Morris House — Restaurant in Melbourne

We visited Morris House for a comedy show last night in a group of 20.

A fortnight ago, I made a reservation for our 20 people to then have dinner at the venue following the show. The space available was the rooftop where a note advised us that ‘an area’ would be allocated to our group with a mixture of seating and standing.

When we arrived last night for our booking we were advised that the tables were currently all being used and that they would ‘kick people off’ at 6:30. As we were early we started grabbing drinks while we waited for our booking time. Shortly after a female staff member told our group our tables were ready. The ‘area’ that we had been allocated was 2 small drop tables pushed together amongst a sea of people, a space not at all adequate for 20 people.

I then approached the staff member I had originally spoken with and asked if I could clarify if we were waiting for additional tables to become available or if what was available was it. I was informed (quite obnoxiously) that I had booked seating and standing and that this was our booking and that they could not accommodate our group for dinner. We in no way were expecting or asking to be seated restaurant style with all group members eating at once, only that we would have space for 20 people to comfortably exist within the venue.

When I then questioned the staff member further about the logic behind this booking and table allocation, he became extremely rude and kept speaking over me, not allowing me to finish a sentence or question completely with speaking over me or interrupting.

When I explained that the wording on your website was that an AREA would be set aside for our group and that two small tables crammed in the middle of the bar was not ‘an area’ let alone 20 people’s worth of space, he demanded I produce this wording and pulled up our booking on your in house device. I explained it was not a note I had made, but a pop up on your website (I was interrupted again several times) to which I then received another obnoxious response. (For his reference I have included a screenshot of this pop-up below)

The staff member then tried to claim that these small round drop tables are considered as 10 people’s worth of space each and that he could do nothing about it as the bookings are handled by head office. When I asked how large our booking size would have needed to be to be placed at some of the larger tables we were sitting at prior to the show, he again did not let me finish my question and told me their booking time was earlier and that we couldn’t be seated. My question was never answered.

I asked if there was anything the venue could do to help accommodate our large group (eg find any additional tables/space) as we had made a booking and we now had 20 people wanting dinner who did not have space to move, let alone eat. Unfortunately I did not get to finish this question either as the staff member interrupted with ‘can I SPEAK’ in a very short, rude tone. He again informed me that I had booked seating and standing space and the best the venue could do is pull across a couple of extra chairs.

At this point, a portion of our group left the venue in search of somewhere else to accommodate us.

Another group (not part of our group) decided to sit at the tables allocated to us in the interim. There were 7 of them, the tables were then filled and there was no standing room around the tables, especially not 13 people’s worth of standing room, cementing my original point that the square meterage of space allocated to our group was not adequate.

Fortunately, members of our group were able to find an alternate venue that was able to accommodate us. The staff at the alternate venue were polite, accommodating and professional. The same can not be said for the staff member I spoke to at...

Just had a drink while waiting for comedy club downstairs to open but will definitely come here for a meal, a very warm inviting place and Aiden, barman fantastic service. Ordered Domain Chandon sparkling, he poured glass, said he thought it looked a bit flat and opened fresh bottle, guess what not every place does this. 11.4 went here for Comedy Festival show upstairs (hysterical, Akmal and Jimeoin together, genius) and had look at upstairs rooftop bar, so beautiful! Will definitely come here for a drink, so inviting. Morris House really has it all. 7.6. Finally came here for lunch. For entrees 2 of us shared vegetarian offerings of mushroom arancini and fried houlami while meat eaters had prosciutto with bread and mini prawn rolls. Then for mains, 2 had steak, husband had salmon and I had vegetarian gnocchi. And we also ordered side of chips, which was quite large. In fact I had to take half my gnocchi home as I couldn't eat but mistake because completely leaked through container provided, nylon tote bag I'd put that in and cardboard bag I put that in. So 3 layers, and had to throw them all out. So maybe Morris House plastic food containers? Also drinks, Proseccos, red wines and beer and coffees (decaf soy lattes, flat white and lattes). Also 2 ordered dessert, raspberry cheesecake and yes I tried and yes delicious. The food here is outstanding and I would come back. I actually love Morris House, the layout, the old world decor, the comedy shows, the restaurant and the rooftop bar. If I could stay...

Amazing food, lovely drinks, awesome comedy!! Have bunch many times and have now finally tried the food and cocktails too, and don't regret it :) However, I really wish the comedy shows started on time!! Not ALWAYS late!! 5, 10, 15 mins late multiple times!! The staff always line people up way too late and many people around me have always questioned this before every show too. They have only stated letting people in at the show start time, or after. If a show starts at 6.30pm for example, I would have thought it would start at 6.30pm, rather than up to 15 later, or start maybe only 5 mins late, and I wish the correct start time (now being 6.45pm for example) was reflected online so people had more knowledge and could actually decide if they could make it or not, considering they might have places to go after, or if during the comedy festival, another show to get to (which might have started 30 mins later so would have been more than enough to get to the other show should the one at Morris house started on time...but if something starts 15 mins late with no notice, repeatedly, now they may have 5 mins for example or less to get somewhere that takes 15 which is sad). But again, the food and drinks were amazing and I was genuinely impressed. I will still be back but hope shows going forward either start at the proper time, or have a later start time online, thanks so much and hope you all have a great day! Food is pricey, however, which is important to know if that's not what you're looking...