Franconian Beer Message Board

Current situation re openings / conditions
Posted by Jason on 2020-05-21 02:45:13
Just to come back to John on his questions re how it's going since things have been able to open on Monday. 

Firstly, I think the fanfare that initially greeted the news of openings being possible was quickly quashed by the strict conditions that accompany it. Certainly from the gastronomy point of view. For me, it's an inconvenience, but my love of pubs and being out and about fat outweigh that. I'm not sure others feel the same. Most people are obeying the rules but as usual some think those rules don't apply to them. So the guys and girls working there all day in warm weather have to wear masks at all times but you don't have to, even though it's only before being seated/going to the toilet. You have to register on being seated, and I've heard people have been reluctant to do this (data privacy here is strong, but in this case it's childish imo. If you don't want to disclose the info, stay home. Oh and prices are up. I don't mind that so much, as long as they go down again once losses have been recovered. But I'm in dreamland. 

 Here is a few thoughts from where I've been so far; 

Spezial (brewery) 
First place I went to on Monday and returned yesterday afternoon. Attendance is sparse, it's only a small outdoor space and I don't think it's sustainable. I think Spezi will have problems if this continues. Even next week, the inside is relatively small and cramped. 

Schlenkerla
Went on Monday and yesterday. Although they have more space and have extended the garden into the Hof, they are being very conservative about seating. Even though I was sat with frank at one end of a long table the waitress asked us if 1 guy could sit at the other end. Again, this isn't sustainable and Schlenkerla are making a show of it (a brave one and one I give them credit for). But they're for sure losing money. The beer was very smoky, maybe due to extra Lagering or maybe as I hadn't had it for 8 weeks. 

Spezi Keller
I'm here now. Beautiful day and a public holiday, normally the place would be packed. Plenty of space here, but plenty of tables not occupied. I reserved but I needn't have bothered. 

So in conclusion it's a very mixed picture, but from the point of view of the gastronomy it's not good at all. I'm very disappointed in 2 things, firstly the usual egotistical politicians peddling populist politics without consulting the relevant sector. I've been a supporter of the measurements put in place and I've adhered to them to 98%. But it's getting a little silly. I'm also disappointed with the people of Bamberg. It's up to us to support our culture, especially with no tourists for the foreseeable. Of course there is less 'Gemütlichkeit' and you have to do a few things you'd rather not do, but by staying away you risk losing this delicate ecosystem forever, as it has been lost in much of the rest of the world.  

For sure you can blame the virus, and for sure it alone will cause closures, but just psychologically, if you're a wirt in Bamberg and you open and aren't supported by your public, I imagine you'd lose the will to continue pretty quickly. By contrast, if you're overwhelmed by support, you'd do everything to stay open. 

It's a delicate situation. Hopefully the rules will be reassessed soon. 
 
Followups:
   Current situation re openings / conditions  by Jason on  2020-05-21 02:53:08
   Current situation re openings / conditions  by JohnRatcliffe on  2020-05-21 06:53:42
     Current situation re openings / conditions  by Jason on  2020-05-21 07:25:16
       Current situation re openings / conditions  by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-05-21 07:30:06
   Current situation re openings / conditions ... Musings on Franconian Life by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-05-21 07:52:28
       Current situation re openings / conditions  by JohnRatcliffe on  2020-05-21 08:11:25
         Current situation re openings / conditions  by Jason on  2020-05-21 08:26:40
           Current situation re openings / conditions  by JohnRatcliffe on  2020-05-21 08:35:12
         Current situation re openings / conditions  by Uncle Jimbo on  2020-05-21 22:37:48
       Current situation re openings / conditions  by Andrew H on  2020-05-22 00:45:59
         Current situation re openings / conditions  by Barry Roy Taylor on  2020-05-22 02:11:26
           Current situation re openings / conditions  by Jason on  2020-05-22 05:53:54
             Current situation re openings / conditions  by Barry Roy Taylor on  2020-05-22 07:36:51
               Current situation re openings / conditions  by Jason on  2020-05-22 10:49:55
           Current situation re openings / conditions  by Mark Andersen on  2020-05-22 11:57:57
             Current situation re openings / conditions  by Jason on  2020-05-22 12:09:56
               Current situation re openings / conditions  by Mark Andersen on  2020-05-22 12:15:09
                 Current situation re openings / conditions  by Barry Roy Taylor on  2020-05-22 13:17:54
                 Current situation re openings / conditions  by Barry Roy Taylor on  2020-05-22 13:22:36
                 Current situation re openings / conditions  by Andrew H on  2020-05-23 00:53:18
                   Current situation re openings / conditions  by Barry Roy Taylor on  2020-05-23 02:28:03
                   Current situation re openings / conditions  by barry roy taylor on  2020-05-23 03:56:17
                   Current situation re openings / conditions  by Mark Andersen on  2020-05-23 11:32:34
                   Current situation re openings / conditions  by Jason  on  2020-05-24 04:35:06
           Current situation re openings / conditions  by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-05-27 08:00:30
                     Jersey, etc. by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-05-27 08:14:32
             Current situation re openings / conditions  by Andrew H on  2020-05-27 08:17:43
                     Current situation re openings / conditions  by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-05-27 08:19:47
               Current situation re openings / conditions  by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-05-27 08:23:01
                 Getting Old by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-05-27 08:30:51
                       Jersey, etc. by Jason  on  2020-05-27 10:18:14
                       Current situation re openings / conditions  by Jason  on  2020-05-27 10:19:50
                   Getting Old by Mark Andersen on  2020-05-27 11:08:33
                   Getting Old by David Greenlee on  2020-05-28 02:08:15
                         Jersey, etc. by Nick B (formerly in Erlangen) on  2020-06-03 08:32:01
                           Jersey, etc. by Nick B (formerly in Erlangen) on  2020-06-03 08:37:15
                         Real Estate, etc. by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-06-05 14:46:04
                           Real Estate, etc. by Nick B (ex-ErlangerNick) on  2020-06-05 14:54:45
                           Real Estate, etc. by Barry Roy Taylor on  2020-06-07 04:34:45
                             Real Estate, etc. by Jeff on  2020-06-10 07:52:46
                             Real Estate, etc. by Uncle Jimbo on  2020-06-17 23:01:41