The Growing Trend of Service Charges in London: A Frustrated Patron’s Experience

In recent times, there’s been a noticeable trend emerging across London’s dining and nightlife scene—service charges. As someone who frequented the city’s vibrant venues over the weekend, I was met with an unexpected and rather frustrating experience in this regard.

While enjoying time at two bars and a restaurant, each establishment insisted on including a 10% service charge—an addition that puzzled me. Why, I wondered, am I expected to pay an extra 10% merely for ordering a drink? Unlike in the United States, where tipping forms a significant part of a service employee’s income, staff here are paid a salary. It’s a bit of an unwelcome reminder of the American tipping culture infiltrating our local practices.

One particular incident that stood out involved a visit to the Oriental Canteen on Exhibition Road in Kensington. Initially, there was an error in my bill—an overcharge of £40. They corrected this mistake, but not without adding a service fee. Naturally, I disputed this additional cost, and it wasn’t well received. The owner seemed quite upset when I refused to pay the surcharge.

As for the bars, one notable location was The Cocktail Club on Shaftesbury Avenue. Despite the venue being sparsely occupied, with only two other groups present, there was no table service in sight when we arrived. We resorted to ordering directly at the bar, yet they still attempted to apply the 10% service charge.

This experience raises questions about the evolving service culture in London. Are these fees justified, or are patrons being subtly nudged towards a tipping practice that doesn’t quite align with our traditions? As this trend continues, it may be worth considering the implications for both patrons and service industry workers alike.