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Anybody else encountering pubs saying "Fully Booked" for drink only visits when they have a primary food focus led business model? You'd think they would want every penny they can get rather than turn people away if they can turn a table prior to the eaters turning up in an hour. Visited or didn't visit two places today turning people away with empty tables visible. They may just leave the revisit list once this mess ends for being run by idiots and I'll take my business elsewhere.
Got turned away from here last month, half the pub was busy the other half barren apart from about 10 reserved tables, maybe they didn't need my 4 or 5 quid for a pint, shame but there were plenty of other pubs nearby.
Not quite, but if we go for a Sunday bike ride we look out for places with large gardens as many country pubs are fully booked for (if not always fully occupied by) those dining at lunchtime / early afternoon.Quote:
Originally Posted by bcfczuluarmy
Not just a Covid thing. I've been in any number of pubs where all the tables have reserved signs on ready for the evening diners. Unless they're completly up themselves (a common trait in the Cotswolds) they have no problem if you tell them you're only staying for one drink. That said, we tend to visit pubs mid-afteroon, and the early diners won't show up till 5:30 - 6pm.
I've been to a small number of pubs doing the same, empty tables but all reserved, you would think with all the moaning about "no-shows" in July and August they'd take a different view. I generally won't book to have a drink in a pub as it takes away my freedom of action, the bus might be late or any number of problems mean I can't get there at the booked time.
A local pub, of which I am quite fond, has now taken the step of introducing a minimum charge of £5 per person per 30 mins if you're inside. Not sure I'll be visiting again.
That's outrageous.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboots
I came across this Attachment 2488 yesterday here.
We're to to support pubs, use it or lose it etc, some places don't help themselves.Quote:
Originally Posted by rpadam
Apparently people only stop for one then move on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mobyduck
Is that "Just a quick pint" :whistle:Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboots
The Junction Tavern has a dining room to the left and a rather nice bar to the right. But it still gets (at least last time I visited) 'reserved' signs in the bar which is a pain.Quote:
Originally Posted by NickDavies
If only I could get a current pint for only £5...:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mobyduck
...and quite rightly now listed as closed.Quote:
Originally Posted by rpadam
If I'm not with the family, I can't remember the last time I've been in a pub for more than 15 minutes, or 7.5 if I've been drinking halves.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboots
TBH I've had a bit of humanity restored today after visiting The Brassmill and The Lock Keeper and due to bookings/no shows we were allowed to just have a drink at a table where people were due later or hadn't turned up after we arrived it's annoying as I don't know where I want to go and at what time I'll arrive as my visits are not based on taking granny out due to Covid where I would've had a plan of XYZ pubs being done today.
We'll see how things go but my ethos at present is avoid food based pubs on a Sunday and possibly plan to see if a booking is required especially after going to watch the football earlier in one of my locals and encountering pub table Tetris if you'd not reserved a table ~last world cup experience.
The excuse they use is that they have to wash the tables down every time someone moves on. A bit feeble as food based pubs should do that anyway as part of normal food hygiene.Quote:
Originally Posted by NickDavies
Someone should tell JDW.Quote:
Originally Posted by ETA
We sit outside unless the weather is completely hostile and regularly come across ashtrays which haven't been emptied in days. Often in a disgusting state if they're the plant pot type and it's been raining. If they can't be bothered to empty the ashtrays, what else can't they be bothered to do?
They should be cleaning all tables anyway as part of a decent hospitality regime. It only takes a few seconds to give a table a quick spritz with a squirt of Mr Sheen.Quote:
Originally Posted by ETA
Or the same squidged up bar towel that hasn't been rinsed out all morning, busily incubating the bugs from the hands of everyone who's used it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tris39
To get 5* scores on the doors they're supposed to know all this stuff, but I often wonder.
That's a silly way of doing it. Much better is the Castle Tap in Reading where you book your table with a £10 deposit, which essentially sits behind the bar as a pre-paid tab and all you do is pay excess when you settle-up.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboots
Far more sensible and fair.