BITE user comments - Searching_for_H_Files
Comments by Searching_for_H_Files
I came here for the first time since the venue became All Bar One around 9ish on Saturday night (10 March) with a female friend. Like Arsenal�s start to the current Premier League campaign, my night started inauspiciously but later improved. On ordering drinks, I found myself beginning to sweat due to how hot it was in here (I only later discovered that the air conditioning had broken), though I was served promptly by an attentive and efficient member of bar staff.
The distraction of how sweltering it was resulted in me forgetting the prices of our drinks, though I do not recall them being too expensive. My female friend, however, started with a soft drink and the next round I also had a soft drink as I was so hot! We eventually found seating upstairs � where it was still uncomfortably hot � and I observed that the crowd was of a more mature nature. While paying attention to my pretty female friend of course, I did notice there was some female talent around going to and from the upstairs toilets. The music playing in here was initially lyric less before the DJ arrived downstairs and starting playing more contemporary and livelier music (that contained lyrics).
Overall, despite the air con fiasco, I would certainly come here again on a Friday/Saturday night � either with a female friend or with the lads � given the place is a decent alternative to the nearby Tickled Ivory Piano Bar and the usual type of crowd that pulls. In fact, I would say All Bar One is marginally better.
23 Mar 2012 11:06
Still closed NoDisgrace. I pass this place on route to work and mysteriously the signs are still up, though it has been closed since autumn 2010.
As I mentioned back then, forget the longest bar (and restaurant) refurbishment in Guildford's history, this is surely by now the longest refurbishment ever in England!
A considerable waste of a fairly decent location in Guildford, especially given the area for outside drinking/eating potential and of course, the ease of nearby parking.
23 Jan 2012 10:19
To cap off a brilliant Easter weather wise, I came with a mate Easter Monday as we went searching for a pub close to Woking station where we could drink outside in glorious sunshine. The relatively small seating area in Yates�s opposite appeared to be more in the shade around 3pm, so we opted for O�Neills where we could sit down in the sun on one of the outside tables. I was served quickly and a pint of Stella and a pear Kopparberg � served in plastic cups - came to �6.20, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks in here.
While it was not that busy outside, there were, however, a group of rowdy drunks undermining the relative tranquillity of the seating area on one of the other tables.
In spite of the above, I would certainly come here again if in this part of Woking and I wanted to drink outside if the sun is shining.
26 Apr 2011 16:07
"The beer is good too so what more can you ask for?"
Cheaper drink prices maybe?
29 Mar 2011 10:01
To break away from my usual Friday night routine of �too much bed, not enough sleep� with the missus, I came here last Friday night (Feb 11) to watch the band Soul�d Out. For my 2011 Woking night out debut, I was most impressed with bed bar. Arriving at around 9.15pm, it was free entry with no ID issues from the belligerent bouncers. We were served straight away at the downstairs bar by the attentive member of bar staff, where a Magners and single vodka lemonade came to around �7.40.
The band was excellent and there was a host of different age groups of people in here, with the atmosphere relaxed. I later paid �5.50 for a bottle of Corona and a coke, so as with the drink prices above, make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks in here. Only popped upstairs to use the toilet, though it seems lively enough and there is even a balcony section for smokers!
Overall, a decent enough bar in Woking with late drinking and I would certainly come here again � even over going somewhere in Guildford - on a Friday night for instance.
14 Feb 2011 15:20
Sources tell me that this place is soon to become an All Bar One...
5 Jan 2011 13:16
"very very expensive, and there are equal Thai restaurants at more reasonable prices not too far away." = Rumwong surely?
5 Jan 2011 13:14
Longest bar refurbishment in Guildford�s history? Been closed for a while now.
3 Nov 2010 11:02
Yesterday�s England v Slovenia game (23 June) provided further evidence that Bar Med is the rough, raucous and rowdy focal point on Bridge Street for England�s 2010 World Cup games. Also expect a Surrey police van gathered conspicuously opposite between the Spoons and Flares buildings when the games are on. I�m all for a vibrant and convivial atmosphere when watching England's World Cup matches, though I suspect this will change considerably for the worst in Bar Med if (when?) England are knocked out of the World Cup�
24 Jun 2010 15:45
England�s goalkeeper Robert Green may have made an inexplicable and excruciating howler in the USA game, though there were no such mistakes by Tickled Ivory regarding our visit here Saturday night (12 June). I came here with 4 other people after 7ish, having reserved a table prior to the game, with the attitude of the usually anti football manager brilliant.
Our group had ample space and a clear view of the largest screen in the place, which was a clear contrast from the raucous and ridiculously packed Bar Med when I popped in there briefly around 7ish. Tickled Ivory�s drinks promotion during the game was excellent with 4 bottles of Corona or a jug of beer for �10, which I felt was good value for money. The atmosphere was lively during the game and we stayed in there a little while afterwards as the place then transformed into what some people might call a middle aged meat market! Drinks, however, went up considerably post match, as I later paid �7.60 for 2 Coronas.
Overall though, Tickled Ivory is a superb venue to watch England�s 2010 World Cup games and I would certainty come here again to watch England matches.
16 Jun 2010 10:39
A group of us came here last Saturday night (9 Jan) shortly before midnight. I was impressed that I could enter this place � open until 2am - without either queuing, paying or producing any relevant ID to the bouncers present. Inside was heaving and cramped, thereby confirming the views expressed in other posts.
The atmosphere was jovial and I enjoyed the music playing here. It was not my round though, so I have no idea of the types/prices of drinks in this place. If on the H-File hunt, however, it would be difficult to move around in what is a comparatively small venue given how busy it was.
Overall, if you�re after a late drink on a Friday/Saturday night in Guildford and not keen on visiting the Dusk/Casino nightclubs, then I would recommend this place if you can tolerate how cramped it becomes. No good for me if I was on the H-File hunt though.
12 Jan 2010 15:15
Not opening Christmas or New Years Eve even? Talk about a missed opportunity. Shame the management here lack business acumen over this festive period.
24 Dec 2009 11:35
Cramped and cliquey on Wednesday nights. Popped in here yesterday (18 Nov) when looking for some one amongst the youngish crowd present (mainly 25 and under I say). If you are, however, looking for lively atmosphere in Guildford town centre on a Wednesday night � a rarity in itself � then this is the probably the only place to go. I understand that selected drinks are relatively cheaper here as well.
19 Nov 2009 11:53
Found myself here this past Saturday afternoon (27 June) while looking at a property nearby. Passing a large rottweiller in the beer garden to enter a pub is not my idea of an auspicious welcome, though the dog�s owners did not think this was a problem!
Once inside, however, I was impressed with the array of English football club flags dotted around the place, though the d�cor overall is nothing to write home about. Agree with a previous poster in that this pub reminded me of the Claremont in West Byfleet. Despite the crowd gathered for the British Lions match, we were served promptly with a pear Bulmers and diet Coke coming to �4.77, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks in here!
I imagine this is a decent boozer to watch televised sport � especially football - or sit out in glorious sunshine if in the vicinity. I can not vouch for eating here. I was with the missus, but even if not, I would NEVER come here �Searching for H-Files�, as the logical option would be to walk into town for friendly female talent given you simply have more choices of venue.
29 Jun 2009 15:26
Hickory334 - you're spot on. How can any boozer that people attend all throughout the year suddenly have the audacity to charge �50 for what is essentially just another (overrated) night?
House parties all the way New Years Eve. Save the ripping off for if I need a taxi home...
17 Dec 2008 14:45
Interesting on the subject of the manager, as I remember days before the place was going to open, discussing with him whether they would be televising sports here. The unceremonious response from Andy was, �of course we are only showing cricket and rugby�. Fair enough, but there is a market for televised football in the centre of Guildford and I thought it was a lost opportunity to make extra revenue.
I also think that they are closed Saturday lunchtimes due to a lack of trade. If so, this could have been prevented if they televise the SKY Saturday lunchtime football game, especially given they serve food as well. Seems a bit of a waste to serve food and be closed Saturday lunch time.
17 Dec 2008 14:31
Me: �Can I have a large glass of red wine and a Gaymers cider please?�
Woman behind bar: �That will be �8.50.�
I guess you can make what you want from that price, but this seemed a bit pricey for what is a caf� that serves wine and the odd bottled beer and cider. I came here last Tuesday night (7 Oct) entertaining a potential H-File candidate. While the layout downstairs is relatively narrow, it is not a problem as long as the place is not busy and on Tuesday night, we were only one of three couples downstairs.
The d�cor here was nondescript, while the woman serving me was friendly and efficient, even sharing a bit of banter with my H-File candidate. There is a small upstairs section where another couple were eating, but the toilets are tiny. The relaxed atmosphere ensured it was the ideal place to entertain my sophisticated (30 something) lady friend. At least I now know from my time in Guildford that Thai Terrace is probably the most expensive place to eat out and Jo Clarks is arguably the most expensive place to drink (after Harpers nightclub)!
Certainly a place to come on a quiet midweek night with a female partner, but in my case, not somewhere I would come looking for H-File victims on say a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.
10 Oct 2008 14:56
Location, location, location! This bar has now relocated from Reigate to Guildford, appealing to the non student brigade with an over 21�s entry policy. My girlfriend and I came here last Friday night (12 Sept) around 9ish and were greeted by burly bouncers requesting ID from us. I�m mentioning this because one of them grew quite inpatient with me as I didn�t rapidly produce anything given my girlfriend had my passport in her bag!
Inside, the place was fairly busy and I was served reasonably quickly at the bar by an efficient member of staff. A Gaymers and Red Bull came to �6.20 � a tad pricey - so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks in here. The crowd was predominately men and it was evident this was generally an older gathering of people, certainly aged 30 and upwards. The atmosphere was tranquil and there was not a pretentious feel about the place. There was a bit of female talent around, but being with the missus I was not searching for H-Files, but if I was, this is a place for �older� H-File victims.
The d�cor is fairly stylish in my view and there are several seating areas as well as a couple of sofas near the piano and relatively small dance floor. Between the bloke playing the piano, there was funky house playing as background music. Yet, the plethora of �cheese� songs sung by the bloke playing the piano gave the impression Tickled Ivory was simply like a Flares bar but with an air of sophistication and without any students.
7 Oct 2008 11:11
The Tickled Ivory Piano Lounge, Reigate
Location, location, location! This bar has now relocated to Guildford, appealing to the non student brigade with an over 21�s entry policy. My girlfriend and I came here last Friday night (12 Sept) around 9ish and we were greeted by burly bouncers requesting ID from us. I�m mentioning this because one of them grew quite inpatient with me as I didn�t rapidly produce anything given my girlfriend had my passport in her bag!
Inside, the place was fairly busy and I was served reasonably quickly at the bar by an efficient member of staff. A Gaymers and Red Bull came to �6.20 � a tad pricey - so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks in here! The crowd was predominately men and it was evident this was generally an older gathering of people, certainly aged 30 and upwards. The atmosphere was tranquil and there was not a pretentious feel about the place. There was a bit of talent around, but being with the missus I was not searching for H-Files, but if I was, this is a place for �older� H-File victims.
The d�cor is fairly stylish in my view and there are several seating areas as well as a couple of sofas near the piano and relatively small dance floor. Between the bloke playing the piano, there was funky house playing as background music. Yet, the plethora of �cheese� songs sung by the bloke playing the piano gave the impression Tickled Ivory was simply like a Flares bar but with an air of sophistication and without any students.
16 Sep 2008 12:46
Some say form is temporary and class is permanent, but based on the food here, Thai Terrace is in a class of its own. My girlfriend (or H-File victim) and I came here last Monday evening (7 July) just after 7. We thoroughly enjoyed our food! I had the delicious Thai stir-fry chicken and steamed coconut rice, while my girlfriend had the mixed seafood dish with steamed sticky rice. This restaurant could be somewhere to start the night drinking (in the cocktail lounge area) and admire the impressive Guildford urban landscape from the terrace. Sadly though, the beer selection is too limited and there are no ciders available. There are, however, a plethora of cocktails to choose from.
Once we finished our meal, we walked along the terrace and admired the fantastic views over Guildford as the sun set. The wet weather earlier in the day meant no one was dining outside on the terrace, but I noted there is plenty of seating here, some in a covered area. The staff are extremely helpful, friendly and efficient, while - impressively - we did not wait long at all for our food. We felt incredibly relaxed in such a tranquil and cosy environment. My girlfriend loved the whole experience and we were fortunate to be seated near a window by the terrace, so we could glance outside at the superb views through the blinds. Along with our meal, we romantically shared a dessert and had soft drinks (lemonade, apple& melon J20) which totaled �39.90. Make what you want from that if anything about the prices of food/drink in here!
Overall, I would certainly come here again for the food given this is a gem of a restaurant on top of Castle car park which requires entry via a nondescript and tatty lift! I agree with Aleman�s review in that this is a place for couples/groups on special occasions that serves high quality (and relatively expensive) food.
