The Bootlegger — Restaurant in London

Was there this past November and it was a fun, light night out. Went in cause of the live music and atmosphere, and cause it was one of the few bars open in the area on the 29th. We spent much of the night with the owner too, and he genuinely seemed very nice!

But, while at the crowded bar, I paid for a round of drinks, with my Spanish card, and warned one of the barmen that the machine didn't print a ticket. I said it was fine but he insisted in putting a new roll into the machine and doing the operation again, so I assumed he'd cancelled the prior payment.

He did not.

I was charged twice in a row for one order of drinks. When the paymens showed up on my account I took it up with my bank, explained what happened and rejected one of the payments. Mind, I only rejected the second, mistaken one.

I got my money back eventually but then they opened a complaint with their bank. They not only seem to refuse to pay me back, but I was just charged again and for a higher amount! It's gone up from 19.35 (53-cent bank fee) to 19.78 (56-cent fee) now, for some reason. The bank's fee is only up 3 cents, so why the hell is the price now up 40 cents on top of everything. Especially since it's not even showing up as a new purchase, but as the old, 29th of November one.

I know it's not much money, but it's just pissing me off at this point.

I assumed it was an honest mistake but they're really making me question things now. Be careful when paying by card at the Bootlegger in case they try to pull that on you too, it's a bloody hassle.

I'll be taking it up with my bank again tomorrow as a matter of principle, at this point.

It's all just a pity cause the drinks are nothing to write home about but the decor was nice and we...

We recently attended a private hire for our friend’s 30th birthday and from the moment we arrived Harold made the whole evening feel genuinely special. I’m currently on crutches with a broken foot and within a minute of walking in Harold had not only made sure we were seated comfortably, but also went and found batteries to light up my crutch fairy lights. It was such a small detail but it meant a lot and set the tone for the rest of the night.

He consistently went above and beyond: making sure drinks were brought over to us, keeping an eye on our table when we stepped outside, and generally ensuring we felt comfortable, included, and looked after. Later on, when we were putting on fake moustaches (as you do at a 30th!), the backs were impossible to peel. Harold was on his break, but he literally stubbed out his cigarette, came over, and sorted one out for us without hesitation.

The whole experience felt safe, kind, and genuinely inclusive. It’s rare to go out and feel so completely respected and cared for - especially as a woman with accessibility needs. Harold is an accessibility king who clearly understands the importance of making everyone feel welcome and protected.

Huge thank you to him for making the night what it was. The Bootlegger are very lucky to...

Cheap cocktails made with low end liquor, inexperienced bar tenders who are trying their hardest but aren’t taught better and seem scared of management. Whatever you do, dont order a martini, was made with room temp Greenalls gin (the kind you get from convenience store), plenty of ice to water it down and multiple half nips of vermouth, and 2 olives, one which was rotten. Another friend ordered an old fashioned made on Diplomatico, a top shelf rum - they only had 1/2 a shot left so asked if he would like it topped up with a different rum! Laughable really.

My partner went to use the gents, came back laughing as the bartender who made our drinks was in there with a plunger on the loos. Poor guy! How can you focus on making a decent drink for customers if you’re also expected to be a plumber?? Not to mention the hygeine aspect of this!!

Same bartender dropped the worst cheesey hit up line on my friend at the bar while making her drink. Wow. Just wow.

A weird crowd came in after 11 when everything else shuts to simply dance & get smashed.

If you have even a shred of an expectation for a decent drink and nice atmosphere - AVOID! If you are a student looking to get smashed in an inner city dungeon...