Midnight openings, months of bookings as Sydney businesses re-open
Businesses across Sydney are preparing for a deluge of returning customers when lockdown ends at midnight tonight.
Hairdresser Alan Buki told Today he was accepting his first client in months at 12.01am tonight – and is booked out all through until 9pm tomorrow.
“After nearly four months, the salon is finally opening,” he said.
“The shop is out of control and the energy is infectious.”
He said the salon was booked out for the next two months – and that other salons were in a similar situation.
Ian Oakes and Alex Milne, who run Drake Eatery at Bondi Beach, said staff were putting in a “really big effort” to be ready for tomorrow.
Plenty of bookings have been coming their way – but Ms Milne told Today they were a little worried about policing vaccinations.
“We know people can show their proof and we’re obliged to check that,” she said.
“I guess it’s really hard for people to remember to bring that to a reservation, we are hoping we don’t get any aggro people. Fingers crossed everyone is kind to us.”
Mauro, the manager at Barbetta in Paddington recommended people make a booking rather than hope for a walk-in.
“We actually are fully booked for the next few weeks, I would say three or four weeks,” he said.
“We always leave some tables spare for people that want to try to do a walk-in, but I really recommend you book in.”
He said the staff were “very, very excited” about finally re-opening after more than 100 days.