10 Jul 2008 11:12
I came here Bank Holiday Sunday (25 May) around 10ish with my girlfriend and a few of her mates, so I was obviously not searching for H-Files! I was impressed with how lively this place was. It was packed, but then again it was free entry.
It was not my round, so I am unsure of drink prices in here, but it was a while before I got my drink and it looked like a long wait at the bar. I found the atmosphere quite relaxed and enjoyed the mixture of dance/R&B tracks playing in the background. There is a pool table as well to keep you amused if you do not wish to dance or pose on the relatively small dance floor.
I would certainly come here again if in Woking, but definitely if I become single again, as starting in the Wetherspoons and then coming here is a must for potential H-File victims.
29 May 2008 13:30
I came here Bank Holiday Sunday (25 May) around 10ish with my girlfriend and a few of her mates, so I was obviously not searching for H-Files! I was impressed with how lively this place was. It was packed, but then again it was free entry.
It was not my round, so I am unsure of drink prices in here, but it was a while before I got my drink and it looked like a long wait at the bar. I found the atmosphere quite relaxed and enjoyed the mixture of dance/R&B tracks playing in the background. There is a pool table as well to keep you amused if you do not wish do dance or pose on the relatively small dance floor.
I would certainly come here again if in Woking, but definitely if I become single again, as starting in the Wetherspoons and then coming here is a must for potential H-File victims.
28 May 2008 17:09
Sod�s law that the sun would disappear the day my girlfriend and I decide to visit yesterday afternoon (15 May). While a few people braved the comparatively colder weather, inevitably it was virtually empty in the outside seating area. I paid �5.85 for an original Bulmers and a diet Coke, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks here.
The �southern softies� we are meant that we eventually went inside, as there are no heaters on the roof terrace. While I imagine pleasant (and also packed) in the warm summer sun, the view from the roof terrace is pretty much nondescript. Yet inside, there is an impressive wooden d�cor and I noticed a few old maps of Guildford on the wall. Glanced at the limited food menu and for the prices, I would prefer to visit a restaurant.
This is one of those pubs that rely heavily on the outside seating area/sun shining, as I doubt I would visit in the winter, with the inside far too small to even contemplate searching for H-File victims if single. Drinks seemed a tad expensive also. As for the summer, if you�re a sun seeker I would prefer to relax in the quite brilliant castle grounds next door, buying booze from Sainsbury�s on the High Street!!
16 May 2008 15:45
I have abandoned the H-File search given I came here yesterday evening with my girlfriend (15 May), meeting up with a few of her friends following our meal in Zinfandel opposite. The relatively smaller inside bar was quiet compared to the outside bigger courtyard bar area, which was lively with an acoustic guitar player present.
I opted for the inside bar to buy our drinks which were just under �5 for a pear Gaymers and a diet Coke, though the woman serving me almost forgot the Coke. Had to wait a while to be served, but probably still quicker than going to the outside bar. I paid nearly �6 earlier for similar drinks in the nearby King�s Head, so thought the prices here were fairly reasonable. The atmosphere was convivial and the crowd here appeared to be mainly blokes, non student (the students were probably all going to the Dusk � formerly Time nightclub � launch night) and 23 upwards. In the courtyard area, however, people were blatantly flouting the smoking ban where it was clearly covered.
To be honest if it was not for my girlfriend wanting to meet up with a few of her cronies (and us being in the restaurant opposite!), I would only really come here to watch televised football or Twenty20 cricket at a push. If I need to search for H-File victims again (if I split up with the girlfriend of course), then I feel Pews is not really the place to come looking. There are also better places in Guildford if you simply want a �quiet drink�.
16 May 2008 14:35
Time waits for no one and I frantically dash pass this pub on route to work weekdays mornings when usually running late. However I finally made my first visit here last night (25 March) around 8.30ish with a lady friend. There is a prominent sign on the entrance door depicting that people wearing either baseball caps or tracksuit bottoms will not be allowed in. The place was not busy and we were served promptly at the bar. They did not sell Magners, so I opted for a bottle of Budweiser Budvar while my lady friend had half a pint of diet Coke. The drinks came to �4.80 so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks in here!
I found the d�cor fairly stylish and the cozy surroundings are aided by no main light but instead numerous dimly lit lamps covered with different coloured lampshades. I felt this helped to create a relaxing and even soporific atmosphere. There are plenty of comfy sofas and chairs akin to a restaurant layout, which made the place feel ideal for couples or groups eating out given food is also served (though we glanced at the menu on leaving and it seemed a wee bit expensive). I think there was background music, but it was being played so low that it hardly mattered. The sparse crowd in here appeared aged 23 and upwards as opposed to the Guildford College brigade found in either Bar Med/Time Nightclub on a Thursday night. There was a mixture of couples and the odd male/female group.
On first impressions this is an excellent place to come for a �quiet� midweek drink. I imagine when the weather is warmer the numerous seating outside the pub is also handy, providing you can tolerate the incessant flow of traffic from the Woodbridge Road. Not sure if I would start here on a Friday/Saturday night though despite this boozer being close to where I live. A bit like the Lloyds bar in town, the layout of this place indirectly creates a cliquey environment when busy, which would make it difficult to search for H-File victims. In short, the Drummond is more a place to take my H-File victims rather than to search for them, lol!
26 Mar 2008 14:46
Time waits for no one and I frantically dash past this pub on route to work weekdays mornings when usually running late. However I finally made my first visit here last night (25 March) around 8.30ish with a lady friend. There is a prominent sign on the entrance door depicting that people wearing either baseball caps or tracksuit bottoms will not be allowed in. The place was not busy and we were served promptly at the bar. They did not sell Magners, so I opted for a bottle of Budweiser Budvar while my lady friend had half a pint of diet Coke. The drinks came to �4.80 so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks in here!
I found the d�cor fairly stylish and the cozy surroundings are aided by no main light but instead numerous dimly lit lamps covered with different coloured lampshades. I felt this helped to create a relaxing and even soporific atmosphere. There are plenty of comfy sofas and chairs akin to a restaurant layout, which made the place feel ideal for couples or groups eating out given food is also served (though we glanced at the menu on leaving and it seemed a wee bit expensive). I think there was background music, but it was being played so low that it hardly mattered. The sparse crowd in here appeared aged 23 and upwards as opposed to the Guildford College brigade found in either Bar Med/Time Nightclub on a Thursday night. There was a mixture of couples and the odd male/female group.
On first impressions this is an excellent place to come for a �quiet� midweek drink. I imagine when the weather is warmer the numerous seating outside the pub is also handy, providing you can tolerate the incessant flow of traffic from the Woodbridge Road. Not sure if I would start here on a Friday/Saturday night though despite this boozer being close to where I live. A bit like the Lloyds bar in town, the layout of this place indirectly creates a cliquey environment when busy, which would make it difficult to search for H-File victims. In short, the Drummond is more a place to take my H-File victims rather than to search for them, lol!
26 Mar 2008 11:45
There are some things in life money can�t buy, but for everything else, there is Roman Abramovich. It was a priceless moment (from a going out in Guildford perspective) to see fairly long queues for Yates� and Bar Med Saturday night (3 Feb) around 10ish, so we ended up in Bar Mambo. Then again, I usually go out more on a Friday night, so maybe Saturday nights are considerably busier? You don�t usually expect to queue to enter Yates� or Bar Med. Anyway, I have popped in Bar Mambo to use the toilet when previously staggering home from a night out, so was quite happy we were not charged entry to this small venue. The bouncers seemed friendly enough and crucially did not ask me for photo ID! Yet it took ages to be served at the bar and the bar staff, moreover, seemed quite aloof not to mention woefully short-handed on what was a fairly busy night here. I was driving and thought �2 for a coke in a small glass was deplorable.
Despite the queue for Bar Med eventually going down, we stayed in here (not my decision). It was quite vibrant and I had no complaints with the music the DJ was playing given his non-cheese music stance. I agree with an earlier review though in that the dance floor is ridiculously small. There was a few female talent round, but they were comfortably outnumbered by the sheer number of blokes here or they were in cliquey groups (with men) anyway. Someone got bottled at one point which undermined what was a good-humoured atmosphere until then.
Overall this place did a job given the circumstances that night, but there are far better places for me to search for H-Files if out on a Saturday night in Guildford town centre.
4 Feb 2008 16:05
The H-File search has taken me to Woking and I was here briefly last Thursday night after 9ish (31 Jan) with a H-File victim. The d�cor here is not that much different from any other Spoons boozer in En ger land, while the atmosphere seemed convivial given the lack of background music. It was fairly busy and we struggled to find seating. If my memory serves me correctly, a Magners and a diet coke came to �4.60, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks. Although I was focused on the nubile woman in my company, there did appear to be some female talent around amongst the mixture of younger lads on a night out and old men.
I imagine this is reasonable starting point on a Thursday night for what seems like a lively night out in Woking along the Chertsey Road. I would probably come here again with a few mates or for a �quiet drink� with a female friend when in the vicinity. Regarding the H-File search, it was refreshing that there were less female students around compared to going out in Guildford on a Thursday night for example, as many � without trying to make sweeping generalisations � tend to be on the prudish side.
4 Feb 2008 15:16
Travel may broaden the mind but I�m not sure if making a short trip from Guildford to Woking falls under this dictum? I came here last Friday night (25 Jan) to meet up with a H-File victim just before midnight. The atmosphere seemed relaxed when I entered and the crowd was mainly of blokes in the 20-30 age group. Given I had abandoned my (usually successful) H-File search in Guildford�s Time nightclub to drive here, I was treated to a coke, so can�t comment on the prices of the drinks.
To be honest the place seemed quite bland even if it was closing soon I think. If in Woking again on a Friday night, I might start here but can�t see myself staying for a good few hours like my female friend did. Besides, the toilets upstairs had a pungent smell of pi** which evoked miserable memories of O�Neils in Blackheath Village where the toilets were similarly shocking. I won�t be returning in a hurry�
31 Jan 2008 12:24
The Guildford Hotel, Guildford
Walked past here yesterday (Sunday Dec 30) afternoon around 2ish, but it looked shut down?? Shame, as this is an excellent boozer to watch televised footy in.
31 Dec 2007 16:54
The H-File bandwagon came to Norwich and we came here Saturday night (17 Nov) searching for H-Files after 9ish. It was fairly busy downstairs and though it was not my round, my mate did seem to take a while (easily 8-10 mins I would say) getting the drinks in. While waiting for our drinks, I noted that there appeared to be considerably more men than say "short-skirted peroxide blondes" in this place, which of course would have hampered our H-File search.
As a result, the blue neon lighting and shiny bars did not prevent us from only having 1 round of drinks before continuing our search elsewhere. I imagine this place is fine for 1 on a Saturday night if in the riverside area or somewhere to simply meet up before moving on. On this occasion, we were not impressed by the sheer number of blokes present and did not hang around.
19 Nov 2007 16:44
The H-File bandwagon came to Norwich and we were here early Saturday evening (17 Nov) to watch the second halves of the Scotland, Italy and Israel, Russia games. This appeared to be only place in the riverside area showing the game and we eventually found a comfy sofa upstairs. There are a number of screens here (including 2 massive ones above the bar) which make it a great place to watch televised sport. The boozer was not too packed and I was served promptly at the bar downstairs with a pint of Kronenbourg and 2 Bulmer's coming to �9.55.
There are pool tables upstairs, a couple of duke boxes, a cocktail bar (closed when we were here) but other than that, nothing else noteworthy regarding the d�cor. A degree of atmosphere was created downstairs with a raucous group of lads shouting incoherently throughout the matches (though maybe this is just the Norfolk accent), although this contrasted starkly with the deafening silence following the Italy and Russia goals.
Though the focus was on football, we made the conscious decision on first impressions not to come back here searching for H-File victims. We did later see potential victims come in here around 9ish (well 2!), but we drank elsewhere. Certainly a place to watch televised sport if in this part of the world again.
19 Nov 2007 12:09
What has happened to this place on a Friday night recently? Once the starting point for a decent Guildford H-File search on a Friday night, it has descended in a farce. Why? Well no matter how busy it becomes here now, management refuse to let people upstairs (bar women going to the ladies), where incidentally there are pool tables, a dance floor and another bar. Even the DJ has been forced downstairs and is now camped underneath the staircase. So once you have eventually been served (note you could go across the road to Flares and be served quicker than in here at times on a Friday night now), unless you sit down, you end up standing by the entrance or in front of the toilet entrance on busy nights. Trust me they are not the best places if for instance you fancy a dance!
