On a regular day, the Howard Smith Wharves precinct is positively humming with activity, with diners packing into its top-notch restaurants or leisurely kicking back in its green spaces. It’s been a while since we’ve experienced a regular day, as the pandemic lockdowns have forced us all indoors and quietened the riverside precinct considerably since coming into effect in late-March. With restrictions now easing, many venues across town are welcoming back dine-in guests, with Howard Smith Wharves’ Greca, Betty’s Burgers, and Goodtimes Gelateria already back in business. On Thursday June 18, perpetually busy froth house Felons Brewing Co. and overwater cocktail joint Mr Percival’s will reopen to limited numbers (Japanese eatery Yoko is slated to reopen on Saturday July 11, while neo-Chinese restaurant Stanley will open at a later date). At this juncture, both venues will be offering table service only, with 20 guests allowed per section and guest details recorded upon entry.

Howard Smith Wharves’ popular Weekends on the Lawn series will return as of Saturday June 20, with alfresco food and drinks served on the East Lawn. In addition to this, a new contactless ordering system called me&u has been implemented across Felons, Mr Percival’s and Weekends on the Lawn, allowing guests to order and pay directly via their phones. In a press release sent to media, Howard Smith Wharves’ director and founder Adam Flaskas reiterated the group’s approach to public safety, saying “Safety is of course our top priority, for our team members and guests, and we look forward to working closely with the authorities in this first phase of re-opening and in the coming months ahead to keep our community safe.”