The Barfly Club, Chalk Farm

Went there last night for the first time in years, to see the Scanners. Great gig. Just wanted to post here because I got tip-top service in the upstairs (venue) bar - the band were due on in a matter of minutes, the place was heaving and everyone was trying to get a drink. The (very young) girl took my order while pouring the previous person's drink, and then did the sums in her head, so I was served in seconds. I thought that was a lost art, especially among the young 'uns who inevitably prefer to make umpteen trips to the cash register. Nice one.

20 Feb 2007 13:54

The Trafalgar Arms, Tooting

The new management haven't made too many changes except for turning the volume right up on the music, at least whenever I'm there - I'm no old fogey but I too appreciated the "music never too intrusive" referred to below. Please! Turn it down, at least until late in the evening when everyone's had a few and is in a party mood!

27 Dec 2005 17:47

Henry J Beans, Chelsea

I don't ask much of bar staff these days. I've given up expecting anyone to do sums in their heads, doubling the time it takes to get served as they shuttle between the till and the customer. I suppose they have to learn cocktail recipes somehow, even if it is while serving the person ahead of me while I wait for a simple pint and chips. But one thing I still expect is something so simple a 5 year old could do it. But the bar staff here hadn't worked it out on the night I was there (not by choice, by the way): Keep an eye on what order your customers arrive at the bar. Standing with a menu in one hand and a wad of cash in the other, making eye contact with everyone behind the bar for FIFTEEN minutes while they serve people who just rock up is simply out of order, and I finally had to get a bit shirty. As it goes, it took less time for the food to come, and the kithen staff were a friendly pair of lads, so two points for them. But I would not recommend this pathetic excuse for a boozer.

4 Apr 2005 13:10