A Leicester pub has adapted and thrived during the city’s extended lockdown. The Black Horse in Aylestone has been described as “the UK’s biggest employer of comedians” over the summer because of their weekly Giggles in the Garden event.
Lockdown restrictions have hit many venues hard this year, with a lot deciding to remain closed altogether. But the team at the Everards owned Black Horse have used their initiative to convert their spacious beer garden into an al fresco comedy club. The garden and performance area is complete with covered private dining pods and socially distanced tables to ensure a safe yet comfortable experience for guests. On Monday evenings from 5.30pm the pub only allows ticket holders entry, with the “homely pub grub menu” available for 90 minutes before curtain up. The pub also follows procedure of ensuring guests are off the premises by the 10pm curfew.
The venue has seen big award-winning comedians in attendance, such as Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh, Live At The Apollo’s Nathan Caton, Marcus Brigstocke, Simon Brodkin, Daliso Chaponda, Reginald D. Hunter, and Tom Binns in his persona as Hospital Radio DJ Ivan Brackenbury.
“Being the only game in town, we’ve been able to book some unbelievable names” said Alan Merryweather. “We want to do everything we can to support the live comedy scene through this impossible time, but also make sure that our customers are kept safe. We’re following all the government regulation around track & trace, social distancing, face coverings and curfews – the show must go on, and it has!”
The team at the Black Horse is well known in the city for running some of the best comedy events around. They were even awarded Best Small Venue at this year’s Leicester Comedy Festival, which is the longest running comedy festival in the UK. These popular Monday night events are selling out fast every week, so if you’re interested in attending you should get your tickets quickly!
The next set of dates for Giggles in the Garden have been released and guests can expect the high calibre of entertainment to continue. There is also Cheese Night and Wine Tasting for Beer Lovers coming soon.
