The Beachcomber — Restaurant in London

The cocktails were ok, they were definitely not the best cocktails we have had, but they are definitely on the better side of average. We didn't have food only cocktails. The staff were professional and polite but the service was mediocre.

In my opinion considering the cocktails are not brilliant, they are a little on the pricey side, but hey, I guess it's expensive, keeping those walls clad in so much bamboo.

Sadly the woman, who I think was probably the shift leader did the bar a disservice in the way she asked for payment and this irrated me a lot. Which in turn, made me scrutinise the bill, which to be fair was not the easiest task in that dim light.

Beware dear drinker that for every drink you buy they ADD A 5% SERVICE CHARGE. The bill is presented as a done deal, there is no indication that this 5% service charge is a voluntary tax and you DON'T HAVE TO PAY IT.

I queried this additional charge and was told the owner was concerned that the staff work so hard but weren't making a lot from their tips. So from the goodness of the owners heart (gawd bless em) they decided, to add this service charge onto every bill. I checked that the staff get a wage, and they said that they are paid by the hour and they get all the tips.

I was also told that staff work late, in addition to this, the service charge motivates them to work harder and this is why they deserve to be tipped. Umm just saying, but nurses work super hard, they even do night shifts, they save lives and they aren't asking for tips.

If the owner, genuinely felt that the staff were underpaid then surely they should increase the staffs wages, but instead it's up to customers to fill that gap. To suggest that it motivates staff to work hard is nonsensical if it's not clear that the service charge is voluntary and it absolutely does not say that either on the bill.

It's not that I dislike tipping, but if I'm not given the choice that's when it becomes infuriating.

If you do want to have brilliant cocktails, try the Dark Horse in Bath, then you will know why I've rated The...

I wouldn't normally leave a 2* review without something really negatively affecting the experience but everything kind of let the place down a bit to the point I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

It's supposed to be a tiki bar and it is (mostly) dressed the part but atmosphere was lacking a lot, bad music choice, staff weren't very energetic, random clock keeps changing numbers?? If you can shed any light on this please explain!

Nice tiki bar decor at the entrance and bar but as you move away from the bar toward the toilets at the back it turns into cheap grey carpet you would have seen in a depressing office block 20/30 years ago. And then speaking of the toilets one of the gents is just a urinal with a hole in the wall to wash your hands at, feels more like a coffin with drainage than a toilet.

The staff were inoffensive but mentally clocked out hours if not months ago. A tiki bar needs big energetic characters! Also speaking of service the host would offer to put things on a tab or pay as you go but then asked for a card to open a tab. I didn't request a tab so don't know exactly how they operate but it seemed she wanted to hold on to a card until we paid and left which is against the law for a server/waitress to take your card out of your sight.

Overall disappointing and only stayed for a second drink as they are the only place open past 11pm but won't be...

Stumbled in by accident and immediately enjoyed the atmosphere. It was not very busy, which I was looking for but there was enough chatter to not feel empty.

I got seated and looked at the menus which had several options I was interested in. I ordered and got served fairly quickly. The drink(woah black Betty) was good, albeit not as strong as I hoped for.

I went to order a 2nd drink and was waiting a little while as the two bar staff were talking to other customers. Not a big issue (although earlier I heard one of them telling another member of staff they had to be quicker with making drinks).

I ordered and paid(via contacts)and was told to be seated and it would be brought over. I noticed the price was higher than the menu advertised (digital recipe). When asked about this I was told it was the service charge. I asked what this was for and if I made the drink myself would it be the quoted price, to which the bar maid awkwardly said it would.

Disappointed to see that they falsely advertised their prices as I immediately liked the place and was ready to highly recommend this place, but hidden prices mean that I cannot recommend it. Also, I didn't even find out what the service...