Oddfellows Arms — Restaurant in England

Poor service and staff attitude.

We sat down outside and waited 15-20 mins. In this time, 3-4 tables had already got bored of waiting and left. One table had their drinks order taken, 30 mins later no drinks so they complained- the barman denied taking their order, so they stormed out (then he remembered he had taken their order..!) The 2 kitchen runners aren't allowed to take food or drinks orders and there was only one long haired chap who was able to. Bear in mind when we sat down there were maybe 20+ tables occupied and no food coming out, because most were still waiting to order.. made zero sense. Eventually we managed to catch him and he brought menus then took our drinks and food order. I wasn't sure what to order so asked for a recommendation, to which he refused saying he doesn't give recommendations (what?!) and then said, if he did, he'd recommend something that wasn't on the menu (helpful), so I said I'd order my food he came back with the drinks, to which he didn't reply and just walked off.

We then got up and left because it just wasn't a nice experience. (Bear in mind I'd just run/walked up and down Catbells so was dying for a pint - it wasn't an easy decision!)

Suggestions -

He may have had a bad day but the long haired chap should not be doing table service/front of house. Leave him on the bar where he's probably more comfortable and get the lads running drinks out. At the end of the day going for a drink or for lunch should be a pleasant experience. It's called hospitality for a reason!

taking orders. You've got 2 lads doing not much as there's no food coming out because everyones waiting to order. Get them trained up and taking orders?

Or instead consider using QTap or Round app - both are pub/bar food & drink ordering apps which many pubs are using currently - they would completely remove the bottleneck of people waiting to order, by removing the need for someone to take orders, thus improving efficiency considerably. You can also require guests to sign in/enter details for Covid...

A group of 15+ people happily ate and drank here mutiple times over a long weekend, putting a lot of trade over the bar. 2 of the group who turned up late had gotten their own fish and chips from the local chippy and had sat with their pints outside at the bottom of the courtyard near the road. 1 member of staff wasn't happy, starting mentioning surcharges. We apologised and the 2 people moved a few yards away and ate off the property. Shortly after 1 of the group was told we weren't being served anymore. It was about 8pm so no one was even drunk yet. I think 1 member of staff was having a bad day and we just got the brunt of her mood. No problem... we all left and patronised the other pubs nearby. Pints were nice, food was ok. Shame really as we liked the place.

edit in reply:

No one was trying it on or taking the mick, the 2 people eating on the very edge of your beergarden apologised and moved 2 yards off your property. I didn't leave you a nasty review, I even praised your food and beer, yet you've chosen to be adversarial again. To anyone reading this - telling a customer they are the reason for your "day bad" is perhaps a perfect example of...

Worst pub I have ever been to regarding service. Tried to visit the pub last year and on two occasions in a week they were not serving food. First time there was a problem with the kitchen, second time it was a staffing problem. This year I emailed in advance to enquire as to what time they were serving food up to on a Sunday night. They just replied not late! We tried again the Thursday evening. 5 people sat outside and scanned the bar code on the table to order and pay for food. It was 6.38 pm. Went into the bar to order drinks and one of our group came in and said although the order had been accepted and paid for, they had finished serving. I was then informed by one member of staff that I would be refunded onto my debit card within 3-5 days. I obviously was not happy, as it was over £70. I was then told by another staff member that they had given a cash refund to one of my friends!! If you ring to book a table, no one answers and it tells you to book online. You go onto the website and click book a table and it says to ring a number and you go around in circles again. Stay away from this pub if you wish to eat a meal...