The Red Lion, Biddenden

I had used this pub a few times before with no problems but last Friday Bob, the landlord showed why he has such a bad reputation. I am a 68 year old retired business man out for a pub lunch with my sister and wife. Not exactly your typical trouble maker!
When we arrived I went to the bar but was asked to "bear with" him and he would see me asap. After 25 minutes in the pub during which time Bob served four local ladies with lunch, greeted a regular and served him, had a long conversation with another local man about how he had sweet talked a brewery rep into supplying a glass washer in exchange for "a drink on the side" he asked if we were ready to order lunch. I said that we'd prefer to have a drink first but he insisted that we order our food before ordering drinks. This is when I made my big mistake. I turned to my wife and joked "it's just as well this isn't a pub because you could die of thirst". Bob's reaction was immediate, he poked my shoulder and said "If that's the way you feel about it the best thing you can do is put your coat on and leave!" and refused to serve us.
He obviously needs help, firstly to greet his customers with a drink and secondly to address his attitude what he perceives as criticism.
Still it's making an interesting story with my friends. Being ejected from a pub for the first time at age 68!

21 Mar 2012 18:06