Tank & Paddle Bishopsgate — Restaurant in London

I attened this venue on 25th August for the Friday night South Africa versus NZ game (RWC warm up). This was not a random visit. As I was arranging to meet with friends for the evening game, I did some due diligence first. I was enroute to make a table reservation (in person to be sure of the venue) at the sports bar around the corner...as I was unaware of the Tank and Paddle. However, supporting small breweries appeals to me - and I met a lovely lady on reception who willingly offered to provide a table reservation and gave every assurance that the rugby would be broadcast that evening. I did challenge this and say - you do realsie there is a clash with the Friday night football (soccer). She actively assured me this would not be a problem, there are multiple screens and the reserved table would certainly be able to show the rugby. OK I said, let's give it a go. Unfortunately, when I arrived that evening: a) first of all there were issues with the Sky reception (there was some rain). This problem, although the staff were anxious, was over come. b) I was then told that categorically, Friday night was soccer night. After explaining the table reservation etc it was begrudgingly conceeded that one screen could show the rugby. Let's just say the staff demonstrated some attitude. (which was nuts, because we just wanted to be be good paying customers). As it transpired, by half time there were more people watching a single screen of rugby - people passing by even joined in. We ordered pizza (very good) and wings (bit on the dry side).

Yes, we watched the game. Yes, albeit grudgingly, the staff acknowledged us. Audio for the game was categorically refused 'we are a Friday night football bar'. It was a shame that the lunch time promises were so robustly rejected in the evening. If you're a soccer bar - that's great - totally respect that. Just don't say, oh yes, do come here, we'd love to have you and make a reservation for you (even after confirming there may be a conflict with the soccer).

Pizza Good. Beer fine (but not a huge range). Wings fine. Attitude unwelcoming. Promise - enticing. Delivery - appalling.

Recommend avoiding this venue...

Disappointing experience.

I phoned about a week ahead of our group booking to confirm the gluten free options and there would be something available for myself to eat. They confirmed over the phone that they could do a caesar salad GF.

When ordering at the till on the day, I specified the meal has to be gluten free, which was confirmed prior to going to the restaurant.

After confirming a gluten free caeser salad with chicken & an alternative GF dressing, we waited for the meal.

The waitress delivered the salad with no comment to say it was gluten free. There was bread on the plate. I don't eat any food from a restaurant or any person giving me food until I know it is gluten free so I can eat it as I don't want to be ill.

I then went to the bar to confirm if the salad was gluten free, it was not, they had delivered bread containing gluten. The communication had not been passed through to the kitchen or the waitress.

When the GF caesar salad did come, there was a lack of parmasan & chicken. The chicken was also overdone. The restaurant felt over priced. Overall, I was disappointed by...

Used to frequent this place when it first opened and then it drifted off my radar.

Stopped in on 18 December 2018 on my way to catch the train and whilst the service was efficient and the range of craft beers good, the hygiene left a little to be desired.

Standing at the bar I looked towards the fridges that stocked bottled/canned beer and glasses and noticed what appeared to be excessive dirt on the stainless steel wire shelves. As I took a photo a staff member asked what I was taking a photo of, I said, "those shelves look disgusting" he smiled and carried on tearing apart boxes.

A few minutes later another staff member approached and said, "my team member said you had an issue with the shelves?" I again pointed at them and repeated, "they look disgustingly dirty" she looked and replied, "when we put them in the washer they get rusty but they're clean"

How on earth do you rust stainless steel? Why is 'clean' rust acceptable? I'd rather not drink from a chilled glass that's been stored on a rust covered shelf so I wont be back for another long...