In the summer of 2007 this was a quality place to stay for a long while before moving onto a club. Now, however, Yates' has merely become a meeting place on a Friday night, where you take advantage of the cheaper drink prices between 6 and 9pm before quickly moving on. Maybe then Slug & Lettuce is the new Yates' regarding the Guildford H-File search on a Friday night�
30 Oct 2007 15:08
My younger sister was a DJ here Bank Holiday Sunday night as we arrived around 7ish. How fit is the young blonde barmaid working here! Maybe a bit young for me given she is 18 though! My sister and the other DJ's were set up in the garden which considering how relatively small it is, eventually became cramped as the night progressed. The struggle for space outside was also compounded by the odd broken pint glass and people frequently bumping into you. I spoke to a couple of women for instance moaning about drinks being spilt on them. Not to mention that smokers can smoke out here as it's not enclosed, so you could end up with burns from cigarette butts. The result is that you end up more battered, burnt and bruised than Amy Winehouse after a night out.
The atmosphere both inside and outside appeared jovial and relaxed, though shame the view from the garden is blocked by what looks like an office block. There was certainly more blokes here than women which hindered my H-File search, but in truth I was just happy to listen and support my sister DJ.
Inside there are comfy leather sofas by the windows if you wish to sit down, but again the bar area becomes difficult to move around when busy. It can take a while to be served as well, but overall I found the bar staff helpful, with the young blonde barmaid brightening up my night each time I got a glimpse of her.
Anyway, if you're a fan of house music and not too bothered about dancing (as inside is too tiny and outside presumably becomes too packed over the weekend), I'd recommend this glorified pub over a Friday/Saturday night. It is too small for me and my quest for the H-Files though.
28 Aug 2007 13:00
Yep Roger, you interpreted it wrongly! Civil servant working in Westminster/Victoria way by any chance, ha ha?! I was watching the FA Cup final having put my half full bottle down and the next thing I knew it had been removed. Should have been clearer in my review. See you around Victoria!?!
24 Aug 2007 14:17
Sadly I watched Charlton slump to a 2-1 defeat against Stoke City in this boozer Saturday evening (18 Aug). It was virtually empty and the few people here were sheltering from the rain! Not that I expected now championship Charlton to be a crowd puller in this part of the world. A pint of coke set me back �2.20 and despite no sound coming from the main TV screen in front of the bar, I simply moved seats to watch the game in comfort from another screen. There are a number of screens in here so I was spoilt for choice.
There are a couple of jukeboxes and a pool table in this spacious pub, though the carpet was conspicuously tatty with the d�cor nondescript. The pub did get a little busier, but I was the only one really watching the game. Given I was in the area and I wanted to watch our game at Stoke, I was extremely grateful this pub was showing the match. I would certainly come here again to watch televised football if in the vicinity, but that's about it. You will NEVER catch me around here on a Friday/Saturday night for instance searching for H-Files�Portsmouth is the place to be on such nights!!
20 Aug 2007 12:02
The Guildford Friday night H-File search broadens! I came to Legion around 10.30ish (17 Aug) with a friend who was keen to see a certain woman in here. No problems with the bouncers on the door regarding photo ID for entry. We headed to the middle floor (pictured in pub details) where we found the female in question with a friend in one of the cosy booths. I was driving and my mate brought me a soft drink, so I am uncertain of the drink prices in here.
My first impressions of Legion is that it is simply the club version of nearby Five and Lime, which confirms Callum251's comment of this being Five and Lime's "sister pub". So basically if you like Five and Lime, you'll like this place. Not quite sure on the pricing policy though? It was �5 entry after 10pm when the Friday night clubbing crowd appear to flock to Time considering it is free entry there before Midnight.
The music playing in the background on this aesthetically looking floor was old school funky house with the clubby bit and main dance floor on the much darker ground floor. There was a private party on the top floor where the pool tables are. Despite eventually being with a group of women, the place did appear to be full of (older) blokes, which from my point of view was not encouraging for the H-File search. I felt the dance floor on the ground floor was a bit on the small side, though you could go up a few stairs onto the stage and also dance there.
Overall, Legion is a sound alternative to Harpers, Time or even Flares for a late drink and well worth a visit especially when the likes of Time/Harpers for instance presumably stop their summer policy of allowing free entry before Midnight.
20 Aug 2007 11:51
The Guildford Hotel, Guildford
The so called "curtain raiser" of the new English football season brought me and a couple of friends here Sunday afternoon (5 Aug) for the Man Yoo, Chelsea Community Shield match. At least this game was a vast improvement on the 2007 FA Cup final between the sides. There was only 1 other person here when we arrived shortly before 2.30, so we were therefore able to re-arrange the comfy sofas for our own viewing comfort in front of the plasma on the wall. We also watched the end of the F1 race before the footy started as the phenomenal Lewis Hamilton cruised to yet another win.
It was only �1.50 for a pint of either Pepsi/lemonade, while the woman working behind the bar was friendly and efficient. As mentioned previously, this is a relaxing place to watch football when at this end of town given it does not appear to get that packed. I had been to KFC and could not be bothered to walk back down the High Street to Bar Med. My mate, moreover, had found parking on the high street near KFC, which was a rarity itself for a Sunday afternoon!
In short, a quality boozer for watching televised football despite the Guildford Hotel not having a screen the same size as the HUGE one in the Foxtons, ha ha!
6 Aug 2007 12:11
I know what curiosity did to the cat, but I finally brought out my passport to come here Friday night around 10ish (20 July) with a mate. We were held up at the entrance as the bouncers meticulously checked our photo ID. I imagine this partially explains my previous questions as to why there is a long queue here some Fri/Sat nights if everyone - regardless of how old you look - has the same rigorous ID check. Oh, we were charged �3 to get in - a pi** take - given Time night club for instance is free entry before Midnight and even Yates' opposite do not charge.
Once inside we were served fairly quickly at the bar by cheerful bar staff and I liked the option of having a double Smirnoff and either Red Bull/Pepsi for �2.99, which I thought was reasonable. The crowd was more blokes than women and overall appeared a lot older. There were enough women here though in case I needed to search for H-Files, helped by the colourful surroundings, flashing dance floor and DJ playing "cheese" music, e.g. Queen, Abba & Jackson Five.
While the atmosphere was lively and there were potential H-File candidates, personally I did not enjoy Flares as I detest the "cheese" music associated with this chain. If, however, you like this sort of music, then I would certainly recommend the place. Just remember your oh so precious photo ID and that the toilets downstairs are a bit of a trek after a few drinks!
23 Jul 2007 12:05
As politics enters a new era with Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister, the pubs and bars of En ger land have also entered a new era. I came to the Star Inn yesterday evening around 8ish (4 July) with a lady friend, being the first boozer I have visited since the anti - smoking legislation was introduced. It was not busy, with a relaxed atmosphere and there was a relatively small covered area outside where a handful of people were smoking. Interestingly, the machine selling cigarettes was switched off.
I drove from Guildford to Petworth mainly along the wonderfully clear and scenic A283, so had a pint of Pepsi, while my lady friend had half a pint of diet Pepsi which both came to a modest �3.10. Simon served us and he was entertaining as well as efficient. My lady friend knew him and he joined us at our table briefly, as it was that quiet. There is a separate eating area here which looks more like a traditional caf� and not in tune with the overall d�cor of the pub. The main part of the boozer is smart looking with polished wooden d�cor, with a few tables/chairs and notably a massive TV screen which would be handy for watching televised sport. There is a games machine also and a couple of jukeboxes.
If in the area I would certainly come here again for a relaxing quiet drink or to watch televised football/cricket. Definitely not one for the H File search given the evident lack of nightlife here (what is it with the plethora of antiques shops though?) and along the A272 generally, for example, Midhurst and Petersfield. Shame the Vertigo nightclub has closed recently in the latter.
5 Jul 2007 11:29
Again, the queue to come in here last Friday night (25 May) was as far back as the Lloyds Bar when we arrived in Bridge Street. There was still a shorter queue when I left Yates' near midnight and given the window on the upstairs dance floor overlooks Bridge Street, there was a queue for most of the night! I am asking anyone who has been here�what is the fascination with this place, especially compared to the other bars on Bridge Street??
30 May 2007 12:48
I walked in here last Friday evening (25 May) around 5.30 and started laughing. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I foolishly expected a bustling and vibrant post-work crowd in this Guildford Ha Ha bar. It was a bit like my experience of walking into the Ha Ha! Bar and Canteen on Embankment. Soulless. Honestly, there was probably more atmosphere in the local Blockbuster video than in here.
There was NO staff behind the bar either not to mention the place feeling quite cramped given the plethora of tables and chairs. It certainly did feel more like a restaurant than a bar. Friday evening�no staff behind the bar at what I thought would be a peak time in Guildford (maybe the "bustling and vibrant post-work crowd" were enjoying drinking in the sunshine outside Old Orleans)? Shocking. I promptly left. Anyway, Yates' so far is the best place to search for H-Files Friday evening/nights in Guildford, ha ha!
30 May 2007 11:28
Talk is cheap and listening is priceless. Despite the best attempts of 2 women I was not persuaded to have a "private dance" at �20 a go. Yes my dear BITE readers, this place is certainly a strip joint "The Lions Den", though the women were mere pussycats given how empty the place was and the lack of "trade". Other than myself, there was one other bloke present around 9.30ish last night (22 May), we were easily outnumbered by the women and the staff.
It is fairly dark in here and there are 2 large conspicuous lion sculptures that are surrounded by numerous brown sofas. There is a pole on a stage towards the back of the place for the women to strip, with a large curtain just after the bar on the left where the private dances take place behind (I was told). No Magners sold here, so I sensibly opted for a coke which set me back �2.20! I say sensibly, as a bottle of Becks was �4.20.
I was enticed in out of curiosity by the free entry and carefree bouncers when walking from the station. The 2 gorgeous women who spoke to me were friendly enough without hassling me while drinking. If you enjoy talking to scantily dressed reasonably fit women while having relatively expensive drinks with the option of a �20 "private dance" (or 5 dances for the price of 4!), then this is the place for you! As for me and the H-File search, as I told one of the women, "Sorry love, I'm a bit more hardcore than a �20 dance�seen it all before!"
23 May 2007 12:11
The queue for Flares was stretching back as far as the main Lloyds bar entrance Saturday night (19 May) around 10.30! Is it that good?!?
21 May 2007 13:29
I came here Saturday night with my girlfriend (19 May) just before 10. No problems with the bouncers this time! There was a vibrant atmosphere here and it was fairly packed, but we were still served promptly. I cannot remember the exact prices, but I comfortably paid over �9 for a single vodka lemonade and a double southern comfort and coke, which I thought was a wee bit on the high side.
It was more lively in the upstairs section and according to my girlfriend, also less smoky here than downstairs. There was a number of other female talent on show which impressed me despite being out with the missus. If you ignore the relatively high prices of drinks, then bar med is well worth a visit on a Saturday night if in the Bridge Street area of Guildford. If single in the foreseeable future, I will certainly be visiting again searching for H-Files, ha ha!
21 May 2007 13:27
We came here to watch the second half of the FA Cup final (19 May). Easily less busy than the Stoke and I sensibly got a round in before the half time whistle, so was served promptly. 2 Magners, a pint of London pride and a vodka coke came to �12.25, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinksWe were in the centre of the pub, so could comfortably see both large TV screens.
Once the (YAWN) match had finished, we sat out in the decent beer garden which was enjoyable soaking up the evening summer sun till just before 7. I would certainly come here again to drink in the beer garden and to watch televised footy.
21 May 2007 13:12
I initially came here with a few friends to watch the FA Cup final (19 May) around 2.30. It was absolutely heaving and I only saw 2 plasma screens in the whole boozer. I was first to arrive and had a pint of coke at �2.05 given I had to pick up my girlfriend in the car later. Inevitably it took a while to be served. When the others turned up, we did manage to find some standing space to the left of one of the screens near the oven and toilets. Yet given our location (by the oven) and how packed it was, we were quite hot!
Thought it was interesting how there was a prominent "smoking is prohibited" sign on one of the pillars near where we were standing and a couple of people were still blatantly smoking right in front of it. What would happen come 1 July? Would there be a premium rate number that you could phone up and grass people up on??
We left shortly before half time to meet other friends in the Kings Head. Despite driving later, I was brought a Bulmers by my mate, but when I put the half full bottle down this was picked up and taken away presumably by the bar staff. Carelessness costs I guess and if I wanted another one, I was told by staff i would of had to buy it! Anyway, I would probably go elsewhere to watch a popular televised football match in future on first impressions.
21 May 2007 12:55
I came here last night to watch the end of what was an excellent Championship play off match between Derby and Southampton (15 May). The Saints cruel defeat on penalties means I can go to their St Mary's stadium next season and watch Charlton, which is far closer to me than Derby's Pride Park ground! Easily got a comfy seat on a sofa (well it is Championship football!) in front of a plasma TV by the window. The atmosphere appeared fairly relaxed despite the key issues at stake for the numerous Saints fans watching the game.
