Feeling lucky? Roll the dice at Torquay’s The Yacht and skip the bill

From Monday 26 January, The Yacht - the harbourside venue overlooking Torquay Marina - will run Victor’s Double.

After a pre-booked meal, one guest at the table rolls two dice. Land double six, and the restaurant covers the entire food and drink bill for the table.

The offer runs Monday to Thursday, all day, and is available only on pre-booked tables of up to eight guests. Each table gets one roll per visit, taken after dining once the bill is presented.

Named after Victor Drew, a Devon sailor described by the venue as embodying curiosity, flavour and the thrill of discovery, the promotion ties into the restaurant’s nautical theme and adds what it calls “a sense of journey” to the end of the meal.

The initiative comes at a time when Torbay’s independent hospitality businesses - which make up around 90 per cent of the sector - are facing what many describe as unsustainable challenges. In an open letter handed to Ministers, Torbay MP Steve Darling highlighted warnings from Torquay harbourside restaurateur Anthony Jones (owner of Otto and Twenty1 Lounge, and chair of the Torquay Independent Business Owners Group) about a “dire economic situation” at the start of 2026.

READ MORE: Torbay business leaders and MPs unite in desperate plea to save local hospitality

The Yacht’s light-hearted gamble offers a small spark of optimism in quieter midweek periods, potentially drawing customers to a venue that is part of the very independent scene under strain.

Videos circulating online show the quiet reality of parts of Torquay town centre this January, with glimpses of empty streets around Fleet Street, and some independent businesses reporting zero customers on certain days.

The Yacht isn’t alone in trying creative ways to attract visitors. Nearby, The John Bull pub has launched a community campaign called “two friends, two pints, twice a week,” encouraging regular visits to sustain the venue as a social hub during a tough winter. The initiative gained a morale boost when Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper sent a supportive video and promised a future visit.

Full terms and conditions:

• Available Monday to Thursday only, on pre-booked tables

• Starts Monday 26 January 2026

• One roll per table, per visit

• Maximum table size of eight guests

• Double six removes the full food and drink bill for that table

• No cash alternative

• Not valid with set menus or event dining

• Subject to availability and may be withdrawn or amended at The Yacht’s discretion

After all, the only thing better than a great meal is a free one - roll wisely.