Hotel du Vin & Bistro Bristol in Bristol

Threatening behaviour from the staff, stay away.

My Father in law asked to use their toilet following a medical treatment at the nearby hospital. The barman said if you do not purchase a drink you cannot use them, my Father in Law explained the situation and that he was desperate, the barman replied saying if you go in there I will "PUNCH YOU".

By this point my Father in Law was very scared and upset, all he wanted to do was use their facilities.

My Wife phoned the pub for an explanation only to receive a hostile reception from the manageress, who denied the allegation and repeatedly hung up on her after repeated attempts.

Please avoid this pub, the staff are clearly aggressive to members of the public, to treat a sick person who just wanted to use the toilet like they did, is appalling and in most people's view criminal.

If anyone from the police authority reads this, I would seek them to investigate this matter further or
Contact any of the family who would be happy to assist in any investigation.

BLUF - the most unprofessional establishment I have ever encountered.

SITUATION:
My elderly father entered this pub shortly after receiving his weekly cancer treatment at the BRI, he politely asked the barman if he could use the toilet facilities to which the reply was; 'No, because you have not purchased a drink', my father pleaded, he was desperate following his medical treatment, the barman said, 'If you go in there I will PUNCH you'. This threat was received with great alarm and concern by my father, scared and embarrassed he left the pub, still with the need to use the toilet.
This behaviour was a clear intent/threat, to physically harm a law abiding elderly and somewhat medically sick member of society, for asking something of which any self respecting person with an ounce of humanity would happily grant.
Upon hearing my fathers account, I personally rung the pub giving them the chance to explain, only to have the land lady/manageress abruptly deny this ever happening and then hanging up. I then rung up again, she hung up. I repeated this 5 times and again each time she hung up, which was a clear admission of guilt.

SUMMARY:
To that end, I would ask you to please avoid using this pub, hopefully by reducing the foot fall, they will be forced to close and no other person subjected to the repulsive, degrading and evidentially hostile situation my father was.

I would invite the local licensing authorities, to conduct a full review of this establishment, as quite clearly they are in contravention of all known licensing laws.

Thank you for reading.

Have eaten here many times over the years & this restaurant has dramatically declined in all aspects.
On our most recent visit we felt we were left with no other choice than to leave before ordering because of the extremely rude staff and complete lack of customer service and care. General manager was downright rude and shouted in our faces upon feedback and all other staff we interacted with were no better.
Would not recommend & will not be returning. There are plenty of lovely restaurants in Bristol and this one is definitely worth a swerve especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion.