Are posh bars in London selective on who they let in?

[ShardSaga]

Name changed as disgusting finances.

So I was brought up very working class and have remained in that mindset throughout my life. I haven’t got a clue about posh stuff, high end, elite circles etc. Thing is I now have the money to be in these situations but have never bothered (partly because I wouldn’t know how to dress or act and would feel out of place).

Anyway last weekend we were in London and DH suggested we go to the bar in The Shard. We were dressed what I consider decent but not in designer clothes or anything.

We got to the bar, the bloke took one look at us (literally looked us up and down) and said they were full. DH pointed out the empty tables behind him and he said “they’re booked”.

Ok … we left and went to a normal pub instead.

Anyway I was retelling this story to someone yesterday and they laughed and said they had also tried to go in the bar and were told they were booked up. They know someone who worked there before covid and he admitted that people are turned away if they don’t look the part!!

Is this true?? Is this normal in high end places?

You need to pre book I'm afraid unless you vvvv lucky. It's London not you post covid

I agree with PPs - despite what your friend said - unless you are completely inappropriately dressed I think a lot of bars etc will need a booking. Nothing to do with your upbringing etc. If the chap on the door did not politely say it then more fool he.

Most certainly wasn't born in N1 @SocksAndTheCity but maybe you're right - I think living here brings DH and I maybe an 'air'. Who knows.

OP if you're ever back in our glorious city let me know and I'll tell you where the really cool people hang out

Yeah, I wasn't born in EC3 but nor was anybody else here so places tend to have to take everyone at face value! Mr Socks hails from closer to you and can affect an accent that makes Brian Sewell sound like Rab C Nesbitt, which comes in handy with some of the braying hoorays he has to deal with at work (I do a far better withering look) .

All that aside though, I think the booking explanation is more likely. Even at my gym I find the classes book up almost immediately they become available and then if you look an hour beforehand there's usually multiple places available where people have just wanted to be able to go if they felt like it.

I do wonder if the bars and restaurants get this too, since the old fashioned idea of passing trade seems not to suit them any more. I have little sympathy tbh - everywhere I go to at least semi-regularly keeps a few tables back for walk ins although they tend not to be tourists.

You're paranoid. The tables will have been booked. You always need to prebook for the bars and restaurants in the shard.

Many bars do not like walk-ins, particularly hotels and places like The Shard (will assume you're talking at the Shangri-La). They will most certainly turn away anyone who hasn't made a reservation, although yes, if those on the door don't think you look the part, they will turn you away even if they have tables for walk-ins.

Given the security at The Shard, after a certain time, they just won't admit anyone who isn't staying at the Shangri-La either.

Why would you assume the Shangri-La?

Odd. I think the op is on about Oblix. It'll have been booked up like it is every weekend

Because that's the one I've been to a few times (back when it first opened). Didn't know there were other bars in The Shard. Even so, I doubt they're particularly open to anyone who hasn't pre-booked because this is how things have been for some time in London with many places.

Can't recall a time I have gone anywhere without making a booking, although that said, because I been going to Mondrian at Sea Containers for years, they always find me a table if I don't have a booking

The Mondrian is rarely booked up though.

The bars (not in the Shangri-La) at the shard usually are. They're a tourist destination and take bookings by the hour for drinks.

The shard isn’t posh 😂 - very touristy - you always get a bunch of bellEnds taking a billion pictures for the gram there. Ludicrous prices for sub-standard stuff. I don’t go there unless I absolutely have to.

But - yes, in certain places in London they will choose who they let in - all about the aesthetics with some of these places.

I don’t think you can even get in The Shangri La without a booking .

Shard is not posh.
You are being paranoid.
There are exclusive places but I’ve no idea where they are - sexyfish is old hat these days

I suspect it will be because it was booked. We booked in advance for Sky Garden breakfast and OXO Tower in a few weeks because I suspect it will be busy.

We have popped in to 20 Stories in Manchester a few times, dressed in normal M&S jeans and no make up as usual and have been allowed in.

i wondered that when we went to Fortnum's bar,
but they eventually decided there was room for us.

probably just snobby staff

This is why I only ever go to normal pubs. Same happened to me in Edinburgh about ten years back and I was so fucked off I've never attempted to enter a 'posh' (ie overhyped insta-friendly clown fest) bar ever since.

I want a friendly, convivial atmosphere so much more than I want flower arrangements and door policies.

Also can't be arsed with the MN passive aggressive 'posh? Oh you poor thing! It isn't even slightly posh, just expensive! Don't you grasp the difference, dear?' which drips from a few of these responses.

It's probably because you needed to pre book. Lots of places are like this nowadays.

I live in London and quite often go to places like that. I wear next, H&M etc. I have never ever been turned away from anywhere. Including trainers in 5 star hotel bars etc.

One of my friends is a very famous actress and she got turned away from the Shard because she hadn't booked.

You have to prebook. Nothing sinister.