The Rooftop at The Standard, London — Restaurant in London

I am so upset having to write this review, but my experience last Friday (10th May) was just an unacceptable disgrace. Its a fact that a bad apple spoils the bunch in this case. I have been going to The Standard Hotel bars since it opened. I am on a first name basis with some of the staff who are superb and I get invited into spaces and various parties in Decimo or Sweeties because of this.

However over the last 12 months I have had 2 extremely negative experiences and I’ve reported it once, but decided not to take it further as after all it was The Standard’s birthday party.

On the 10th May - my friends and I attended the Rooftop. It was busy and we were told only the bar area was where we could stand - fine. We were looking at the menu and within moments we were being asked move and clear the area because other people need to pay. We looked up, there was absolutely no one there. We told the guy and explained there is no space. I asked if there were other spaces on the rooftop to stand and we were told no. We proceeded to select drinks within a few moments again we were rushed to make our choices. I eventually purchased a pitcher (inc 15% service charge). I was given the jug and 4 glasses. Less that 30 seconds later I was told again to move, I asked where I was expected to go with a jug of drink? And if he didn’t want me to stand there he shouldn’t have sold me the drink. Obviously happy to take my money! He said nothing. A minute later I over heard him complaining to his colleague.

The colleague tells me I should go down to the other part of the bar. He takes a tray which is on the bars, he picks up my jug and 4 glasses puts them on a tray and tells me I should take the tray and carry my drinks down to the other side of the bar. I felt so embarrassed, and humiliated. The level of disrespect for a 5 star hotel! I have never experienced this anywhere (in any 5 star hotel across the globe) ever before. I poured our drinks and walked around to the other area where we were told there was no space - mind you it was completely empty. At the end of the evening in Double standard bar - we were treated disrespectful yet again to the extent that my friend from LA questioned what was going, why were we being treated like that.

I have promoted The Standard Hotel Bars for years, it is often referred to as my 2nd home in jest because of how much time I used to spend there. I have brought friends, public officials, top music execs to The Standard that have spend thousands in one night. I am truly disappointed we spent a...

Overall, this was a disappointing experience.

Pros: the views are absolutely spectacular. It was a little bit chilly even on a summer's evening, but the terrace heaters kept everything nice and toasty.

Cons: the service is what marks this place down significantly. Getting up to the venue and getting seated was nice and friendly enough, but it all went downhill from there. Every sever we encountered had an attitude. After eventually being served our drinks (which bizarrely come from this cocktail-on-tap? system), the servers effectively ignored us the rest of the night. Trying to flag someone down to even get some water was worse than trying to hail a cab at rush hour – and despite managing to flag someone down on two occasions, the water never arrived.

Eventually, when a server did finally come up to us, it was simply to plonk the bill down - a bill we had never asked for. On then asking about ordering another drink, we were curtly told that last orders had been announced ages ago so 'too bad'. Well, we were certainly never told about last orders, and the whole attitude around that was very off-putting.

We were well and truly done with the place by then and just wanted to go, but to add the cherry on top, it took ages for someone to come back to us so we could finally pay and get out of there. At least we had each other’s company and the views, but to be frank, that was the only redeeming feature of this place. It's a shame because it's got the location and views going for it. I'm not sure if it was just an 'off' night for them, but none of us will be going back...

Genuinely can't believe what happened here yesterday, evening of Wed 12th June. Bar staff, in particular the guy behind the bar, are incredibly rude. Took ages to get served one person taking payment and only one other person making drinks. They automatically add 15% service charge to the drinks even though you are collecting it from the bar no table service. I asked for the service to be removed and they claimed they were unable to do this! The male got quite aggressive and shouted over me. Service charge is discretionary as it says on their menu. This is on top of the expensive drinks. I asked what the service charge is for when I'm getting my drink at the bar, and he then claimed it was to pay the staff! Laughable, this is not America where staff rely on tips for a salary. The lady taking payment had pointed to him as the manager, and he said he could take off the service charge, but he then pretended he couldn't do this when he came over. He then claimed only the manager could do this but refused to get him as he was 'busy'. Then, he proceeded to serve people after me and ignore me whilst loudly talking about me with customer. Disgusting behaviour. Go for the views and take pictures don't drink here. Very entitled and pretentious and not an ounce of professionalism. We decided to leave and go elsewhere. Considering this is a 5 star hotel, this is shocking behaviour. You don't need to explain why you don't want to pay service charge. Staff...