Macy Brown's - Cocktail Bar Whitby — Restaurant in England

I came with my girlfriend for drinks and taps on Thursday evening and were asked for ID on entry (totally fine). I showed my UK driving licence to the bouncer with no issues, but when my Japanese girlfriend presented her UK residence permit we were told by the bouncer that 'he shouldn't really accept that as valid ID' and warned us that we shouldn't show it to the bar staff as it wouldn't be accepted when ordering drinks. This is incorrect as a UK residence permit (a government issued card with the holder's photo, address and date of birth) is a perfectly valid form of ID accepted at licensed establishments up and down the country, as a bar worker myself I know this quite well. Overall this incident confused us but he let us in anyway.

This sort of tiresome thing has happened to her a number of times at different places, so we both have a sneaking suspicion that the way the bouncer over-analysed her ID and didn't check mine all that thoroughly had something to do with her being Asian - as I'm sure that door staff are fully aware of what forms of ID are valid and which are not.

Taken from the UK Government website:

"A biometric residence permit (BRP) can be used to confirm your: identity right to study or work in the UK right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to"

The issue escalated when we asked a staff member to speak to the manager who said they were too busy and was dismissive that what had happened wasn't an issue as we got served in the end. They said - 'at the end of the day you got drinks'. This wasn't the issue, it was the uncomfortable situation we were put in by the bouncer being having told that we might not be served despite having a perfectly valid ID - that was unacceptable. The manager was eventually called, apologised and offered us two free drinks which was kind. We would like assurance that no other customer will be put through an ordeal like this and be taken seriously by bar staff when raising...

We had booked in for our anniversary for a pre-meal drink at another restaurant. When walking up the stairs the bouncer told us that it was fully booked which was confusing as we had booked a table and he never asked. We were then seated and the waitress was more than accommodating and added two more seats so 2 more guests could join. Within 5 minutes of being seated we had two waitresses ask if we would like drinks but had said to both we was waiting for 2 more to arrive ( we appreciated the quickness of service during this period however showed poor communication between them). When our other guests arrived we were waiting 15 minutes to order drinks and felt like we were now forgotten about. Other tables were also having to go to bar to order drinks, which was confusing as it appeared it was table service. Also when ordering one of our party asked for a tommy’s margarita, which given we were in a cocktail bar we would have expected waitress/bar staff to know how to make. ( We understand if staff were new.) Overall, for one of the only cocktail bars in Whitby we were expecting a better experience than we did as you have an advantage to have an upmarket bar but don’t. Spending £10 each for a cocktail to then have very poor service doesn’t seem to match.

Also just to note on the mocktail menu a cocktail has an ingredient called blue curaçao was this definitely an alcoholic free liqueur? As it wasn’t specified on the menu but from bar experience it definitely...

We’ve been to Macy browns a few times over the past few years. Sometimes days on the trot whilst up in Whitby for a seaside break. The Service and Food is always incredible and they allow friendly dogs out on the balcony. We came again the other day and was a bit unsure due to the rain. Soon as we arrived we was welcomed in and shown to our seats outside. They opened up the canopy for us, wipes down our seats. Turned on the heating and brought my fella a cushion for his tush. Us being the only insanse people to sit outside in the cold and rain. (100% our choice because of the dogs) they kept coming outside to check on us. Kept the cocktails flowing and had a laugh and a joke with us. The staff were amazing and we didn’t feel isolated one bit. The food was hot when served and the drinks were delicious and plenty to choose from. We had such a lovely night at Macy’s and when we drive 3 hours to Whitby we always can’t wait to go back for dinner/breakfast again. Amazing place to go to and the staff are fantastic! We will definitely see you...