The Alex — Restaurant in England

I don't tend to waste valuable life penning inconsequential substance such as contained herein as I try to rise above such nonsense. However, the fact that I am devoting residual elements of my life in the writing hereof perhaps will indicate the level of disgust that has fuelled my task. Today, Sunday the 22nd October in the Alex pub Southend around 3pm, an establishment I have periodically frequented for 15 years or so, I happened by after a morning of frenetic activity looking forward to a pint of lager to assuage my fatigued spirit. Quiet the interior, my presence rendering the total patrons within 7 people. A pint of lager I requested, Peroni, but seeking if possible a 'tulip' sort of glass, you know, bulbous with a stem, the ritualistic format of the vessel as pleasurable as the liquid housed itself. The barman, young chap, helpful at first, to indulge my idiosyncratic request but failing to produce a worthy candidate. Until. Until he showed me a Moretti glass. Perfect I cried, delighted by such a seamless transaction. Until. Until he advised me, the dream dangled so tantalisingly close, that 'technically' - the very word employed, technically- only the same beer brand could be served in such..... Oh I said. Unless he said, I had a Madri, then I could have the Moretti glass. Oh again I said. Madri a different beer and yet preferential glass treatment, not poor old Peroni nor the other offerings. I mean, really??? Beerist lol! So essentially I could secure my preferred glass type if I changed the beer I desired. I eschewed the glass in favour of the beer.

Beyond the unspeakable dire customer service. what of the logic? Does this mean that if the pub is heaving on a vibrant night and glasses in short supply with only Moretti glasses left, unless Moretti of Madri is ordered you will refuse to serve any more beer??? Hahahahah!! As if! Where is the reason in allowing one non Moretti beer, Madri, access to a Moretti glass but not other non branded equivalents? Entirely inconsistent, entirely lacking logic. The only conclusion I could draw? The guy was a jobsworth, bored maybe, angered by my desire to select a particular type of glass and determined to render my simple one beer experience (might have been more had it not been that at that moment I knew I would never again give the Alex one more penny of my money) unpleasant. The ineffable myopia, the shortsighted commercial vision, beyond comprehension. Honestly, unless gold encrusted glasses, when I spend £6.10 on a pint of beer, I think I earn the right to choose the glass from which I drink it. Don't you?

All of this has impact on your 'bottom line'. One man I may be, my business that you've now lost may be of indifference to you but others will be influenced by this content. Many will think me pedantic, some won't. The pub was almost empty, the barman could easily have fulfilled my wish without injury nor harm to anyone. I went into have a pint of beer in a glass as a palatable symbiosis. I left your pub half hour later with the most unpalatable taste...

I have been going here for years and I enjoy it so much. However planned a night out to be turned away at the door by a young (female) with glasses security staff member who told me "I can't let you in because you drank in a car which is illegal". I was a passenger sipping some pre drinks before being dropped off for a planned fun night of karaoke at the Alex. I then saw her on her phone, then smoking a cigarette at the venue doors. I was in tears after this, I don't understand how security staff are authorised to look at me in a car as a passenger without any understanding of what I was drinking. She just assumed and there is no law stating a passenger cannot consume small amounts of alcohol as a passenger. I am so concerned at the lie about the law because if they are making them up, what else can they decide if they are altering the law?! I am really upset and cried so much because I was made to feel like a criminal for having two sips of drink (with a lot of mixer!!!) before a night out in a private vehicle. What about rented limousines where champagne is drank from the back seats?! I don't understand how laws can be made up and unfairly enforced. The security staff kept staring at me while I cried in the car and made me feel so intimidated; I am worried to go back. I have had people fall on me from being too drunk, spike drinks, smash glasses in front of me at the Alex and that seems to be allowed as they were not told to leave. But I was watched from a distance outside and targeted for something done in a parked car as a passenger. It is deeply concerning that people are targeted for made up laws by staff in a position...

Always a chilled amd relaxed environment. Reasonably priced. Every time my friends and i come here we love the beer garden. Decided to come in this evening for a drink and a catch up. Had a thatchers gold in the sunshine.£3.75 for a pint. We haven't eaten here today but had food here before which is always good. I like the fact the pool table here is outside in a calm relaxed environment that is good for catching up with friends. Music is always at a good level for chatting and it means that you have nice background noise without being too invasive. The decor is fun without being too gawdy and the tables and chairs outside remind me a little of big brother with fake grass/ astro turf style. There is a separate area for non smokers and funky coloured flower pot ashtrays in the smoking area with separate benches. Toilets are clean and well maintained. Although there are the odd few drawings on the door there has been obvious attempts to prevent/ cover these. The toilets are fresh smelling which is good for a pub environment. At the time we entered the premises there was a gentleman doing maintenance in the toilets, so you can see they are well looked after. This is one of my favourite venues in Southend due to the fact i am transgendered. I always feel welcome and at ease here. Good staff who are always pleasent and polite. Nothing is too...