While step two of the roadmap out of lockdown has meant we are now able to visit our favourite cafes, restaurants and pubs outdoors, we are still waiting for the go ahead to enjoy an indoor dining or drinking experience.

Providing all goes to plan, on May 17, step three of the Government's roadmap will see further easing of restrictions, with venues opening-up indoors as well as out.

As well as looking forward to visiting all our old favourites, there are some brand new venues which have popped-up across East Lancashire since the last lockdown, many of which we've yet to see inside of.

Here are five of the best new venues we can't wait to visit from May 17:

Lancashire Telegraph:

GDK Blackburn: 

Work on the £500,000 German Doner Kebab restaurant began last September and in March staff were on site taking part in training.

The 101 seater restaurant is, at the moment, only serving take-outs but will officially open its doors for internal dining on May 17.

First look inside new £500k Blackburn German Doner Kebab restaurant

GDK has created 50 new roles and is the brand’s 56th site in the UK.

Occupying the former Maida Restaurant on Eanam, GDK takes up most of the ground floor area of the building and includes a prayer room.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Bank Bar and Kitchen, Darwen:

Although the Bank Bar has been open since November, the newest venture from Darwen's Gary Perkins, who also owns Taps, Spitfire and The Vault, had up until recently, only been serving food for takeaway and delivery.

Darwen bar owner to expand empire by opening brand new restaurant in former Barclays Bank

Since restrictions were eased a little on April 12, the newest bar in Darwen town centre, which occupies the old Barclays Bank building on Church Street, is now open for outdoor dining and drinking.

However, come May 17, we are most looking forward to seeing what the team has done to the interior as it welcomes customers inside for high quality drinks and cocktails and food made for sharing.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Whitehall Distillery, Darwen:

Neil and Tracey Bullows, who have run the Whitehall Hotel in Darwen since 2003, found they had to innovate during the pandemic, and just before Christmas they diversified their business by converting the hotel's redundant kitchen area into an on-site spirits distillery.

So far they have created three different types of gin and on April 12 they opened the hotel for outdoor drinks, and will welcome customers inside from May 17.

And by June they hope to be ready to launch their new gin bar, complete with gin masterclasses and individual stills, so guests can make and craft their own gin.

We've already booked our table, have you?

Darwen hoteliers to open gin bar after converting restaurant into distillery during lockdown

Lancashire Telegraph:

Ships n Giggles, Burnley:

Residing in a former nightclub which was destroyed by fire at the hands of a rival business, Ships n Giggles Burnley will re-open in what used to be the town's MACs bar, on Hammerton Street.

And when lockdown restrictions are lifted on May 17, the venue will offer penny meals, live music and good times.

Lancashire businessman brings 1p meals to Burnley with funky new bar

Andy Mac, owner of Ships and Giggles Preston, has been quietly working to restore his venue after it was gutted by a fire in November 2019, and promises 'all the things people have got to know us for in Preston we’ll be bringing to Burnley'.

And honestly, we can’t wait.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Kings Castle Diner, Blackburn: 

The 40-seater King’s Castle Diner on Darwen Street has been renovated to a cost of £400,000 over a two-year period and has created 25 jobs for the town.

The Blackburn King’s Castle is the second in the franchise and comes on the back of a smaller take out of the same name which opened in Lostock Hall in 2016.

The premises was formally the Chang’s Restaurant and has been completely reconstructed inside and out. 

First look inside new Blackburn diner featuring 1957 Chevy Bel Air and Hollywood walk of fame

We are especially looking forward to visiting Kings Castle Diner, not just because there's a huge pink chevy inside the venue, but because a Muhammad Ali star takes up pride of place on a wall and a Donald Trump star is in the toilet.

Plus, the menu serves up 22 types of burgers, wraps, hot dogs and pizzas and has an extensive dessert offering, with shakes, ice-creams and waffles.

Please let us know if you think we've missed any exciting new additions to your town, and we will feature them in a future article.