A Magners cost me �3.40, while a pint of coke was �2.10, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks in here. The woman who served me was cheerful and efficient, while there is an impressive 6 TV screens on one floor alone. Decor is what you find in most Bar Med's in En ger land�conspicuously orange.
This was the only place on Bridge Street last night showing the football, with Yates' bizarrely opting for Sky News?? Anyway, like the Guildford Hotel further up the High Street, Bar Med appears a reasonable place to watch televised football in Guildford.
16 May 2007 10:52
I came here with 4 others (2 Spurs fans) Bank Holiday Monday night shortly before Charlton's last home game of the season (7 May). Considering the Addicks relegation, it was a poignant pre match drink for me given my pre match pessimism.
Anyway, this place was packed of Spurs fans being the main "away" boozer when visiting Charlton. Needed to show tickets to enter. The "pumping" music playing in here gave the feel of being in a night club as opposed to going to a football match. Wooden d�cor was very basic, with sticky floor where we were standing, but we just wanted a quick drink so did not really care.
Decent enough boozer for away fans though when visiting the Valley, conveniently located a stone throw away from Charlton station. I am sure those supporters of Cardiff, Stoke and Burnley, for instance, will enjoy this place if they come to the Charlton game next season�
9 May 2007 12:42
I missed the brilliant 'Peep Show' on Channel 4 (hooray for the E4 repeat) to come here Friday night (4 May). As with Lloyds I went upstairs to be served and the place was practically empty. Had to drive later, so had a pint of coke at �1.75 and discussed Guildford bouncers with friendly bar staff while being served.
More livelier atmosphere in here than Lloyds with a DJ blasting out tunes in front of the dance floor, even if there were only a few (older) women dancing on it. Pool table area is handy if you fancy a game and this part of Yates' quickly filled up. Great to see Sky Sports News on the TV screens around the place. This Yates', however, did seem a bit on the dark and dingy side. The toilets, moreover, are awful, compounded by the sad figure of a toilet attendant going on about 'freshening up for the ladies' and other rubbish. �1 for a squirt of Hugo Boss and the women will fall at my feet will they? Clueless.
Yet in spite of the above, this was the better place for me when compared to the Lloyds across the road to come searching for H-Files�
9 May 2007 12:00
Despite comfortably looking over the age of 21, the bouncers refused to let me in Friday night after 10ish (4 May)!? Apparently I needed my passport/driving licence to enter, despite having genuine photo ID courtesy of my englandfans official membership card! Whatever happened to bouncers using a bit of common sense (like the ones on the door at nearby Lloyds & Yates')?
9 May 2007 11:37
Despite comfortably looking over the age of 21, the bouncers refused to let me in!? Apparently I needed my passport/driving licence to enter, despite having genuine photo ID courtesy of my englandfans official membership card! Whatever happened to bouncers using a bit of common sense (like the ones on the door at nearby Lloyds & Yates')?
9 May 2007 11:34
I missed the brilliant 'Peep Show' on Channel 4 (hooray for the E4 repeat) to come here Friday night (4 May). Bouncers gave me no trouble on the door and I headed to the upstairs bar, where I was served fairly quickly. A Magners cost me �3.10 and the atmosphere seemed relaxed, if not lively in quite bright surroundings. It was not too packed either.
The numerous tables and chairs away from the area in front of the bars meant that people generally stayed in cliquey groups once they had brought drinks.
There was, however, a few youngish female talent in some of these groups which made great "eye candy".
Unless you include the main area in front of the downstairs bar, there appeared to be no dance floor, which I found surprising given the commercial tunes being blasted out and the huge video screen showing the songs being played. Another surprise was that Lloyds shut at 11.00pm, unlike Flares or Yates for instance.
In short, this place is fine to start off the night in the Bridge St area of Guildford for some relatively cheaper drinks. Yet the layout of the place creates a cliquey environment lacking some atmosphere, which makes it difficult to search for H-Files.
9 May 2007 11:30
The Guildford Hotel, Guildford
I came here to watch Chelsea crash out of the Champions League to Liverpool last night. A �54 million strike force this season and all the Blues have to show so far is the League Cup! Despite arriving at 7.30ish and the game kicking off at 7.45, I easily got a seat on one of the comfy sofas just in front of the plasma on the wall. There was similar size plasma at the other end of this pub and a couple of TV screens above the bar.
There was a febrile atmosphere in here, with of the majority of people - surprisingly I felt - supporting Liverpool. Nothing noteworthy regarding the d�cor, while a Magners cost me �3. On first impressions, I would not come here searching for H-Files/women in Guildford, but this is certainly a reasonable place to watch televised football when at the top end of the High Street.
2 May 2007 15:24
The Silver Horseshoe, Midhurst
Philip Larkin once said "life is first boredom and then fear". Visiting this boozer for me certainly characterizes the former. I was here Easter Sunday around 9ish with my girlfriend and a couple of mutual friends on a Midhurst pub crawl. The d�cor was palpably tatty. It was not my round, so I cannot comment on the price of the drinks, given we only stopped here for one. There also appeared to be a pool competition towards the far end of the boozer, which I am told is a regular feature in Midhurst Sunday nights.
Sadly, the Silver Horseshoe just gave the impression of another dull pub in a relatively dull area come Friday/Saturday or a Bank Holiday night. Going out in Midhurst is a bit like the 10 minute free view on television X: it never appears to change. By this I mean that come a night like this or a Friday/Saturday night, the town is devoid of any vibrant atmosphere. As a result, this pub does not have enough character to avoid falling under the vapid Midhurst umbrella for a night out.
In spite of the above, the jukebox in the corner looks like it could have an array of tunes and if you�re a fan of pool, then it is worth a visit. I imagine the drinks would not be too pricey either. For the H-File search, however, I would avoid like bird flu.
11 Apr 2007 11:49
Now boarded up. See my previous post. No surprise really, this was a terrible boozer.
13 Mar 2007 15:45
I came here last Saturday (3 March) with a few of the lads before going to watch Charlton play at Watford. This was a handy meeting place as the Liverpool, United game was being shown on a number of screens and the pub was not �home fans only� pre kick-off. In fact, there was quite a jovial and relaxed atmosphere in here, given the juxtaposition of Charlton and Watford fans gathered conspicuously in their replica shirts. The place was not too busy either and I was served relatively quickly at the bar.
3 pints of Fosters, a Magners and a Guinness came to �16.10, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks. Overall, this boozer is great if you�re in Watford to watch football at Vicarage Road, given the stadium is close by. In fact, we stopped off in here after the 2-2 draw to watch some of the Pompey, Chelsea game and again, it was not too packed. Would certainly come here again when Charlton are in town and hopefully this will not be next season in the Championship, given Watford � as opposed to Charlton - are likely to be relegated!!
5 Mar 2007 20:13
Finally boarded up then according to Shaft. A poignant symbol of the urban decline in Lewisham Town Centre, but agreed that it is no real loss. See my previous post.
21 Feb 2007 12:48
Love is in the air! I came here Valentines night with my girlfriend and another couple around 8ish. Food was superb. The others enjoyed the famous carvery, while I had duck salad for my starter and to the amusement of my girlfriend, duck again for my main course, this time a breast coated with delightfully delicious raspberry sauce.
A romantic setting was modestly attempted with solely candles for lighting in the nondescript eating area. The atmosphere was tranquil and the eating area at least was not too packed with other smug couples. Service was friendly and efficient. Not too sure about the prices, as everything came to just over �81, including our drinks.
We relaxed in the stylish sofa area afterwards and watched the end of the Bolton, Arsenal FA Cup replay on the large plasma, much to my mate's wife annoyance! The place appeared to fill with students later on in the night. A quality night overall. I would certainly come here again for the food now as well as to watch football when next in Chi.
19 Feb 2007 15:35
I came here Saturday night (Feb 10) just before 10 with my girlfriend while debating whether to go into nearby Loop bar. I found the atmosphere here warm and relaxing. The place was not packed and we were served immediately. A Jack Daniels/coke & blue WKD came to around �5.80 I think. Hardly any female talent, but as mentioned in an earlier review, they presumably are to be found in Loop bar. Not searching for H-Files tonight anyway, given my Greenwich H-File with the girlfriend!
The spiral staircase does take up considerable space, but my girlfriend and I found seats by the window looking out on Dering Street. The decor is nondescript and there are numerous TV screens.
I imagine this pub to be a useful meeting place Friday/Saturday night if you wish to move on to the nearby Loop or Bonds bar. The place, moreover, seemed to have a degree of character about it. Shame the same character is missing in the current West Ham side, ha ha!
12 Feb 2007 11:15
Similar to Alan Curbishley�s managerial career at West Ham, my night at Apt started brightly and then went downhill. I came here Friday evening (2 Feb) for my mate's girlfriend birthday drinks. On first impressions, I liked the layout of this place, with the smaller upstairs bar and the larger area downstairs. The atmosphere, moreover, appeared lively and I enjoyed the music playing in the background. I then attempted to buy a round of drinks�
Around 6ish, there apparently were no pint glasses?? I also had to wait a while to be served and be told this. So I eventually got 2 bottles of Corona, 1 bottle of Tiger, 1 Magners and a Vodka, lime and lemonade. This came to �17.25, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks. The Magners was �4.60 by the way, while the Tiger beer was reduced in happy hour.
Despite there being some female talent around initially, the place rapidly (and perhaps predictably) filled with blokes, presumably from the local City worker population and it became too overcrowded. Besides, the few women that were there appeared as friendly as a rottweiler off its lead, up their own @rse, touching on the "angry girls" remark in the second review for this place. Not really a place to come searching for H-Files then. Even when I left there was a queue of blokes hoping to come in, with the queue going back as far as the William Hill bookies.
5 Feb 2007 15:02
I saw Tiger Tiger in Portsmouth flash up on the home page yesterday and it brought back fond memories of my visits here. Layout very similar to the ones in Newcastle, Croydon, Manchester and Haymarket, Central London. I appreciate how these places can appear pretentious and are relatively expensive, but I have always enjoyed myself in the Pompey one when searching for H-Files at least. For instance, 3 visits = 5 H-File candidates!
Not sure if I will get the chance to pop in after Charlton play at Portsmouth on 20 January, but if you are in the Gunwharf vicinity, this place is certainly worth a visit.
10 Jan 2007 16:01
Came here with my girlfriend yesterday evening (7 Jan) for something to eat and drink, before driving back to the smoke. See my previous post. Corrections from my visit last Tuesday though�it is the Hunters chicken and the meals were �8.25 each as opposed to �8.75. Not quite sure where I got Hanker from and the �8.75 price per meal?!? I was probably quite lackadaisical Tuesday, a bit like the Charlton performance away at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup Saturday. Hanker also rhymes with something I would like to call some of the Charlton players, with the word "overpaid" in front of it.
Anyway, I had the Hunters chicken yesterday and it was gloriously delicious, also like the spotted dick and custard (�3.75) I had afterwards. My girlfriend had rice, curry and nan bread, which she also enjoyed. The meals along with a pint and diet coke came to �19.87, excluding the spotted dick. Excellent friendly service again in a relaxed atmosphere. Probably the best food I have ever eaten in a pub. Probably.
8 Jan 2007 10:10
The Bricklayers Arms, Midhurst
From what I remember about New Years Eve, I came here with my girlfriend to see in 2007 around 11ish. Rubbish, despite the merits described in my previous post. A complete disaster was only averted by the TV screens being switched on to show the impressive fireworks display in Central London. The so called "disco" was dark, dull and deplorable. There was more atmosphere at a Welcome Break service station than in here. Awful. The decision to have a ticket only policy - unlike the nearby Swan and Crown - was as clueless as the West Ham performance away at Reading on New Years Day. We left shortly after Midnight to happily return to the nearby Swan. What a contrast from St Patricks Day.
3 Jan 2007 16:43
Came here last night (2 Jan) for some drinks before watching Charlton's 4 nil defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Mainly full of smug Arsenal fans with their replica shirts on, although this pub is opposite the entrance for away supporters. You could drink outside which is what we did.
2 Magners and a half a pint of Fosters (for the laydee!) came to �7.30, so make what you want from that about the drink prices if anything. The Magners, however, came in 330 ml bottles as opposed to the usual 568 ml ones.
Jovial atmosphere outside the pub considering the juxtaposition of Arsenal and Charlton supporters, with the tv screens inside showing the excellent Sky Sports News (which darkened my evening by informing me that Thierry Henry was starting for the Gunners, thereby crushing any notion of Charlton getting at least a point from the game). Shut after kick-off, but a decent enough boozer for a pre match drink when visiting the Emirates. Given Charlton's plight, this could be my last visit here for a while�
3 Jan 2007 12:59
Came here with my girlfriend Tuesday lunchtime (2 Jan) before heading back to London to watch Charlton play at Arsenal. I was driving back to London, so cannot comment on the drinking side, but the food (Hanker chicken with cheese, bacon, chips and salad) I had was absolutely fantastic. My girlfriend equally enjoyed her scampi, chips and peas. Though the meals were �8.95 each - relatively expensive if being honest - in my case I feel it was worth every penny.
