Fury as London pub adds £2 surcharge to pints – with one key condition

A popular London has sparked fury among customers after adding a £2 surcharge to pints after 10pm.

The O'Neill's branch on Wardour Street in Soho has implemented the new charge without listing the price change on the menu. This means that customers will have to fork out nearly £10 to buy some pints of - for example, a pint of Brewdog IPA costs £7.40 during the day but £9.40 after 10pm.

Other price changes at the Irish pub include a 500ml bottle of Budweiser, which costs £6.05 before 10pm and £8.05 after that - and even the price of tonic water increases from £2.15 to £3.15 after 10pm. Customers say the price changes have not been added to the menu and there is only a notice on a paper placed at the end of the bar which says: "We operate a variable price list in this venue."

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Consumer rights expert Scott Dixon told : "Pubs and venues ought to display clear pricing and notices so consumers can make an informed decision before they enter into a contract to buy drinks. They cannot simply post an A4 piece of paper in an obscured location. It's immoral and will rightfully put customers off."

Mitchells & Butlers, the pub group that owns the venue, said the surcharge policy followed a request from the police and local council to ensure all venues in the area charged similar prices for drinks to help with public order. It said the policy has been in force for two years. Westminster Council said that while it "does not require businesses to charge different prices for alcohol at different times when we grant licences," in 2022 it insisted that venue increase security after 10pm and serve alcohol in plastic glasses.

Recent online reviews of O'Neills showed the disappointment of some customers as one gave the pub one star and wrote: "Dynamic pricing." Another added: "Uses dynamic pricing..." One more said: "Look out for the 'dynamic pricing' Prices go up by £2 after 10pm!!!"

And another customer said: "Surge pricing? You've gotta be kidding. But they do! After 10pm a pint is 2 quid more." However, despite the changes, other customers expressed positive thoughts as one wrote: "I had a fantastic time at O'Neill Club! The atmosphere was vibrant, and the music kept everyone in a great mood all night." Someone else said on Reviews: "Absolutely amazing night! Great music, fantastic vibe, and top-notch service."

A Mitchells & Butlers spokesperson told : "Most hospitality businesses and retailers deploy a form of dynamic pricing, but this means that prices can both rise as well as fall through tactical discounts being offered in the form of time-limited promotions and fixed price menus. Dynamic pricing varies on a site-by-site basis as it reflects the local market conditions, but temporary price increases tend to reflect the need to offset additional costs such as at times when door security is required."

Regarding the policy at the Wardour Street venue, the spokesperson added: "The policy at Wardour Street reflects a request from both the licensing authority and the police that we increase prices after 10pm to a level generally in line with the late-night market. This policy has been in place for about two years."