Bar Story, Peckham

Well unlike the previous comment, my partner and I walked out rather than being thrown out. But we shared a common experience with unhelpful staff.

I should preface this by saying I've been going to Bar Story on a semi regular basis for 2 years, and have generally enjoyed myself. However, tonight we went in and I ordered my usual cocktail (which I have had there many times before). However, this time when it came it was undrinkable. Bitter with a nasty aftertaste, rather than the delicious drink I have enjoyed there many times before.

My partner took the drink back to the bartender (not to the one who made it, as we wanted to be polite). However, she just took the drink over to the other bartender, they both tasted it, decided themselves it was fine, and said there was nothing they could do.

Now it's been quite a few years since I worked behind a bar, but I was always taught that good customer service would mean that you offer to re-make another drink, or offer the customer something else instead. Not just decide the drink is fine and tell the dissatisfied patron to stuff it.

Well, as far as we were concerned, the bartenders were essentially telling us to leave, as we weren't about to order another round of 6 quid cocktails after that. So leave we did. I don't plan on rushing back anytime soon either, even though I have enjoyed the place in the past.

In the end we walked up the road to the Rye Hotel. A lovely pub, and enjoyed a hassle free evening there. I would advise others to do the same.

26 Aug 2010 21:49