BAR.CODE — Restaurant in Newport

We had a very poor experience with this venue. Being told at 22.40 the day before we were due to deliver that we cannot drop off at the previously agreed time wasn't even the start of the problems. Very difficult to get hold of - the excuse was very busy (which can happen, but this was how things started). Then the change of plans for the day of setup. Then after setting up where instructed to by venue staff, being told by another staff member that it would need to be moved. Then collection issues - we were told nobody would be there until 10am which massively inconvenienced us, some of the items at the venue were needed for a wedding in Gloucester the following day. We had to go to Gloucester, then travel back to get the items needed, then back to Gloucester (thanks a lot!). The lack of empathy wasn't even the worst part, which was of course that there had been staff on site from 7am!!!! It Genuinely seems as though this place was being deliberately difficult towards us, the reason for which was suggested by the person who'd booked us as being that the venue wanted them to book more directly through the venue. How very petty. If you want a hassle free event, please for the sake of other parties involved, do not book this venue. They have fundamental communication issues, lack of empathy and are...

We were excited to try Bar.code, but unfortunately, our experience was extremely disappointing.

Once seated, we were informed of a 45-minute wait for food due to understaffing. Not wanting to have to wait too long we ordered food immediately and let them get on with things whilst we decided what we wanted to drink. While we understood the situation, the wait for food ended up being much longer.

Sadly the cocktails weren't great (which probably should have been obvious from the descriptions of the generic alcohol being used) and after a couple we realised that it had already been over an hour since we'd ordered our food. My wife enquired as to what was going on and we were assured that our order was the next being prepared... 15 minutes passed and we were told that our order was being worked on currently... 15 more minutes passed and we were assured that our order was on its way out.

We left, explaining our disappointment to a member of staff on the way out.

While we appreciate that the restaurant was understaffed, giving customers unrealistic expectations and then failing to deliver on those promises is unacceptable. Whilst we assume this was an isolated incident, we wont be returning...

AWFUL SERVICE

Was really looking forward to trying this place, however can't comment on the food and drink as it took so long to be served we left! Early Friday evening, seemed nice atmosphere in the place, greeted by a friendly female staff member and asked to take a drink at the bar whilst she sorted a table, no problem. Looked at menu decided on gins......we sat there......and sat there.....and sat there. The 3 or 4 bar staff faffed With the till, spoke in huddle, tidied glasses, everything but serve! 3 couples including us waited to be served, not hundreds. OH SOMEBODY WAS THEN SERVED! unfortunately it was a bloke who jumped the que and was served immediately. However his couple of pints and glass of wine seemed to overwhelm the barman and this took for ever. THE OWNER, should check if somebody has slipped his staff some horse tranquilizers, as the staff were as sprightly as giant Galapagos tortoises, in fact sailing off down the Usk and heading to a bar in those Islands may have been a better option. We left went to a rammed Pierre's and were looked after and served immediately. Shame because we would like this...