The Playfair - JD Wetherspoon — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Possible Fascist? After my recent experience with an overbearing manager at The Playfair - Wetherspoons I will not be returning. On 12/05/21 I chose The Playfair to have breakfast whilst finishing off some work on my laptop. As Wetherspoons have implemented a new Covid system, whereby you must check-in via a QR code. I made the point to tell my waiter that my phone is a bit outdated and I wouldn't be able to use a QR code, however I asked if I could check my details in in writing. My waiter agreed and wrote my details down. Great. Only problem, the menu had the same issue as it used a QR code.... I waited at my table for a while to explain my problem to the waiter and order my food, yet no one came. I got tired of waiting and went to the bar to order my food. As I approached the bar I spoke to my original waiter and asked if I could order from my table, whilst in mid-conversation a loud voice booms at me from my side - "You have to check in! Have you checked in?" Slightly caught off guard I turned to the female manager that spooked me and I explained my problem with the QR code and that I had checked in with the waiter, and that I would like to order from my table. "You don't have a mask we're not going to serve you" was what I was followed up with. In my hunger and impatience for my food it slipped my mind to put on a mask and I apologised for this and instinctively lifted my jumper over my mouth and nose. At the same time, I did make sure to keep a 2 meter distance from everyone (3 staff members and 1 other table), as we have been programmed to do over these past events. The overbearing manager insisted they weren't going to serve me as my face covering doesn't count as a face covering. Although, the Wetherspoons policy politely asks that a 'face covering' be worn and I'd like to draw attention to the Scottish government's website: 'What a face covering is' "A face covering can be a covering of any type, except a face shield, that covers the mouth and nose." I explained this and that I would be at my table in the corner to order my food. Again, I was bluntly and really quite rudely denied and told to leave, leaving me hurt and unwanted. Not only that it gave me the impression that this manager wished to assert authority and control in a situation that did not require it. This type of behaviour is deeply concerning. During this pandemic, if anything it has shone a light on the sensible, kind people that understand we're together in this, but has also shown the darker side of people, the side of a person who feels this is an opportunity to dominate and abuse their positions either out of complete ignorance (this can be changed) or more worryingly out of stupidity. I feel most people can relate to this and have experienced similar instances, although not necessarily just at The Playfair.... More authority is being imposed and I don't believe we need this kind of authority in our lives, especially when we're just trying to enjoy...

Avoid at all costs. There's a good reason this place gets low ratings. It provides no service to speak of and doesn't train its employee to even take an order. We arrived on a Thursday evening- it wasn't very busy. No table service- you have to use the QR code (very poor interface with the menu, so we gave up on that) or order at the bar. So I went to order at the bar - couple pizzas, a beer, an Aperol Spritz and a lemonade. The young man taking my order couldn't find the veggie pizza on his computer. ("Um, so is that a margherita pizza?") He couldn't find the beer. ("Um, is that one of the ones on these taps?"). And he insisted they didn't have an Aperol spritz, even though it is listed along with other spritzes on the menu. I pointed out that it's on the menu and the Aperol was right there behind the bar, so clearly they do offer it.

Now, all this time, a woman who appeared to be experienced and possibly a manager was watching this young man flailing. After taking my order (which took a ridiculous amount of time), he wandered around behind the counter trying to figure out how to make an Aperol spritz - by the way, possibly the easiest drink to make - it's Aperol, Prosecco and sparkling water, usually with an orange slice. I watched as he measured Aperol into the glass, added water and ice, and placed it on the counter for me to take. My husband saw that and asked, "where's the Prosecco?" The young man explained that it was Aperol and tap water. I asked him to please find someone who knows how to make the drink. And I said, "by the way, it's sparkling water not tap water". At this point, I had been at the bar, trying to order and pick up our drinks, for nearly 15 minutes. Although I was frustrated, I felt sorry for the young man and was trying to be as nice as possible while also trying to get a very simple order. I was also very puzzled about why the obviously more experienced people working behind the bar seemed to be deliberately ignoring his distress.

He wandered away again and the woman who appeared to be a manager finally called me over to a different register - not to apologize for the ridiculous waste of my time, but to tell me she was canceling my order because I had suggested to the young man that he find someone who knew how to make the drink. She decided that I was the one who had misused the employee. She claimed the young man was in training, but there was zero actual training taking place. I pointed out that I had been polite, never raised my voice, etc. while, meanwhile, she had failed to do anything to help him - to train...

Incident occured on Monday 28th, April, 2025

The duty manager profiled me as someone under the influence. I explained to her I have complex PTSD and am here to decompress after a series of recent traumas.

After politely ordering some food and drink , to a server (Chips n cheese , Almaroni Pieronata, table 48)

. (As I was looking for my charging unit for my phone)

Without even introducing herself, The manager swooped in, and before I'd even taken a sip, she said

"I have had too much drink" and that I was not to be served.

I was understandably upset, as she gave no clear reason as to why I'd had my drink removed. if this was the case, why then should I have my order refunded (By her, without even asking.) Should I not be allowed my food.

She then accused me of being aggressive, as she thinks her actions were not aggressive at all (They were sudden and took me completely off-guard, I was extremely upset by her lack of consideration and complete lack of clarity.)

She began to effectively gaslight, and began to frame her decision to take my (Paid for) order away and completely refund it

It was extremely rude and showed complete disrespect towards a paying customer.

It was very clear there was some underlying agenda which she was not being honest about. And I seek clarification on what prompted this deeply unprofessional and dishonest behaviour

Realising she was attempting to frame her decision on my "aggression" I de-escalated and asserted that I wish to make a complaint against her. She did not give her name, simply identifed herself as "The Duty Manager

I replied, that's fine I don't need your name. But I will be proceeding with a complaint against her specifically. She was also unhelpful with this aspect too, although I can realise why as she will realise that her conduct and behaviour was anything but managerial. It was dishonest and sneaky and has robbed me of all faith in your establishment. Realising that she was standing by her decision, I said "fine I accept, but I have had absolutely nothing to drink" (Which is true.)

I am not barred and she states that I am welcome to return. However, I will not. And I have stated that I will make an official complaint against her.

My money was returned without receipt.

I am absolutely disgusted by the complete lack of understanding, respect or support for mental health issues. I will never order food in this establishment again

DO NOT ORDER HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY MENTAL HEALTH...