Disagree - all outside areas where tables are in close proximity should be non-smoking during hours when children can be expected to be there too. Smokers aren't known for their common courtesy in not poisoning bystanders as they think smoke is healthy!

I’ve only ever had a positive experience at the Boli- whether with family and small children or with friends on a night out.
I’m not a fan of smoking but I don’t think you can complain about people smoking outside surely...?

Never argue with a publicans as they are fine, fine people responsible for keeping public order.

Especially those at Bollingbrooke.

Publicans are fine people, especially those arBollingbroke

Those publicans at Bolingbrook have kicked out a good few drunks in my time

Including me!!!!

Thanks for the support JGB (and dudette and balhambloke too). I didn't think I was being angry or vindictive either - but thought that NVHusband's post was, for some odd reason...

I haven't given Bolingbroke a second chance yet - but will let you know once I have.

Sorry to hear you had a bad time there MrBalham99. Not sure where you are located are but I found Milk on Hildreth st has good service and seems very child-friendly for a coffee. I also like Tamra on Northcote for same. Worth a visit there next time too if that's closer.

 

I had the unfortunate experience of going to the Bolingbroke yesterday, by chance. What a crap place!
-all we wanted was an afternoon coffee with friends and babies
-bar staff were arrogant right from the moment we ordered 
-after 15 mins had to go in and ask where they were as we needed to go
-then same guy who took the order went outside for a smoke
-another rude man brought the coffees, one of which (flat white) looked like tea
-when questioned, he said "that's how we do flat whites here"
-smokers at the outside tables, not great for babies

All in all, my first and last ever visit!!

[quote=NVHusband post_id=225843 time=1534188893 user_id=31149]Ppe- are you angry at Bollingbroke for not making their policy terms more clearer, or for not making an exception for your supposed well behaved 14 year old?

Surely, it would have been easier to raise this issue with the pub the next day, once you had calmed down?

But instead, you opted to publicly shame a pub instead?
Their pub is always full of families with kids during the day, so yes, family friendly. Just not after 8pm.

Your actions says a lot about you when angry. Vindictive comes to mind.[/quote]

 NVHusband, I think if you  carefully read Ppe's many replies and the actual point being amde  on this thread, that they are far from being angry, or vindictive. However you are extremely rude, not to mention insulting, jumping to conclusions about a stranger's  "supposed well-behaved 14 year-old", etc. 

[i]"Please note, we welcome well behaved children (and parents) until 8pm. Children under 14 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times."

so children of 14 and up and go in and order a nice dinner until 8pm. Can't wait to see that[/i]

I have to say I have never come across a restaurant which bans under-18s after a certain time so you’re absolutely right to raise this. To say they’re family-friendly and then to ban kids in the evening is ludicrous and extremely misleading and they should be called out. Of course it’s up to them what policies they have but it’s not up to them to describe themselves as family-friendly when they’re clearly not. I suggest you go to The Good Earth next time. This a classy up-market restaurant that always has lots of very well-behaved families, often with young kids, enjoying a meal out. I get very angry when parents let their kids run riot in restaurants but thankfully this is rare and in those instances restaurants should say something to the parents. But you’re right - the Bolingbroke should either review their policy (as if one 14 year old with a bunch of 50 somethings is going to be disruptive?!) or stop claiming they’re family-friendly when they’re not. I share your outrage!

Not sure how this is naming and shaming. I think it was a fair point and has increased awarenesss. Sounds like handled well by Bolingbroke in the end. Thanks for sharing.

I stand corrected 🙄

Thanks Flowermummy - I'm glad you found the post useful - and I'm also glad to hear that many others have had good experiences of the Bolingbroke.
In this one instance, I didn't, and wanted to share my experience of that on this forum - (as well as emailing them separately, FYI NVHusband) just like many others have done with their experiences - good and bad - of local restaurants/services too.
I think I made it extremely clear what my problem was. Several times.

As I mentioned before they have actually emailed me in response to my original email, apologised and provided a voucher so I hope to try it out in the future.

I can also see they have also now (since) added some new text to their 'kids' page on their website:

[i]"Please note, we welcome well behaved children (and parents) until 8pm. Children under 14 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times."[/i]

So well done Bolingbroke for a great response!!! 😃 👍

Also for info daisydaisy - their policy is not to do with licensing laws - it's to do with their simply not wanting to have loads of kids in after a certain time in the evening. This was confirmed by them to me in the email too. I fully respect this policy and am very happy now they have made it much clearer on their website.


 

I don't really get it why people think this is "naming and shaming".
I found it useful, as I had no idea... our kids are small but we did take our nephew (15) along to a fancy restaurant in central London and it never occurred to me that some places could have an 18+ policy!

As an aside, it happened to me too that the online booking form is missing info that you would get when you call the restaurant.... which is very annoying .. if restaurants want the benefit of online bookings/orders, they should also make an effort to put all the necessary info on the online booking system...
 

I am a huge fan of the Bolingbroke because they are so welcoming to all, including families. Food is excellent, service is excellent.
The no kids past 8 is clearly stated on their booking page. It is a pub with great food rather than a restaurant but still a pub with licensing regulations. I remember the day when pubs were for grown ups only!
I suggest you give the Bolingbroke another chance- before 8 😁

Ppe- are you angry at Bollingbroke for not making their policy terms more clearer, or for not making an exception for your supposed well behaved 14 year old?

Surely, it would have been easier to raise this issue with the pub the next day, once you had calmed down?

But instead, you opted to publicly shame a pub instead?
Their pub is always full of families with kids during the day, so yes, family friendly. Just not after 8pm.

Your actions says a lot about you when angry. Vindictive comes to mind.