I live in Dublin so I haven't stayed over at The Gresham. I've had two bad experiences with aggressive security/doormen here. They have big, thuggish doormen who double as bouncers.
I've been a regular at The Gresham for almost a decade, as a student I stopped off there for tea or a meal. Since I started work, I'd go there a fair bit to finish off work in the evening (sometimes I have to work late), and I'd always buy food and drink. I've brought my friends and dates there and even work meetings. But this place does not notice its regular customers at all!!
One doorman particular is a total bully. Both times I was on my own minding my own business, not making any trouble. Last July: it was late, but I'm a customer spending money and not doing anything wrong! I was accused of being asleep (I wasn't) and I thought he was going to attack me. I was sitting on a sofa and he pulled a chair out of the way and pushed the table away from me, started picking up my stuff from the table as he stood right over me and told me he was going to chuck me out. When I complained to the night manager, he told me I was NOT a regular customer, he hadn't seen me before! He wasn't interested. It didn't help that the doorman followed me to the front desk so he could intimidate me and the night manager. I am no way aggressive and easily intimidated in such situations.
After that I didn't go to the Gresham for 8 months. I ventured back for the first time last month and have been a few times since. On friday night (Apr 19), the same guy came for me again. I told him to please leave me alone, that I was there as a customer. He told me I was NOT a regular customer. It was about 11.30 and I told him I was waiting for a taxi and would be gone in a few minutes. I was on a sofa. He picked up my bag, pulled out a chair that was in his way, then pushed the table away from me. I thought he was going to hit me. He was going to 'put me out of the hotel', then said he was going to 'escort me out of the hotel'. The bar staff were just standing there looking shocked. This time, I just went along with it and I let him 'escort me out'.
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