IT is the moment many of us have been waiting for - the chance to have a pint inside our favourite local.

As Covid-19 restrictions are eased again on Monday, publicans can finally open up their indoor spaces to eager punters.

While pubs with large beer gardens were able to reopen last month, for many businesses in Brighton, Monday will be the first day they can welcome customers back this year.

Here are a few of the pubs in the city which will be reopening their doors again this week.

The West Hill Tavern

The Argus: Heather and Ben Pistor, who run the West Hill TavernHeather and Ben Pistor, who run the West Hill Tavern

The West Hill Tavern in Buckingham Place, known affectionately as The Westie to its locals, is one of only a few family-run, independent pubs in the city.

Landlady Heather Pistor described the past year as "an emotional rollercoaster".

She said: "It’s been a very long year. Our pub is not only our business but our home too - for myself, my husband Ben and our five-year-old son.

"We lose one, we lose the other. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster but now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

The Argus:

The pub opens on Monday and is currently taking bookings online for two households or up to six people as a mixed group, and walk-ins will be accepted if there is space.

There will be a range of new pizzas on offer from The Great British Charcuterie Company, and a new Negroni menu. The pub is also relaunching its bottomless brunches from next Saturday, May 22, from midday until 3pm, as well as its roasts next Sunday, served from midday until 6pm.

Heather added: "We're super excited that local Hand Brew Co will be delivering their High Five Oat Pale for the first time whilst Beavertown Brewery Neck Oil and Camden Town Brewery Pale Ale are now on tap... All perfect for a bit of a session."

Plus by day, there will be free Wifi, Black Rock coffee and grilled cheese sandwiches for anyone wanting to escape the home office.

The Bees Mouth

Monday is a big day for one of the city's quirkiest bars. During the past year The Bees Mouth in Western Road, Hove, reopened only briefly last autumn before having to close again shortly afterwards due to the second national lockdown.

There will be table service for groups of up to six people and the pub is opening from 4.30pm until 12.30am on week days, and 4.30pm until 1.30am on weekends.

Keen punters will need to get there early not to miss out though, as the pub is taking walk-ins only this time, with no advance bookings.

The Seven Stars

The Argus: Credit: The Seven StarsCredit: The Seven Stars

One of the biggest pubs in The Lanes, The Seven Stars in Ship Street will reopen at midday on Monday, with all tables available for walk-ins.

The pub will be offering its usual menu, including its much-loved Sunday roasts.

Book online at www.seven-stars.pub.

The Foundry

The Argus: The FoundryThe Foundry

Another pub renowned for its Sunday roasts, the Foundry in Foundry Street has been providing takeaways on UberEats throughout lockdown.

The pub is now taking bookings online for tables of six so groups can enjoy dishes from its Asian street food menu within the cosy atmosphere of the pub again Monday to Saturday, from crispy duck pancakes to Katsu curries and Korean fried cauliflower.

Sundays will see the return of its classic roasts and are bound to be popular.

The Paris House

The Argus: The Paris HouseThe Paris House

Closed for the past seven months, staff at the Paris House in Western Road in Hove are delighted to finally be reopening their doors on Monday - as well as its sister pubs Three Jolly Butchers in North Road, Brighton, and the Camelford Arms in Kemp Town.

The bar is best known for its live jazz - and manager Julian Franklin hopes he will be able to bring this back from June 21.

The Argus: Julian Franklin, manager at the Paris HouseJulian Franklin, manager at the Paris House

He said: "Unfortunately we can't get back to live music just yet until next month but obviously it's great to be on the road to normality.

"We feel we have a moral obligation to get our pubs up and running again.

"It will be so nice to welcome people back."

The Chimney House

A favourite with residents in Seven Dials, the Chimney House in Upper Hamilton Road is a hidden gem specialising in top quality dishes with locally sourced ingredients - including foraged wild plants, fruits and vegetables.

The pub is set to reopen on Thursday from 4pm, and will then be open Wednesdays to Sundays with food served from 5pm until 9.30pm, and until 6pm on Sundays.

Book online at chimneyhousebrighton.co.uk.

The Heart and Hand

The Argus: The Heart and Hand. Photo: GoogleThe Heart and Hand. Photo: Google

The family-run pub in North Road, known for its distinctive green tiles, vinyl jukebox and popular resident cat named Bailey is set to finally reopen on Wednesday.

The business appealed for help last year to pay rent as it had been unable to open throughout the pandemic.

The Argus: Bailey, the feline doorman at the Heart and HandBailey, the feline doorman at the Heart and Hand

A crowdfunding campaign set up to to save the pub successfully raised more than £6,000.

The Hope and Ruin

The Argus:

The grassroots music venue and pub in Queens Road is due to open on Monday for socially distanced seated food and drink, serving up dishes from its plant based kitchen Beelzebab.

The pub is now taking bookings online at www.hope.pub.

Its first socially distant gig is scheduled for Sunday, May 30, with indie pop from Wyldest. 

Which pub in the city are you most looking forward to reopening? Get in touch on Twitter @brightonargus.