Jake Thomas
20/10/2020
Used to visit this place roughly 2-3 times a week as it's just a short stroll from our offices in Sutherland.Normally we'd go there for lunch on Friday's and then drinks and pool a few days after work.On Halloween, myself and the team were very excited to head up for lunch and a few sneaky drinks before we headed back to work. However, as there was construction on the sidewalk we had to enter through the main entrance as opposed to the side entrance direct to the restaurant which we normally do.Just as we were about to enter the restaurant area, an older lady who works behind the bar in the front area asked a few of our team for ID (which is no problem at all). One of my team called me back so we waited together as a group. I advised the lady (who's name I believe is Dianne) that we were heading to the restaurant that one of our group was under 18 (and we were heading to the restaurant area so it wouldn't be a problem). Dianne advised us that we as a group weren't allowed in with one of our group who is under 18, and she didn't have a parent or guardian present.As this is a work function, and this is during work hours, I am the legal guardian of any of my staff who are under 18. Legally speaking, this is correct in every sense. I tried to explain this to both Dianne and the other gentlemen who was working, but they didn't believe we all worked together and thought we were making the story up.The asked us to leave and at this point I was shocked. I don't expect any special kind of treatment, but we attend weekly with between 5-15 of our my staff and spend between hundreds on food and drinks.I was honestly shocked and speechless and asked for clarification of the rules. Again, I was told by the gentleman that as I wasn't the "employer" of the person who was under 18, I wasn't able to accompany a minor. I advised him again (and by this stage I was getting quite agitated) that I was, but he didn't believe the story. Which I honestly just laughed at, because we are such regulars I know almost all the staff there by name (and they know me by name too!) and always have a laugh and a quick hello when I see them. Never in my life have I been told I was "argumentative" by any of them!On a positive note however, we walked just another minute down the road and went to another place instead. The service there was fantastic, everyone had a blast and the service was so much better.So, unfortunately we will be bidding the Royal a farewell, it worked for us for a while as it was quite convenient and close, but due to the rudeness of the staff who were working on the front bar on 31/10 we will no longer be attending this place and the $we have allocated for entertainment each will be spent elsewhere.As I mentioned, just a short stroll up the road are places with MUCH friendlier staff, cheaper prices, and as we found out more comfortable chairs and better ambience.