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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Booking a table at a restaurant

77 replies

wowfudge · 31/10/2014 17:08

Is it just me, or is it really rather irritating when restaurants won't take bookings? Just tried to book a place I've been to before with colleagues and enjoyed for tomorrow night. Their website has an automated booking facility for parties of 6 or more, but asks you to email if there are fewer in your party.

So I emailed them. Reply: sorry, we only take bookings for parties of 6 more, but pop along tomorrow and if there's a wait for a table you can have a drink at our bar until there's a table ready.

Er, no - I wanted to be sure I could eat a nice meal when I wanted to!

OP posts:

Original poster

wowfudge · 31/10/2014 19:58

I just want to be treated as a customer and not pushed to wait in the bar.

OP posts:

whois · 31/10/2014 20:00

You could be really evil and book a table for 6 and then say 4 dropped out at the last minute!

And if you did that you'd be a right twat.

You'd also probably find yourself with a £50 per head charge on the bill for the 4 people who 'dropped out'.

Original poster

wowfudge · 31/10/2014 20:02

Not something I would ever do. Lots of places taking group bookings request a deposit.

OP posts:

Bunbaker · 31/10/2014 20:02

"Usually restaurants that do this have a bar which you can get a drink while you wait."

No good if you are driving. When I am hungry I don't want to wait another hour to eat. I want to eat now.

ChillingGrinBloodLover · 31/10/2014 20:05

They run a business to make a profit, they determine the best way to do that, not you. If you don't like their business model then go elsewhere. It's not lazy, it's not complacent, it makes money!

There's no need to be rude to other posters either, you asked!

MrsTerrorPratchett · 31/10/2014 20:05

The thing is that there are plenty of places that you can book. You just want the specific place you like to have the specific system you want.

If I'm driving, I pick somewhere else, if I'm going to the theatre, I would, if I'm dying of hunger, I would. However, if I want some of the best food I've ever eaten, for a decent price and don't mind having a drink or two first with nice company while having snacks, I go to the place I like without booking.

treaclesoda · 31/10/2014 20:06

I'm the opposite, I much prefer places that don't take bookings. There is nothing as horrible as finding yourself in a strange town around dinner time and deciding on the spur of the moment to go out for dinner, then walking in somewhere to ask for a table only to be sneered at and told that they're all booked up, as if you are some sort of pathetic specimen for even considering that they might have a table available. Weirdly, It's not often that they are nice about having to turn you away. When you'd think basic customer service might indicate that if you are nice to the person they might give you their business on some future occasion

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 31/10/2014 20:08

My favourite place is walk in only. I make sure we get there early.

ProfYaffle · 31/10/2014 20:08

One of our local restaurants has recently stopped taking bookings. They said it was so they didn't have to hold a table vacant prior to the booked party arriving. This way they can have people seated and paying all day.

While I see the logic, personally, I wouldn't plan an evening anywhere I couldn't book. I don't want to be hanging around for ages and don't want to take the risk of aborting after a long wait then trying to find somewhere else to eat.

rookiemater · 31/10/2014 20:13

Spontaneity is fine, not so good when you're paying a babysitter £££ by the hour. I prefer places where I can book so I am assured of getting a table when I want it. If they don't want to take my booking, then I'll go elsewhere, if they have enough custom without me, then great everyone's happy.

MaryWestmacott · 31/10/2014 20:19

I can see why some restaurants do this, however, as I no longer just accidentally find myself on a night out looking for dinner (baby sitter needs booking!) I just wouldn't use them.

I understand they are running a business, but they have no right to my money if they aren't going to provide me with a level of service I consider a requirment. Some people might be prepared to go to a place that makes them feel like they are doing them a favour by allowing them to spend their money with them, I have rather outgrown such pretentious places.

MrsTerrorPratchett · 31/10/2014 20:26

I don't know why but I'm getting a whiff of 'how very dare they?' from people. I understand the people who, from a practical point of view wouldn't find this workable. I don't understand the bosom-hoiking and horror at the effrontery.

The place I go to isn't pretentious. Actually, it is very very good and cheaper than the competition. It's just really popular. The alternative would be "we can't fit you in until September 2016" which I think would irk me more.

