serve pizzas from our wood fired pizza oven plus sharing boards and tapas style dishes; food is available from 12.30 until 9pm every day.
Will there be any special offers to tempt people back?We have a new Spring menu for people to try and we've some new drinks to enjoy in the, hopefully, warmer weather.
Any changes/ improvements to the pub since you closed for lockdown?As many readers might know we had our Igloos up right until lockdown. We've taken these down for Summer and have since been concentrating on getting both covers and heatlamps over the majority of our outside tables.
Say something about how much you're looking forward to welcoming customers backIt'll be great to have customers back; our whole purpose is to provide an enjoyable place at which to eat, drink or stay so we're looking forward to getting back to doing what we do best.
How tough has lockdown been for you?Obviously lockdown isn't good for any business but it has provided us with an opportunity to refurbish inside and improve the beer garden ready for reopening.
Send us some photos of your beer garden and your pub
The beer garden now with covered tables and heatlamps 
The heated terrace at night time. 
Food served daily from our Pizza Hut What's the name of your pub?The Blue Boar
Where is your pub?Castlegate
Do you have a beer garden/ outside seating area, and if so are you planning to re-ope on April 12Yes, the Courtyard and at the decking at the front of the Pub on Castlegate,
Describe your beer garden/ outside seating areaWe've Installed decking in the Courtyard and at the front of the pub, both areas benefit from external heating for the cooler evenings We have seating for 30 during the week and a further 24 on a Friday and Saturday with the use of a second decking area at a neighbouring premises.
Will there be any special offers to tempt people back?I've just installed a new menu at the pub featuring some amazing Pizza's which can be ordered to eat in or take away. There's also going to be a new beer line up with the bias being more Craft and premium products.
Any changes/ improvements to the pub since you closed for lockdown?I've just completed a refurbishment of the pub during lockdown, giving it a new more modern feel ,its now a lighter brighter interior with a fresh look. I think the new look really works with the existing building and gives us a better layout for the future, taking into account the possible need for longer term social distancing. Its a place to come and relax with friends for a beer or a coffee, with great pizza being served all day every day.
Say something about how much you're looking forward to welcoming customers backWe cant wait to reopen and welcome customers old and new. Pubs and restaurant's are part of the social fabric of our lives, they're a place to meet friends, chat about daily life, celebrate, commiserate and so much more. Its been a long lockdown and we've missed you all!
How tough has lockdown been for you?It's been tough over the last year,the uncertainty of lockdowns and how long they go on for has been difficult to deal with for most people. Life's been on hold for the best part of a year and I look forward to getting back to a semblance of normality. I think the industry has suffered greatly during the last year with a lot of pubs up and down the country going under. Its hard to see friends and collegues suffer and lose their businesses through no fault of their own. I, like many others have missed the social aspect of the hospitality business and look forward to the welcoming sight of people enjoying themselves and getting on with life.
Send us some photos of your beer garden and your pub
Newly refurbished interior 
The heated Courtyard 
Our great new pizza menu 
The view from the street What's the name of your pub?Marcia Inn
Where is your pub?Bishopthorpe
Do you have a beer garden/ outside seating area, and if so are you planning to re-ope on April 12Outside covered area with heating capable of seating 50 people, reopen Monday 12th April - booking advisable !
Describe your beer garden/ outside seating areaNewly installed area in rear garden mostly covered and heated with a capacity of approx 50people, socially distanced. Available to book from Monday 12th April for drinking and dining.
Will there be any special offers to tempt people back?
Any changes/ improvements to the pub since you closed for lockdown?
Say something about how much you're looking forward to welcoming customers backAward winning village pub very much part of the local community and beyond. We are very much looking forward to reopening and welcoming back all of our wonderful regulars and hopefully many more new faces who will be made most welcome.
How tough has lockdown been for you?Very much an up and down year but with the government support and a sound financial position we are in a healthy situation and very much eager to get back to some sort of normality. Furlough has been a massive help and every staff member has been retained. We have the staff and infrastructure to really build from here and hopefully create some customer confidence and start to get us back to where we were.
Send us some photos of your beer garden and your pub
Rear garden 
Rear garden 
Rear garden 
Rear garden What's the name of your pub?The Red Lion
Where is your pub?Merchantgate. YO19TU
Do you have a beer garden/ outside seating area, and if so are you planning to re-ope on April 12Open from 12 o’clock on Monday 12th April
Describe your beer garden/ outside seating areaLarge city centre beer garden, fully enclosed with some heated and covered areas, a capacity of approximately 100 people.
Will there be any special offers to tempt people back?Brand new food menu
Any changes/ improvements to the pub since you closed for lockdown?Outside seating
Say something about how much you're looking forward to welcoming customers backWe’re very looking forward to welcoming back old and new customers, with a new food menu and a couple of changes to our beer portfolio.
How tough has lockdown been for you?It’s been an incredibly tough year for the industry and ourselves, we can’t wait to get back open and hopefully have a glorious summer
Send us some photos of your beer garden and your pub
Glorious summer days 
Beer garden 
Covered heated drinking pods Is your pub opening on April 12?
It is great news that beer gardens will be able to reopen on April 12. We want to list as many local pubs as possible whose will be reopening then. Are you one of them? Tell us about your plans!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel