Symposium Bar & Kitchen Ltd — Restaurant in Bradford

There’s no other way to describe our experience besides horrible.

We booked a table for 4 on a Saturday evening via their online booking system well in advance of our requested date. This booking was confirmed by Symposium. They even checked to see if we were wanting the brunch or normal menu. We arrived promptly for our booking, told the staff that we had booked a table who then asked us to take a seat near the bar. We then witnessed two members of staff arguing in front of customers. One of these members of staff then came over to us and asked if we had confirmation of booking. We produced the email which included their response of confirmation. They told us that they didn’t have a table just yet and asked us to follow them through to another room to have a drink first. We did as asked, looked at the menu and ordered drinks. When the drink order came back it was wrong - not slightly wrong but an entirely different drink. This was sent back and eventually replaced with the right drink. The drinks were average- nothing bad, nothing great. We kept checking in with the staff who were very vague about when we would get a table. After an hour of waiting and still no table, we asked again. The staff still had no idea when the table would be ready and when asked admitted it probably would not be in the next 10 minutes. At this point we made the decision to leave and paid for the drinks we had. It was a really disappointing experience, especially as it was for a birthday meal.

I feel there many times the restaurant/staff could have made things right - They could have been honest from the offset and explained that it had been double booked, the drinks we had could have been comped, the staff could have given us a proper apology and not have us wait an hour for a table they knew was not going to materialise.

I severely hope that they have learnt from this mistake.

I will never be visiting the Symposium again. I would rather eat at places where the booking system is respected, the staff do not argue with each other, and where the staff do care about your...

The one star is purely for the chef and the few members of staff who were polite and accommodating throughout our visit. Unfortunately, the overall experience of this bottomless brunch was extremely disappointing.

Service was incredibly slow, and the cocktails were noticeably poor quality — more akin to fruit juice than alcoholic drinks. Several cocktails had to be returned due to being excessively syrupy and overly sweet, which we did without complaint. Despite this, the acting manager approached our table in a confrontational manner, asking, “What’s up with the Purple Rain cocktail?” in a tone that felt unnecessary and unprofessional.

Although adjustments were made to the menu for a vegan guest, the same consideration was not given to a gluten-intolerant guest, which was both frustrating and concerning. For an establishment offering a set brunch experience, dietary requirements should be handled with consistency and care.

The atmosphere was also disappointing. Our group of eight was seated in a corner with no background music, creating an awkward and abrupt environment. Despite requesting music on four separate occasions, it was only addressed after repeated prompting. To make matters worse, the same corner was being used by staff to stack cutlery, adding to the sense that our group’s experience was not prioritised.

When we later raised our concerns about the evening, we were told by the manager (who was abroad at the time) that they had reviewed the CCTV and claimed we “always had a drink.” This was simply not the case, as two members of our party sat without a drink for approximately 20 minutes on two separate occasions. This response felt dismissive and failed to acknowledge the genuine shortcomings in service.

Overall, the lack of attention to service, quality, and customer care made what should have been a celebratory brunch feel uncomfortable, frustrating, and...

GOOD ASTHETIC. VERY POOR SERVICE.

Went to symposium today as part of my younger siblings birthday celebration. Was looking forward to having a shared meal with family at the Symposium and at first glance the venue is aesthetically pleasing, HOWEVER unfortunately, the service was appalling. After finally finding somewhere to sit (every table on the lower floor had a reserved sign) My mum went up to the bar to order food & drink, I understand venues have to have high pricing to make a profit HOWEVER when the service doesn't match the pricing it is disappointing. We ordered 2 pizzas and 2 Burgers. 2 of those came somewhat swiftly (though I say that to be polite & fair) and then I recieved my burger, My younger sibling had ordered a burger but this item was incredibly spicy (very spicy with no pre-warning) & My dads pizza never turned up. Despite one of the waiting staff telling us "five minutes" This supposed "five minutes" seemed to go on forever. I would understand if it was busy however it was not. So there's really no excuse. Disappointing is wording it politely, Originally due to the pleasant aesthetic and intial feel of the place, We were intending on purchasing desert, again as part of my younger siblings birthday celebration. Plus we wished to support a local business, However the lack of professionalism with the service left us feeling annoyed & extremely dissatisfied with the service. Not to mention the toliets are not disability accessible whatsoever. Is there an accessible option away from the numerous sets of and spontaneous stairs?? FINALLY, If you wish to go somewhere to look at decor and pay for immensely pricey items (that may never turn up) then the Symposium is the place to go!!! HOWEVER if you're wishing to go somewhere where the service matches the pricing and aesthetic then I wouldn't recommend...