DRINKERS in Tier 2 areas flocked to pubs and bars last night for a very merry Christmas Eve night out.

Festive boozers braved the cold in Liverpool and York – as millions down South rang in Christmas Day indoors due to Covid restrictions.

Hospitality venues remain open in Tier 2 areas – but Brits must order a substantial meal alongside drinks and cannot mix with another household indoors.

Revellers in the North swapped Tiers for beers after a long year of lockdowns, self-isolation and travel bans. 

But some boozers in York had one too many as a woman was pictured being carried along the street by laughing pals.  

Others posed in wacky festive outfits, including one woman who dressed up as a Christmas Tree. 

And Brits made sure to stay Covid-secure during the festive night out by donning face masks alongside Santa hats. 

Meanwhile, Londoners put their feet up for a long night in front of the TV after all hospitality venues were shut amid a huge surge in cases this month.

Large swathes of the North, including Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds, were also unable to enjoy a festive night out after being stuck in Tier 3. 

It comes as pubs face their quietest ever Christmas.

The Sun reported this week that 38 million fewer pints and 5 million fewer dinners would be sold from the 23rd until Boxing Day.

Just 3 million pints and 1 million dinners will be served in Britain’s pubs, the British Beer & Pub Association said.

On a normal Christmas, it would usually expect 41million pints and 6million Christmas dinners to be served.

On Christmas Day alone, a key trading day for pubs, just 260,000 Christmas dinners and 700,000 pints will be served.

Pub bosses said the stark figures show what impact the Government’s tier restrictions are having on pubs, strangling their ability to trade as viable businesses and survive.

It also said it highlighted how Christmas just won’t be the same for many people this year as they won’t be visiting their local to celebrate it.

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