The Corona Arms virtual pub is keeping Leeds regulars' spirits up

A group of friends from Leeds are enjoying pub nights after setting up virtual boozer The Corona Arms.
Drinkers enjoying a quiz night at The Corona Arms virtual pubDrinkers enjoying a quiz night at The Corona Arms virtual pub
Drinkers enjoying a quiz night at The Corona Arms virtual pub

There are around 15 regulars at the newly opened online hostelry, which is helping keep their spirits up during the Coronavirus lockdown.

The Corona Arms is billed as the pub 'where everybody knows your name... and they're always glad you stayed indoors.'

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And it is to host weekly virtual quiz nights on Tuesday evenings to raise cash for homeless charity St George's Crypt.

Drinkers enjoying a quiz night at The Corona Arms virtual pubDrinkers enjoying a quiz night at The Corona Arms virtual pub
Drinkers enjoying a quiz night at The Corona Arms virtual pub

Contestants were charged £5 to take part in the first quiz, night this week, which raised more than £100 the Leeds city centre charity.

Quizmaster is Harry May-Bedell, 36, a comedian performer and writer from Far Headingley.

Pub customer Gabriella Smith, 27, of Leeds city centre, said the pub was set up by a group of friends who used to work at Headingley marketing agency Brass, which closed last year.

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They virtual pub is open from 6pm every night on conference video call website Zoom and people are invited to pop in for a drink and a chat.

Drinkers at the Corona Arms virtual pubDrinkers at the Corona Arms virtual pub
Drinkers at the Corona Arms virtual pub

Gabriella said: "In these really strange times it's important for people to keep in touch with each other so people don't feel alone. It's also important to have fun."

Pub landlord Emily Huyton, 30, formerly of Leeds city centre and now living in London, said: “Over the last week or so it’s certainly felt as though the world as we know it has been grinding to a halt.

"I decided to set up a virtual pub so we could still all get together, have a drink, have a laugh and try and maintain some level of normality.

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"The Corona Arms was born with a small group of us but once we shared it on social we were inundated with people asking to join us too.

"Bringing back together loads of creative talent, before we knew it we had a logo, social media pages and a top performer planning our first ever virtual pub quiz.

"Whilst we have all managed to find a way to keep ourselves entertained, we recognise that so many people are really struggling during this time and so we wanted to use the opportunity to raise some money for a local charity."

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