The Hole in the Wall — Restaurant in Chichester

We were turned down by the bartender with big ears lobes stretchers, glasses dark long hair, and with a half fringe blond and half dark. I first called because I wanted to book a table for 12, but she wasn't interested, she said 'sorry we are packed and we don't have any tables available. Why don't you try at the Nugs Head also because we don't book tables just for drinks.' At that point I said that some of us would have eaten as well, but again she said 'sorry I can't reserve a table for that number'. I followed her suggestion and called the Nugs Head. They instead were very polite and said to wait until 4.30 as on a Sunday usually it dies down at that time. We then thought to keep our appointment with friends at the Hole in the Wall as it would probably be the same if we waited a little longer there, so short after the call we went to find the place not packed at all! there were 5 free tables at the back and a couple at the front, none with the reserved sign. I approached the bar and a lovely blond girl came to serve us. I asked if we could sit at the back where i could see 5 free tables and if possible to join the big table with the one next to it as we were going to be 12 people. She said it wasn't a problem at all but double checked with the other bartender, the one with lobes stretchers and two colours fringe. She came and said that she had no place for 12 people to sit together for drinks, I then repeated what I told her earlier over the phone that some of us would have had a meal but she said no because most tables are reserved... I said well then we will sit at two different tables that are not reserved. We sat and noticed that all the free tables didn't have a reservation sign on. Clearly this particular bartender didn't fancy working today and did her best to convince us to go elsewhere. When my husband went to the bar to buy some drinks this bartender told him that she wouldn't be able to serve us any meals because the kitchen had run out of food...WOOOOW!! Dear owner this is our 4th time here since we moved to town and each time the service gets worse. Each time we bring 10 to 15 people with us and this is how we are treated?!? Maybe your staff needs to go to a Customer-cervice training before they can be left in charge of your business. We are usually a big group of well behaved mature professionals there is only to gain with us and nothing to lose as we are not trouble. Wherever we go we drink and eat while talking and discussing mainly work topics but clearly this establishment is not suitable for people like us and after giving it a chance for the 4th time we will not be coming back as for the 4th time we were...

A rare 5*. I travel a lot and pride myself on honest reviews, don't often give five stars.

This is a proper real ale pub and a must to visit if you are a real ale drinker and visiting Chichester. The lady serving behind the bar (Gina) was fully knowledgeable about the beers and was enthusiastic but not overbearing with her advice. After a couple of tasters I narrowed down on the pint of 360 Session IPA. The choice of beer and cider is outstanding. There are 12 hand pulls with a further 20 direct draws on the wall. None wearing the up turned glass of FOMO. The other patrons at the bar were friendly and happy to engage in conversation, the pub is gently filling as I write this and I can see that the atmosphere is only growing more chatty with every person entering knowing many others already here. In order to fully review the pub I've just bought a portion of chips - as delicious as they were necessary for the review! I am sat in the bar area, there are table to my right stretching back through the venue. The ceilings are fairly low giving a subdued, relaxed feeling to the tables. I can't comment on the food beyond chips, a return visit is needed. On the welcoming environment, a customer has just come in for directions, Gina the barmaid, has just had a good laugh as she gave her the directions and some insight to the local area. I summary a fantastic find in the centre of Chichester, great beer, a welcoming...

Arrived at 12pm today on a Sunday, yes understood it’s Easter. Tables are booked no problem. We asked staff if we could eat there and the one staff member wasn’t sure, did not give a direct answer before replying we can eat at a free table at the front(no one was at any tables in the front at this time). We approached a free table (with no reserved sign)and they have round stools. I took a chair with back support from a table next to me (that had a reserved sign)to replace it with the stool and we did that for my partner as well as the table was reserved but for half an hour later than us and we were told we need to replace those chairs when the others arrive for their reserved table. We got up and left. Not very good in terms of trying to welcome people who have travelled all the way down from London for the day. At the same time I am in recovery from back surgery so need a chair with back support but I’m not going to get into a debate over a chair/stool if we get told we need to put them back when all tables in the front were empty at 12pm!

Good luck for the future, I will not support/visit this...