The Harwood Arms, Fulham

JRV, gone down in my opinion. It's only the quality of the quiz that keeps me and my friends going there, otherwise I'd avoid the place completely. Service (and the pub in general) wasn't ever brilliant under the old management, but the new people have definitely lowered the standard.
We've had numerous encounters with rude staff, with one guy in particular having no idea of customer service. There's been a noticeable drop in attendance for the quiz, with many teams who'd been stalwarts for years choosing to spend their Tuesday nights elsewhere.

27 Jun 2007 13:40

The Prince Alfred, Maida Vale

I had a great time here for my birthday last year, after hiring out one of the snugs on a Saturday night. I tried to do the same again this year, only to find that 'the management' have decided to slap a �20 cover charge for the privelege of making a booking. I don't know which guide to business strategy suggests charging customers extra for guaranteeing business in advance, but I'm happy to take my money elsewhere.
The service was very poor too. It took 10 minutes for someone to serve me, despite there being 3 staff in the bar area and only 3 other customers at the bar - they seemed to prioritise drink orders from the restaurant over people standing at the bar. During my 10 minutes waiting, the manager twice came to the bar to chat to her friend, and the girl who eventually served me took time out to kiss her waiter boyfriend beforehand.
I echo many other comments on here - such a shame to see a unique old pub being treated this way.

21 Jun 2007 09:40