Be At One - Birmingham — Restaurant in Birmingham

Came to this dive on Saturday 19th October to celebrate my 40th Birthday. We had pre-booked weeks ago and were joined by not only friends and family from other parts of the UK but who had travelled from Dublin and as far as Spain to celebrate with me. We had being to Flight Club before coming here and let me tell you the contrast of the experience we received in Flight Club to then here was on another level.

As we approached Be At One the queue was horrendous so we asked at the front if we needed to queue as we had pre booked. We didn't have to queue which was a good start in fairness and a blonde girl who was in charge of reservations came to us. Then the fun began. Upon entering you are asked to produce Identification no issue but even people who were in their 60's had ID taken from them. You then have to provide your address, no idea why but, it makes sense now why the queues are as long as they are because it takes so long just to get in the front door. We were sent downstairs and shown to the area for our group. It was quiet, no atmosphere, away from where the music was playing. We then went to the bar for drinks and were greeted with what I can only describe as the most unhelpful, disinterested Bar tender I have ever witnessed. Whilst ordering drinks I received a call from my Aunt and Cousin who were finishing off in Flight Club and were following us. I explained when we first entered that they would be coming and I asked if it would be ok that once they arrived, I came out to get them. No problem I was told, and I was also informed by said blonde lady not to queue and to walk straight to the front and explain to the doormen that I had already being inside and cleared this with her. I attempted to leave the venue to collect my Aunt and Cousin and get stopped immediately by one doorman who says I cant let you out. Sorry. What are you talking about. I eventually get to speak to the head doormen who says, no issues, no idea what the problem is, go do what you need to. I also explained again at that point, I was picking up 2 others (Aunt & Cousin) and I was told I would not need to queue again so I would be coming straight to the front. No problem he said.

I pick up my Aunt and Cousin round the corner, walk them through the queue to the front, see the same Doorman who says to me, just give me two moments and then suddenly turns around and tells me we are not getting in. Amazed and confused, I ask why and he said I barged my way through the queue to the front. Firstly, I have no idea how he could have even seen me, let alone if I did barge my way because the queue was that long, unless he had special vision or something. Secondly, I was holding the hand of my 65 year old aunty, I didn't barge through anywhere and was only doing what I was told by approaching the front of the queue. Back and forth for nearly 30 minutes trying to explain and understand why I was not allowed back in, all whilst the rest of my family and friends were inside waiting for me to join them. My husband even came out and tried to help and as far blondie was concerned who told me in the first place to walk to the front of the queue, she was a joke and did nothing to support either. Keep me outside in the cold all you like but don't treat my Aunt who is in her 60's with that much disrespect.

I have being to many places in my lifetime, and I have never being refused entry anywhere. I am absolutely disgusted how I was treated, especially on what should have being such a special night for me.

Send your staff and Doormen up to Flight Club and Manhatta, Manhatta we went to after all of this escapade, who welcomed us with open arms. The doormen laughing and joking with us as we went in. Your staff could learn a thing or 2 on how to treat people from both of these other venues.

I want a direct response from management and to be contacted to discuss this matter further please. This experience will also be shared on the Socials by not just me but by several others...

I was physically harmed by the security guards at this bar and was made a mockery of when I tried to escalate the situation to management. I was separated from my friends, dragged out of the upstairs toilet and through the entire bar and thrown outside for no reason at all. My property is damaged and I have bruises all along the left side of my body. After speaking to the security guards and management, I still do not have an answer as to why I was physically and aggressively removed from the bar. I was sharing a toilet cubicle with my friend, which is something that many girls do on nights out and we were not the only girls in the toilet sharing a cubicle at the time. Our privacy was invaded as my friend was actually still using the toilet at the time the security guards pushed open the door. The manager stated that “there are protocols for two people sharing a toilet.” But he could not explain what these protocols were. Manager is a complete joke of a man. I was speaking to him to report that I had been physically assaulted by his security guards and pulled out of the toilets for no reason and he started laughing and commented that “he deals with drunk girls like me all the time and we get passed around.” The comment about being passed around was extremely unprofessional and unnecessary. As someone that was not crazily drunk at the time, it was upsetting for me that the staff just assumed that I was crying and highly emotional due to ‘being drunk’ and not that I was emotional because I had been physically assaulted for no reason at all and was not receiving any help from management. The other members of staff and security guards working outside of the bar were laughing at us and being verbally abusive towards me and my friend while we were waiting for the police to arrive. I’m not sure if the security guards work for Be at One or if they are outsourced from an agency, but the security guard that left me with bruises was a black guy around 5”9 with glasses. And the lady that assisted him to carry me out was a chubby white lady around 5”2 with a blonde pixie cut and brunette highlights. As someone that is a returning customer and has been to this bar numerous times and treated well, I am very disappointed in the security guards for abusing their power for no good reason at all. For me it was also scary knowing that management who are the top people working at the venue also had no compassion for a customer being physically harmed by their staff. If the management have zero respect for the customers there is actually no hope for the Employees either. I absolutely did not deserve to be treated the way that I was as I did not do anything wrong. I will not be returning and I hope the Be At One staff can empathise and understand how scary and traumatic this...

I recently visited the bar and had quite a memorable experience-some parts fantastic, others less so, and all worth sharing for the benefit of management and future patrons.

The Good: Daniel, the Maestro of the Bar

From the moment I arrived, Daniel, the manager, stood out as a true leader. He wore many hats-DJ, manager, bartender, problem-solver-and did so with remarkable skill. Daniel was attentive both to the staff and the customers, fixing issues as they arose and ensuring the bar ran like a well-oiled machine. His presence was magnetic; staff followed his lead, and the atmosphere thrived under his direction. Daniel truly deserves recognition for his professionalism and commitment.

Happy Hour & Atmosphere

I enjoyed a lively happy hour, and the overall vibe was welcoming and upbeat. The staff behind the bar mirrored Daniel’s energy, making for a smooth and enjoyable experience.

The Security Situation: Room for Improvement

However, my experience with the security team was less positive. After stepping out to buy cigarettes, I returned to notice some questionable behavior. Security staff-employed by a company I believe is called KBD Security (or similar)-were observed leaving their posts and mingling at a neighboring restaurant. During this time, there were individuals outside the bar openly smoking substances and attempting to avoid cameras, which raises concerns about the effectiveness of the security presence.

Additionally, there was a misunderstanding in the neighboring restaurant involving some lighthearted banter on my part, which was unfortunately taken literally. This highlighted a cultural gap in understanding humor and customer interaction-something that’s important in hospitality.

A Note for Management

While the bar’s internal operations under Daniel’s leadership were impressive, the security arrangements need urgent review. Professionalism and attentiveness from security staff are paramount for the safety and reputation of any establishment. I trust that management will look into these concerns with the seriousness they deserve.

Final Thoughts

AA Bar has a lot going for it, thanks to dedicated staff like Daniel. However, the issues with security and customer engagement outside the bar cannot be overlooked. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as I am considering further steps to ensure the highest standards are maintained for all patrons.

All feedback provided here is intended to help improve the establishment and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone. I look forward to seeing positive changes in the future.

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