Libero, the small craft beer bar and football haven, is to reopen this Saturday – but has decided to continue its ‘Deliverooney’ delivery service after it proved so popular during lockdown.
The Kings Court bar, which originally only intended to open as a pop-up for the World Cup 2018 but became a permanent fixture after winning a band of loyal local supporters, will reopen at 12 noon on Saturday.
But as co-owner (and delivery man) Paul Rooney explained, Libero’s lockdown has let them develop a whole new means of reaching their customers.
“When we went into lockdown, we knew we wanted to continue providing some of the best craft beer to our loyal customers,” he said.
“After last orders on March 23rd, I sent some of our regulars a menu of the cans and bottles we had in stock and offered free delivery.
“Within a week, word had spread and we’d flown through the stock we’d had. We replenished with beer from our favourite breweries and now have around 50 different beers, ciders and wines available for delivery.”
Libero has also added growlers to the menu, so customers can now get up to 3.2 pints of freshly poured draught beer delivered to enjoy at home.
Delivery is free and there’s no minimum order if you’re local – Rooney has delivered as far as Warrington and Manchester city centre.
From now on, orders placed before midday will be delivered the same day, and delivery remains contact-free for anyone still shielding – although it doesn’t take much for Paul to get involved in a socially-distanced natter on the doorstep.
Alongside the ‘Deliverooney’ service (the nickname customers gave to the delivery service) the team behind Libero has been maintaining its community feel by hosting weekly Zoom quizzes, an online beer tasting with local brewery Pomona Island and a virtual second birthday party for the bar.
Despite the business making the most of the time off, Rooney is very excited to reopen the actual bar this Saturday.
“The thing I’ve missed most is having a beer and chatting with our customers,” he said.
“Despite many of them supporting rival teams, we’ve created a really friendly, non-partisan atmosphere. I love what we do and I can’t wait to get back to showing the football and serving quality craft beer, as well as our great range of spirits and wines from Reserve.
“In the next few weeks, we’ll also have news about the launch of our retail website and our partnership with Altrincham FC, so it’s exciting times ahead.”
To meet social-distancing guidelines, the bar will be allowing up to five people inside at any one time, but they also have two covered benches in the courtyard outside. Rooney recommends booking a table in advance by email or through social media to ensure a seat, particularly for the football.
To see the menu and order a delivery, see here
Libero, Kings Court off Railway Street, is open 4–11 Monday to Thursday, 4–12 Friday, 12–12 Saturday and 12–12 Sunday. To place an order or book a table, email info@wearelibero.com or contact the guys @wearelibero on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
