Table service in British pubs? What do you think about that?

Answer 1

lol its good and bad as u dont know how wreacked you are untill u stand up to leave and find you cant at least when you cant walk to the bare in non table service pubs you know its time to stop

Answer 2

As a fairly frequent visitor to the UK, I can say that in my experience it's a rare thing.
Even service at the bar can be a challenge if the staff are engaged in some gossip.
Service standards in the UK are, mostly, appauling with little, if any evident training in customer service.
If only the customers wouldn't bother me, I'd be a lot happier in my job.
When Marks & Spencer packed up and went back to the UK from here (Canada) a few years ago, the Chairman said "The customers didn't understand us". Repeat: the chairman, Sir Christopher somebody-or-other.

Good news re your question. I know a pub that does table service - drinks and food (none of this rediculous go-to-the-bar-queue up-to-give-your-order-then-take-a-number-and-wait stuff)
We make a point of going there whenever we're in the area.
It's called "The Bridge" and it's in the New Forest, near Southampton.
Thoroughly recommend it. A ray of light in this country of dismal service.

Type "the bridge holbury" in Yahoo UK and it will come up.
If anyone has other recommendations for good pub service, I'd be glad to hear about it, too, please.

If they introduced tipping as part of the staff's income, you'd see the service standards skyrocket.

Answer 3

Its great when it works, when the pub is not too busy, when all customers actually have a table. It can get a bit confusing when the tight fisted ones in your group allow rounds to be bought without having to be frog marched to the bar. I've noticed that some of the table service staff really struggle to add up and give change - or don't have the right change.
Easier just to go to the bar.

Answer 4

we are crap at table service in any form of eating place pub or restaurant as we employ part time students and young mums working to pay the bills. In Europe the service is 100% better as they take pride in the food they serve and the way they serve it and thus earn top dollar. The English are crap at hospitality. Try changing one thing on a menu like exchanging the veg in a meal for salad, its a big issue in Europe its not problem and there's none of this "the kitchen closes at 9pm crap" Basically in England the Diners are just an irritation to the staff and i Have a degree in Hotel Management and so now work in a completely different trade to escape the crap we pass off as waiters and restaurant staff.
OK I am going for a lie down now!

Answer 5

We don't need table service in British pubs.

Answer 6

That's the reason I love the pubs in the country, good table service and no standing 6 deep waiting for your food to be given to you, then only to have it blown on with smoke or beer spilt on it, bring it on and the sooner the better.

Answer 7

I would rather go up to the bar! I can never think of what to drink until I have a look at what they've got, and you never get chatted up at a table but you always do at the bar!

Answer 8

Very rare but a great incentive to visit one. Some in my city still have the old bell's to ring for waiter service but most of them are out of use...shame.

Answer 9

I think that it would be a good idea because im sick of standing 5 deep at the bar only for someone to spill half your beer because they wont move out of your way when you get served.

Answer 10

BAD!!! That's why I always go to the Irish pubs.