Tonight Josephine - Birmingham — Restaurant in Birmingham

On the 5th august 2023 myself and a group of friends attended the Beyoncé brunch and had a very bad experience and were treated extremely poorly. At the beginning of the night when we arrived drinks were extremely slow to come to the table and when we asked staff for more they either ignored us or were extremely rude. They brought over some cocktails and I asked for beer and was refused due to the cocktails on the table. I explained I do not drink this and as per the drinks list beer was available and was still refused. The cocktails were extremely weak and of poor quality. Furthermore, when the food was brought out we were discussing who had what for the waiter who became impatient and rude. We understand it was a busy night but for him to tell us to shut up when we were discussing orders and just leave the food in the middle of the table is extremely rude and not the service we expected. Following on from this given it was advertised as a Beyoncé brunch, we expected more then barely 30 minutes worth of performance and only a few songs actually featured, it was not what was advertised. Things then deteriorated as the night went on. We requested more drinks at 6:55 and 7:20 and both times were refused stating the brunch was over, we explained to a waiter that as per our booking email, brunch was advertised as 90 minutes. He stated he would speak to a manager and never came back. When staff eventually came back to tell us we had to leave the table by 8 as it was booked, we again tried to discuss the unfair situation with the drinks again showing the email stating it was 90 minutes. Staff would not listen and became frustrated at our complaints of the service, which is our right to do so. Staff then made out we were being problematic when we were simply communicating our complaints that the service did not match the booking confirmation. We were all raising the same points however, staff then stated one of us was being aggressive which I find unfair as they were not and as previously stated we were all saying the same. Given it was the only person of colour in the group who was being made out to be acting in an aggressive manner this appeared to be unfair racial stereotyping which was both shocking and upsetting. Staff then went from saying we had to leave the table to leave the venue all together with no explanation. We were escorted out by security which was unnecessary. Whilst trying to leave a very busy venue security decided we weren’t moving fast enough and physically pushed a member of the group, one friend saw this and tried to help but was also aggressively pushed by grown men. In todays day and age we expected much more for the safety of women in night clubs and did not expect to be physically assaulted by security because we had complaints about the service. As a whole the night was truly disappointing, service was poor, we were refused drinks during our allotted time, drinks were of poor quality as was the food, the Beyoncé element was extremely disappointing and not what was advertised and to end the night being assaulted by security because we tried to communicate was wholly unacceptable and saddening from a venue we’d all been so excited to visit. We paid £390 on this night to be left upset and let down. To add insult to injury an email sent to the venue on 23rd august raising all these points has been...

It was overall ok but there was so many issues and problems I wouldn't go back nor do I think it was worth the money.

1. First off, when I booked the tickets there was no option to select food/dishes. When we arrived, the staff just brought over food (some veggie, some not, real mixed bag). I flagged and said I didn't select meals and we needed to order to cater for the group as Veggies, lactose issues, vegans etc and the staff were adamant I selected meals when buying the tickets and basically we just had to accept the random selection of food given. Food was also stone cold but at this point because we were last to be served, assume as we were a larger party, we were just starving so ate it.
2. We got a few bottles of prosecco to start and then selected the cocktail jugs. We got given 4 jugs for 12 people, finished it within 20 mins (it is a bottomless after all) and order more multiple times, went to the bar to say we were being ignored, not had any more drinks. They brought over one more bottle of prosecco, again for 12 people. It got to the hour and asked where the rest of the cocktails were and the staff told me they had stopped serving. I complained and the manager in his defense did give us 1 free cocktail each but for a bottomless, it was pretty poor.
3. I emailed in the week leading up to flag that my friend (who has recently had stomach surgery) couldn't have carbonated drinks and could we do some sort of substitue with alcohol but flat drinks e.g. juice. They replied back offering non alcoholic options, i replied on email saying she wanted alcohol just no fizzy and i basically got no response and they ignore the request when we were in there so one friend basically just had 2 drinks all night despite paying for a bottomless (£40 for 2 drinks and 1 plate of stone cold food she didn't order or want).
4. IN reference to the above, I did try calling several times on the number given, from Monday to Friday at different times of the day to address the specific request above and no one answered ever. No response on any socials either. Only on email and that was just one very quick, and pretty unhelpful response on the initial email and then no follow up.

It's a shame as I think it's a good premise, it could have so much potential but ultimately poorly organised and executed. If you want a 'proper' bottomless, as in a fair amount of drink and to have an okay meal .......

We did have a great night last night at tonight Josephine however some aspects were pretty disappointing.

I would just like to highlight that the kicking out experience was pretty terrible, I really do appreciate how forceful the staff have to be to get people out and moving for the next booking but it really was a disappointing end to a good few hours.

£55 each isn't cheap for a few hours experience with poor food and minimal alcoholic drinks.

The food took a long time to be served, was just about warm and was served with no cutlery, the wrap was also dry/stale. We had to wait an extra 10 minutes for this, eating during entertainment isn't really ideal. Not sure why something like pizza's aren't offered that would be so much better then who cares about cutlery. Also minimal sauces in the jar and unable to get staff to get some as they are so busy.

Jugs of cocktails were very average and tasted as though we were probably drinking a mocktail. They also stop serving 30 minutes before the end so you don't get your full moneys worth.

Yes the entertainment was fabulous and made the experience what it was but to be treated the way we were to leave, poor food and minimal drinks does leave a sour taste in your mouth after spending a lot of money for this experience.

It was a bit like one in one out and as if all that was cared about is the amount of bookings and money that could be made in a day.

The entertainment was great but everything else was pretty poor and without the entertainment it would be a pretty terrible experience for £55 each.

My friends who I was with were pretty frustrated that they had paid that amount and not given chance to finish their final drink, I appreciate that's hard as you would have people there for ages but there should almost be an area where you could navigate people to prior to exit.

Overall an average experience, entertainment was amazing but wouldn't rush back due to the other aspects of the experience. Think being "instagrammable" isn't everything and things need to be improved to make it worth the cost.

You have just replied to my review stating that the brunch is booked for 90 minutes not 2 hours (3-5) as I stated. On the website when booking it clearly says 3-5 which I personally see as 2 hours so it might be a good idea to correct this to 90 minutes on the initial options so it's clear to everyone...