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!

If I have a spare 1/2 hour and fancy a quick drink, that's what I want. I don't want to have to find a seat, wait to download yet another ap using the pub's lousy wifi, fill out pages of on-line forms with my personal details, enter my debit card number , expiry date etc. and then search through a badly organised menu to find a a pint of cider.

I quite like it. A lot of places have QR codes stuck to the table that you can scan on your phone and it brings up the menu directly which is ideal. I don’t think you have to download the app if you do it that way, prepared to be corrected.

Slightly off the point but I used to hate the crush ordering drinks at the interval in theatres and at concerts. I know we could order when we arrived but the bar was always busy then as well. However, we went to and air performance at Stratford in the summer and it was bliss -we ordered drinks online when we booked the tickets so we needed only to collect them at the interval. I’d love to see that facility remain. It also meant we could each spend as much time as we liked dithering over what to have without irritating anyone except the cats who wanted their supper.

I much prefer table service, the apps can be annoying because my phone is so but I still prefer it to queuing at the bar. I dont go out to socialise with random people in the pub, I want to talk to my friends

The local pubs near me have all got rid of table service and back to ordering at the bar. If anything they've made the selling point of being a 'proper' pub again. It's so much better in a local pub to have an interaction with the regular bar staff, and they're not the sort of pubs where you have to queue for ages.

My experience of the apps/ table service in busy pubs is waiting for ages to get drinks, so I'm glad if pubs are going back to normal

So the consensus is tha some people prefer apps for X reason and some prefer ordering at the bar or at least in person for Y reasons. I don't think it's an AIBU really, just an acceptance that people are different. Also, to the couple of sarky 'but Covid!!' posters.. Only about 2 posts in 5 pages have mentioned that as a reason why they prefer the app. It's an increasingly unreasonable excuse for poor service.

It’s a slow trickle of asking for our details/ to download apps that then track us and gather our data. The loss of freedom not to be stalked by shops/apps/info gathering groups is one of the biggest losses of our times. There’s a thread about being recorded each time on here now. I just tried to buy some clothes- no longer can I just put my cc details in - I have the choice of using Klarna which needs date of birth, mobile number, inside leg measurement or clearpay which apparently needs the same. It’s enough now so I’m taking my business to a shop where a good, old fashioned credit card is enough. So, YADNBU OP!

Very short sighted on behalf of the pub too. My parents - and probably thousands of others - could no more download an app than fly to the moon. They don't have smartphones for a start.

It’s a slow trickle of asking for our details/ to download apps that then track us and gather our data

People say similar about loyalty cards. There was a moany thread about not wanting to have a Tesco clubcard for the same reasons and not being able to buy things at the Clubcard price.

I really don't care if the local classy pub want to gather my data TBH.

It depends who the pub think their clientele are.

I love table service and ordering online. Sometimes things move on and you just have to go with the flow.

It completely excludes some disabled and elderly customers.
My bil wouldn't be able to download and use a new app without a lot of help and practices.
My mums phone doesn't have the capacity for new apps.
My phones fine and I can manage apps etc, I just don't bloody want to! So I agree with you op.

Had this at weatherspones...I never download apps due to lack of phone space. Just left and got sandwiches from local shop and sat and watched the ducks... There needs to be an option without aps. Yes sit and someone comes to table...I'd walk out too op as I couldn't order. I know my parents, in-laws and sister would too due to no phones.. Yanbu.

Classy.

I don't like the apps. Poor reception, using up space and data on my phone, asking for every detail - why do I need to tell them my name, address, email address, phone number, DOB and gender to get a coke? And then it wants youe location and will spam you forever and have to remember to delete the app afterwards.

I live in a holiday area and this year many venues have had to close due to staff isolating or staff shortages. So I think this situation may continue for a while businesses try to survive in the wake of the pandemic.

I don't mind waiting for table service and as businesses get their act together they will set up systems to deal with ordering.

I’m quite surprised so many people like the app way of doing things. I can’t stand it! It’s fiddly and I’d much rather talk to a real person who takes my order.

Mixed feelings for me. I don't like table service where you have to wait for someone to come and take your order because it can easily end up taking ages for someone to realise you're there and haven't yet ordered. I don't mind using apps for ordering food, and using the app means you're not waiting for staff to realise you're waiting so can order faster. But when ordering a drink I too like to have a look at what's available and quite enjoy standing at the bar - I guess it's just ingrained as part of the night out experience!

I agree with you OP. Luckily also the lovely village pubs around here are back to normal. I don’t mind apps for some activities - Ringo definitely makes paying for parking easier - but the couple of times I’ve been to a pub with an app it’s been tedious.

I love table service and apps...no more queuing at the bar...I don’t mind a wait if I’m sitting down....long may it last

@londonrach

Had this at weatherspones...I never download apps due to lack of phone space. Just left and got sandwiches from local shop and sat and watched the ducks... There needs to be an option without aps. Yes sit and someone comes to table...I'd walk out too op as I couldn't order. I know my parents, in-laws and sister would too due to no phones.. Yanbu.

Spoons had the app long before Covid....and they are fine taking an order for those without smart phones

I'm a bit "meh" about apps. But they have their place.

going back four years, was out with some friends for the weekend and we ended up in a Wetherspoons for breakfast on Sunday. I decided to download and use the app while another couple decided to place their order at the bar. My order was delivered just as they got back ...

If nothing else, using an app means much less danger of the order being mucked up.

“That's unfair.

The Wetherspoons app is very basic. There isn't the function to make amendments on it, eg. my friend is allergic to eggs, she has to order at the bar as she needs to request they don't plate up eggs on her breakfast.

There's also no option to order on the app and pay in cash. Many people don't want to give card details to order a single cup of coffee, or might only have cash on them but nothing in the bank.”

It’s not unfair - anyone needing to alter an order or who only has cash she’d serve without the app no problem.

They’re still a tiny proportion of the people who complain and refuse the app. The vast majority of people who don’t want to use the app are just awkward, they’re not even pleasant about it either... as if policy like that is decided by bar staff....

@Bagelsandbrie

I’m quite surprised so many people like the app way of doing things. I can’t stand it! It’s fiddly and I’d much rather talk to a real person who takes my order.

Part of the problem is - en masse - the real people taking orders weren't (and aren't) very well treated. By bosses and customers.

@DGRossetti oh I completely get that… I’ve worked in hospitality my whole life.