Waxy O'Connor's London — Restaurant in London

Rude aggressive violent bouncers - there are plenty of friendlier nicer pubs in Picadilly - go to one of those. To management - you should be ashamed of hiring these thugs - they give bouncers a bad name. I have attached photos of 'Steve' (probably fake name given to me by the bouncer). I urge you to take disciplinary action - otherwise you risk losing further business.

In the meantime, I am leaving a detailed review on here to warn other would-be customers of the risks of visiting your establishment and getting 'roughed up' by the violent thugs at your doors:

'Steve' is a violent and dangerous egomaniac - avoid this pub. You're more likely to get served a punch to the face rather than a cocktail.

Details - I arrive at the entrance, my friends are already inside - the bouncer asks to look in my backpack - fair enough - I open it - he then asks me to take the book out, which I do. Then he asks me to take out my headphone case - I do as he asks. At this point, I have no free hands left - and he's now asking me to open the bag wider - he can clearly see that I'm practically juggling at this point - and the bag is clearly empty. I tell him that my hands are full - what does he expect me to do?

He uses this as an excuse to deny me entry - at 6pm on a Friday. My friends were already waiting for me inside.

Apparently I was showing him 'attitude'...?! Even if that is true, since when is that valid grounds to deny someone entry to a pub?

I asked him to call his manager - and he smugly declares - 'sure, but you're not getting in tonight'. He radios someone - then smugly adds the line 'no rush' at the end and gives me a smug smile. He's clearly enjoying his little power trip.

Manager arrives, but ultimately says 'we can't do anything'.

In other words, Waxy's approves inept, egomaniacal violent bouncers. Why violent? Read on

After the manager left, I asked the bouncer for his name, so that I could lodge an official complaint. He said 'Steve'. What's your second name I asked. 'Just Steve' - so basically he knows that he has done something wrong, so he is now trying to hide his ID. So I tell him that I am going to take a picture of his ID to send to management.

This is when he gets violent - he grabs my hand, and almost crushes my hand and the phone and threatens me with further violence if I take a photo.

Waxy's should be ashamed of hiring thug bouncers like this.

Very disappointed in the establishment. Me and my friends will never return - and I suggest that anyone reading this find somewhere else to take their business. There are many other much nicer, friendlier and better managed venues in Picadilly.

I managed to take a few pictures of this criminal bouncer from a distance - I've attached them for management in the off chance that any...

Stepping into Waxy O'Connor's in London is like being transported to another world – it's truly an experience in itself! The decor and atmosphere are absolutely amazing, unlike anything you'll find elsewhere. The moment you walk in, you're greeted by this incredible, multi-level labyrinth of interconnected bars, all adorned with beautiful traditional wooden tables, ornate carvings, stained glass, and even a magnificent, ancient beech tree at its heart that rises through the levels! It's surprising how comfy and spacious it feels despite all the intricate decor, with plenty of cosy nooks and crannies to settle into. It truly manages to feel both grand and intimate at the same time. The selection of food and drink is great and remarkably tasty. Whether you're after a classic pint of Guinness (they sell more than any other bar in the UK!) or an extensive range of Irish whiskies and spirits, there's something for everyone. Their homemade food menu is fantastic, offering hearty traditional pub fare and a diverse range of meals and snacks, including vegetarian and vegan options. I was particularly impressed by the quality and flavour of everything I tried. What truly elevates the experience is the staff. They are consistently helpful and incredibly friendly, contributing significantly to the warm, welcoming, and lively "craic" that Waxy's is renowned for. From the moment you arrive, you feel right at home. Beyond the fantastic food, drink, and service, Waxy O'Connor's offers so much more. There's live music several nights a week, including traditional Irish sessions, which really adds to the vibrant ambience. For sports fans, they have multiple large screens showing all major sporting events, creating an unbeatable buzz. It's truly a place where you can relax with a cold drink, enjoy great company, and soak in the unique Irish hospitality. Waxy O'Connor's is more than just a pub; it's an institution, and it's easy to see why it's consistently recognized as an award-winning establishment. If you're in London and looking for a truly memorable pub experience with an incredible atmosphere, delicious food, and wonderful staff, you absolutely must visit...

Went in for a few quick beers and to hear some live music. The interior of the bar and the atmosphere is awesome. All the beautifully carved wood, multiple levels, and spirit of the place is unique and very memorable. Went on a Tuesday, and live music started in the lower bar at 8 pm.

Had a weird interaction with one of the bartenders though? On our second beer (we had been sitting at the bar for a while), he grabbed my beer that was only 2/3 done and gestured if I wanted more. I was confused, but said we would get another round (when we were done with this one. My friend was only half done). He motioned and asked if I’d had the cider, which I did. Then he went to fill it and I said I’d have it in a different glass, as in, when we were ready for the next round, and he filled my glass anyways. I was thinking he was just being a cheeky bartender and topping me off, which, sure. Then he tried to charge me for a full pint, even though he had just topped off a pint he’d taken from in front of me that wasn’t finished. When I mentioned, I didn’t even ask for another, and you didn’t even give me a full one because you refilled my glass that wasn’t empty, he got a little pushy and confrontational not understanding why I didn’t want to pay? As a bartender myself, the whole exchange was just really bizarre. I verified with my friend that I wasn’t the one who asked for another, that he’d taken my glass, and also refilled the same glass. She agreed that it was the weirdest interaction with a bartender she’d ever had, and that I wasn’t being crazy. Anyways, it was a bummer and we felt uncomfortable after, and decided to leave and not have another round.

I would definitely come back here again, I’m sure it was just a weird one off with this bartender… but… yeah dude, don’t take someone’s very unfinished beer from in front of them, try and top it off, and make them pay full price? The fact that he even tried to fill the same glass from the tap is unhygienic and wouldn’t be allowed where I’m from… but what do I know. I’ve only been bartending for...