Palace, Leeds

The Palace is undoubtedly one of the best real ale venues in the city, offering a great selection of beer across the real ale spectrum. But what has happened to the service?
I know several of my CAMRA colleagues who love the pub, but will not go in it because of the sometimes appalling service. The last straw was last night ( 27/7) when several of my colleagues, who have persevered with the service over the years, upped and left simply because they could not get served. The bottom bar particularly, appears to be a "no go" area for bar staff, which is peculiar given that it houses around 50 or so drinkers when full. You try and catch their eye, and they look away. Whats that all about?

So who is to blame, poor bar staff, management? Any good bar person will try at least to ensure that customers waiting to be served take their turn. This does not appear to happen at the Palace these days. I have to say that the lack of any management on the floor, the usual manager was not on duty last night, did not help. At least when she is working, she ensures that a level of focus is put on the bottom bar, but even then waiting times are long. This to me at least is not "rocket science". Allocate one bar person to "own" the bottom bar and thus ensure that drinkers are properly attended to.

This rant is borne of frustration and disappointment. As someone who works in the service industry, I expect to be properly treated as a paying customer. I like the Palace, its beer, it ambience and its location. The service however is poor. A small walk up to the Duck and Drake last night was well worth enduring the rain for. Professional bar staff, good beer and a cracking band, prompted us all to think why we dont spend our Friday nights there.

Its a shame really, and I guess nobody at The Palace including M & B will be particularly bothered about our absence!! Or maybe they just dont like the look of us.

28 Jul 2007 12:32