B@1 (Be At One), Balham

Have had mixed experiences at this bar. Cocktails are good and the happy hour 2 for 1 is good value.

Last time I went however, the bar staff were very rude and cocky. Arrived for post work drinks at 5.30, started with beers until 6.00pm when I tried to order a round of 2 for 1 cocktails. The barmen condescendingly told us it was 10 to 6 and asked if we could tell the time. It turned out the till had the time wrong and so they refused to do the happy hour deal until 6.10pm. As it was their error we suggested they made the drinks, took our card and put the transaction through at 6.10 but they refused to do this.

We had already been shocked by a mocking reaction to our request to turn down the blaring music-it was 5.30pm and we were the only people in the bar. Clearly this place is aimed at people who just want to get smashed on cocktails rather than professional who want to start their post work drinks in a place where they can hold a conversation.

The barmen were too busy joking with each other and practising Tom Cruis style bar flair to respond to the needs of their customers.

3 Jul 2011 11:29

The Regent, Balham

This pub has so much potential and serves good food but is really let down by the consistently poor attitude of the staff. I have come here regularly since it opened, with friends from work, as it is very close but we have recently started going to better local pubs like The Bedford, Clarence and the BBC.

Despite the pub's convenient location, we now try to go 'anywhere but the Regent' when going for drinks in Balham. We have even raised our disappointment with a member of staff who said she was in charge and her response was an apathetic 'okay'.

What a shame!

3 Jul 2011 11:16