An Bróg Bar + Kitchen — Restaurant in Cork

This bar has a nice atmosphere and friendly staff, but they follow their rules too rigidly. I ended the night in embarrassment and anxiety because of what the staff did to me.

I went to the bar with a friend's credit card, a contactless card that wouldnt normally need a pin number, and I was told that the card wasn't compatible with their machine? It was an AIB card, so I don't understand why their system would not be able to deal with one of the most commonly used banks in the country.

It turned out that I needed the pin number (which I didn't know of course, it was my friend's card as I had explained to two of the bartenders!) This was fine initially, but when I went back to the bar and used the number I had gotten from the friend who owned the card, it didn't work. (I wrote down the number she told me, and she had only had 2 glasses of wine previous to this, so I think I can trust her memory.)

I returned to my friend to confirm the number, she insisted that it was the correct pin number and offered to come to the bar her self, but I said no. I have to admit that I was a bit embarrassed by the whole situation, which is why I didn't want her to come to the bar.

I decided to use my own card at the bar and tell my friend that her card was not compatible with the machine they used, but when I returned to the bar to pay for the drinks, they refused to serve me!

I understand that I had come to the bar and left the bar twice, but I explained to them that my friend had given me her card because she wanted to pay for the round, so any issue they had with the payment should not have applied to a completely separate card. Especially when I had been apologising the entire time and repeatedly explaining what was going on!

The reason they refused to serve me was because I "owed the bar money", which is absolutely ridiculous! I only ordered two drinks, the total of which came to about €12. I was more than happy to pay for those exact drinks, which I said to them, but they refused to take my money!!

It was highly embarrassing, especially when the bartender (the final man I spoke to at the bar, when I used my own credit card) walked to his "manager" and another bartender (a woman) and the three of them discussed "the situation". They all looked over at me blatantly, not even trying to be subtle about it, and talked for at least a minute. Then the bartender I had tried to complete my order from, he walked back to me and told me that I "already owed the bar money" so they couldn't serve me anything else.

I repeat, I was ordering the same drinks! And I was more than happy to pay for what I had previously ordered! Because it was the same drinks!!!

I am (unfortunately) very obviously middle aged, so I don't understand why they would think that I was untrustworthy. (It's not as if I am underage or young enough to look like Im trying to pull a fast one.) It made me question my appearance, as if I was someone that looked like a thief or a criminal. And it also completely ruined my night and the night of my friends.

I was mortified by the entire experience, and despite my protests, my friends decided to leave the pub because I had told them what happened.

I can say with complete honesty that I spoke with the kindest words about the staff, because I worked in retail in the past (in a clothing store) and I understand how difficult it can be to deal with the public, but my friends all agreed that their attitude and treatment of me was ridiculous and terrible.

IF you decide to go this pub, make sure that you have three or four credit/debit cards (or use exclusively cash) and make sure that you bring friends with you to the bar for emotional support in case the staff think you look untrustworthy.

Apart from that, the atmosphere is lovely and the...

Having patronised the place extensively over the years, I moved away for the first time and came back to Cork for Christmas. It was my first night out with my friends since I was back and 1.50am I said I'd get us one last round of drinks. Went to the bar and the bartender said the female bouncer said he wasn't allowed serve me. I found it somewhat funny, laughed and said okay and went back to my friends in the smoking area as it was closing it ten mins anyway. The female bouncer followed me out and told me I had to leave. I reasoned with her I wasn't particularly drunk but she wouldn't listen and insisted upon kicking only me out. I was somewhat confused as to what I did between the walk to the bar and back that entailed I was being kicked out with ten minutes to go, when there was no issue beforehand. I also could not see a visible PSA licence nor was I offered one when I complained. Thanks a lot anyway for kicking me out with ten minutes to go, on my own as a young girl, on my first night back in Cork. To note, I did complain via facebook, as soon as I went home that evening to show I was in fact rather coherent, and heard nothing. I wouldn't darken the doorway again if it was the only bar...

Myself amd my partner travelled from Limerick today to do some shopping,,At lunchtime we went to the door of this"Establishment" a girl with short black hair(actually looking dishevelled)came over asked if we were ok,,,I replied do we seat ourselves or is there seating allocated,to whish she replied..Il be bak in 1 sec,,Now bare in mind the place was empty both in and outside.When she returned she said sorry but we cant serve ye today because he has on a tracksuit pants,,,Now im sorry but Whattttt,(btw the tracksuit cost more than her whole outfit?,,To which she said..its management not me i asked to speak to the manager and she said they were at a meeting..I replied that it was absolutly awful discrimiation at its best and pubs and restaurants coming alive again to put up with this...Ive spoken go a solicitor amd it will not be the end of it,,,Do yerselves a favor guys and STAY AWAY FROM THERE...Ive tried repeatedly for last 3hrs to contact manager but...