The polished wooden d�cor in this spacious pub is pleasant, while the bar staff were efficient and friendly. The fireplace and bookshelf, moreover, help to provide a warm and relaxed atmosphere. It was mainly pensioners present the time we were here, but the place was not busy.
I imagine The Half Moon Inn to be a great place to have a Sunday roast. Located on the A272, however, it is a wee bit out of the way from the other Midhurst boozers in the town centre. Yet if you (or someone else) are prepared to drive and sacrifice heavy drinking, then it is well worth a visit to sample the impressive selection of (presumably delicious) food.
3 Jan 2007 12:46
I came here Saturday night (Sat 16) with my girlfriend for a Christmas party. I recall a Magners and a pint of Carling coming to �6 early in the night, so make what you want from that about the prices of drinks if anything. With the Christmas party group making up most of the numbers here, there was a good-humored atmosphere, while the bar staff were all friendly and efficient. Though one young female member of staff seemed bemused by my "Cashley" Cole money which I attempted to leave as a cheeky tip!
The food for our Christmas meal was fantastic, while I liked the smart layout/d�cor of the pub, which also has a pool table. Shame I was sitting near a Tottenham and Liverpool fan for the meal, especially the latter, given Charlton's defeat earlier in the day. The men's toilets were also out of order, but sharing with the ladies was interesting as the drink started to flow until someone was sick, leaving an awful stench. Not a great environment for a "quickie" then, ha ha!! Yet this was a superb venue for the night in spite of the pub being a fair walk from the centre of Midhurst and the other boozers.
19 Dec 2006 11:21
I came here with my girlfriend on Saturday night (9 Dec). The place was relatively quiet, but then again, this is (YAWN) Midhurst. There is more chance of West Ham winning away from home in the league, than there is finding a lively atmosphere in most boozers in this town on a Saturday night. Saying that, I was served immediately given how empty the place was and I liked the smart d�cor/pub layout in here. A Magners and bottle of Corona came to �6.15, which I thought was reasonable.
There was a stoolball function upstairs and a couple of women from the group joined us. My girlfriend knew them and they added to the enjoyment of our night. For me this is an ideal place to come with the missus for a quiet drink, as opposed to searching for H-Files on a Saturday night, so the Wheatsheaf did a sterling job!
11 Dec 2006 16:49
The H-File tour came to Birmingham this past Saturday night (2 Dec) and we came here for a few drinks. No hassle from the bouncers, but we were charged entry (�5 I think). There is a plethora of screens in this place and they were showing the excellent Sky Sports News at the time.
The d�cor is reminiscent of a darker Walkabout bar, but as mentioned in Mr Monkfish's review, there is genuine interesting sporting memorabilia on show. We were also served promptly at the bar. A couple of hen parties helped to add to the lively atmosphere.
This place is encouraging for the H-File search and I bet the eponymous widescreen reviewer on this site would have a field day in here!! Worth a look if in the area.
4 Dec 2006 13:16
The H-File tour came to Birmingham this past Saturday night (2 Dec) and we had a round of drinks in this bland pseudo wine bar. YAWN. A sterile and soporific place, clearly lacking copious female talent. Hearing Blur's 'Coffee and TV' track amongst the dreary tunes being played in the background cheered me up a bit though. My mate who got the drinks in here said it was a bit pricey also.
Ironically, this is next door to what looked like the equally unappealing All Bar One (we glanced in and decided no way we were going in there). Smart location, but not somewhere I would come again on a Friday/Saturday night if in the area searching for H-Files.
4 Dec 2006 12:51
The H-File tour came to Birmingham this past Saturday night (2 Dec) and our group started drinking in here. The bouncers let us all in with no problems. Of course being a Lloyds bar you could take advantage of the relatively cheaper drinks. I got 3 Magners, a pint of Sam Miguel and 2 double Vodkas/Red bulls for comfortably under �20.
I liked the screens showing the music videos playing in the background which I feel added to the lively and cheerful atmosphere building in here. Enjoyed the 90s dance music playing (Baby D - 'Let me be your fantasy' for instance). The dance floor is a wee bit on the small side, though no-one was on it when we were here. There was some female talent around and this seemed a reasonable place to start searching for H-Files. This place was also handy to watch the end of the Middlesbrough, Man Yoo game, with screens aplenty in bright surroundings.
With hindsight, we should have come here later in the night, given the lack of atmosphere and female talent in some of the other bars we later went into and the club we eventually ended up in. Well worth a visit if you're in the Broad Street area.
4 Dec 2006 12:38
Stopped in here Saturday lunchtime on route to Birmingham to watch the Arsenal, Spurs match, given the Gunners fans in our group desperately wanted to watch the game. I used to live in the area years ago, so this was a nostalgic re-visit to one of my favourite pubs back then to watch televised football. I am pleased to say The Vine has not lost any of its charm, cosiness and character.
We were served quickly at the bar by the friendly female bar staff and despite arriving ten minutes before kick-off, we all got seats (6 of us) and had 2 tables for our food orders. My lasagne for �5.25 was delicious and there were selected meals also on special offer when 2 were purchased.
Despite the juxtaposition of Arsenal and Spurs fans here, there was a jovial atmosphere, with numerous screens showing the game and commentary turned up to a reasonable level (Phoenix in Victoria take note!. For those not too fussed about the football (I support beleaguered Charlton, but have Arsenal players in my fantasy football team), there is a pool table and the quality Golden Tee golf machine to keep you occupied. There is also the machine that has the decent Bullseye, Hangman and Who Wants to be a Millionaire games on it, which have this tendency to swallow many of my pound coins!
Great d�cor to provide the foundation for a great spacious pub to watch televised football in. Would certainly come here again to watch football if in the Hillingdon/Uxbridge area.
4 Dec 2006 10:55
A mate of mine wanted to have his work leaving drinks here, so this is where I found myself early Friday evening (1 Dec). The wooden d�cor looked tatty and the place was far too smoky for a non-smoker like myself. Presumably in the summer people can spill out onto the pavement, with the barrels outside a handy place to rest drinks. In early December, however, everyone was crammed into what is a relatively small boozer. It also took a while to be served. No Magners here for those who jumped on the cider bandwagon back in the summer and I am not sure if Strongbow Cirrus is an ideal replacement.
With a number of other boozers in the vicinity, I would not come here if I was having leaving drinks. Anyway, it was full of blokes, presumably from the local civil service worker population. As a result, it is a poor place to come searching for H-Files. Yet it is a stone throw away from the train and tube stations to escape dull Victoria on a Friday evening and they did have the excellent Sky Sports News on the screens here. The GORGEOUS presenter Vicky Gomersall was on as well! She always brings a grin to my face!
4 Dec 2006 10:40
The Spanish Galleon, Greenwich
My girlfriend and I came here Saturday night (25 Nov) following our H-File and meal in the nearby High Chaparral restaurant. It was not too busy and my girlfriend was served fairly quickly at the bar. The member of bar staff who served her was also friendly enough. A bottle of Corona and a Magners came to over 7 quid, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks!
We sat away from the main section of the pub in the virtually empty and therefore quieter non-smoking area, which was ideal for a chat and relaxing drink before continuing our H-File. The main section of the pub did appear to lack any atmosphere though. In spite of this, I would certainly come here again on a Saturday night when with out the missus. This place seems ideal for a few quiet drinks - especially if you are a non-smoker - after a meal given the plethora of restaurants found in Greenwich.
27 Nov 2006 12:28
I met up with a few lads I know from watching Charlton here when the Bolton, Arsenal game was on (Nov 25) while waiting for my girlfriend to arrive in the smoke. It was fairly busy early on this Saturday evening, but we all easily got a seat. I like the cosy feeling this boozer provides away from the hustle of Waterloo station, especially when it was heaving with rugby fans returning from Twickenham. Not sure on paying �3.99 for a Magners though, but I was served quickly.
I also watched the Man Yoo, Chelsea game here on the Sunday and again comfortably got a seat with my girlfriend. As mentioned in my previous posts, this pub has a great use if you want to watch televised football matches and happen to be in the area, despite drinks being relatively expensive here. Oh, remember to get the code for the toilets when you buy your drinks!
27 Nov 2006 12:19
I came here Saturday night before 9 (18 Nov), as a mate of mine wanted to have his birthday drinks in here. The doormen unceremoniously refused me entry straight away, but I lied and said I was running late for my meal. This place is more a restaurant with a relatively small bar and lounge area. It was quite packed when I arrived, but I was not kept waiting too long when I eventually got to the bar. The Gaymers (no Magners) and 2 bottles of Becks I ordered came to �10.90, so make what you want from that about the price of drinks if anything. I was bemused why the barman had to act like he was in a circus by juggling glasses and bottles when all I wanted was to be served promptly.
The d�cor reminded me of an All Bar One and there was a bloke playing a piano in the bar section singing away to Ocean Colour Scene, Blur and Kaiser Chiefs songs to name a few. He should consider X Factor next year! A DJ eventually replaced him and played a mixture of tunes, but not any R&B or cheese music.
Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the problem was that this place was far too crowded. We therefore ended up staying in the same spot for ages, with it being difficult to move around other than a trip to the toilets. From where I was standing, however, it seemed to be full of blokes anyway, so probably not a place I would come again to search for H-Files. Yet I liked the idea of how the entrance to the toilets is disguised as a wall and there was also no toilet attendant present!
20 Nov 2006 10:43
The Old Customs House, Portsmouth
I came here with my girlfriend and her Mum while shopping in Gunwharf Quays Sunday afternoon (12 Nov) following our Petersfield H-File. This is a quality pub with character in an impressive location. There is plenty of spacious seating area, divided into smoking and non-smoking areas in several different rooms.
Delicious food! I had the BBQ half chicken, while my girlfriend enjoyed her cod & chips and her Mum equally enjoyed her shepherd's pie. Along a drink each, everything came to under �28 I think. Bar staff were friendly and efficient at the time.
Apparently, this is the only traditional pub in the excellent Gunwharf Quays. For me, it is also a quality place to relax between shopping. I have been here in the summer last year and it was superb, given its location and outside seating area. Will certainly come here again when next shopping in Gunwharf.
13 Nov 2006 12:57
My girlfriend and I came here Saturday night (11 Nov) for a few drinks given our local H-File. The place had a Slug and Lettuce feel to it in terms of d�cor and we were served at the bar promptly, with a Magners and a blue WKD coming to �5.90. The Magners, however, came in a 330 ml bottle as opposed to a 568 ml one, which was the first time I had seen this.
I liked the mixture of music they were playing here, which did not include funky house or chart cheese, while there was a relaxed atmosphere until a fight broke out. The bouncers eventually took care of the situation, even if their approach was initially a bit lackadaisical.
I liked the idea of coat pegs in the place as well as the seating area towards the back of the place near the toilets. It was mainly full of blokes, with a few women about. Overall, a decent boozer to visit on a Saturday night, before moving onto the Vertigo nightclub. Also, given how fairly cold it was this Saturday night, it is worth noting that this is the closest pub to the nightclub as well!
13 Nov 2006 12:40
The Folly Winebar, Petersfield
I came here with my girlfriend late on Saturday night (11 Nov) given our local H-File, before going on to the Vertigo nightclub. This relatively small place was lacking people, but crucially was lacking any kind of atmosphere and therefore seemed a bit on the soulless side. At least we were served quickly though! We did not stay long at all, barely finishing our drinks, given how soporific the place was. I preferred the nearby George for a pre-Vertigo drink.
13 Nov 2006 12:30
My girlfriend and I came here this past Saturday night (28 Oct) given our local H-File between watching Charlton's televised game at Newcastle. Predictably, it was busy - especially with the beer garden closing at 9.30 - but we did not have to wait too long to be served at the bar. I think the Vodka/Lemonade and Diet Coke we ordered came to just under �4, so make what you want from that if anything!
Seemed a wee bit on the pretentious side, but overall there was a relaxed atmosphere. My girlfriend was tired and wanted to continue our H-File, so we only had 1 brief drink, but I still feel my first review about this place on 13 July is apt for a Saturday night.
31 Oct 2006 15:52
Came here Sunday afternoon (29 Oct) while waiting for my girlfriend�s train to watch some of the West Ham, Blackburn match. I think this an excellent boozer to watch football in given its location. With Bonpartes and Reef Bar also in the station, it�s never busy when I have been here. The bar staff were friendly and efficient, even putting the match commentary on for me instead of having music playing over the football. Good for the reasons stated on my last review.
