The controversial London pub that has introduced a service charge for ordering at the bar

The end, quite potentially, is nigh.

We bring you news that a London pub (one in a train station, but a London pub nonetheless), has apparently started adding on a service charge for drinks ordered at the bar. Yes, you heard right – this isn’t for table service, but for bar service. Whatever next!

The pub in question is the Well and Boot in Waterloo station, which has been adding on a 4 per cent charge to any drink (and food) ordered at the bar, reports the Telegraph. A sign on the bar states that the charge is ‘optional’ but that it will be ‘automatically added’ to every bill. Time Out contacted Glendola Leisure, which runs the pub, for comment but did not hear back.

We’re now more than used to pubs charging a 12.5 per cent service fee for food and drink which is delivered to the table, but there’s something about a service charge at the bar that feels a little… off, especially if you’re just ordering a single drink. 

This follows news that a central London pub was charging an extra £2 on all pints served after 10pm. All the more reason to take a look at this new map which shows you every single happy hour in London – there are cheap pints out there, you just need to know where to look.

The best pubs in London, according to Time Out.

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