Restaurants that don't offer free refills on soft drinks.
Oh, that's a cheap-bastard move that pisses me off no-end.

I mean, they've got the soda fountain back there, so each refill costs pennies at most.

Thank god this is pretty rare here in the States. Most restaurants are happy to keep your glasses full of Coca Cola or Sprite or whatever fizzy beverage you've chosen.

I hear that free refills aren't the standard elsewhere (e.g. www.hotukdeals.com/item/226558/free-refills-on-soft-drinks-at-slou/)

Poor bastards.

(Of course, this may also be part of our national obesity crisis. Our generous portions and generous refill policy has led to some pretty generous average girth.)
(not here, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 7:19, 13 replies)

Yeah its pretty rare in the UK.
I think some of the bigger chains are slowly starting to do it, but it is rare. All you can eat buffets and all you can drink are one of my fondest memories of the U.S. Its was quite a novelty when I first went there in '95

In most of europe, fountain coke is quite rare. You get actual small bottles of coke or sprite which you pour into your glass yourself when dining out. So definately definately no free refils there. But at least its the real stuff!
(Miggyman, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 7:24, closed)

I like the taste
of fountain coke!

The only places I've ever been in the UK with free refills have been large American style chains.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Wed 29 Oct 2008, 8:37, closed)

Nandos.....
South African chain with free refills......
(Pork2311, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 9:38, closed)

Pizza Slut

(Seance Trumpet has got no beef with a man enjoying a croissant, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 12:10, closed)

it's rare to unknown
in Australia.
(apeloverage committed the vile act of onanism on, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 8:50, closed)

The Grand Buffet near Oxford Road station in Manchester
does this. All-you-can-eat curry. It's always full of students, silently concentrating on packing in as much food as possible for their fiver. With a free ice cream.

When I go there I sit on the thoughtfully-provided 'recovery sofa' for ten minutes before using the disabled exit with the helpful handrail.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 8:55, closed)

UK
The only place I know that operate this is Pizza Hut.

To be honest, when half a pint of Coke contains 29% of all the sugar I should have in a day, I'm quite glad I'm not getting endless refills every time I buy one!

Oh, and the cost of a pint of Coke on tap to a pub is (or was when I was told this) 2/3rds of a penny.
( Rookie You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 9:28, closed)

yeah... but....
the cost of a pint of beer in a pub is.... pretty much the same as what you paid for it!!

I hate some breweries...
(Beer Elf Thought this was like a campfire, anyhow, on, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 10:27, closed)

Nando's!
The vaguely spicy chicken emporium just supply you with a glass and point you at the vending machines. This has the added advantage that you can use the glass from which you have already drunk your beer.
(ThomsonsPier consumes, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 9:39, closed)

Always good to mention the price of a bottle of coke
or a can of coke in a bar is usually exorbitant and a nightmare if you're trying to stay off the sauce.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 9:51, closed)

how much bleedin coke do you need
meh!

merkins
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 10:32, closed)

I can't fathom why anyone needs more than one soft drink at dinner.
Drinking while you eat dilutes your stomach juices, I was once told, which can exacerbate indigestion. One drink sipped slowly over the course of a meal should be plenty, actually.
(Seance Trumpet has got no beef with a man enjoying a croissant, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 12:10, closed)

coke
is only marginally less acidic that stomach acid, so I can't see that being a huge problem.

And yes, I really miss the free refills in the states. Especially the iced tea as my friends and I pootled across the Carolinas and Tennessee... they like their iced tea down there (and their whiskey, but that's a different story!).

The best part that I discovered was that if you go to a pub and have a couple of beers and then decide you've had enough alcohol for the night, any soft drink you subsequently order will be entirely gratis! I loved that, along with the fact that in my favourite pub if you asked for Jack Daniels (or even the Glenlivet), it arrives in a standard sized tumbler...filled almost to the top! Man that got me wasted for
$7. Fabulous.

Oh look, I told a whisk(e)y story in the end. I can't help it, I love the stuff.
(Stu Moo winner of five nobble piece prizes, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 13:14, closed)