The Phene Arms, Chelsea

Pretty odd place this. Went for a birthday party there and really feel the need to comment on their policy regarding the outside area.

It was a nice evening weatherwise and we were ouside in the courtyard. At about 8:30 a couple of blokes came round and said we'd have to go inside in 15 minutes unless we had a seat. Also from about 8:00 we were being told to keep it down. Beers had been drunk but I wouldn't say we were being that loud, and it wasn't consistent.

So at 8:45 we went in, the bar was obviously packed and staff are a 50/50 mix of earnest decent barmen and utter incompetents.

If you want to go outside for a smoke you have to go to a cordoned area within the courtyard yet surrender your drink inside. I went outside to the street to take a call, when I lit up I was made to stand in the smoking area. You're made to feel guitly for just perfoming basic pub activities; drinking and talking.

By about 9:30/10:00 anything ouside above a whisper gets you a stern talking to.

I don't know why they bother with an ouside bit in the evening. I'm not sure if it's because it's a wealthy NIMBY area or just that the management are treating their customers with contempt. Either way I won't be going back as it would only be a below average pub anyway.

3 Jun 2011 13:00