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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Sean Murphy

We tried Edinburgh's Karen's Diner event and it was crazier than we ever expected

The rudest diner in the UK, where customers are promised the worst service imaginable, has arrived on tour in Leith, giving the capital the chance to see what the fuss is all about with this experience that's already taken down south by storm.

And, you just know that Edinburgh Live had to pop along to find out what Karen's Diner is really like, and why there are so many viral videos of this incredible experience, where the customer is definitely not always right – in fact, they are mostly, definitely wrong and will be told off for it too.

Having originally launched in Australia, customers at Karen's are encouraged to moan as much as possible throughout their dining experience only to receive short shrift from the staff.

Karen's Diner Customers get to play games while they enjoy their meals (SM)

READ NEXT: Karen's Diner to visit Edinburgh as customers promised 'worst service ever'

To be honest, though we'd seen the videos of disinterested staff flipping off diners and calling them names, we really had no idea what to expect from the diner itself, and boy, any ideas we had beforehand could not have prepared us for just how crazy and fun this experience really is.

The first thing you'll notice is the wall of sound that hits you as you enter as one of the team comperes the fun and games, pulling customers up to the floor to spin a wheel which sees them take on embarrassing challenges.

Customers are given hats with insults on them such as one of ours - 'sh**e moustache' (SM)

We won't spoil this part, as the games are genuinely funny and a large part of why the atmosphere is so raucous, as people laugh and cajole each other as the fun ramps up with each challenge.

And don't worry, most people get to take part, as the 'Karen' in charge is only happy for everyone to share in the embarrassment, and judging by some of the performances more than a few people were indulging in a little Dutch courage.

Though it may have been the dream of anyone who has worked in customer services roles everywhere, slagging off customers to their faces isn't as easy as it looks and the best part about Karen's Diner is how adept the staff are at it.

It's easy to slag customers off, but really, it’s not easy to do it in a funny way and judging by the regular peels of laughter and beaming smiles of the people here, it's obvious to see how skilful the servers are in their roles.

The expert crew at Karen's Diner waiting to welcome you (SM)

Disapproving looks, snarls, and more swear words than a Lewis Capaldi interview (we really were surprised to see young kids here), the servers have perfected disinterest and disdain to a tee, and it's quick to draw a smile watching them navigate the room ignoring pleas for assistance, slapping down plates of food on tables and generally just abusing everyone in the room.

Jibes like "Turkey Teeth", "Fiona from Shrek" and good old fashioned "Idiot!" were just some of the insults thrown about the room.

Raucous, rowdy and utterly bonkers, Karen's Diner could easily just be an experience that turns customer service on its head but it's so much more than that.

Their logo is “Be More Karen”, but we're pretty sure the Karens of internet fame would have an apoplexy before they'd even got in the door of this place.

Thankfully, that just leaves more room for the rest of us, and as one gent on the table next to us exclaimed, "this place is f**king ace."

We look forward to Karen's Diner hopefully finding a more permanent spot in the capital.

Their Edinburgh pop-up is returning to the capital from May 12th until the 14, with tickets now on sale on the Explore Hidden site.

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