Bartholomew's Public House — Restaurant in Victoria

Please come to Bartholomew’s if you enjoy being insulted and demeaned by staff.

A group of my friends (at most 9-10 people) and I came in for the weekly trivia night. The majority of the staff were kind and helpful. We ordered a couple drinks and meals. After around 30 minutes, our server checked on us and noticed we were really invested in the trivia. I believe after that she did not come back for maybe another half an hour. This was totally reasonable, though we were intending to order more drinks and food when she did come back. Keep in mind that the trivia night is advertised as taking up to three hours with four separate rounds in total.

During the time frame where our server had not visited us, a male staff member (whom I assume is the same staff member a majority of these negative reviews are about) came up to us and began to insult us. His issue was that we weren’t ordering enough to justify being there. This would be reasonable if:

Our server had been with us more than twice in an hour. It wasn’t an advertised trivia night where it was not stated anywhere that groups must continue to order overpriced food for three hours in order to participate. There weren’t multiple empty tables surrounding our table (it was a random Thursday evening). This was an establishment that was more prestigious than a pub hidden in a back corner of Victoria BC.

Still, if all he had done was politely tell us we need to order more to justify our stay, I would not be writing this.

Instead, he insulted us by saying that the pub was “not a charity” and “not a community centre”. He told us that we were not ordering enough to take up 16 seats (there was never 16 of us). When we tried to mention that we had indeed ordered and planned to order more, he said that wasn’t enough. He made it very clear that us sitting there was costing him money.

I believe wholeheartedly that he only felt like he could speak like this to us because a majority of us are in our 20s. He felt justified treating us like children and not paying customers. It should be noted that at no point were we being loud or disrespectful. We all sat quietly as he talked down to us, simply waiting for it to be over.

After that, we waited for our server, ordered what we intended to, played our last rounds of trivia, and never saw him again.

I don’t know who this man is or where he gets off on insulting guests. The absolute arrogance and disrespect that one man can carry is sickening. And it seems like this is an ongoing problem.

I can guarantee that Bartholomew’s will lose more money from us never coming back than they supposedly did from our visit last night.

It’s a shame because the food was good, the other staff were nice, the beer was cheap, and the trivia was fun. However, it was certainly not worth this treatment.

Please be wary if you intend to visit...

Bartholomew’s is a great little English Style Pub. Its entrance is off Humboldt Street, kinda hidden away, tucked around the corner from Douglas Street. It is situated below the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel. This pub is guaranteed to be a treat for all who visit during their stay or who just happen to stumble upon it as I did.

The staff here are attentive, respectful, and professional. The pub has various themed nights, from Trivia Night to my favourite, Break Even Bottle night, where you will be able to taste some amazing top-shelf spirits at barroom floor pricing.

The food is delicious and filling and hits the spot just when you need it the most. Don’t forget to wash it down with a delicious cocktail or your favourite import or craft beer.

I love the feel of the place. Tastefully decorated and laid out in an Old English Style way with tables surrounding the bar. Multiple TVs are dotted around the bar to ensure you don’t miss your favourite match. Great music! Great conversations with people travelling from all over the world, or meet the friendly faces of the locals who frequent this fantastic place.

Bartholomew’s is the perfect spot to bring your mates, clients, colleagues for a couple of casual drinks and some great comfort food. Being a local of the neighbourhood, I can soundly say that Bartholomew’s “Barts” is my new favourite watering hole. Whether you are travelling, celebrating, or just want a place to hide away and forget about the world outside, this bar...

There are 5 words that everyone in the service industry would benefit from knowing.

Tonight I went to Bart’s.

When I arrived I noticed the sign that says “Please wait to be seated.” The hostess was chatting with someone and didn’t acknowledge me, and from where I was standing I could see that the bar was nearly empty, so I helped myself to a chair at the bar.

The bartender was filling water jugs at his sink. He looked at me in a derogatory way, continued filling the water jugs, looked at me in a derogatory way again, then came over asked “Can I help you.” I said I’d like a menu and a beer, please. He said, “The sign says you’re supposed to wait, but fine I’ll go grab a menu….” Like it was big pain for him that I was there. Just, attitude.

I left and went a half block up the street to another popular restaurant. Within 90 seconds of being there I was warmly greeted, seated, had a menu in front of me, and a drink. What a difference.

I’m going to spend my money somewhere else while I’m at the adjacent hotel for the next 3 months.

The 5 words that everyone in the service industry needs to know is, “I’ll be right with you”. The bartender - and this establishment - would benefit from adding those words...