The Trocadero — Restaurant in Birmingham

If you are lucky enough to look terribly youthful but forget your ID unfortunately when you are already 28, you don't want to visit this pub, even with no plans to drink.

My cousin, my boyfriend and I visited this bar on 27 Aug 2022 at 5ish (not going through the back door so we did pass by the staff member who was supposed to take our ID), bought two beer (no one checked our ID at that point either), got 2 paper straws and got a seat.

In 2 minutes, one staff member came over to ask for our ID. That's fine as I assume we are supposed to prove our age anytime necessary. My boyfriend and I showed our valid ID and proved our eligibility to drink. My cousin, who forgot her ID, was not able to show it (of course). The staff said as long as she didn't drink, she could stay. Right, that's the plan. There were only 2 drinks anyway.

We could clearly see that they were targeting on us. The manager then came over and explained the situation. He asked the three of us to leave the pub immediately: Two straws were put in one drink. My cousin had a sip which was seen by a staff member, and had no proof of age. My boyfriend and I were irresponsible and made illegal drinking possible in their premises.

Who goes to a pub without an ID? Apologies that's my cousin so she offered to leave the pub herself. Fair enough, although it's stated on the website of Trocadero that they welcome children before 6 pm (let's assume my cousin is a teen who has already finished her Master).

Could not have been more grateful as the manger kindly walked us out of the pub and explained the situation again. We appreciated how they made us less embarrassed with a bar full of people on a Saturday evening in this you-have-no-way-to-prove-you-right discussion. We were already kicked out of the premises (with 2 almost untouched drinks).

We requested to check the CCTV footage because MY COUSIN HAD NOT TAKEN ANY SIP. He refused and invited us to visit their pub with a valid ID the other day.

We cannot be more disappointed and are grateful if clarifications could be provided by Trocadero: Are staff members supposed to sell customers alcohol if they are not sure about their ages? What is the minimum age for visiting a pub on a Sat evening? Is it fine to visit a pub with children on a Sat evening when their parents do not get them drinks? If children are not allowed in the premises and asked to leave, their parents should be responsible for taking care of them so they must leave the premises. Is it the case please? What is the valid documentation in proving one's age? (I have read other reviews on Google, and ID issued outside UK seem to be unacceptable)

I don't want to make this a more complicated discussion, considering if the company has made age checking a fair procedure for ALL THE CUSTOMERS in the pub. It's ridiculous to have both people who can prove their ages and those who can't to be kicked out of the pub while the only evidence given was "my staff member did see you drinking". I am really sorry for the two drinks sitting on the table and my money spent on those.

I hope this is helpful to everyone who is fortunate enough to look way too youthful and wants to enjoy their weekend. Thank you for being...

I used to love this pub due to the fair prices and food quality. However from today I will reconsider going back. I drank a pint and they refused to serve me a second one. The only answer I had from the manager was that I had had enough beer for today, he did not listen to me when I said I just had one. Several waiters agreed I was sober but could not do anything with it (I did not fight, did not answer impolitely, it came from manager's point of view, maybe biased...). Not as professional and pleasant as I expected...

PS: After pub’s reply I would like to clarify couple of things. I was not drunk (around 186 cm height and 83 kg weight with a single pint in the say and after dinner, a single pint does not affect me that much), I wrote the review when I went an hour after leaving the pub having had a second beer so you can imagine how I was after the first one. It is a lie I behaved aggressively or I was abusive, I was just angry about the situation but I did not threaten anybody, I just thought the waiter was pulling my leg with the situation until I realised what was really happening but just asked whether it was a joke (which in fact I thought so), nothing else. Did I swear? Once, after speaking to the manager I shouted while I was going with my friend “It has to be a f** joke”. That is all I sweared and I did not mention at the beginning (The way the people did not listen is not said here but I am sure it is not considered important)... I do not want to change the law, I think is fair when it is properly applied, I consider it unfair when it is abusive, like in this case without any...

Very disappointed with our service last night. We went to Birmingham as was attending the Pantomime at the Hippodrome. There was four of us in total 3 adults 1 child We arrived at around 4.45 ,as soon as we got to a table ,the girl from behind the bar camer ushing to the table asking ,if we would all be eating . I replied that we were ,her attitude was curt at the least . My son and his partner ordered their food off the app ,where as I went to the bar to order mine and my daughters,. The same staff member then said she would have to see ID, off my son before she could process is order, I explained ,that they were both 22,had ID, and both were teetotal. It was just her rudeness ,the way she spoke that was off. Next thing we starting eating our food ,same staff member yet again comes to our table ,and says you need to leave by 6pm ,as we can't have children in then. Now if that was case ,why didn't they say ,when we entered pub in beginning, that they had a no child policy, instead of making us feel uncomfortable. The last thing was ,my son had actually ordered lemonade for his drink ,he got water with lemons ,when I took it to the bar to say it was just water ,the same staff member ,said that was what he had ordered on the app ,but she would change it free of charge ,although I offered to pay , Checking the order on his phone ,my son did actually, order lemonade ,we have proof , No wonder you changed it free if charge. The staff member in question is called mckenzie I suggest dear ,you go and take extra training on manners and...