The Barmy Arms, Twickenham

The Barmy Arms has all the potential in the world to be a fantastic pub. It's location is amazing and on rugby days there's a real buzz about the place. Having worked at this pub and having read a lot of the comments from other reviewers I can confirm that the couple who run this establishment are an utter disgrace to themselves, their staff and the brewery which pays them their salary.

The landlord has a serious drinking problem and has the tendancy to fly off the handle at innocent punters for no apparent reason when he is boozed up and treats his staff appallingly. I'm completely flabbergasted as to how he's allowed to run a pub for a Co (even though he refers to it as 'his' boozer, its not!) and when his behaviour is so erratic and aggressive after drinking, which to be frank is from morning until he passes out on a daily basis. I would like to feel sorry for the Landlady but she has only herself to blame for being loyal to such a 'character' for so long and God only knows how she can stand his behaviour/halitosis but unfortunately it appears that some of his behaviour has rubbed off on her as I agree that at chucking out time she has the tendency to be aggressive to punters who are quietly finishing off their beers and rudely hurries them out the garden and off the premises. There wasn't a shift that went with out some kind of drama unfolding infront of my eyes which could've been easily avoided. If you're unfortunate enough to be look 30 years old then this definitely isn't really the place for you as you will be sneered at and made to feel like you're only worthy to drink in the Wetherspoons on the High Street.

I lost count of the amount of times I'd see innocent looking people, some with families or girlfriends being turned away from the bar for wearing a football shirt (its 2012 and The Barmy arms is hardly The Ritz), ironically being turned away for being drunk even though they were less drunk than the Landlord and most disappointingly the arrogant, aggressive and rude manner in which the landlords treated customers. I can only imagine this is done to inflate their ego's and make them feel like they're doing something special with their lives and not 'keeping the riff-raff' out as was so commonly used by the landlord. Twickenham and its pubs patrons are quite possibly some of the most middle class in the UK and riff-raff is hardly a problem in the area.

If you're looking for a nice pub in Twickenham, there's plenty more nice and with a friendlier vibe. If you're a football fan (about 50% of the UK population I imagine) don't even bother setting foot in the Barmy Arms, if you're under 30, again, I wouldn't bother, if you're in a male only group of friends - stay away, if you're looking for a bar job in Twickenham whatever you do stay away from The Barmy Arms. The couple running this place are drunks, a disgrace and the brewery need to recognise all of the complaints and comments on this board and take action.

I imagine when the landlords read this comment they will raise their arms in up-roar and feel a tremendous sense of injustice has been served but they bought this upon themselves. The Landlord is too hammered to remember all of the times he has acted out of line and been rude and aggresive to his patrons and staff and the Landlady is too loyal for her own good.

13 Apr 2012 16:40