RECONNECTING with friends and family, sharing banter and laughter - it is the day that pubs and their patrons in Flintshire and Wrexham have been waiting for.

Today, Monday, May 17, pubs and restaurants in Wales can finally get back to doing what they do best - serving up drinks, food and hospitality. This time without being at the mercy of the British weather!

Pubs like The Hand in Chirk can't wait to welcome people back.

The Hand posted: "So finally we prepare to open our doors to you all, Monday will be a special day and we can not wait to do what we do best.

"Lets all reconnect and meet up with friends and family and relax in our comfortable Lounge areas and Bars.

"Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner? Maybe just a Coffee or a Drink from the Bar?"

The Three Eagles patrons have double the reason to celebrate. The pub will open indoors on Monday ahead of the reopening of the Eyrie cocktail bar on Friday.

The pub posted: "It’s the news we’ve been waiting for as of Monday we are able to take bookings for tables up to 6 from different households INDOORS.

"Meaning we can bring back the good times (in the warm) for the family meals, date nights and the overdue catch ups!

"Our Eyrie cocktail bar also opens on Friday, 21 May, reservations are now being taken."

Paul Slater, of the Trotting Mare in Overton on Dee, can't wait to welcome customers inside. Although hot water bottles and blankets were a welcome novelty to people dining outside, the weather meant that business was hit and miss.

Having only been open inside for six weeks since taking over the pub, which is famously half in England and half in Wales, Paul is looking forward to a fresh start today.

Paul said: "We've been open for a couple of weeks outside, but its been very hit and miss with the weather. But we are open on Monday and already have a lot of bookings. I'm really looking forward to it.

"We'll have the specials board to mix things up a bit, but people like their favourites like your steak, fish and chips, and curries. We're a very traditional pubs but I do like to experiment on the specials board."

He added: "We are doing two steaks and a bottle of wine for £40 to celebrate the first week of opening.

"I've been out to get candles and new table numbers today, and the new menus are ready. We are all systems go now.

"What is good that people are getting more comfortable about coming out. These last three weeks have given them an insight that things aren't that bad.

Some pubs have special offers, such as the Royal Oak in Wrexham.

The pub posted: "Excited to be back opening our door on Monday, we thought we would offer the first five customers who come in wearing any Joules merchandise, from a hat, vintage tshirts, or even green monkey glasses, a free pint of any Joules product. So dig about in your wardrobes and see if you can get yourself a free pint on us."

In Wrexham, two iconic locations are preparing to welcome customers back through their doors - The Turf and Wrexham Lager Club.

Wayne Jones, owner of The Turf, tweeted: "169 days since we closed our doors. Monday we open back up inside (no more weather forecasts)

"I cannot wait to get the place rocking.. we survived thanks to YOU.

"Up the Turf."

For many pubs being able to open outside areas as had its highs and lows.

Over the last three weeks, British summertime weather has put a dampener on the experience - but most businesses have just been glad to be able to serve customers again.

On Wednesday, torrential rain caused the power to the marque at the Glasfryn in Mold to be lost. But a few candles saved the evening.

The pub posted: "Thank you to all our dedicated customers who came to visit us last night despite the weather taking a turn for the worse! Who could have guessed that a fair day could turn into torrential downpour that would knock out our power to the marquee, buy hey ho maybe candle light Wednesday’s will become a thing.

Once again thank you so much for all your support, it really does mean everything to us."

Several pubs have special offers to welcome customers back, and others are looking beyond May 17.

The Black Lion in Buckley is provisionally planning an evening with drag queen Shagger.

The pub posted: "From Monday 17th we welcome you back inside our home! Tables are a first come first serve basis.

"But best of all the one and only Shagger is kicking off her first gig @ The Black Lion! Provisionally booked in Friday 4th June! Let’s fill the place with laughter once again!"