After searching long and hard for our Christmas party venue I decided on Studio Valbonne. After making contact with the club's manager and exchanging 9 emails with regards to confirming the guestlist I was shocked to arrive at the venue on the 20th Dec 2008 to find that the door staff knew nothing about our booking (30 guests). Luckily I had my Blackberry with me and was able to retrieve the managers's emails and show them to the door staff (they weren't amused).

After waiting 45mins outside I receive a phone call from the manager saying that the door staff have control of the evening!!! The door staff then told me that they could only let in 15 of us and we would be given free entry (after 45 mins many had left anyway). We went up the stairs and then were asked to pay at the top or get out (some payed some didn't).

So we're in... and are given a table(no minimum spend) with an allocated barman... GREAT things are getting better. I tipped the barman a 50 pound note and asked him to look after the guests which to his credit he did! He asked to take a imprint of my card as the tab would be settled at the end which I authorised as a MAXIMUM of 500pounds... the barman agreed.

The music was good and the crowd was what was expected at this venue (others have already commented on this so I won't add to it).

The following Monday I checked my bank statement only to find that the club had charged me 982 pounds!!!

This is what we had...
1 x 70cl Jack Daniels 165 pounds
1 x Stoli Cristal Vodka 165 pounds
5 x Jug Mixers 50 pounds

I brought this to the club mangers attention immediately and she said it would be resolved within a week. 17 phone calls and almost 3 MONTHS LATER STILL NO REFUND. I have spoken to the General Manager, 3 different staff members and the Accounts Manager on several occasions.... BOTH MANAGERS ACCEPT FAULT!

*** WARNING... DO NOT GO HERE IF U WANT TO ENJOY YOUR NIGHT... SPEND YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE THE LOCAL PUB WILL PROVIDE A BETTER ATMOSPHERE ***