service charge and tap water in restaurants

[paulhouk03]

Is service charge compulsary payment?
does anyone agree with it.

its pisses me off

Is it illegal to refuse to serve someone tap water if they request it?

I am asking these questions as I went to vemillion in manchester and i was pretty pissed off when i left because i wasnt allowed tap water so i end up paying 4.25 for a bottle and they charged me 10% of the bill for their service(which was pretty standard).

I can understand the service bit but it still pisses me off that they can charge people for the service in a restaurant

also  one shot of brandy for 250£

6k for a bottle lol

http://www.vermilioncinnabar.com/menus/cinnabarmenu09.pdf

[The_nun]

Not sure if the new law includes restaurants but on the news yesterday it stated that bars will have to give tap water free. That is if they don't already as I know some places do.

[thediceman]

Service charge tips
Your rights, according to Peter McCarthy of Consumer Association helpline Which? Legal Services (01992 822 800/www.which.co.uk)

Why do service charges vary?
It is up to each business whether they make the service charge compulsory or optional and what percentage to levy.

Do you have to pay it?
A business that adds a service charge must state this in a prominent place – on the menu, or on a sign on the wall, for example – where you can see it before you make your order. If this has been done then you are obliged to pay it, unless service has been really exceptionally bad.

What if the service is poor?
If a problem with service does arise – there is a long delay between courses, say – you should alert the management to it as soon as possible and give them a chance to put things right.

The last resort?
If alterting the staff or management to a problem with the service does not solve the problem, you can in theory withhold a suitable proportion of the service charge (though the proportion is hard to quantify). Alternatively, you can pay the service charge ‘under protest’ with the intention of claiming it back later in the courts – something you must state in writing at the time. But you should bear in mind this could take six to nine months and a court hearing – so it’s definitely best to resolve the situation some other way.

[kinboshi]

I thought any restaurant or bar reserves the right to refuse service to anyone - so if they don't want to give you anything, they don't have to.  They can't be compelled to provide a service.  But I think as Maureen said, if they are providing tap water, they shouldn't be charging for it.  However, can they charge you for the glass or the service, or maybe a seating charge?  I'm sure there are ways around it.

As for the service charge, some will charge a mandatory service charge.  This will be displayed on their menu or somewhere else in the premises, and if they want that can charge 100% service charge or whatever they feel suitable.  It's up to you to eat/drink there or not.

(edit. thediceman got in before me, I must type quicker)

[The_nun]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/opensecrets/2010/03/departments_differ_on_free_tap_water.html

[gatso]

I think the intention of the free tap water in bars thing is to provide it in addition to normal drinks which you're buying, not as your only drink

if someone wants tap water and nothing else then they can gtfo

[kinboshi]

I think the intention of the free tap water in bars thing is to provide it in addition to normal drinks which you're buying, not as your only drink

if someone wants tap water and nothing else then they can gtfo

What about tap water and a glass?

[gatso]

What about tap water and a glass?

that'd be fine

now, here's the thing I don't get about service charge. it's presumably a charge for service so how is it a %? unless this is one of those restaurants where they throw your tripe at you from across the room but do a little strip as they serve your lobster then generally service is the same no matter what value of dish I order so shouldn't the service charge be a set amount?

[thetank]

Paiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

or eat in cheaper restraunts

[StuartHopkin]

Oh dear.

Oh dear oh dear.

Tap water should not be free in any restaurant or bar, and if they dont want to serve it thats their choice.
WTF gives you the right to dictate to someone how to run their business?
You chose to go there, they didnt force you.

I used to dream about having dinner with Paul Ho.

Now im not so sure!

[Free_Rollin]

That bar menu looks pretty amazing - so many nice drinks.

Was the food any good Mr Ho?

[gatso]

That bar menu looks pretty amazing - so many nice drinks.

Was the food any good Mr Ho?

you're assuming he had more than the free peanuts off the bar

[Cf]

Is there any justification whatsoever for £250 for a shot?

[Free_Rollin]

That bar menu looks pretty amazing - so many nice drinks.

Was the food any good Mr Ho?

you're assuming he had more than the free peanuts off the bar

Tap water and free peanuts, sounds like a good meal! Does he still get a mint when his £0.00 bill comes?

[The_nun]

Is there any justification whatsoever for £250 for a shot?

Don't know ask these guys..
http://www.instanthitman.com/