Rook Inn

[ringmerrook16]

Genuine question/bit of feedback which in no way is to criticise the people who work the bar and work hard.

But why is it not a thing that at half time there’s 40/50 pints poured out ready to go so the queue moves quickly? There was 600 in Saturday and I started queueing right on half time, then got back out with my pint a few minutes into the second half. Bit annoying to queue for just shy of 20 minutes for what was a modest attendance compared to last years average, must put people off bothering?

Be interested to hear people’s opinions and hope the constructive feedback is welcomed by the club.

[stuartnoel]

I will pass the feedback on - I know it’s a bit of a headache for everyone, but I don’t think the possible answer is pre-pouring (it was discussed in the past)

[davidarnold1]

There are promising new folk behind the bar who are on a learning curve and things will swiftly get better. I speak as having served for a long-time as a volunteer behind the bar for Under-18s and the Women matches in the past - indeed I am still the volunteer Licence Holder for the Rook Inn (though I hope to pass on the baton in the near future). You do learn from experience. However, I must disagree with Stuart. Pre-pouring Harvey's in the 10 minutes before half-time really does greatly speed up the service and I'd recommend it as a modus operandi. Just have a Harvey's only line and everything would move much quicker. I'm a Harvey's and football fan but last Saturday I avoided the Rook Inn queues and instead settled for a lager to two from the bar at the top of the Philcox Stand. The service was swift and delivered by cheerful (not under pressure) staff. Would have been perfect if they had a barrel of Bright to tap into!

[stuartnoel]

Aug 14, 2023 17:42:44 GMT davidarnold1 said:

There are promising new folk behind the bar who are on a learning curve and things will swiftly get better. I speak as having served for a long-time as a volunteer behind the bar for Under-18s and the Women matches in the past - indeed I am still the volunteer Licence Holder for the Rook Inn (though I hope to pass on the baton in the near future). You do learn from experience. However, I must disagree with Stuart. Pre-pouring Harvey's in the 10 minutes before half-time really does greatly speed up the service and I'd recommend it as a modus operandi. Just have a Harvey's only line and everything would move much quicker. I'm a Harvey's and football fan but last Saturday I avoided the Rook Inn queues and instead settled for a lager to two from the bar at the top of the Philcox Stand. The service was swift and delivered by cheerful (not under pressure) staff. Would have been perfect if they had a barrel of Bright to tap into!

The issue as I see it is that the bar is busy all through the half and so there’s not an opportunity to pre-pour if there’s only one pump say for Harvey’s

[stevet]

The bar was pretty efficient last season compared to years gone by (cards only certainly helps) but was much slower on Saturday. I stood there for 5 mins just before ht and made no progress in the queue so went to the top of the Philcox and was served straight away. Hopefully it can become more efficient before we get the larger crowds.

Appreciate that the bar staff are new and learning but there are ways to speed things up, E.g. perhaps training them to pour two pints at once if different beers have been ordered, or having a couple of people constantly pouring pints at HT and the others taking the money.

I'm not really complaining though, its far better than the days of the jugs of froth

[hoopsboy1]

What's happened to the Bar Staff from last Season

[robm99]

Aug 15, 2023 10:32:32 GMT hoopsboy1 said:

What's happened to the Bar Staff from last Season

Just a wild guess on my part, but maybe they were students at Brighton University and have finished their studies and gone home. As I say, just a wild guess!

[ringmerrook16]

I would expect 4/5 people on the bar and a crowd of 600-800 in there’s enough idle time to pre pour pints even if it’s 20-30 only it still clears that initial rush.

[spur]

For some reason the tea bar is no longer selling cans of soft drinks alongside tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Doesn't seem to make sense on the face of it - and it adds to those queues in the Rook Inn.

[stuartnoel]

Aug 15, 2023 10:38:39 GMT robm99 said:

Aug 15, 2023 10:32:32 GMT hoopsboy1 said:

What's happened to the Bar Staff from last Season

Just a wild guess on my part, but maybe they were students at Brighton University and have finished their studies and gone home. As I say, just a wild guess!

100% this. My daughter is one of the longest serving bar “people” having started when she went to Brighton Uni in 2021. She will be back when terms starts in September along with the core of the staff I suspect