The Sterling, London

One of my locals - not a bad bar at all although experienced something I'd not seen before...

Started a tab on my Credit Card, at the end of night asked to pay, at which point the barman (hidden from view) keyed in the damage into the handheld credit card machine and then on Gratuity screen on the machine he also keyed what he thought I'd like to tip him, pressed enter and passed the machine back to me for my PIN number.

I complained saying I don't tip if I have to get the drinks myself from the bar (table service I see differently) - he then started moaning that it was "company policy" and that he doesn't get paid enough, and "what do you expect if you get cheap drinks" (which is lie as they weren't cheap)...

Overall Good bar/location - (some) crap staff.

6 Oct 2006 12:47