The Brewery — Attraction in London

Very rude and hostile staff.

I was a guest on a business trip at the adjoining hotel (The Montcalm at The Brewery) which shares the same courtyard.

After a pleasant breakast at the hotel with my partner we were in the courtyard (which is where the exit from the breakfast room leads out to). We took a moment to take a look at the beautiful architecture in the daylight.  We were busy during the week running to work early in the moring and coming back at night. This was the first time we could see the place in daylight.

A few moments later a doorman dressed in black with a top hat (late fifties) approached us and very aggressively said that we were not allowed to be there (where we were standing) and we were to leave. I attempted (many times) to explain that were were guests of the hotel and we were just taking a moment to look at the courtyard (we never even walked into it). He very rudely (and aggressively) continued to say that we were not even allowed to stand where we were and look. We were to leave.  This was not allowed! This felt like a flashback to 1960's East Berlin.

My mistake was (in my disbelief of what the person was saying and how aggressive he was) I continued to engage with him (and started to slowly lose my temper). I questioned what he meant by not being allowed to even stand where we were (in front of a door to our hotel) and even look. He reminded me of the thugs who used to work at some terrible clubs in NY during the 80's (which is not acceptable in today's world).

I told him I did not wish to continue with the conversation (as I was getting upset and losing my diginity by shouting back at him) and naturally he continued being nasty and threatening.  Was he going to beat me up if I didn't oney his orderd??

As I walked away with my partner I gave him a peace and love sign (to dispel the bad karma).  He then ran up to me and accussed/threatened me of flipping him off. He stood right in my face. I told him I did not do that and explained that I did not do that.  I told him I gave him a leace/love sign and in my country (U.S.) we only use one finger and the hand is in a diferent direction (clearly he needed glasses). We walked away.I complained to our hotel when we were checking out and I also complained to this place's front desk. The Bridge's front desk manager told me what doorman was saying was absolutely not their policy and naturally she said his behavior was not acceptable.

My feeling is that they most likely spoke to him but he was able to twist things around to make it sound like we were the trouble makers (those pushy, nasty Americans). I think the reality was he just wasn't used to anyone hearing his nonsense and actaully questioning it (which I did at first politely and in disbelief).

Put a top hat on a person and they think they have power to abuse. They also think they should have a job for...

While I can't fault the venue, the staff attitude and venue policy completely destroyed what found have been a very enjoyable evening.

To begin with, expect a 20+ minute queue to get in, while sharing the enjoyment of this queue with up to 6 other events. Once you make it into the venue, the cloakroom displays a complete lack of organisation, with people queuing to drop off bags only to be told 'bags need to be dropped off at the other end', and vice versa, creating an atmosphere of absolute chaos.

Don't expect the disorganisation to end there - if you wait for a few seconds for the group you arrived with to deposit their bags or coats, the inordinate amount of bouncers will immediately tell you to move on as your group will 'make it through shortly'.

During the event, expect the bouncers to be patrolling the area, making sure people don't trip on the edge of the dance floor - if it is that hazardous that everyone needs to be told repeatedly about the dangers of a shallow ramp, then the dance floor should not be raised by an inch above the rest of the floor!

Eventually, your evening will draw to a close, and you might find yourself waiting for a bag to be returned from the cloakroom... Seldom have I experienced a cloakroom that takes 10 minutes to get to the front of the crowd, followed by a further 10 minutes to find your bag having handed over your numbered ticket. Follow this up with the bouncers making everyone move outside immediately (again without allowing time for your group to find each other after the scrum around the cloakroom), and the evening is rounded off nicely!

tl;dr - would...

Completely Unprofessional Experience – Staff Let Personal Drama Get in the Way

I attended an event at this venue recently and what I witnessed was genuinely disappointing.

Two guests both of whom used to work at the venue attended the event as fully registered, legitimate guests. They weren’t causing trouble, just minding their business, going to sessions, and enjoying the event like everyone else. But one of the current bar managers, Millie, went out of her way to refuse them service at the drink reception for no valid reason.

From what I saw and heard directly, it was clearly personal not policy. It was unnecessary, and created tension in what should have been a professional, neutral environment. Even the event organisers had to step in and override her decision, because it was so out of line.

What makes it worse is the history these guests used to work here. So instead of being welcomed back respectfully, they were treated with hostility and singled out for no reason beyond personal bias. That kind of behaviour has no place in any professional venue, especially one hosting external conferences and guests.

If staff members feel entitled to act on grudges while representing the business, it raises serious concerns about management and culture. The venue allowed unprofessional, emotionally-driven behaviour to impact the guest experience and that reflects poorly on everyone involved.

Until this place sorts out its internal dynamics and holds staff accountable for professionalism, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for a respectful or drama-free...