I just had my work Christmas party at the Bridge and was impressed by the venue and friendly wait staff. Food was quite good and drinks were reasonably priced (just). However, the reason for the ONE star review is due to the unbelievably arrogant, self absorbed and obnoxious door staff. A colleague of mine had just gone outside to have a cigarette, I joined her with two others. We collected around one of the two outside tables, which were OBVIOUSLY designated for smokers (ash trays were present). After about 5 minutes of socializing with other friendly patrons, my friend, Monica, was told condescendingly by a bouncer, who was seated next to the table we were at, that "I don't like people smoking in front of me while I eat, can you move away or go inside?" I being closest to him was bewildered by his request; I was closest to him, not smoking, and Monica, who was smoking was on the other side of me. Hardly in front of him. Although, I do appreciate the sentiment of his comment. Eating while someone is smoking is not a pleasant thing. However, it would be wise then, I think, that the bouncer, a staff member, should not eat in a designated smoking area, and subsequently tell my friend, a patron, to "move away". I digress, however, the worst part hasn't even happened yet. Upon the questioning that was certainly warranted by Monica, she was given a series of unsatisfactory responses on why it was inappropriate for her to be smoking in a smokers area. This in itself displays a sense of arrogance and obnoxiousness which astounded me. But it gets worse, after a couple of questions directed at the bouncer, he ends the conversation abruptly with "don't worry about it, you're not getting back in." He turns away, finishes his tacos, and we turn away and finish our drinks. As we get up to go back inside, he signals the other equally big headed bouncers to block Monica's entry. An abnormally rude and offensive woman is stopping Monica from entering, despite not giving any reasons. Despite further questioning from Leanne (my boss) and another friend Mel, the bouncer refused to give way. At this point things did get a bit ugly; Monica was getting frustrated with the inexplicable rudeness and beginning to become riled. The bouncer attempted to blame it on 'intoxication', which was a complete farce and almost made me laugh at her desperate attempt to find a solid reason to continue her denial (Monica had had 2 beers as our boss wasn't paying for drinks, the tight ass). Seeing no resolution to this situation through the bull headed bouncers, Leanne went inside to find a supervisor who upon hearing about the situation, promptly allowed Monica back inside and apologized. Just to reiterate; the inside staff were exceedingly friendly and accommodating, not to mention reasonable. My issue is with the unbelievably self assured bouncers out the front. How can it be okay to bar someone entry, because they were smoking in a smokers area, where you happened to be eating? What ever happened to 'the customer is always right?' I didn't realise that the Bridge was operating under 'what the bouncer says. goes' even if it is some absolute idiocy spouted from the mouth of a power tripping buffoon with an overly sensitive nose and no common sense about where to eat to avoid the smell of cigarettes. I am absolutely disgusted, Bridge Hotel. I sincerely hope you will take this complaint in to consideration because despite the appeal your venue has to me, I will be sure to steer clear in the future.