31 Oct 2006 11:29
My girlfriend and I came here Saturday evening (28 Oct) as the nearby Auctioneer was showing Heineken Cup rugby and surprisingly, not the Newcastle, Charlton game on Prem Plus. It was busy, but we were served immediately by the friendly female member of the bar staff. A Magners and a pint of Stella came to �6, so make what you want from that about the prices of drinks if anything.
There were 4 televisions showing the game, including a massive one towards the back of the pub. Seemed a decent boozer to watch football in overall. Good point for the Addicks at Newcastle. I would certainly come to the Mitre again to watch televised football games.
31 Oct 2006 11:16
My girlfriend and I came here Saturday evening (28 Oct) to watch Charlton's away trip at Newcastle on Prem Plus. Yet they had the Heineken Cup rugby on EVERY screen. Shocking that this Sarf-East London pub would prefer to show Heineken Cup rugby when one of the local football teams televised game AWAY at Newcastle is on. No wonder the place was virtually empty. We promptly left. The Auctioneer has lost its pole position as best Greenwich pub to watch football in.
31 Oct 2006 11:14
Molly O'Grady's, Victoria Place
Came here with a friend at lunchtime (24 Oct) for a quick drink following my KFC meal in soulless Victoria Place. It was virtually empty and therefore we were rightly served promptly. No pungent smell of booze either like the nearby Duke of York! Important, as I cannot let my new employers think I am an alcoholic with my clothes smelling of booze when I return to the office just jet!
A pint of coke and a Jack Daniels & coke came to �3.95, so make what you want from that about prices if anything. I found this place quite warming and the d�cor palpably smarter that the Wetherspoons downstairs. Useful also to have a few televisions showing the excellent Sky Sports News as well, especially as the gorgeous Vicky Gomersall was on! I would certainly come here again if in this part of the station at lunchtime.
24 Oct 2006 16:20
Discovered this place while waiting for my girlfriend early Saturday evening after watching Charlton�s game with Watford, as I wanted to watch a bit of the Villa, Fulham game. Plenty of seats and 3 televisions showing the football, so this place is handy if you're either waiting for a train or waiting for someone to come into Waterloo and you want to watch Sky Sports for instance. Other than that, I would not bother waste your time and money coming to this place. In fact, when seeing my girlfriend off the next day, I watched some of the Man Utd, Liverpool game in here.
23 Oct 2006 12:19
My girlfriend and I came here on a Saturday night (21 Oct) around 8.30ish, given our local H-File. There was a bouncer on the door dressed very casually (well, I assumed he was another punter waiting for someone) limiting the number of people coming in, although once inside, there was plenty of room away from the bar. Getting a drink from the bar, however, did take a while. The second time I went to the bar, I was served marginally more quickly, though the bloke serving me almost gave my change to someone else and initially gave me a Magners without opening it! Magners and a Peronni came to around �6.50 I think.
The d�cor in this place is reminiscent of an art gallery and there was a good mix of men and women. Lyric-less music dominates in here, but no dance floor area if you want space to dance. The big pillars near the bar area take up quite a bit of room, so if you stand near the bar, you�re pretty much staying there other than venturing to the bar or toilets when busy. My girlfriend and I were able to get some seats at the front of the place and overall enjoyed ourselves.
I still think Blackheath Village generally is more a couple�s place at night though. The Railway therefore is not the ideal place I would like to be in on a Friday or Saturday night when out with the lads. Saying this, I did pop in here earlier before I went to the Charlton Watford game at 3. With Blackheath station virtually next door, it�s not a bad little pre-match boozer before moving onto Charlton if you�re not bothered about the place having no television screens showing football for instance.
23 Oct 2006 11:16
Came here after work on a Friday night (20 Oct) to meet up with other colleagues between sessions in the nearby Ha Ha! Bar and Canteen. Rubbish. Dark and dingy compounded by a long wait to be served at the bar. Seemed to be full of cliquey groups from the local civil servant/corporate worker population. There was probably more atmosphere at Billy Smart�s circus than in this place. A group of us swiftly returned to Ha Ha! Bar and Canteen.
23 Oct 2006 10:01
Ha! Ha! Bar and Canteen, Victoria
Came here after work on Friday night (20 Oct) with a few colleagues. See my previous post, though on this occasion there was an improvement regarding the female talent on show. Maybe I was wrong on my first visit here, as based on tonight, this appeared to be one of the better bars around Victoria to search for H-Files. Anyway, I have increased my rating for this place as a result!
23 Oct 2006 09:58
News that the new Wembley will be open for the 2007 FA Cup final reminds me of this place, as I was here on the Saturday night of this years FA Cup final.
We came here for my girlfriend's mate birthday meal and drinks. The meal was splendid, with a superb beer garden and dance floor area, given a DJ was hired out for the evening. Pub is isolated though in tiny Rogate, so a coach was hired to take us there and back. I doubt I will ever come here again in my life.
20 Oct 2006 12:12
I was once fooled by the huge mirrors to the left on entering this place nearer the bar (probably had a bit too much to drink!), as I thought it was another part of Baa Bar!
I like the unisex toilets up the stairs above the bar (good view across the place from here as well), which a bit like the unisex area in Bar 38 toilets, is always entertaining for a bit of banter with women. Shooters for 1 quid is the main attraction of this place for me, though when I have been here on a Saturday night after 9, it has always been well packed and can take a while to get served. As a result of how busy it can get, the place becomes quite hot as well. Other than the huge mirrors, I do not recall much about the decor!
Still well worth a visit when on Deansgate Locks though for the offers on shooters. Not so great for the H-File search on a Saturday night however, given how difficult it is to move around.
20 Oct 2006 11:41
Hooray! The new Wembley stadium will be open for the 2007 FA Cup final! Yet trips to M�cr to watch En ger land games at Old Trafford evoke memories of coming to this place. We usually start here when out in M�cr City Centre. Downstairs seems to be more livelier than upstairs and we were served at the bar fairly quickly.
For me, Bar 38 is better than nearby Teasers and is an adequate starting point for the H-File search. I also like the idea of the unisex area in the toilets as well, which is always good for a bit of banter with women!
20 Oct 2006 11:20
Came here on a Saturday night (Oct 14) and Sunday afternoon (Oct 15) for food with the lads. Bar the ridiculously drunk woman who tried to snog me on the dance floor, this place was excellent in all departments once again! No toilet attendant as well on a Saturday night, hoo-ray! Superb place to search for H-Files in Chichester.
16 Oct 2006 13:25
Today's Fulham, Charlton fixture always evokes memories of coming here. A decent enough boozer for away fans before the walk across Putney Bridge and through Bishop's Park to Craven Cottage. Impressive view of the River Thames towards Fulham's ground from here as well.
16 Oct 2006 12:59
The Slug and Lettuce, Chichester
We came here on a Saturday night for the first time (Oct 14) just before 9. The place was quite packed, though I was still served at the bar fairly quickly. From what I remember, 3 bottles of Corona and a Magners came to �12.70, so make what you want from that about drink prices.
The d�cor, however, was nondescript, while the background music was lyric-less funky house, which I struggled to appreciate this stage of the night. There was a relaxed and jovial atmosphere in here, but I found this place too cramped given the host of tables and chairs taking up room to go along with how busy it was. Apparently, it usually becomes 1 in, 1 out later on in the night. I thought the Slug and Lettuce in Bromley was small! There was also a private function towards the back of the place near the toilets, so even less room in the main area. No dance floor area, so if you fancied a little boogie, tough.
I was happy to swiftly move on after 1 round of drinks and am unlikely to drink here again when next in Chichester on a Saturday night. Searching for H-Files? Not when you can barley move around. On to Lloyds then!
16 Oct 2006 11:17
Came here to watch the Croatia, En ger land game (11 Oct) and was pleased to easily get a seat. The place was empty despite 3 large plasma screens showing the match. �2.90 for a pint of Star and �3.50 for a Magners, so make what you want from that. Made a welcome change from going to the nearby Auctioneer to watch an En ger land game and unlike the last boozer I was in (Phoenix, Victoria), they had the commentary blaring out to generate a bit of atmosphere. I might come here again to watch football when in Greenwich, but see my previous posts about this place!
Regarding the game, I initially missed Paul Robinson's farcical howler for En ger land though. I had turned away from the screen to tell my mate at the bar I did not want ice in my Magners, assuming Robinson would comfortably clear the ball. Why do people follow fads by drinking Magners with copious amounts of ice, when it comes out of a fridge anyway and the ice simply waters down the drink, usually numbing your throat in the process??
12 Oct 2006 10:40
We were going to watch the Croatia, En ger land game (11 Oct) in here, but was told they would not have any commentary on during the game. The reason. A member of staff said they did not want to style themselves as a "sports bar", though the very reason they were (getting) packed was because of the football. Clueless. We left for Greenwich. I won't come here again to watch football. The anonymous post below about the air conditioning is spot on as well.
12 Oct 2006 10:09
Came here with a few mates on a Friday night (6 Oct) out of curiosity, given I used to drink in here many years ago when it was the Royal Bell. An improvement. The layout downstairs has not changed too drastically, but there is a bigger dance floor area in front of the DJ booth. The second narrower staircase has been removed to also create more room in the same area. The smarter d�cor to accompany the blue and pink neon lighting gives the place a more tranquil atmosphere, while the pine flooring is better than the tatty carpet that used to be found in the Royal Bell.
The DJ was playing predominately dance and commercial beats, though this was momentarily ruined by Steps cheesy song, "5,6,7,8", as the bar staff attempted to entertain punters with dancing. The bar staff, however, were efficient and there was also a few youngish female talent (you could start a debate whether they were over 21 or not) lurking around, so this place has some potential for the H-File search in Bromley. Was not as packed as I anticipated, given upstairs was not open, but why why why was there a toilet attendant, given how relatively small the toilets were?? He was also muttering the same old standard rubbish heard by these people all over En ger land in 'Freshen up for the ladies'. When are they going to learn? Image and presentation is everything, not whether a woman can smell a bit of Hugo Boss on me, especially when I am expected to pay �1 for a few squirts!!
Anyway, if you're in Bromley, I would certainly have a butchers. I thought it would have least opened till midnight on a Friday night though?
9 Oct 2006 11:35
I used to come here with a woman I was frequently seeing from Midhurst and have been here on a Saturday night a couple of times. This boozer is split into two sections with a pool room at the back. The bar staff were friendly and efficient on the occasions I visited, but then again, Midhurst is a relatively small town where virtually everyone knows each other, so you would surely expect this. On one occasion, they had a DJ (local lad Jamie Cummings, I was reliably informed!) present, who did a fine job of giving the place a degree of atmosphere, with a smart selection of non-cheese tunes.
For me, Midhurst is too small a town to ever become a truly vibrant night out. It is more a place to go for a few quiet beers on a crawl around town or a place to go drinking with a partner. Therefore, the Crown is not a place you would find me in again on a Friday or Saturday night for instance, unless with my lovely lady-friend from the area!!
3 Oct 2006 10:32
Came here after work on a Friday night (29 Sept), following a session in the Victoria one. 3 Magners cost �11.25, so make what you want from that.
When I go out on a Friday night, I would like to walk into a bar with a lively atmosphere. Maybe I spent too long in the Ha Ha! Bar and Canteen in Victoria, but this one was quite simply soulless. I have seen more character on a box of corn flakes. With Charing X around the corner, I was more than happy to swiftly leave this place to escape the too costly, too crowded and too cosmopolitan capital city. H-File search? More chance of Charlton winning away from home in the league!
2 Oct 2006 10:40
Ha! Ha! Bar and Canteen, Victoria
I found the d�cor of this place quite smart and I appreciated the plasma screens showing the excellent Sky Sports News! The huge centrally located staircase made moving around the ground floor laborious when the place became busier though.
The restaurant area upstairs looked an attractive place to eat, which despite not having any food, I saw enough off given the walk to the stylish toilets on the same floor. Pleased there was no toilet attendant present, shouting the usual nonsense, �Freshen up for the ladies!�
The music playing in the background was mainly funky house, which was played at a sensible level, so you did not have to shout to talk. As with Ha Ha! Bar and Canteen's (well the Portsmouth & Embankment ones), there is no dance floor, but there was a relaxed atmosphere here, no doubt created by the pink neon lighting and pine flooring.
The place was mainly full of blokes, presumably from the local civil service/corporate worker population, while the female talent on show was pretty poor. Ideally, not a place I would come searching for H-Files, but a welcome change from the nearby The Duke of York or Phoenix for a few post work drinks on a Friday night.
2 Oct 2006 10:13
I came here with a friend to watch the Newcastle, Everton game Sunday afternoon (24 Sept), given my previous post about watching football in this boozer. With the Ryder Cup reaching its climax, the newer part of the pub with the plasma screens was showing this, so we watched the game on the screen nearest to the bar. We were served fairly quickly, though the floor was really sticky. There were a number of files buzzing around the screen as well in this part of the pub which was off putting. In spite of this, there was a bit of atmosphere created by one vociferous Everton fan and drinks are relatively cheap. I would come here again to watch football at least when in Chi, but sit in the newer part of the bar!
