Bell Hotel, Norwich

I've been in this pub many times. And often enjoyed meals out with my family. However, tonight I had a very unsatisfactory night out.

Me and my friends finished college this year and many are leaving for university in the coming days/weeks. We decided to meet up for a goodbye drink. We got to the pub about half 7 and went to get our drinks. I was one of the last up and ordered a coke at which point I was asked for ID. Not knowing that I needed it to buy soft drinks I hadn't brought any. They couldn't serve me, fair enough. But then they said I wasn't allowed on the premisis without ID. Not only this but they would not serve anyone I was seen to be with until I left the premisis.

This was a very upsetting experience for me and meant that instead of haveing a good night out with friends I may not see again in a very long time, I spent most of the night walking to my house and back in the pitch dark to get my passport.

This is not to say that I have any problem with the new challenge 21 custom. In fact I think it is a positive step. What I do object to though, frankly, is that there was no warning, before I got to the bar, that I was not allowed in the pub without ID at 7.30 in the evening! This does seem rather early. There were no bouncers on the door and no one even gave me a second look in the 10 minutes I stood around with my friends before going to the bar.

On entering the pub I saw at least one young person sitting down with adults. And they had no trouble buying soft drinks.

What gets me is that I could easily have stayed outside, got my friends to buy me alcohol and got totally drunk. But I wanted to have a sober night with my friends and was unable to do so.

9 Sep 2007 00:00