A popular pub has been praised for its 'brilliant' set of beer garden rules as we head into the hottest weekend of the year. The Oxford pub in Rochdale has created an entire billboard of beer garden etiquette that has gone viral after they shared it on Facebook.
The 'beer garden rules' board is set up in the garden at the back of the pub as well as a banner reading: "Stay classy Rochdale."
The rules include: "Do us all a favour and keep your top on." Another reads: "You might as well bring your glasses in if you're going."
"We've got nice neighbours so don't swear loads," another instruction says.
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The post has swiftly racked up the likes and shares - and the pub's owners have been praised for their hilarious responses to comments on the post too. The family-run pub is known for its big beer garden with lovely views and was voted Greater Manchester's best beer garden by Manchester Evening News readers only last month.
The Oxford's Facebook post shared the picture of the rules, and started: "Ladies & Gentleman of the town of Rochdale, Wear sunscreen."
It continued: "We’ve said it for years that beer garden people are a different breed but those last few summers have taught us a thing or two about a thing or two. So this year we’re rolling out the official beer garden rule book.
"Now we’ve not put “no dressing gowns or pyjamas” because that’s always seemed pretty obvious but after last year we just don’t know what to think anymore.
"If you don’t know what heavy petting is ask your mam & dad. If you’re well unhappy with the rules, you might just be the sort of person everyone talks about in a beer garden.
It signed off: "As always, stay classy Rochdale. And trust me on the sunscreen."
Punters were quick to give their approval, with many posting how "brilliant" the rules are. Liz Matthews wrote: "All beer gardens need to follow suit. Brilliant."
While Bridget Ellerington said: "Brilliant. Great set of rules. Means everyone gets to enjoy themselves."
Bernadette Smith-Markl said: "Just love it! At last someone has said what the rest of us are all thinking!! And if you don't like the rules....please stay away. Then we can all enjoy eating and drinking Al fresco!"
The post was signed off by "The McNeenys" - the family that run the pub. Although it's not clear which family member is responsible for some of the genius responses on the post.
Lizzie Blackstaffe-Turner said: "I mean surely these all should go without saying right?? to which the pub replied: "Lizzie, we live in a world with no smoking signs at petrol stations."
Responding to Margaret White who wrote: "What does this say about the state of our society when people have to reminded of these things." The pub replied: "Totally agree Margaret but it’s normally the sort of discussion I get into after too much red wine."
Jenanette Moorhouse wrote: "When you have to remind people about common decency, shows what we've regressed to as a human race!" To which the pub replied: "You’re probably right Jeanette, it’s pretty naff but also we make cheese pies for a living & didn’t expect this to blow up like it has."
We spoke to Tom McNeeny at the pub and he said they couldn't quite believe the reaction to the post. Tom said: "It's been seen by a milion people now, and I'm getting people replying from all over the country.
"I think people are loving the northern humour to be honest.
"It's gone slightly bananas, but we just thought it's good to let people know what our expectations are before they get here."
The Oxford beer garden rules in full
- No table service, sorry
- Keep your dogs on a lead
- Do us all a favour and keep your top on
- No smoking under the pergola, please
- No heavy petting
- Might as well bring your glasses in if you're going
- We've got nice neighbours - so don't swear loads
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