25 Sep 2006 15:43
I popped in here with a mate a Saturday night after 10 (23 Sept) out of curiosity having heard poor reviews about the place. My mates who had warned me about Marlows Bar were spot on. Another mediocre Lewisham boozer, typically lacking character, vibrancy and female talent. The place is also dingy just like the street lighting outside. Asked for a pint of Magners and was told that they had Bulmers instead, which turned out to be a poorer version. Rubbish, just like Lewisham overall for the H-File search. Threw most of the drink down the toilet and left promptly.
25 Sep 2006 13:43
Came in here Saturday night (23 Sept) after checking out ONE around the corner as it is on the way to Lewisham station. See my previous post. This place is symbolic of the urban decline in Lewisham. For a Saturday night approaching 10ish, it was practically empty. A far cry from its heyday years ago. Even the main plasma screen away from the one above the bar was black and white! Thankfully, we did not pay the now �5 charge to get in, but the paucity of female talent was a joke. The only positive was that the music blaring out was not "cheese", but we did not hang around.
25 Sep 2006 13:35
After listening to Charlton's defeat at Aston Villa (Sept 23), I needed a few drinks, so met up with mates in here. I was quite impressed with the fairly smart d�cor, relaxed atmosphere and the efficient service of the friendly staff. I also appreciated the lack of "cheese" music and Lewisham plastic rudeboys/gangsters here. It is an ideal meeting place to start the night off, with nearby Lewisham station the hub for public transport in Sarf-East London (bus, train, black cabs and DLR).
I paid �15 for a pint of Magners and Sam Miguel as well as 3 pints of Kronenberg, so make out what you want from that figure about the price of drinks!
The restaurant section looks promising and if you fancy a change from Greenwich or Blackheath Village with its plethora of restaurants, it might be worth checking out the food. However, this place is out of character for the rest of the pubs in Lewisham. Approaching 9.30 on a Saturday night, it was virtually empty, so those who like the style of ONE, are presumably more likely to go to Greenwich or Blackheath Village for a longer night out. Overall, ONE is a decent meeting place for Lewisham on a Friday/Saturday night considering the other boozers nearby, but other than that, I would not come here again. Not searching for H-Files anyway!
25 Sep 2006 13:09
I detest the "cheese" music they appear to play in these places, as I have also been to the one in Chichester. I am now convinced there is a link between "cheese" music and the older crowd, as venues playing this sort of music does appear to attract a lot older people. Not that I am bothered by H-File candidates being a wee bit older than myself! I was here with mates Friday night (8 Sept) and there was a few younger female talent lurking around, but the women present tonight as EM puts it were overall "late 30's-40's". Saying that, I had an alright night here on a Friday, searching for H-Files, but I agree with itswotumakeit in that if a cheesy night out is your thing, then this is the place for you.
11 Sep 2006 12:56
A decent enough meeting place in Stevenage's Old Town, where I was served really quickly at the bar from the friendly women working when here with mates on a Friday night (8 Sept). There was a DJ playing funky house music which gave the place a lively atmosphere and the drinks were relatively cheap. Yet it was far too full of blokes and therefore not a place to begin the H-File search. In short, a place to start, but not to finish in this part of the World.
11 Sep 2006 12:34
We came here Saturday night before 9ish (2 Sept) after watching the En ger land game in the nearby Auctioneer. Fair enough, I had my Charlton top on and didn't expect to get in, especially with local rivals Millwall playing at home today. Yet the bouncers tried to tell us, 'mixed couples only' on arriving at the door!?! They were having a larf, surely. Central London zone 1 policy in Greenwich?? The jokers. We eventually got in, as I wore my mates t-shirt and he just put on his jumper, but I was not impressed with the bouncers attitude. 'Mixed couples only'!?!
Inside was devoid of any vibrancy or female talent, so we went downstairs to the South Pole bit. Awful. It eventually became too packed with blokes and for the non-smoker, it became so smoky, my eyes started to sting. As I have said before, too costly, too crowded and too cosmopolitan. There were a few nondescript women in the corner near the toilets, but most of them were so far up their own @rse. One even had the cheek to tell me her mate 'was not interested', when I was simply dancing close to her. Given how packed it was, there was not much room for me to dance elsewhere! Anyway, I had as much chance searching for H-Files in the North Pole, as Andorra scoring against En ger land earlier that afternoon in the footy. See my previous review which I feel is quite apt. I will not be coming here again, unless with a 'lady-friend'.
4 Sep 2006 12:31
I came here for work drinks on Friday night (18 August) as a couple of lads were leaving our Department. For a Friday night and given the local Civil Servant/plc worker population, it was not too busy and we did not need to wait too long to get a drink. It is not that big, but there is a restaurant upstairs. It was a decent night, though I would not come here any other time bar work drinks, e.g. a Saturday night. It lacked atmosphere, female talent and character. It also seemed pointless having a doorman on one entrance opposite the station, but not anyone on the entrance opposite The Stage Door pub! While the men's toilets were not well maintained and stunk all night. Forget the great H-Files search in this part of the World.
21 Aug 2006 13:35
Quality place to start the night before moving onto Moons. I was here with mates Saturday night (12 August) and enjoyed the cheaper drinks to compliment the pumping tunes being played by the DJ. Not that I was searching for H-Files, but there was female talent about and there seemed to be a jovial vibe about this place. Dance floor as well, though it was empty when we were there. I imagine my experiences would be different if we stayed in here for most of the night, but this place did a job. They even sold Magners (unlike the Source Bar round the corner). Would certainly come here again when next in Maidstone.
14 Aug 2006 13:03
This is a decent enough place for a few cheaper drinks before moving on elsewhere in Greenwich. Not one for any H-File search, but then again I still maintain that Greenwich is more suited to couples on a night out, especially with its plethora of restaurants over bars for instance. We came here Friday night (4 August) as I wanted to simply catch up with mates and talk to them without having to shout over blaring music. We even got a seat upstairs and were all served promptly at the bar. My girlfriend somehow managed to buy a round of 4 bottles of Corona and a Magners for under �5 (the bloke probably forgot to add on the Magners, but it's still a cheap round) which was quality! I think we all enjoyed our time here - mainly for the reasons stated above - before my girlfriend and I went to Inc Bar.
10 Aug 2006 10:06
My girlfriend and I came here for a drink Sunday afternoon (6 August) having been working on our tans in Greenwich Park, following H-File exploits. I have praised the Moth previously, but they appeared to be palpably under staffed today, given more people were likely to visit the boozer considering how hot it was. It was taking AGES to get served and we overheard a member of staff saying that there was no cutlery, no food and no ICE. On hearing this, combined with our impatience at not getting served, we decided to leave. We eventually brought drinks from a nearby newsagent (the old Cost Cutter) and sat by the Cutty Sark, as we were that thirsty and we also wanted to sit outside (though the beer garden in the Moth would probably have been packed anyway). No ICE though...poor. I'll stick to the Moth in the evenings then! Not impressed with the daytime showing here.
8 Aug 2006 13:29
I have only really been here early on a Friday and Saturday night with mates as a starting point for a night out in Croydon, having changed to Yates's from The (old) Brief boozer around the corner. Thought this place was nondescript to be honest. I was happy to move on after 1 round of drinks, 2 at a push, but definitely no more. There are better bars in the area.
2 Aug 2006 16:52
If you're in Croydon, this place is worth a visit over a Thursday/Friday/Saturday night. Can get quite packed on a Friday/Saturday night late on though, but I have always enjoyed the music played here complimented by the video jukebox. I agree the dance floor is a bit on the small side, but I have always experienced a lively atmosphere here compared to nearby Yates' or Edwards for instance. Of course, being a Lloyds you can enjoy the cheaper drinks. There is usually younger female talent always on show, although at times some may appear to be "up there own @rse" if you know what I mean. I've never eaten in here or experienced the Central London "girls and mixed couples only" entry policy, so can't really comment on this, but this place is worth a couple of drinks at least before say going into Tiger Tiger. Anyway, The Lloyds bar in Chichester is far better if you're ever in that part of the World!
2 Aug 2006 13:13
Tiger Tiger, Piccadilly Circus
3 of us from an initially bigger group came here after celebrating promotion in our 5 a side power league. We failed to get in after being unceremoniously told "mixed couples only" by the bouncers. I was not impressed, but having been out in this part of Zone 1 of Central London before, it was not a surprise really this ridiculous policy. I've been told this is an "International meat market" anyway, but to be honest, I hate drinking in Central London. Too costly, too crowded and too cosmopolitan, so therefore not a great foundation for the H-File search.
1 Aug 2006 15:37
I have come here midweek lunchtimes to watch a bit of Test cricket and once after work on a Friday night with work mates. Despite having a laugh with my mates on the Friday night, this pub is devoid of any character, female talent and atmosphere. I think I could be reduced to tears of boredom if I find myself here on a Friday night again. Bland and boring, boring and bland.
27 Jul 2006 15:49
Not bad for a pub lunch midweek if you work in the area, though with Cardinal Walk nearby, you are now a bit spoilt for choice eating out at lunch times. I enjoyed my lasagne here though. Yet, I once came here on a Friday night with work colleagues. YAWN. I immediately abandoned the H-File search given the sheer number of blokes present and it can take ages to be served at the bar. Fortunately, I had a Charlton away trip to plan the next day, so made my excuses and left others to sample the lack of atmosphere and female talent. Unacceptable on a Friday night if you ask me, especially after what for most people is usually a tedious and soporific week at work. To be honest, I would prefer to go home than spend another Friday evening in this place. If you fancy a quick cheap drink after work in this area, I'd probably prefer to drink in the Spoons in the station, as at least you can see the time your train leaves (and still miss it!). For a Friday night this boozer is quite simply vapid and I would never come to (YAWN) Victoria on a Saturday night anyway. Poor.
27 Jul 2006 15:34
An excellent place to visit before going to the Ba Ha's Beach Club opposite. Western theme bar with a vibrant atmosphere. Although there have been a palpable lack of female talent on the occasions I have been here searching for Newcastle H-Files, this was quickly forgotten by the semi-naked fit figured female bar staff dancing on the bar! I didn't mind waiting for a drink either, but to be fair, me and my mates were served quickly enough. If you visit the Quayside over a Friday or Saturday night, I suggest you definitely come here one night. The lively music adds to the jovial atmosphere given prizes are handed out via cameras and video screens. Quality!
26 Jul 2006 13:20
The Pitcher and Piano, Newcastle
Smart location near the Millennium Bridge and impressive view over the River Tyne. Yet I thought this was probably the most pompous and pretentious bar I visited in Newcastle. Boring and bland. It also took a while to get served relatively early on a Friday night. When me and my mates next visit the Quayside (probably when Charlton play Newcastle over the weekend 28 October 2006) we won't start here again. There are much livelier and less pretentious bars. Certainly not the place to start searching for Newcastle H-Files, unless someone in the group really wants to see the striking view over the river while having a beer!
26 Jul 2006 12:56
This was a far better place when it was Hogshead. Still has a decent beer garden, but this is now a place more for eating out than a vibrant Saturday night out. Agree with other comments in that Trents is a trendy and pretentious wine bar/restaurant. We only stayed for 1 drink. Enough said really.
24 Jul 2006 15:45
The Hole In The Wall, Chichester
Came here Saturday night (22 July) and if I am being honest, this boozer did nowt for me. The video duke box was even frozen. If we had not had come to this pub, it would have made no difference to our night as it was that dull. Start in the Dolphin and Anchor on out on a Friday/Saturday night for the cheaper drinks, but I then wouldn't bother coming to this place like we did. YAWN! At least we were served fairly quickly though.
24 Jul 2006 13:10
A decent place to start in Chichester and take advantage of cheaper drinks as Phmoo points out. I was here Saturday night with my girlfriend and a couple of mates (22 July). For instance, we ordered 4 pints for under �8, which - given I am used to London prices for drinks - was great. I also like the location outside the cathedral and remember the bouncers being friendly. I would stress though that this is a decent STARTING point for a Friday/Saturday night out drinking in Chi. On first impressions, there are far livelier pubs/bars to drink in on a Friday/Saturday night (for example Lloyds) as the night builds up to a visit to Thursdays!!
24 Jul 2006 12:47
The Princess of Wales, Blackheath
Superb pub to visit when it's hot, as you can take your drinks across the road onto the vast Heath to soak up the summer sun. Unfortunately, there are not extra staff when this happens or at least when I have visited, so you spend what seems like ages waiting for a drink. Always (female) eye candy on show on the heath, although this number had reduced when I last came here in June, as it was more families and lads playing football. Still if you can't get to the beach and don't fancy Greenwich Park when the sun is shining bright, this place is certainly worth a visit on a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Forget the H-File search, as this is just an ideal place to relax on a glorious sunny day. Quality. In fact, I have never come here away from the summer or on a Friday or Saturday night!
