The Philharmonic — Restaurant in Wales

Very bad for organisation and customer service!!! We went here last night for my mothers 50th birthday we booked the table until 8 oclock, everything was fine UNTIL 7.40 when 4 members of the group went outside for a cigarette and myself and my cousin was sitting at the table to Finnish off our drinks and then leave with the others (would have took 10 mins max) A bouncer approached the table and said quite bluntly “you need to leave we need this table for another booking at 8” I said we have the table until 8 and we are just finishing off anyway but we will be max 10 mins he said “I can move you to another table but you need to get up now” I reminded him again that we had the table until 8 we had 20 mins, he was rolling his eyes slamming the empty glasses down in a huff, he then abruptly walked off and then arrived back with 2 other bouncers now 3 men to remove two girls ! Ridiculous, I explained to the other bouncer that we had the table till 8 it was still only ten too and by this time we had finished our drinks and would have been going anyway, I explained how the other one had reacted and he just said sorry he’s had a long day! I then went to the bar to get my £10 deposit back which should have come off the drinks but didn’t and again the rude bouncer came back over (obviously thinking we was complaining) and was stating that he’s doing his job and that we need to leave, the table was booked by another group for 8, so I stated I wasn’t complaining I’m getting my deposit back and he just left! The ignorance was awful, the tactic of intimidation from the 3 bouncers was terrible and the organisation skills of the table booking is appalling, we had spent nearly £150 in the short time we was there and was leaving before our delegated departure, and we got treated like riff raff that needed to be removed, oh they also left the next party stand and watch while they attempted to escort us out as if were Really in the wrong. !!! I wouldn’t go here again off my own back! And I will be telling people to avoid booking or to book an extra 30 mins as you will get thrown out (another lady outside told us she had been told to leave her table half hour early because of the same reason) this is obviously...

My friend and myself had just paid to get into the philharmonic. We bought a drink and headed to the dance floor. Whilst we were dancing, a lady with short white hair stated that we were “in her space”. We stepped down onto the floor and next thing we knew, a ‘bouncer’ told us to go upstairs “for a chat” (we took a photo of the woman after she tried to get the bouncer to get us thrown out for being in her ‘space’ - we followed the bouncer. I asked for his badge number but he refused to tell us - accusing us of filming him which we hadn’t and have proof it was just the woman who told us “it’s my space”. He gave us plastic cups and told us we were to be “out now”. I stated “are you serious?” He said ‘yes you were in her space?’ I said ‘“Ain’t this a public place? And we were there first?” They did not listen to us - I believe this was due to my appearance - with a face tattoo and looking alternative. We hadn’t done anything wrong! My friend and I couldn’t believe we were getting thrown out for no reason. We were later informed she was “an employee” - not my issue. We then observed the lady going into ‘Walkabout’ straight after getting us kicked out - I confronted her and said “what was all that about?” She said “I didn’t intend to get you thrown out” my friend said “but you did get us thrown out” and she said “this is my space, get over it” - who does she think she is? Have had many a good nights in philharmonic but we will NOT be returning after...

Fantastic bar. Door staff professional and polite. Decent screens for footy and commentary is crystal clear sound. Drinks decent value too. Gave this bar another visit today after having a mediocre experience about 10 months ago. I was not the only person mentioning the problem member of staff but it appears it has been dealt with.

Previous review for context:

Came here on Tuesday night after a meal at Wagamama’s. I was hoping to watch the last 20 minutes of the football match and have my usual 2 pints when I’m working away.

I’m away on a business trip so by myself. The doorman started asking me all manner of questions, who am I with where am I staying, why am I down here, why am I out by myself.

He wasn’t impolite about it but it seemed a bit strange and invasive. I responded politely explaining I’m here on a work trip and staying in Premier Inn. Both parties remained polite, he was professional in his conduct. I came dressed smartly and hadn’t even consumed any alcohol. I got told it’s the policy not to allow single men in. I am a quality engineer and have been working away for 12 years. I have a routine of a meal and 2 pints most nights when away. I have never came across such a dismissive policy. At first I thought he was kidding, but no he deadly serious. I don’t like leaving negative reviews but felt compelled to share my experience here. I’m happy to amend my review if someone...