The Grapes

I worked in the Grapes for about a year part time, so spent a lot of time there. Drinks are fairly expensive, which is the usual for a late bar. There is no air-​con, this is a massive disadvantage as the bar and dancefloor get extremely hot to the point where people are absolutely dripping with sweat (not very pleasant), there is a smoking area outside, which is usually chocka-​block later on — probably due to the lack of air-​con!
There is a lot of security so very little trouble. Nice décor and a good range of drinks. £2 to get in after a certain time (9pm?), often good live bands during the week, and a decent range of drinks. If you don’t like a sauna, avoid the dancefloor!

The Grapes is absolute bullhit. Its the only place in Stafford where you have to pay for your entrance (other than zanzi bar but that doesnt count because at least you get free drinks there).
I totaly understand that some people get refused entry if they are known as trouble makers or if people are too drunk — but, I am not a trouble maker and last night when I went to the Grapes I wasnt very drunk either!
But last night, me and my mother went to walk in to join the rest of our group of family and friends and the bouncer decided that I (ME?!?) was too drunk to come into the Grapes.
But apparently, once a bouncer has made a decision then thats that. It doesnt matter if your drunk or not, because thats not the decider on whether you get in or not, the decider is whether the meat head at the front door is going to be nice or if he’s going to act like an absolute twat.
I was a bit shocked — Ive never been stopped from going inside a pub beforeand its unheard of in Stafford!
Once my friends and family heard what was happening they did all leave, and I got told that as each person left they informed the bouncer of how unhappy they were and how unlikely they all were of returning for a long time.
Ive had good nights at the grapessure I have, but that was because of the people I was with and had nothing to do with the fact that we were at the Grapes.
Last night has put me off entirely.
I doubt I’ll go back.