Bubble yoga, drive-in raves and tables for one: the creative ways hospitality venues have been embracing social distancing
- As the world adjusts to a new normal, hotels, restaurants, concert venues and tourist attractions have been forced to change the ways they to operate
- The novel approaches to keeping patrons safely separated have included greenhouses, panda toys and even hats made from pool noodles
Unusual times call for unusual approaches to hospitality and entertainment, not least in the British capital, London, which is emerging from a long, hard winter of Covid-19 lockdown measures.
High above Park Lane, the rooftop of The Dorchester has been opened as a bar and restaurant for the first time in the hotel’s 90-year history. The wraparound terrace overlooks Hyde Park from what is now a lounge and cigar bar while the restaurant area has views of city landmarks including Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, The Shard and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The alfresco space – complete with awnings and heaters – is hosting pop ups from the hotel’s restaurants, including The Grill and Alain Ducasse, as well as live music and DJs.
With outdoor hospitality in England now allowed, venues are transforming previously unused space. And with reduced capacity to accommodate social distancing when indoor hospitality and other attractions resume in May, the outdoors element is expected to become a permanent feature.
The Dorchester Rooftop will run throughout the summer and possibly beyond, and guest chefs are part of the plan.
Elsewhere in London, Buckingham Palace is opening its gardens for guided tours for the first time. And in another first, from early July to mid September, visitors will be able to bring a picnic to enjoy in the bucolic grounds.
William Shakespeare’s Globe is also adapting. The interval at the theatre is being scrapped, which artistic director Michelle Terry says will not only help with social distancing but is how plays were staged during the bard’s time.