20 Jul 2006 16:37
I came here Saturday night (15th July) with some mates and have been a few times on a Saturday night in 2005. If you�re a big fan of cheese and "old classics", then Bridge Bar is right up your street and presumably is why it attracts the "older clientele", as Beveley76 puts it. There is no real dance floor and no chance to create one given how packed it gets, despite a DJ being present orchestrating the blaring music. I didn't enjoy Bridge Bar for this reason and I am also not a fan of the type of music they play for the majority of the night. A few female talent around though, so not too bad for the H-File search! Though overall would you want to spend Saturday nights in Beckenham? It is just a bit limited when it comes to variety and atmosphere I feel, especially compared to town and city centres away from London.
19 Jul 2006 13:20
A classic example of an "old man's" boozer if you ever visit this place during the day, but I can think of 100 better places and things to do then come here then, especially over the weekend. As for a Friday or Saturday night, from what can I remember all those years ago is this: no music, no atmosphere and no talent. This place on a Friday or Saturday night would sum up a night out in boring boring Lewisham. Awful. The problem with these high-streets in London is that for atmosphere and variety, they will never compete with town or city centres away from the capital, e.g. Norwich, Bristol or Portsmouth. In fact, I have as much chance as meeting a H-File candidate here, as Portsmouth do of winning the Premiership. As for the beer garden, it is no more than a broom cupboard. YAWN! I wouldn't even bother for a couple of cheaper drinks after work like I did on a Monday night in my student days.
17 Jul 2006 15:40
Drinks are fairly cheap here and it has a late license. Generally the crowd are "teens in white makeup and black clothes", as the previous post puts it, which is rare for a boozer in Lewisham. Personally, I feel something has gone seriously wrong if you find yourself in here over a Friday or Saturday night, even if you fancy a cheap drink. Lewisham town centre overall is a desperately poor night out and despite any merits (cheaper drinks and pool table for example), this place suffers as a result. As for the H-File search�you're having a laugh! I've see more female talent at Victoria station in the rush hour.
17 Jul 2006 13:10
I was here for the En ger land, Paraguay World Cup game and enjoyed the food as well as the terrific atmosphere in the company of my girlfriend. Having also drunk here on a Saturday night with my girlfriend, it is a fairly decent place to have a chilled drink while listening to some tunes. Given the relatively small size of Midhurst though, there are livelier places to go than spend a Saturday night in this pub or the nearby Crown. Go to Chichester or Petersfield for action, but visit here for a 'quiet drink'.
14 Jul 2006 16:29
Great beer garden! I was drinking here on a Monday night recently as the darkness started to fall. As a Sarf-East Londoner, I appreciate drinking in a proper beer garden like this one and not a pub in Central London for instance, where people are simply spilling out onto the pavement in the summer sun! Brilliant boozer for a drink in the sun.
14 Jul 2006 16:18
A decent enough boozer if you fancy a few drinks before heading to Stamford Bridge, close to Fulham Broadway tube station. I have met some of my Chelsea supporting mates here before going to watch Charlton at the Bridge and is probably one of the better boozers for away supporters. I wouldn't advise wearing away club colours though. You won't catch me in this part of the World on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, so have no comment on what goes on those nights!
14 Jul 2006 13:29
Wetherspoons, Victoria Station
To echo fellow Charlton fan casual66 comments, I agree this boozer would be popular with football fans on the weekend. Casual66 is right in saying that on weeknights it's ideal for people stopping off after work, especially if your train is delayed/cancelled. Ideal meeting place also before drinking in the surrounding area if you're coming into Victoria by tube/train. Working in Victoria in the bitterly cold winter, I have come here to eat with a mate (Victoria Place is always busy at lunchtimes and you'll struggle to get a seat, even in KFC!!) and the food was both reasonably priced and fairly decent. For the above reasons, this boozer in one of London's busiest stations does a job. Other than that, it's rubbish.
14 Jul 2006 11:30
I agree with the first review about the North Pole, in that it is a livelier place to impress your partner, given the appeal Greenwich generally has towards couples, i.e. the plethora of restaurants. For this reason, I like the North Pole and it does a job, given my girlfriend enjoyed her time there Easter Sunday. For a Friday or Saturday night out with the lads though, I find the club downstairs (cleverly named South Pole) too costly, too crowded and too cosmopolitan. Can also get too smoky if that is not your cup of tea. Yet this place is quality for New Years Eve if you live locally, as all 3 floors are open and the vibe has always been great the years I have been. I did also enjoy watching the 2006 Brazil, France World Cup quarter-final game outside with the lads. The food here is supposed to be excellent. Overall, a great to visit as a couple or watch football with mates, but I would not otherwise bother.
14 Jul 2006 10:42
Blackheath Village is far too limited for a vibrant night out and this place suffers as a result. Always packed on a Friday or Saturday night and no where to dance, despite the dance music tunes frequently being played. To work all week to come here on such nights is as big an anti-climax as En ger land's performance in the 2006 World Cup. It is not like you can then move on to numerous decent places in the Village after you come here. Same applies if you want to drink somewhere before coming to O'Neills. Blackheath Village does simply not offer a lot in nightlife, other than a plethora of restaurants. I do, however, like the option of doubles only being �1 more than singles on spirits. Personally, I would only ever come here with my girlfriend for a relatively late drink in Blackheath 'ideal for couples' Village. Forget the H-File search!
13 Jul 2006 16:55
Came here for the famous carvery on a Sunday lunch time with my girlfriend. We enjoyed the food, though as we had not booked a table, had to rush our meal so the table could be ready for the people who booked it at 1. I found the eating area a bit cramped and agree with the post about the place needing air-conditioning. I imagine, however, that this would be a decent place to watch football with the plasmas in the other part of the pub. Not sure how good it would be on a Friday or Saturday night though. I'd probably stick to Lloyds and at a push, the Slug and Lettuce, either with my girlfriend or searching for H-Files!! Ha ha!
13 Jul 2006 13:17
I have come to the Moth on a Thursday and Saturday night. If being honest, I didn't mind the lyric-less music and thought the bar staff on both occasions were quite friendly. I found the Moth an enjoyable place to entertain H-File victims as opposed to looking for them!! On both occasions, however, it can get packed quite quickly. Beer garden looks useful in the summer sun and I like the location of this boozer by the Cutty Sark. Would certainly come here again with the missus over a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.
13 Jul 2006 12:44
I used to work in the Charing X area and the Harp was the best pub in the surrounding area to have a lunchtime drink in the summer sun. Superb. Fair enough, you are spilling out onto the pavement, but with beer gardens few and far between in the Charing X Leicester Square & Covent Garden areas, I would certainly come here for a couple at lunch and watch the cosmopolitan female talent (and tourists) stroll by!
12 Jul 2006 16:32
The Bricklayers Arms, Midhurst
I was here St Patricks Day 2006. Brilliant small boozer, friendly staff, cheerful atmosphere and cheap drinks. I appreciate that in a relatively small town like Midhurst everyone knows each other, but I was in the Bricklayers with my girlfriend and had a fantastic night! Can get a bit smoky, but did not ruin my time as a non-smoker. Beer garden is useful in the summer sun as well!
12 Jul 2006 16:05
Superb place to entertain girlfriend on a Saturday night, especially given the impressive range of (expensive) cocktails on offer! Not too keen on the policy not to serve singles though, e.g. double Jack Daniels and coke only, so it would explain why the drinks appear to be a bit pricey. Overall, we enjoyed the music that the DJ was playing and the jovial atmosphere in Inc bar. My girlfriend even liked the art gallery type d�cor! Not sure if I was single I would want to come here with the lads though, so I would forget Inc bar for the H-File search!!
12 Jul 2006 15:37
Pretty decent beer garden for the area and gives the nearby Gypsy Moth a run for it's money. I was drinking in here after watching En ger land's 6 nil friendly win over Jamaica in the Auctioneer. Food was enjoyable. I would not come here over a Friday or Saturday night though, as the inside of the boozer seemed like it would lack atmosphere, talent or be full of tourists. No good for H-File hunting!! I maybe wrong, but this is certainly a boozer for daytime drinking in the sun if you fancy a change from the Moth and of course, you can get a seat(s) in the garden!!
12 Jul 2006 13:40
Rubbish. �7 to go downstairs to the 'lively' basement area which is no bigger than my grandparents back garden in New Cross is an absolute joke. Blackheath Village - unless entertaining a partner - is vapid generally. It is a great couples place. So therefore, working all week to spend either a Friday or Saturday night in somewhere like this is a depressing thought. EVEN if I had my girlfriend with me I would not come here. I imagine the garden is pleasant on a sunny day, but with the heath (the excellent Princess of Wales of course) and Greenwich Park a stone throw away, there is no point coming here.
12 Jul 2006 13:29
I'm soon to be 27, but what I noticed about this place immediately on entering is how much OLDER everyone appears to look on a Friday or Saturday night. Maybe it is the 'cheese' music they play which I hate. If you like Abba, Jackson 5, Wham or Village People, then this is the place for you. For me, it's all about Lloyds next door and not that I am tight, but for a better venue, they don't charge you to enter like this place does after a certain time over a Friday or Saturday night.
12 Jul 2006 13:14
I have been here with my girlfriend numerous times between March and June 2006 on either a Friday/Saturday night and for something to eat. Coming from Sarf-East London, it is one of the better Lloyds' bars I have visited. Lively atmosphere, adequate seating areas (if you don't wish to stand all night) and I enjoyed the tunes the DJ usually plays to complement the cheaper drinks! I think they finally have Jack Daniels now as well! The machine with the 'Who wants to be a millionaire' and 'Hangman' games on it is also a good laugh. Obviously, I was not looking, but I imagine that this would be a great place for lads 'on the pull' over a Friday and Saturday night, before going to Thursdays or to Visions or Mud Club in Bognor. Bring on the H-Files then, especially with the hotel a stone throw away!! Food is pretty decent as well and good value for money, though eat before 7ish on a Friday/Saturday night before it gets busy. Would definitely visit again when in Chi.
12 Jul 2006 12:50
I remember when the 1998 World Cup was on and Pitchers was a 'sports bars', particularly enjoying watching Brazil v Scotland with college friends. Now to say this is a sports bar is as ludricious as saying Chelsea's Frank Lampard had a brilliant 2006 World Cup for En ger land. Talk about going downhill. Don't even bother think about a Friday or Saturday night�
12 Jul 2006 11:27
Awful, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. �4 entry after 10 is also a joke. Always full of rudeboys or 'plastic gangsters', so not the best place to look for H-File victims!! People do make the place and this has to be one of the worst Yates' in En ger land. Dark, dull, dingy and downright deplorable. Some of my Sarf-East London mates come here to watch football, but even the screen above the bar seldom has sound coming from it, leaving one plasma that does. Rubbish.
12 Jul 2006 11:08
I went here before going into Tiger Tiger on a Saturday night (18.02.06) and had a few enjoyable drinks with friends. Drinks are a wee bit expensive, but compared to drinking in these bars in London (Embankment & Victoria), I was not complaining. It was nowhere near as packed as Bar 38 and you can watch the copious female talent pile into Tiger Tiger next door! Bit quiet maybe, given it was late on Saturday night, but like Bar 38, Bar Ha Ha is another decent warm up before the main event, Tiger Tiger.
12 Jul 2006 10:35
Like the Bar Ha Ha nearby, this is a great place to have a drink or two before moving onto Tiger Tiger on a Friday or Saturday night. Can get quite packed downstairs on a Saturday night, but there has always been a vibrant atmosphere when I have been here. There is female talent on show and therefore potential 'H-File' candidates!! A visit to Bar 38 helps to set the foundation for what is usually a quality night out in Gunwharf Quays.
12 Jul 2006 10:04
St Christopher's Inn, Greenwich
Rubbish. Would only come here to watch football at a push if the Auctioneer was really packed. On a Friday and Saturday night, as 'the Sarah Day fan club' confirms, they charge to get in, which seems a waste of money. Also, you are even sometimes asked to queue up to enter, but when you glance through the window, the place is empty! The North Pole a short distance away is far better.
11 Jul 2006 17:15
A decent boozer to watch football, though I agree with the 'Sarah Day fan club' about the projection unit in this pub. The video dukebox is excellent though. Anyway, I generally see Greenwich as a couples place and other than a lunchtime maybe, this is not somewhere I would come with a lady friend! Therefore, I would also not class the Auctioneer as a place for lads 'on the pull' over a student Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.
11 Jul 2006 17:00
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The Market Tavern, Lewisham
I thought there already was a KFC on Lewisham High Street not too far away from this location?
12 Oct 2012 12:29