The Butcher's Hook and Cleaver, Smithfield

Ok I have just registered at this site, for the only reason to write a review about this pub...so let me set the scene.

A friend of mine suggested we should try a new pub for the evening. So all 6 (8 at the atart) of us ventured along and took a table upstairs. I had been there before for lunch which was pleasent enough. The trouble on the night started when the lady of our group spotted a dead mouse near where we were sitting. Ok. No problem, we are not that squeamish. So we pointed it out to the man behind the bar and it was removed. Ok so we did try and wrangle a free round out of the incident. As I hope most people would do (going to be completely homest here and let you make your own conclusions(. We were met with the rather abrupt response 'all pubs in London have dead mice in them', when I pointed out that they served food and surely this was some kind of health hazard (bit geeky I know), he gave us one free drink to keep us quiet. Ok, not a problem, bit stingy, but at least a free drink.

Then the intimidation started. On nearing closing time (11.15pm) whilst sitting upstairs we were told twice within 2 minute intervals that this area had to close so we had to move downstairs despite the fact there were at least 10 people in tables next to us and we had full pints having just bought them at the bar (surely the bar staff would have told us it was closing time?), no more that 1 minute later we were told the same again. So we moved down stairs even though there were people still on the top deck drinking. Not more than 2 minutes later and only a quarter of the pint down, the same person asks us to leave the pub as its closing and at 11.45pm all drinks have to be finished. We pointed out that only 2 minutes earlier he had told us to move downstairs and that the pub was still full (at this point we realised we were being victimised). The response was that 'as the propieter of this pub I dont like your attitude and would request you to leave immediately' this was directed at a friend of mine. So at this point I slightly lost my rag and told him that only 2 minutes ago he had told us to leave the upstairs having just served us and there were people still drinking. He told us to leave and that we were not welcome in no uncertain terms, so I responded that we did not want to drink here and would never again (really trying hard not to swear at him at this point) and left. I have never wrote a bad review for anything before and still 2 hours later I am still fuming! I'm sure its a perfectly good pub and at no point did anyone use any foul language, but have never felt so victimised before and not just me but all 5 of us! Very rude, never going back there again and would recommend that in an area where there are loads of good bars avoid this one at all costs! Due to dead mice and rude and vindictive staff!

24 Feb 2007 01:09