To think it's rude for restaurants to give you a time limit

[msrisotto]

I hate it! I've just had a restaurant call to confirm my booking and remind me that they need the table back after 2 hours. If the service is prompt then that shouldn't be a problem but don't like feeling like i'm being pushed out the door and this is a naice restaurant you know?

Did they tell you at the time of booking they could only offer a 2 hr time slot?

If so, can't see the issue.

I think it's fine tbh. You would presumably be pissed off to turn up for your booking and be told there is no table available because the people currently in the restaurant refuse to move.

Probably, I can't remember. I know it's common but I still think it's rude.

It's called business. Restaurants need to turn tables to make money. YABU to call it rude.

YABU. If it's a popular restaurant and they get fully booked up then someone else will have that table reserved after you. Were they supposed to refuse the booking just in case you take 2.5 hours to finish?

Common with early bookings.

It's supposed to be a lovely experience, not a conveyor belt.

It's very common practice. Restaurants that do this are usually very slick with their service in order that you can have a full meal without feeling unduly rushed. Is there a bar area you can go to for coffee afterwards?

It's a place to eat in

Nobody needs over 2 hours to eat!

I hate it, especially if it's an expensive restaurant. Yes I know it's business but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Still annoyed with Hakkasan demanding our table back when they had been slow sitting us and serving us and we had spent a lot of money there. However, I've solved this problem now by having a child and thus never going to nice restaurants any more.

Then go to restaurants where they don't do it. Or take the later sitting.

Nobody needs over 2 hours to eat! - Then why push the issue?

It often depends what time you want to book. In my experience If you book for 7.30 you can have the table as long as you like. But if you want it earlier say 5 it's not unreasonable to fit another booking in. Earlier bookings are also often booked at a later date than evening bookings, so it can often be, you have 2 hours or not at all.

We used to let earlier bookings have the table longer if it was requested on booking, but mostly earlier bookings don't want to sit around drinking all night.

It's a business, they have to make money.

I don't mind it if it's a reasonably near booking or an early time. I definitely don't mind if we are told when booking but I hate turning up then being rushed through unexpectedly

This has happened to me a couple of times in the last year or so. I think it's because they don't want people going in at 6 and staying until 11. Which is fair enough.

That has (luckily!) never happened to me...

Go to an Italian restauran? I have a few relatives with restaurants and they'd never do something like that... However, if you were to stay much longer despite not eating/drinking anything else the waiter would probably ask you repeatedly if you really didn't want a coffee/cake/drink etc.

I've never found it a problem; if you book early it generally means you are going somewhere after anyway. If you book late they normally let you linger.

I don't like it and there are plenty of restaurants that don't do it so I don't think it a business necessity. Just avoid those that do it.

I've never booked a table for before 7pm though so maybe they do it for the earlier bookings only...

Which is why I'd always book a table as late as possible. 6ish is fine if you're going onto the cinema, theatre, for drinks, etc. but I'd much rather have a few drinks first and then have a table booked in a restaurant at 9pm. You can stay as long as you like then!

I am often told this when making a reservation. Doesn't bother me at all. 2 hours is masses of time for dinner and also I want to keep my favourite restaurants in business.

It's standard practice in the trade,but if you weren't told at the time of booking that the table was needed for a later booking then yes YANBU.

Not bothered - I'd rather know up front than suddenly be rushed out at the end.

And DH and I have limited conversation so don't take long anyway

It's a very effective solution isn't it Lules!!

They have to turn their tables to make a profit but I would be extreeeemely unhappy if they wanted me out after a certain time period if their service had been slow, I was seated late, I had to send stuff back to be re-done.

I would say that if you were a big table spending loads I bet the time limit would miraculously not apply! Me, I eat so fast (due to becoming conditioned to throwing food down my neck so I actually get chance to eat!) that it wouldn't make a lot of difference so I wouldn't mind at Ask or somewhere like that, but if it was a posh meal out and any of the pre-mentioned issues had applied, I'd not be happy. What they gonna do, throw you out?

What are romantic new couples supposed to do - will they never be able to go to a reasonable but fabulous little tucked away Italian restaurant and be able to drink cheap red wine and stay til the place closes?!! That's a bit sad! They will never be able to say - we just talked all night and the waiting staff had to chuck us out at 12pm!

Chances are your table was already booked for (say) 9pm so rather than hope you'll leave before the next guests arrive, they're letting you know that they need it back two hours after you arrive.

Most restaurants wouldn't survive if they couldn't use their tables more than once on busy evenings.

It's not rude, it's business