I got a yelp account specifically so I could review Le Chateau, and I am glad to see that other people have found the owner's rude, unpleasant behaviour unacceptable. On a business trip to Cork, I ducked into this bar to escape the flogging rain. I got a food menu at the counter, and when asked whether I'd like anything to drink, I told the guy behind the bar that I'd wait until I knew what I was eating. I sat down and took the opportunity to fire off a quick work email that was quite urgent.
Suddenly an older man stopped in front of me and began to interrogate me as to whether or not I was ordering a drink. Assuming he was joking or just making sure I was being taken care of, I told him "not just yet". He persisted, asking me if I was having tea or coffee, or anything. Slightly thrown, I realised that he wasn't joking or being hospitable. He was persistently asking me what I was ordering to make sure I was going to spend money in his bar - something all proprietors want, but are generally a little more polite about ensuring. I jokingly tapped the menu and told him not to worry, I wasn't there to just steal his wifi. He remained stony faced, and walked away without another word. I shrugged the incident off, finished up my email and sent it.
However, within moments the man returned, and told me he was moving me because I was taking up too much room. He then gestured to a tall, rickety stool next to the wall with a tiny ledge-like table. I was baffled, and seriously thought he was joking this time - the bar was practically empty. The only other people were a couple sitting an empty table away and a two old men at the bar. I offered to move my things closer to the table, but he told me that I was taking up a four person table, and I would have to move - again, the bar was basically empty and this 'four person table' was just two small round tables placed side by side in front of a long couch.
I actually stared around me at the blatantly empty bar at that point - it was like some sort of skit. He told me again, I had to move.
Politely, and really pretty thrown, I said that to be fair, the rest of the bar was empty. He snapped at me "to be fair, this isn't an office". Completely shocked, I started to tell him that I was just writing an email and then planned to put my laptop away, but he interrupted me to tell me that it was best that I just leave and take my "office" with me.
I told him I would, and that he had been incredibly rude. He just repeated "leave and take your office with you."
I was at Le Chateau once before this, without any unpleasantness from the general staff. However, the food was unimpressive and the interior failed to live up to the exterior. I really have to wonder at the owner's audacity in turning away customers. read more
