To not want to download a bloody app to order a drink in the pub or wait for waiter sevice

[Hilsea]

Grr

So this afternoon I had 2 hours to spare before picking up daughter and so I thought I would go to the pub to sit outside, relax and take in the sun. I havent been to many pubs over the past two years owing to lockdowns etc so I was pleased to have this opportunity

First pub I went to (traditional pub, part of chain, classy (not spoons!)) I went in to the bar and was told rudely - 'its only table service now - take a seat and we will come and take your order'. So I went outside and sat down in sight of the door expecting a server to come shortly. One passed by twice and I tried to catch her eye, neither time did she make eye contact or seemed to want to take my order - I waited 10 minutes before leaving.

Pub number two (again part of chain, classy, good range of wines) I went in and was stopped from ordering being told that I needed to download the app and order that way and basically to get out of the bar. So I walked straught out of the door - I cant be bothered to download an app

Third pub (individual, but I found out later actually part of chain, classy) I walked into, ordered drink at bar, paid and walked outside to table where I was able to drink it. Hoorah -

Why cant pubs just get back to normal and offer the service that customers actually want? The value of a pub is going to the bar and seeing the range of drinks available and then making a choice and making a swift transaction. If I want table service I will go to a bar or cafe, I go to a pub for the minimum of hassle of obtaining the drink.

AIBU to expect this? Will things ever get back to normal?

There; rant over!

@HailAdrian it’s not about being lazy, it’s about being shoved, trying to get noticed so that 6 people don’t jump in front, people spilling drinks on you (happened so many times) etc

Anyway I’m a fan and I’m trying to develop an app that gets DH to make a cuppa…

I need to get used to it, it looks like they’re here to stay!
I do agree that there needs to be a choice for some people though, like my Mum’s partner who has a ‘so old, it’s retro’ Nokia (circa. 2000) 😂

Oh I agree that for those who can’t use apps there needs to be a choice for them.

[quote BashfulClam]@HailAdrian it’s not about being lazy, it’s about being shoved, trying to get noticed so that 6 people don’t jump in front, people spilling drinks on you (happened so many times) etc[/quote]
Oh yeah, because bars are always rammed of an afternoon. You're describing a city centre bar on a Friday/Saturday night here. And if that's where you are, it'll take just as long to order through an app.

It's not lazy, I go out to enjoy myself and standing at a bar queuing for 40 mins is not fun, I have limited fun time, j would rather spend it chatting to my friends than standing in a queue and if it later in the evening getting negged by pissed up walker men and then if more than 2 drinks trying to make it back to the table without spilling.

As for apps, amazing, great when out as it makes dealing with bills non existent, order what you want, pay, done.

@BurntO

Just get on with it OP.

Mainly this.

Happy for a choice though, but I like the apps and table service.

@HailAdrian I have experienced a crammed bar on my a Friday lunchtime and would rather not have to queue. Plus I hate leaving to order and then trying to catch back up on the conversation that has gone on whilst I’ve been gone.

'Oh yeah, because bars are always rammed of an afternoon.'

They often are at lunchtime.

'You're describing a city centre bar on a Friday/Saturday night here.'

Maybe that's when she uses the pub?!

'And if that's where you are, it'll take just as long to order through an app.'

She didn't say it took too long, she said she gets shoved, people push in front and spill drinks on her. None of that happens if you're sitting at a table with your friends waiting for your drink. It may take the same amount of time, but that time is being much better spent!

And as for being lazy by sitting down at the pub 😂, do you go to the pub for exercise?!

Many pubs are on their knees right now due to staff shortages. It’s honestly awful trying to get staff for bars right now and even half the customers using the app to order helps massively. They are not doing it to be awkward or rude. They want your custom but with a ton of customers and a lack of staff it’s bloody awful right now and hospitality staff are run off their feet. It’s fabulous yes and we all want it back to normal too but depending where you are it’s not totally there yet. Cut them some slack and honestly using the app you usually get served much quicker anyway

OP, I'm with you.

This is one of those threads where we see the MN divide on the lines of whether to minimize or avoid social interaction.

Personally, I’d much rather go to the bar

I admit I’m more introvert than extrovert but how much meaningful social interaction do you get from queuing at a bar? For me it’s a pain and it pisses me off when people skip though I bet someone has a story of meeting their husband while queuing 😂

It's not only awkward it's so naff. Like someone fell asleep during the Jetsons and woke up and said, I know what people will want: a machine to order from, like the Future. Meanwhile human connection is lost and they can cut the barstaff they need. Ugh.

02.39 I got home from a 14hr shift in a bar. Exhausted and abused today more times than I care to remember. Severe lack of staff and all trying our absolute best to give everyone an amazing night and a fun time. Breaks my heart to see some comments on here. I own my bar and am gagging for the day all is back to normal but right now it’s probably the worst it had ever been. We all want things to be normal again but it’s just not there yet. Staffing levels are not there.’we gauge our customers if they are happy to track and trace using a qr code them they will be fine to use our very intuitive ordering app. Every customer is offered a choice as to how they want to order. App is always quicker. Just be kind to hospitality it’s not a fun environment right now

And it’s not about “cutting” bar staff. It’s about they bar staff are just not applying for jobs anymore. Just like a supermarket I guess use a scanner do your thing in and out in no time. Don’t use it then you will wait in a queue until staff are free to serve you

I don’t really want to be staring at a screen to order food in a restaurant if I go out. The is the whole point of going out is to be social and what are you really paying for without the interaction? Just the food - I can make that myself so why bother going out?

It literally takes seconds to download an app. What do you mean can't be bothered?

You sound really out of touch. Nothing about this is new.

The key is choice. I like going to the bar but I also like a (well functioning) app.

We have actively chosen places with app ordering for family lunch for years as SEN DD gets unsettled if a parent leaves the table. It's been a game changer for that. See also single parents with kids (I've often been in this situation travelling) it's great not to have to leave the table.

However I had a crap experience going for drinks with a friend in a basement bar with no phone signal and rubbish WiFi. Neither of us could get connected but they refused to let us order other than online. We did eventually but it took about 15 minutes which was ridiculous as it was really quiet. I asked them what my DF would do without a smart phone and they said he wouldn't be allowed to order.

Both should be available like many PP have said. I'd guess most will choose app which helps overstretched staff and reduces crowding at bar, but the option needs to be there for anyone without a smart phone etc.

Yanbu. In the summer I stopped at a pub on a bike ride for a drink. Their ordering system was so difficult - you had to queue up, give a bloke your phone so he could log you onto their wifi, download the menu, order etc. I went through all that palava and the menu disappeared. I queued up again, asked if I could just order the drink and pay and he said no so I left. Ridiculous.

I love app ordering it saves queuing at a busy bar. However I’m organised and have my local pubs app already. Since restrictions ended though most are open for bar orders too at least where I’ve been anyway.

I am not on board with downloading apps everytime I want to go out for a meal. Some people don't have the storage space on their phone, some don't even have smart phones, and like me some just can't be bothered. I find most of the time the aps aren't as simple as a physical menu to read. Plus you usually can't make any amendments or substitutions via them even for simple things like no ice in a drink. However I've yet to go anywhere where it was the app or nothing. So as long as it's optional and not enforced I see no issues with them continuing to use aps to order through

I’m not overly bothered by either but at a karaoke booth place I’ve been to a few times you have a screen with pictures of drinks and snacks and you just press it and they bring it to you and I LOVE it. It makes you spend more though as it’s so low hassle.

Most people will vote with thier feet

But staff are thin in the ground so the app helps - or so they think

Rude staff won’t be sacked - see above

Vote with your feet and don’t go back