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Why is lime and soda so expensive at the pub?

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I recently went to meet my girlfriend at one of the Harvester restaurants, a pub called the Kings Arms at Gosford, near Kidlington.  It was one of those afternoons during the recent heat wave and I was pretty thirsty by the time I got there so I thought Id have a pint of lager shandy whilst I waited.

I went to the bar to order my drink and the bill came to 1.90.  I thought this was actually pretty reasonable because most pubs charge about the same as pint of lager, which these days is closer to 2.50 and I was expecting to pay between 2 and 2.50 for the shandy.

Looking forward to this refreshing cold drink on this hot sunny day I went outside and chose to sit in a shady spot in the beer garden with a good view of the car park so Id be able to see my better half when she arrived.  This particular Harvester restaurant is in a nice location and to be honest I was very much enjoying sitting there with a cold one watching the world go by, so much so that I had finished my drink before my partner had even arrived.

Harvester restaurants, A cool refreshing pint of lime cordial and sparking soda water After a brief conversation with her to find out where she was, I realised I still had at least another ten to fifteen minutes to wait.  As I was still rather thirsty I decided to go to the bar and get another drink.

I am currently self-employed and whilst I am not penniless, I do have to be careful how much I spend.  With this in mind and taking into account that what I really needed was a thirst quenching drink rather than an alcoholic one, I decided to buy a lime and soda water this time round.

This is my drink of choice when I visit a pub and I dont want to drink beer.  Firstly, because I cant drink the usual soft drinks such as Lemonade and Coca Cola in any quantity and secondly, lime and soda is usually a lot cheaper.  It is after all only fizzy water and lime cordial!

I ordered my drink and was about to take a sip.  The bartender meanwhile had been to the till to enter my drink.  When he came back over he said to me" That will be two pounds please."  I can tell you that I nearly choked on that drink there and then!

Not being the type who enjoys a good confrontation, I dont usually like to query bills at a restaurant etc.  I find those sorts of situations quite embarrassing and unless someone is really trying to take advantage of me I dont usually complain.  In fact, quite often I probably wouldnt even notice.

I do feel however that on this occasion I should have said something.  I suspect though that the answer I got would have been along the lines of "Thats how much it is Im afraid."  Anyway, I paid up and I shut up, but Ive been seething about this ever since.

How can a pint of cordial and carbonated water cost more than a pint of lager and lemonade?  These pub chains shouldnt be allowed to get away with this kind of daylight robbery! I won't be visiting any other Harvester restaurants any time soon.


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First Prev 1/24 Next Last

Lady c

Lady c

TWO small soda & limes £4.50 each !!!! 3.50 for soda £1 for the lime never paid £9 b4 was told thats the price. So thats it .
18/02 Lady c
-3
Unhappy customer

Unhappy customer

I paid £1.85 for 1/2 pint of lime and soda in a non chain eatery!!!! When I asked why it was so expensive the owner said she has to pay her staff and for the glasses and the washing up of them as well as the drink. I said that it was scandalous and in nearby non chain eateries I have paid 50p and £1 for 1/2. She said she would look into it. Let see what happens?
26/06/23 Unhappy customer
0
Viv H

Viv H

I was charged £4 for lime and soda (on tap) at Trading Post Kettering today. I felt ripped off as soda is so cheap. Didn't make me want to return.
16/05/23 Viv H
1
Disgusted of Berkshire

Disgusted of Berkshire

Actually you came off quite lightly! I was charged £3.60 for a pint of soda and a dash of lime at The Golden Cross, Twyford, Berkshire today Weds 26th. AND £8.20ish for a supposedly large glass of wine! Extortionate.!!!
27/04/23 Disgusted of Berkshire
1
GRUBBY

GRUBBY

Hi if it's bottled soda it's pricy if it's on tap.should be free or cheaper glass service . I use aldi mini.lime and lemon.easy fit in.all bags and discreet to add to drinks anywear also suger free.
01/12/22 GRUBBY
0
AnnaS44

AnnaS44

Thank you for the heads up! I'll avoid those places in the future
29/11/22 AnnaS44
0
Poor Pissatist

Poor Pissatist

The exact same thing with beer. If people are happy to pay over a fiver a pint pubs are going to charge over a fiver. Sadly it's a certain age range that can afford that, us oldies can't.
04/08/22 Poor Pissatist
1
TonyT8

TonyT8

Trouble is when you have been in the trade and understand some of the margins, you can feel justified wne speaking out.
At the end of the day if people keep paying extortionate prices, the companies will keep charging.
03/08/22 TonyT8
1
TonyT8

TonyT8

How do you Justify £3.50 for Half a lime and soda!!!!
Recently purchased at The Great Western Hotel Taunton
03/08/22 TonyT8
2
Rallygirl

Rallygirl

£3,50 for small glass of lemonade at The Hide Out Taunton Somerset daylight robbery. Lemonade in Tesco cost 90p for 2 litre bottle!!!
08/05/22 Rallygirl
0
Bob

Bob

06/08/2021
The Green King Pubs charge £2.20 for a splash of coke, £1.85 for lemonade. It amazes me how they can get away with daylight robbery.
I have to say, they caught me once. NEVER again.
06/08/21 Bob
1
GVX

GVX

The park house in Reading University charge 30p for a pint of lime and soda! What it should cost.
31/07/21 GVX
2
Haggis

Haggis

At ‘Bar Eight’ in Deansgate Locks Manchester they charge £4.20 fir a pint of lime soda! and the same price for a bitter shandy.
The beer is served in plastic cups that look suspiciously less than a ‘pint’....be warned folks.
16/08/20 Haggis
1
Laura

Laura

£5.25!!!!! For a pint of lime and soda!
19/01/19 Laura
1
Bertie

Bertie

Most I’ve paid for a pint of lime and soda was £3.50 in an Indian Restaurant in Boroughbridge, least was 30p in the Ibis hotel at Birmingham airport. 2018/2019. Whilst I understand they are supplying the glass, surroundings and service I think £2 is on the high side and any more is a total rip off especially if you’re eating at the establishment too.
18/01/19 Bertie
1

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