The Brightside Is Handing Out Beers to Brisbanites Who've Had At Least One Jab
Every Friday afternoon in September, the Fortitude Valley venue is pouring brews for everyone who's had either their first or second COVID-19 vaccine doses.
UPDATE, September 3, 2021: The Brightside has announced that, after being contacted by the Office Of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, its plans to hand out free beers to Brisbanites have changed. It will now be hosting Jab Club events every Friday in September from 5–7pm, which will only be open to people who've had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. And, you'll be able to donate to Support Act in exchange for your brew. For further details, head to the event's Facebook page.
2021 is well past halfway through, the pandemic has been going for more than 19 months and two Australian states are in lengthy lockdowns — and Australia's vaccination campaign has only recently started picking up steam. As at Sunday, August 29, just 34.2 percent of Aussies over the age of 16 have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 57.5 percent of the population have had one dose. Based on the current jab rate, the nation isn't expected to reach the 70-percent and 80-percent fully vaxxed thresholds, which is when more restrictions are set to loosen, until the end of October and mid-November, respectively.
Australia's vaccination efforts have been plagued by plenty of issues since the beginning of the year. Recommendations around who should get the AstraZeneca and Pfizer shots have changed a few times, and the rollout's staged approach has limited who can get jabbed when. As a result, most folks under 40 have had to wait to get their chance to get vaxxed. But, if you've had either your first or second dose on or before Friday, September 3 and you'd like a free drink — and who wouldn't? — here's some fantastic news.
Anyone who rolls up their sleeve on or before this Friday can then visit The Brightside between 5–7pm and nab a beverage on the house. The Fortitude Valley spot hasn't yet provided further details about what type of brew or brews will be on offer, or how it'll be checking vaccination status; however, there'll definitely be free beers for folks who've rolled up their sleeves.
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Brisbane's hospitality venues — and those around Australia — have obviously done it tough during COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, which is why the watering hole will be giving away freebies for two hours. It's aiming to encourage people to get the jab and help the city — and the country — progress towards fully opening back up, and to a stage where lockdowns, restrictions and limited venue capacities become a thing of the past.
The Brightside's 'beer for jabs' afternoon follows in the footsteps of other hospo initiatives that endeavour to help boost vaccination rates by rewarding folks who've been vaxxed. The Prince Alfred pub in Melbourne did the same thing, Hawke's Brewing Co has been handing out slabs for jabs, and Sydney's Lord Gladstone Hotel has temporarily renamed itself 'The Lord Jabstone' and is serving up free brews, too.
Find The Brightside at 27 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley. It's giving away free beers to vaccinated Brisbanites from 5–7pm on Friday, September 3.
