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We have done our best to answer all the typical questions we are expecting below. If you have further questions, you can drop us a message us via email and we’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as we’re able with our skeleton crew. All answers below were correct at the time of publishing.
Please note that we are updating our guidance as and when the government update theirs, so keep an eye on our socials for the latest details. x
All you need to do is head to our ticketing partners website and purchase a ticket for the size table you require for the session of your choice. Please make sure you use a current email to purchase as we’ll be keeping in touch with updates and instructions before your arrival.
We are welcoming anyone aged 18 or over to the Dockside Bar – we will be operating a challenge 25 policy, so please bring I.D. If you do not bring valid government-issued I.D. you may be refused entry.
You will receive an initial email confirmation from our ticketing partner, followed by a further email from ourselves on the evening prior to your session with information on arrival times, our table ordering and any changes in our procedures due to updates in government guidance.
We will have some walk-in tables set aside for walkups, so please swing on by and we’ll do our best to get you seated. Although we recommend booking in advance to gaurantee a table. If you get the last minute urge, chances are we’ll be able to squeeze you in.
We currently have our tables set up to seat either two, four or six people from the same household . We do not currently offer socially distant tables due to our space restrictions. This may be updated as/when government guidance is updated.
You are able to book more than one table. If you’d like them close to each other, we recommend booking multiple tables in the same order, or alternatively you can also contact us with the name of each lead booker and we’ll do our best to seat you close together. We will try our hardest to get you close together, though we cannot currently guarantee they will be next to each other and you will not be able to “visit” other tables during the session. As government guidance updates, we may look to add larger tables as a booking option.
Each session allows you 2.5 hours at your table within our three hour sessions, this is to ensure staggered entry and exit times. You can of course leave before your session is over should you want to.
The day is split into sessions to ensure that we can deep clean all areas of the bar, seating` and toilets throughout the day. You are welcome to book double sessions, but you may be asked to leave at the end of the first session and return at the specified time on your email correspondence for the second session to ensure our team are able to do their job properly.
For each session we will have up to 14 tables available for booking.
Once you arrive at the venue, you will follow our one-way system to the dockside tables. If you have a preference, you can let our staff know on arrival and as long as there’s space, you should be able to choose which area you’d prefer. The same music and pints are identical across both outdoor areas.
All advance bookings include a bar tab, which can be redeemed when you’re with us. Instructions will be given to you from our staff upon your arrival. If you wish to make any more orders, you are able to do so via our app or table service.
If all tables on all days are unavailable, we will be looking to book for dates further in advance. As long as we’ve got Thekla Lager to pour, you’ll always be welcome! We have a few tables set aside for walk-ins too. We will announce any new sessions on going on sale via our socials.
Bring an umbrella and embrace British summertime! … plus disposable ponchos will be available free of charge. We may even be able to seat you on an indoor table. Alternatively you can make an order to take away using the credit from your booking. We will not refund any bookings due to adverse weather.
If your session is cancelled due to increased government restrictions or any further unforeseen circumstances, we will endeavour to move your booking to the next suitable session with table availability, otherwise you can request a full refund through our ticketing partner.
Bookings are not able to be amended or refunded unless the session is cancelled.
We will be getting in touch with you via email with some more details that we’ll need you to read before you arrive. We will be sending these to the lead booker’s email on the evening before your session so keep an eye on your inbox and those pesky junk folders too. If you haven’t received this by the morning of your session, then please get in touch with us in all the usual places.
No, we don’t recommend that your dog drinks pints but as long as your furry pal is friendly, then they are more than welcome join.
Our staff will greet you and your group on arrival at your specified welcome time and your ticket will be scanned. Everyone in your group will be asked to complete our track and trace form if you haven’t in advance and then asked to use your own face coverings and sanitise your hands before entry. You will then be guided to your table and given a quick run down of the venue policies and ran through our ordering procedures.
If your whole party arrive late for your booking, we will do our best to get you seated promptly, however you may be asked to wait to ensure our staggered entry times remain in place – those arriving on time will have priority. We ask that your party arrive at the same time so that you are seated together at once to avoid lots of unnecessary moving around. If you know that you’ll be significantly late before you arrive, please contact us so we can ensure we keep your table for when you arrive.
