The Elm Tree — Restaurant in London

Some of the Bar Staff are rude - Entertainment was good and food reasonable

On Saturday night I went to the Elm Tree Pub in Beckenham because my friend's band were playing, they've played there many times. I go to support them and have been supporting them for over 20 years, I must admit it's not my favorite venue and here's the reason why. It's some of the bar staff, they need to know the ability to book a great band does not give them the right to be rude because they are busy, the great band was booked to improve takings and with that comes busy, so be prepared for it and leave the attitude at home.

Part of the bar is dedicated to be a service area, where when the pub is as busy as it always is when this band play, and when the service area is empty, customers repeatedly stand there in their attempt to get served. However, one barman in particular takes great relish in yelling at customers standing there, that they won't get served whilst in this area, he's even happy to shout at "offenders" whilst he's serving someone else, you can see him furtively looking to pounce as someone enters the forbidden area no longer concentrating on the person he's actually serving. Now there's a word the bar staff need to embrace Serving, it should remind them they are part of the Service Industry and yelling at pesky customers wanting to part with their hard-earned cash has no place in the Service Industry.

It wasn't just him, there's a female bar staff who also enjoys doing the same, it's like a sport to them. I'd suggest rethinking the service area as they spend a lot of time shouting so it might be a good idea, but I think it's actually a way of letting off steam for those two in particular and it might be the only way either of them gets to exhibit "authority"!!

Just to prove that I'm not writing this just because I don't like being yelled at, I did eat there, and the food was quite good and reasonably priced. The point I'm making, the ability to book a great band and serve good food doesn’t give bar staff the right to shout at people who have chosen this venue to spend their valuable night out, if people are repeatedly standing in this area, it's time to rethink the service area, then everyone is happy including...

Came here on Sunday after going to one of the sister pubs in South Croydon and this place is just amazing. Firstly, newly refurbished and done to a very good style and finish. The decor before was nice but this is even better. Secondly, the waitress staff are great. Particular mention to Frances. She knows the menu inside out and is a great asset to the place. Very friendly, very knowledgeable and will happily accommodate people's needs or wants. We asked to change something from the menu and substitute it and it was absolutely no problem and she made sure it was done properly and followed it through. Thirdly, the chef is great. The food is amazing. Cooked to perfection and very well presented. Its often difficult to cook pork belly well and chicken breast without it being dry and tasteless but this definitely wasn't. Personally the best Pork Belly I've ever had. Huge portions as well. Felt bad having to leave some but I just couldn't eat it. Finally, the manager Edel. She couldn't do enough to help us and when she found out about our issue with one of their sister pubs, made sure there wasn't an issue there. She spoke to us about the pub and the recent refurbishment. Must be doing something right, the pub was quite busy, especially considering it was their second day of reopening from lockdown. I can't recommend this place enough. I will definitely be going back in the near future. The beer garden out the back is very nice and refurbished too. The place manages to be both a pub for families to enjoy a nice meal or a quiet drink and for people to just go in for a drink solely and watch a bit of football or go in with mates and have a chilled drink. Thank you to the staff and management at...

This now the second time I have had issues at this place, the previous time food was cold and even though my guest had stated she had a food allergy, they served her with that which could have severely caused her health issues.

The elm tree is a place that as a funeral minister I have recommended on many times to families. I will never make a recommendation again after tonight. In fact I will dissuade any of my families from booking the venue.

The attitude of the Irish man (supposedly a manager) was rude and arrogant.

Even though the sign he thought was was where we were standing to tell people not to - wasn’t. It would not have been difficult to say “sorry, could you leave that space clear to make it easier for us” - he just chose to be rude and stormed off!

Sadly tonight was a friend’s leaving do and he was his rudeness was in front of my friend. My friend also was someone who recommended the elm tree regularly as well to funeral families.

Had we not been a big party, the three of us would have walked out at that stage. There is never any need to be rude to anyone. We were polite, well mannered and sober!

Dear little rude Irish man - Remember your business is only as good as people come to use the facilities and if you have no customers, you have no business.

Having read the treatment other funeral families have received here, I will never ever recommend the elm tree ever again.

My view to any one considering dining at that place - go get a take out and a bottle of wine and enjoy your evening without a rude...