The Square Club — Restaurant in Bristol

We recently held our student ball at the square club. We were very excited as the venue looked great, we’d been offered a really good deal on food and drinks and Sophie had been really helpful with all our enquiries.

We turned up at about 5pm to decorate the venue with our own flowers and fairy lights etc. We were greeted with little enthusiasm and many members of staff were rude and unfriendly (I do not speak for everyone when I say this as a couple of them were absolutely fine). I would like to highlight a few of the problems we had on the night:

The attitude of the staff upon our arrival was poor, setting a generally negative tone for the evening. Some of the tables were not laid properly, when we asked for this to be sorted we were handed cutlery rather than the staff dealing with this, as they had previously agreed to do. We had been assured several times that we would be able to plug in our own music, on the night we were told this was ‘too difficult’ and consequently the staff refused to deal with it. There seemed to be a complete lack of communication between events staff and bar staff, as the bar staff complained when I mentioned we had another 30 people arriving, and complained when we asked about card limit, saying we should have been told before. In reaction to a mishap on our part, the staff shouted at the committee and treated us as though we were children, rather than deal with it in a professional manner. The anger was directed at the wrong people, which of course was upsetting, yet this seemed of no concern to the staff. We had been told after our band left that we would be able to have our own music, yet when we arrived they told us we could have music on minimal volume at 11pm. (We even considered getting a DJ, thank goodness we hadn’t!). This was particularly important, as knowing this would most likely have meant we chose a different venue. The following day we arrived to pick up our decorations and were greeted in the same unfriendly manner. We had been told they would be boxed up and ready for us to take, yet when we arrived we were pointed in the direction of our things and had to take them down ourselves. It also seemed especially rude that not a single person thought to ask how our night had been, express their wish that we had enjoyed ourselves in their venue, or even express gratitude for our custom.

We managed to have a really great night at our ball, but it was very much despite the staff, not because of them. A huge part of a successful event is feeling welcome in the venue and being greeted by friendly faces. It would not be an over-exaggeration to say that not one person smiled at us, or seemed willing to help.

The venue was lovely, the food and drinks were great, but if you’re the type who likes friendly people or are thinking of hosting a student event, it might be best to choose...

Had our wedding here , great food however many issues that shouldn't of been a issue. -food great Issues .... staff unable to tell me where they put our gift postbox after the evening had finished and advised to sort this in the morning, we had to insist it's sorted immediately. venue posting pictures of my wedding dress and husband before I even had with out my permission and posting pictures again a few weeks later in which they asked my photographer for but did not ask my permission. These photos were photos I hadn't shared with anyone despite being told I could charge a drink to my room should I need one on the wedding day I was told no unless you have a card or cash you can't have a drink despite paying nearly 12k. Bar lady very rude told they will not provide limes for the corona as this isn't something they can accommodate and lime is only used for there social media pictures ! This would mean the bride to bring them on the morning of her wedding! Venue Finally provided them after i informed them this is ridiculous and I wish to speak to the manager. many other issues however not enough space to write.

In Response to your reply Dan, if the post box is always locked away safe please ensure all staff are aware as no one seemed to no where this was On the evening which was worrying and caused frustrating and concern -the bride not able to charge a drink to her room, if this is the case then the day before my wedding I shouldn't have been told this was possible and it was dam right rude of the bar women kez to say to me unless you have cash or a card you can't have a drink when I paid 12k for the venue and was told I could. As a bride I was gobsmacked it was just me asking for one drink for myself ! I wanted to pay ! -limes I offered to bring a closed kilner jar , it was just made difficult when it didnt need to. The list could go on, I have never met such a dificult venue over such simple tasks, when other venues cannot do enough for you. Even down to announcing the bride and groom into dinner which is carried out at every wedding I've ever attended , I was told this cannot be done and we should ask a guest to do it !!!! Eventually after a intense discussion it was ok’d but it felt like I was committing a crime to even ask ! This is a simple task yet again made difficult...

My son and new wife held a wedding celebration party here for friends and family who couldn't attend the actual wedding ceremony. I found the venue a little difficult to locate from West End car park) no signage) But ., once located, found it to be very easy to enter down some fairly steep steps.The atmosphere inside the bar room was warm and welcoming. The Toilets were well signposted and clean and very welcome after after a fairly lengthy journey. The bar staff were pleasant' polite and helpful .It was nice to be able to use other rooms including the garden area where we met up with friends and other family members in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.I think were lucky that the weather was dry and mild. The garden may not have been so pleasant otherwise. The barbequed food was lovely - good choices including vegitarian and vegan it was all hot enough - not always the case with a barbeque!.It looked and tasted well cooked and there was plenty for everyone. Everything looked appetising and the serving area wasclean and tidy. I was impressed once again with the staff who couldn''t have been more pleasant, polite and helpful. The empty plates were cleared quickly and efficiently once we had eaten but I didn't feel rushed. There were several childrethere Nice to see that they were allere well behaved and this was due in no small measure to the calm and relaxed atmosphere in the seating area and to the ready availability of pick and mix sweets provided by the bride and groom. We loved the music that was played in the bar area after we had eaten and the plentiful seating in and around the area was welcomed by everyone , including the older family members and those people who couldn't stand for long periods. A great venue for a family party. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you for any family...