The Bristol Bar — Restaurant in Great Britain

I dont usually post reviews but on this occasion, i feel I have to warn anyone looking to visit the Bristol bar. My wife and I experienced an unfortunate situation of passive agressive behaviour from the owner on valentines day. We decided to stop by as we had some emails to answer and fancied a drink whilst doing so. We've been to the bar on various occasions at different points in the day (receiving good service from the young staff members) and had been informed on a previous visit (by the owner) that he prefers laptop use to be in a separate room of the bar (which is not a problem) It is important to note that it is a side room behind the kitchen that is not furnished to the standard of the main bar. I left my card behind the bar as I didn't know how long we were staying and if we would be having more drinks and possibly a snack. The head chef served me and we made polite conversation. We had our drinks, checked our emails which unfortunately took longer than anticipated. We were there for about 30 minutes when the owner came to check the room. He left without a smile or a hello. Another 30 minutes later he came back to ask if we were having any more drinks, to which I answered that we weren't sure (as we were thinking about leaving) He proceeded to tell us that we needed to buy something as we "couldn't sit there all day", "we're not an office you know" and "I'm spending more money heating this room than you're spending on drinks". His tone was quite rude. I went to the bar to retrieve my card and pay where, the owner was in pleasant conversation with a few customers whilst pouring their drinks. Once he finished, he asked me what i would like and I responded that I would like my card back so as to pay and leave. I said to him that "I was surprised how he came at my wife and I especially as we have been frequent customers (we even chose to have dinner for our anniversary there last year). Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish my sentence as he immediately started talking over me. When I said "excuse me, I'm talking" he became furious, raising his voice loud enough for other customers to notice. "how dare you!" "I will not be spoken to like that!" "How rude!" I was merely trying to finish my sentence. The head chef (as its an open kitchen) overheard and kindly tried to calm him down. The owner gave me the drinks on the house, but that was mainly due to being unable to tap my card to get me out of the building quickly. We were astonished at the rudeness, lack of manners and lack of tact he displayed. Especially as we were the only customers in the back room for the entirety of our visit. If we were taking up needed space, that might have explained his demeanor. But for two regular customers being no trouble whatsoever it makes no sense. I've read a previous review that accused him of racism. I'm reluctant to make the same judgement, but it does make it difficult when I have been treated differently from other customers every time that have seen or been served by him. The fact that we've returned is due to the service received from the staff. We've found them to be chatty, respectful and attentive. We understand that it's his business, and he can run it anyway he wishes. However, manners cost nothing. We have always been polite and respectful when visiting. When you read his response, I'd like you to notice how the owner will refuse to take responsibility for his behaviour (which included raising his voice aggressively at me in front of other patrons) and insinuate that my recollection is incorrect. It isn't. His next option will be to suggest that I only post negative reviews. As i mentioned at the start of this review, I don't usually post reviews at all. Next he'll type out a backhanded apology dripping in sarcasm. Save it. Start treating people how you yourself would like to be treated (especially when you know they are...

AVOID

Whilst previously I had given a good rating when I went solo to test out this venue for my birthday party, I changed my review based on the following.

Booked my birthday party here and was expecting 5 guests to join me. On personally arriving ten mins early, which I thought was good manners, I told the manager/director, Simon Lawley, that there'd only be 4 guests as one couldn't make it as her father was ill. I got the response "Well I wish people would ring & tell us as I have setup all the tables!". Keep in mind it would have been the same size table anyways. So this was a great way to be greeted on my birthday. Secondly, my first friends arrived & as the sun was glaring in next to us we just lowered the blind next to us slightly (ours was the only table next to a window without wooden shutters on). Immediately the same manager comes over & tells us off saying everyone else in the bar wants to look at the sea (which from down the lower bar area is a bit of a far fetch to be honest). So my two friends (who had arrived) & I got up, paid for the drinks we had just ordered & left letting the bar staff & manager know why we were leaving. The other director, Alan Towler, who is the chef overheard our reason for leaving. One of these friends had said he's run in with the same manager a few years ago when he brought his son there (before their no kids policy had been introduced) and he had felt less than welcome then going in with a kid. So while the food might actually be okay, I would not recommend having to deal with this person who sits on the chair at the bar with the tablet making himself known & ruining peoples birthday parties. I can say the bar staff & other restaurant staff have been very polite & attentive on my previous solo dinners there, but this manager guy has just lost the business 5 customers. Instead I recommend the BarleyMow or the Thomas Kemp Pub because you don't want to be told off when you're giving them your hard earned money in the middle of a cost of living crisis. As you can see from the replies to the other 1star reviews, the manager is quite rude & defensive. You can also see from other reviews how the staff have told other guests off about trying to use the blinds and saying they're "breaking them" as an excuse. I look forward to seeing my response to this, because everyone else received a pretty deplorable nonsensical response.

& as for the "do not use your phone notes" stuck over our table 🤣 wow.

My friends said they felt less than welcomed when they arrived with my "happy birthday" balloon, & I had thought this myself as I watched them enter to no smiles or warmness. If however you do enjoy this level of customer service can I recommend "Karen's diner" in the marina.

Response to response - pretty sure I haven't asked you to be my friend lol Seriously. But I have blocked you. Describing my personal facebook on your business reviews. Wow. There was nothing kind about you on my visit to your restaurant. Theres being kind, & then theres not putting up with such behaviour. You might want to reflect on why theres a common theme to the...

I am so upset by my experience here, reading other reviews it’s clear we are not alone in experiencing the aggressive and absolutely horrible behaviour from the owner.

I was with my dad and 10 month old baby, the staff said they don’t usually allow kids but if we were quiet then it shouldn’t be a problem. It was afternoon and there was no one else in the bar.

Suddenly, at around 6.30, the owner came in and came over to us and started shouting at us! No attempt at a conversation first, straight to aggressive shouting. He said why are we in his bar when kids aren’t allowed, he told us to get out IMMEDIATELY. He said they didn't have a licence for kids and said we had to leave our drinks and food and get out NOW. No offer was made to refund us.

My dad asked for his money back if we weren’t allowed to stay for our drinks and food, and he threw £20 at us and told us again to get out. My poor baby was crying as he was shouting at us. My dad said it wasn’t enough as we'd paid more than that, so he threw another £10 at us, he then said he was going to take it out of the staff’s wages and started shouting and threatening his staff. The poor staff.

To top it all off, I looked up their licence and they are licenced for children up until 10pm, the only restriction is after 8pm the child has to sit with an adult, which makes the whole thing even more ridiculous. You can see their licence on the Brighton and Hove website, licence number 1445/3/2018/07535/LAPRET.

There are so many fantastic pubs in Brighton, this isn’t one of them, I certainly won't...