This is a pub that I go to once/twice most weekends and I probably spend about £250/month there (serves really nice food!) It's my favourite pub and I would be absolutely gutted if I wasn't allowed back.
BUT, last night I was in there and drinking gin and tonics with a whole group of people. The rounds got confused and I ended up with two drinks in front of me, the tonic water was only poured in halfway. I finished the first and went to pick up the second and I noticed what looked like a piece of dirty string tied in a circle floating in the top of the drink. I fished it out and when the barmaid came over I explained what had happened and asked for a fresh drink. She rolled her eyes, got the drink and then asked me to pay (£5). I said - er, hang on a minute, I shouldn't have to pay for this. She then accused me of putting it in there myself/allowing somebody else to and insisted that I'd already drunk half of it. I explained politely exactly what had happened and she refused to back down and stomped off to her the owner. The owner came out and wasn't interested in anything I had to say, she just rather aggressively said if I didn't pay then I wouldn't be allowed to drink in there again. I was absolutely taken aback, she walked off and I thought to keep the peace, I would pay. It was 5 fucking pounds and I'd already paid a bill of £50 that night! Quite why they thought I was trying to get one free G&T is beyond me?! I was not rude or confrontational but I did stay firm.
I'm really shocked because previously I have got on really well with the barstaff there, I count some of them as among my friends. And there was an incident a few weeks ago where my friend and I had lunch there and when we left each thought the other had paid. I went back in a few days later and explained what happened and they had no knowledge of the bill but I told them what we'd eaten and drunk and they took the payment for it there and then. The staff were incredibly grateful that I'd come back and paid, even when they couldn't produce a bill for me.
This is literally the first time anything bad has happened in this pub but to have two members of staff being aggressive and rude isn't something I feel I can ignore. It's even more upsetting that the owner took this stance too. As I said before, I really don't want to never go back there but I am very cross that they didn't believe me, or apologise or offer me a replacement drink. I'm really at a loss over what to do! I thought of TripAdvisor but last night aside, I've always had a great time in there.