MaryWestmacott · 31/10/2014 20:46

Not really those two options MrsTerror - I used to work for a PA for a real 'foodie' and would have to book some very fancy restaurants, many of the 'big names' have a policy of only booking up to 2 months in advance (unless you are famous or a big customer). True, you had to find out when they opened their book for the next month, but it wasn't a choice between "no booking system" or "booking for 18 months in the future".

The place you go to might be fabulous, but as someone who's never been there before, it gives the impression that their focus is on what's easy for them, not focussing on what's going to give the best experience for their customer, so I'd give them a miss - why take the risk when they've already shown you that your custom doesn't really matter to them?

WholeLottaRosie · 31/10/2014 20:49

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MrsTerrorPratchett · 31/10/2014 20:50

why take the risk when they've already shown you that your custom doesn't really matter to them? Mainly because everyone I know says, "you have to go, you have to, it's amazing!!!". But I take your point!

Earlier in the thread I mentioned famous people to the OP's disgust. My point was that the 'unless you are famous or a big customer' thing irritates me since I pay the same for my dinner. I'd rather all queue. Not always, I book other places if I need to.

Sirzy · 31/10/2014 20:57

but a system with bookings is what leads to people feeling rushed - how many people on this thread have complained about the "need to be out by x time as the table is booked for another party" so in a lot of ways the no bookings allows people more flexibilty, if they want to draw out a meal it doesn't matter as your table isn't booked.

It certainly isn't a sign that they don't care about the custmers. Just they have a differnet appoach which works for them and their customers

Celticlass2 · 31/10/2014 21:01

Yanbu. I never go to restaurants that I can't book in advance. Think it's incredibly arrogant and bad customer service.
Can't believe the amount of mugs who will queue to get in to a restaurant. As for the two hour slot to eat, - Sod that, I'll leave when I'm good and ready.

Sirzy · 31/10/2014 21:03

As for the two hour slot to eat, - Sod that, I'll leave when I'm good and ready.

So I presume you would also not complain if the table you had booked wasn't ready at the time you had booked it for?

MissYamabuki · 31/10/2014 21:03

Would never even consider a no-booking restaurant. No way I'm starting my night out queueing for food - life's too short and it's easy enough to get good food (and better service?) elsewhere. Agree with pp that this policy smacks of "we don't really need your custom". Fine, then.

limitedperiodonly · 31/10/2014 21:04

I can't bear places that are walk-in only. Yes, hold some tables back, but IME the restaurants that do that release the tables for regulars who stroll in, meanwhile the rest of you sit at the bar, jacking up their alcohol profits.

Sometimes you don't even get to eat. You just stagger out with a horrendous bar bill and queue up at McDonalds before getting the last Tube.

Original poster

wowfudge · 31/10/2014 21:54

Chilling when was I rude?

OP posts:

Hassled · 31/10/2014 22:03

Another one who just can't be arsed with restaurants who don't take bookings. There's a sort of inflated sense of their own worthiness there that grates - we're so special that no one will mind queuing for our food. I do mind, and there are enough good restaurants out there which do take bookings that I'll always go to one of them.

gincamparidryvermouth · 31/10/2014 22:07

but a system with bookings is what leads to people feeling rushed - how many people on this thread have complained about the "need to be out by x time as the table is booked for another party"

Ok cool, no problem: restaurants will just double their prices then so that people who take 4 hours to have a starter, a main, dessert and coffee don't need to feel "rushed."

It's a business. They need to serve a certain number of customers per day to be viable. Why people go red in the face about this I will never understand.

MrsTerrorPratchett · 31/10/2014 22:10

The one I'm thinking of they really don't behave like that in any way so I suppose the queuing is not irksome. They get drink orders in the queue, the owner comes round and chats and gets snacks for people. He was horrified that I'd run out of bread once. The rest of my table were impressed he had stopped by but he wasn't being a knob at all and checking everyone was happy.

The overall flavour is neighbourhood restaurant that just got really popular and wants to stay informal, rather than wankers who don't give a shit.

milkpudding · 31/10/2014 22:26

Restaurants are businesses and will choose a booking system that improves their profit and reputation.
For some this involves taking bookings.
For some only having walk in customers works better.
At different times in my life I have preferred both of the above.
They are not being rude or arrogant, they are not directing their bookings policy at you to cause offence, they are just choosing what works best for them.

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