The Defector's Weld, Shepherds Bush

Shepherds Bush needs a pub that looks like Defectors Weld, but it definitely doesn't need one that acts like it. Staff are complacent, unwilling and lack humility.

They had a good 2011 - what's gone wrong? Zombie waiters now plonk food on the table. The bar won't set up tabs but still insist on �10 minimum spend. When I pointed out an underpoured wine measure on behalf of a friend, I got no apology and an inference that we had drunk the shortfall! (Actually, it was a member of staff too lazy to find and open another bottle of the same wine.)

The staff even manage to turn a selling point - the choice of ale - into a downer. Blokes chatting at the bar asked me what I recommended, I replied. Barman took this as a cue to pour extra beers and charge me. Rather than laugh at the mistake, he got defensive and told me it was my fault for gesturing.

Humourless, paranoid, self-centred - just like the suspicious Tuesday night 'sniffers' in the men's toilets.

17 Oct 2012 14:42