Ye Olde Mitre Barnet — Restaurant in London

Tried to go for dinner here with my parents, husband and 2-month-old baby on Saturday evening. My husband arrived first and ordered a drink before we arrived. The pub wasn't busy - we were the only customers inside and there were a couple of groups outside. Our baby was being quiet. We weren't planning to stay as they had stopped serving food (it was 8:20pm) but as my husband was only halfway through his pint, my parents and I ordered drinks while we waited for him to finish. After we had paid, one of the bar staff said unfortunately the pub has a policy of no under-18s after 7pm and they hadn't noticed the baby when we walked in. We agreed that we would finish our drinks then leave. A couple of minutes later another staff member came over to have the same conversation with us, even though she was aware this conversation had already happened. This seemed unnecessary and we reiterated firmly that we were going to finish our drinks which we had already paid for, then leave. We also observed that the pub's policy was discriminatory against me as a breastfeeding mother, as my newborn baby needs to be with me so effectively their policy bars me after 7pm. The staff member said she didn't make the rules and had just been instructed to speak to us by her manager. A few minutes later the manager came and said he heard there had been a conflict. We had the same conversation with him and he confirmed it was fine for us to finish our drinks then leave but he remarked that there was a sign on the door advising of the no-under-18s-after-7pm policy. We checked this as we left and couldn't find any such sign.

The policy itself is unpleasant and possibly illegal but the way the staff handled this was appalling. As they had only told us we couldn't be there after we had paid for our drinks, they should have either offered us a refund or just let us peacefully finish our drinks then leave, rather than making our time there so...

Below average food after waiting over an hour for food, nachos burnt to a crisp. Not asked about how it was at all by staff. Beer poorly kept as had 3 dead cask pints of different beer..not interested in telling staff as thIs was in the good beer guide and to have 3 dead pint from different beers is pretty poor. Family pub but told off by some miserable old man for singing to my 4 month old as he was crying. No baby change facilities either.. I used to drink here all the time when I was younger but this pub has gone severely downhill in terms of beer quality and atmosphere. Reply: To be told that I expect more from real ale pubs is beyond condescending. I've drunk in many good family establishments, all serving proper real ale. Your beer was below average and it's a joke to think you're in the good beer guide so take that however you want. I could happily point you to at least ten place that will show you how to care for your cask beer properly. If you would enlighten me to know what time I came in that would be great as you were not there when we were so I find it funny you managed to trawl through the hours of footage. If I had been asked how my food was I would have advised it was pretty poor but it wasn't and the CCTV shows it wasn't finished. You've clearly lived off good reputation for years but it's a shame you have to result to a petty response by making out I'm lying. I had written a more diplomatic response before but you've shown your card as an establishment that doesn't want to receive poor feedback and a...

This pub has improved a great deal over time. A few years back, some of the neighbours complained about noise and this affected the amount of people allowed outside at any one time. Since then, the general manager and owner has invested a great deal of time and money on sound proofing, excellent outside furniture and various coverings. Now, not only is the pub sound-proofed, but it also has a lovely atmosphere outside. The reason for this is that there is less tension outside as a result of the sound proofing. And, at closing time, the staff has been trained to ask the customers gently and courteously to finish their drinks. Compare this to some of the pubs in the West End. This has made the whole experience of going to this pub much more friendly and welcoming.

The drinks available have always been excellent and varied. There is a good choice of wine and spirits and a huge range of ales and craft beers. I haven't eaten there for a long time but I hear from friends and family members that the food is of good quality and reasonably priced.

The character of the pub is still old school, even though there have been a number of DIY changes. The floor is uneven and this is a lovely characteristics of this 'olde tavern', which has been frequented by some famous men and women in history. But, unless you are drunk, you would be unlucky to spill your drink; the manager has put in three-legged tables which are sturdy enough and robust enough to hold all your drinks.

I recommended this pub to singles, couples and families, any time...