Number 22 Alehouse and Canteen, Darlington

I really like this pub but after my last visit my view of it has become tarnished.
While visiting with my partner and another couple of friends we managed to get a seat at the front of the pub on a busy saturday evening.
We got chatting to another group of people on the next table who turned out to be regulars.
Stuck to the table was a hand written not saying reserved from 7.30
Sure enough when 7.30 came round a member of staff proceeded to move this party on in order to let some other people in.
We all found this to be unusual and very unfair and let the member of staff know in no uncertain terms.
He told us that these people who had just turned up were regulars who had complained that they could never get a seat when they come in.
I WOULD SAY TO THEM THAT THEY SHOULD GET IN EARLIER IF THEY WANT A SEAT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO AND NOT BE SO POMPOUS........
Needless to say the other people left and no doubt wont return in a hurry.
I do hope the management dont make a habit of this and turn the pub into a stuck up establishment which would be a shame.....

2 Feb 2012 16:16