The Medley — Restaurant in Oxford

At first, it appears as a quirky alternative, with festival vibes, in an idyllic setting by the river. But, sadly rude and unprofessional staff, completely ruin this experience. Having been here once before, I returned with a couple of friends who I had recommended it too. My friends arrived carrying open drink cans which they had been enjoying whilst on their walk through port meadow. Nearly empty, they placed them on the table whilst greeting us and deciding what to order from the bar. The barman swiftly came over to our table and abruptly interrupted us, he very loudly and rudely informed us that we couldn’t have open cans on the table and to put them away (which my friends immediately did before proceeding to the bar to place their order). Hostile and sneering stares followed from the barman throughout the duration of our visit. Whilst trying to ignore this and enjoy our drinks, a staff member sneaked up behind us and grabbed the cans from the floor. She then hurried away from our table back towards the barman, with a very smug and triumphant look on her face. Following this, I called her over to the table to ask for an explanation for her apparent abrupt and rude actions, to which she replied, in a stand offish manner about their policy regarding open drink containers. There was no acknowledgement of her rude and unprofessional behaviour and no apology given. After this interaction, she skulked back to the bar, smirking. Hostile and sneering stares continued from herself and the barman. Given how uncomfortable and unwelcomed we were made to feel, we certainly didn’t stick around for a second round of drinks, as initially planned. The situation could have been handled very differently; a professional, polite and friendly manner, would have resulted in more drinks purchased and repeat custom, not to mention further recommendations to friends and family. But least to say, my friends and I will definitely not be visiting here again! Don’t waste your time. Far better pubs further up the river, where you’ll be served with a smile and treated with with respect...

Unprofessional and terrible customer service!

Having been here before, I suggested to my friends we meet them there for a drink after they had finished their stroll around port meadow. They arrived shortly after us and joined our table, having with them their own cans of cocktails that they were just finishing off, before going to the bar to purchase their drinks. Shortly after sitting down a barman came over and rather abruptly, rudely and loudly announced to them that no outside drinks can be consumed and to put them away, to which my friends placed their drinks on the floor and promptly went to the bar to decide on what to purchase. This initial interaction could have been handled a lot more professionally by the barman, had he just explained calmly to them about their policy and directed them to bar.

Fast forward 20 minutes, a young barmaid skulked past our table and snatched the cans from the floor and took them back to the barman who had a smug grin across his face while leering at our table. My partner swiftly called the barmaid over to ask for the drinks she had snatched and raise the complaint that her actions were wholly unnecessary and really rude. She replied in a very stand off manor explaining about their policy with no apology for her abrupt actions and no explanation. After this she returned to the barman who was now glaring at our table, still with a large grin across his face. The stares and hostile looks proceeded from the bar staff during the remaining time we were finishing off our drinks leaving us feeling very uncomfortable. We had planned to purchased another round of drinks, but given how we were treated and how uncomfortable we felt, we left shortly after.

There was no attempt by either the barman or the barmaid to simply communicate to us in a professional and respectful tone. I would strongly recommend you avoid this bar and go 100 meters further up the river to the nearby pub, which is not only much better equipped, has more choice and has well trained, friendly and...

Would leave zero stars if I could. Rude staff, aggressive attitude and smirking at each other after making us feel embarrassed. Would not recommend this badly run, unprofessional establishment to anyone.

We walked in with cans that we had drinking as we were walking through port meadow. We didn’t know the policy about open containers as I have never been here before. We had sat talking to friends (not drinking) as we were making up our minds about what to order. The barman came over and loudly announced we weren’t allowed open containers on the table, we immediately put the cans on the ground in front of him. We then ordered drinks and continued with our conversation when the very rude barmaid came over and snatched our open containers away from the ground. She walked away smirking at the man who had come earlier. This interaction was very embarrassing and uncalled for. As a local who’s lived here all my life, I have never experienced such bad customer service and I will never be visiting here again. There are many other better pubs in short walking distance, don’t waste your time...