Going out for a meal in London on Friday evening - would you?

[Sparklingwaterplease]

Due to meet with (less than six) friends and family in London on Friday evening (eating, indoors). Have been looking forward to it for ages, have young DC and hardly ever go out. It's just before the cut off so technically fine but do you think London will be hellish on Friday night? I live just outside London so would need to get train there/back.

We're obviously heading into lockdown all winter so it's my 'last chance' but I'm quite worried about what's it's going to be like...

London’s been pretty subdued (or at least, nowhere near pre-lockdown social levels) since restrictions were loosened. Restaurants and pubs have been really good on the whole at ensuring distancing, and trains are generally busy at peak times but not packed.

It depends on your definition of hellish, I suppose, and how concerned you are about proximity to other people. I’m not bothered in the slightest, so obviously my interpretation is going to be different to that of somebody who is anxious.

I imagine it will be. Everyone else will be taking what they think may be their last chance too! I live in London and I wouldn’t go out on Friday night. It depends what you can cope with though.

If you can social distance from them then yes I would. If not then no, as you still need to distance from people inside

Look at what happens in Liverpool on peoples last nights of freedom I expect it could be utter carnage

The virus is out there now it’s not going to be any less safe going out on Friday as it would be on Saturday I guess you’ve just got to assess your level of risk I understand why you want to go though

I'd do it, but make sure you leave well before 10 as throwing out time is likely to be v busy.

Restaurants will have track and trace in place. If you’re prepared to potentially isolate afterwards, if someone in the restaurant tests positive. I’m on my final day of isolation; I’ve lost two week’s wages, and I’m fed up!

I would depending on where in London and what time you’ll head home. I would not be near any area where people are more likely to gather around / after 10pm (Soho, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus?). Other than that, I definitely would. We live in London and have been in quite a few pubs and restaurants since rules eased in the summer (and will continue to do so as a single household) and they’ve all been really good with distancing etc.

Where in London?

I would, I live in London and have been in countless places since reopening and all have managed it so well. I would just be mindful of where you are going, presumably you have picked a nice place where you don’t expect people to go crazy. And as pp as have said I would make sure to leave before 9.45 to make sure you don’t have a large rush at the tube stations etc. If you’re in a very busy area (or be prepared to walk a bit to a quieter one)

It would depend on whether the room is well ventilated.

Depends on where you're going. I live in Victoria and it's really quiet. Restaurants here rely on theatre and local office trade and there's no shows and offices are empty.

Hasn't the law just changed today for London to say households can't mix indoors-including pubs and restaurants?

Yes

@moblife from Saturday, yes that is the case

OP i would go personally and have a bloody good time as who knows when we’ll get the change again 😢

I'd go.

I’d absolutely go.

Absolutely go.

It's been cancelled but thanks everyone anyway

Yes. I went out last night and pleased I did given how long it will be before I can do it again!

We were there last Saturday night. It was pretty quiet but going back on the tube was a very different atmosphere. The drunks were much more notiecable without the theatre crowd.