All our must up-to-date instructions will be given by our staff on arrival. Bookings with bar tabs will be honoured via our staff taking your orders. Any additional orders or walk-ups can be made via our ordering app that will then be brought to your table. You will need a smartphone with Android or iOS to use the app (so make sure it’s charged), and staff in PPE will also be on hand to assist if required.
Advanced bookers will be given a menu on arrival and our lovely staff will be around to take your order. Once your tab is used up, or you’ve walked in on a last minute excursion, our app is simple to use and all drinks can be ordered on there without coming into contact with our staff.
We are using a new, secure app OnTapp which is being built specifically for ordering. More details will be given on arrival.
We do not currently have charging facilities at the venue, so please ensure your mobile is fully charged on arrival.
The golden question. Thekla Lagers will be flowing, alongside a solid selection of other pints from our core and craft range, alongside some of our tastiest cocktails too, if you’re wanting to really push the boat out.
Drink orders are put together by staff in full PPE including face masks and disposable gloves, and then brought to your table on a tray. All service areas and trays are then sanitised after use. Pints and cocktails will be served in disposable plastic cups with lids and packaged drinks will be served sealed.
We hear you! Once you’ve spent your initial credit, you will of course be able to order more drinks via the app. We will not be serving drinks face-to-face over the bar so stay relaxed and we’ll bring pints to you. Beautiful.
At the minute we are not currently going to be offering food. (If you are a street food vendor though then let us know and we can see what we can do!).
As our seating is outdoors, you are able to smoke at any of our tables.
We have split our days into sessions to ensure that we can deep clean our tables, service areas and toilets before opening, between sessions and at the end of the day. Before and after each session, we will thoroughly wipe down all table and benches; before and after each order our staff will wipe down their service area on the bar; our toilets will be cleaned every 30 minutes and fully disinfected with disinfectant spray after every session. Sanistiser and hand washing stations will be available throughout the venue.
Our toilets are located in the usual places, the male toiolets will be situated on the top deck, our female toilets will be located on the middle deck of Thekla. We will be following a strict one-way system to ensure our pathways are kept nice and clear. The toilets will be clearly signposted but if you get lost then feel free to ask one of us for some help. Some cubicles will be unavailable for use as we will be doing our best to keep distance between them, but we expect demand to be staggered enough to ensure limited queuing. Please follow all instructions on signage and floor markings throughout the venue, and respond to our staff if they are giving directions.
You will enter via the front thekla (across the grove car park), where our staff will guide you to one of our seating areas along the harbour or located on our smoking deck. We will have our new seating area directly outside the ship. We will also have a secondary seating area in on our smoking deck.
You are able to go to the toilet, ensuring you are keeping socially distant at least 2m away from the next person, wearing a face covering and following all signage and instructions. Other than that, you must remain at your table and ask a member of staff for assistance.
We require face coverings to be worn when arriving at the venue and when moving around, but not when sat at your table. We recommend bringing your own, but if you do forget, we can provide a disposable one.
There will be hand sanitising stations at the entrance, exit and throughout the venue along with handwashing facilities in the toilets, naturally. We suggest bringing along a small bottle of sanitiser for use at your table, if you wish.
Our staff will be wearing face masks or shields and they will also be wearing aprons which have been washed at 60 degrees at the end of every day. They will deliver all drinks orders on a tray, then sanitise the tray. Bar staff will be instructed to wash their hands before their shifts and then every 20 mins to the NHS specifications and sanitise between building each order.
We will have friendly security in PPE present during all sessions who will simply be there to keep an eye on things and ensure the safety of all staff and customers. Should there be any repeated contravention of our guidelines or government guidance, they can be reported to staff or security and those people will be asked to leave without refund and blacklisted from the venue.
As you will have read above, we are complying with current government guidance around social distancing, PPE and cleanliness etc. We will continue to update our processes and procedures as the government update their guidance and rules for licensed premises, and be in contact with any updates via email in advance your booking and keep these FAQs updated.