please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
It's still pleasant. But is has been affected by the general "Loads a Money" Chislehurst vibe. Pints there two weeks ago were £5.25, the Ordinary I hope was cheaper... I was meeting a close friend I hadn't seen for a time, I was not price sensitive for a change.
As a family we stopped eating there when Ham and Chips was on the menu at circa £12. I notice the online menu does look a lot more reasonably priced, so maybe it got cheaper again ?
The clientele seemed to be young, pretty and with lots of dosh. I am none of these things !
|
RIP the old Public Bar, completely ripped out now, so if you want a pint in this area you have to navigate through a minefield to get to the main bar. Might be ok during quieter times but on Friday and Saturday evenings it is dreadful. John Young would be turning in his grave if he could see what has happened to one of his flagship pubs.
|
Waited 12 minutes last Saturday to get served in the right hand bar (facing the pub from the main road). If I hadn't been there for a reunion I would have moved on to another pub. Whether it's down to cost cutting or training I don't know, but there's a certain amount of arrogance that is creeping in with some of the staff, they'd rather have a chat in the small kitchen area rather venture into the smaller bar. The management try hard communicating with customers via twitter, emails etc. but the end product is disappointing. There is a table in the middle of the floor which on Fridays and Saturdays is just an obstruction, if you sit there you constantly get knocked and bashed - it might work lunchtime but not during busy periods. Beer is in good condition, if you have the patience to get served. The Ramblers and the Imperial Arms both provide a better drinking experience in Chislehurst at the moment.
|
As a keen dog owner I love this pub. The only place for miles you can get a welcome , and Bob the Dog usually gets free biccies.
I loved Young's Brewery , did the 135 tour years ago. Was a bit devastated when the ultra-traditional brewery sold up to make a packet. Geeeeee ...
I've nearly always enjoyed the food & the beer is fine. Parking can be fraught.
|
As a resident of Chislehurst I have been a regular at the Bulls Head Hotel. Unfortunately I have had a particular bad experience on my last two visits that has left me wondering whether to return.
1) 6 of us went for Saturday lunch. The pub was quiet however we waited over an hour for a few very basic dishes. Most annoyingly when the food did arrive, three out of the 5 dishes ordered (all vegetarian lasagne's) arrived cold. We duly asked for them to be returned to the kitchen and unbelievably they were returned cold again, with garlic bread that had simply been put to one side why the lasagna was re-microwaved. However, I must say on complaint to the manager they were generous enough to refund the cost of all the meals served.
2) Most recently we visited with some friends and their 3 year old little girl. Our friends asked if they could heat up a un-opened tin of spaghetti as their child suffers with numerous of allergies and couldn't eat food from the menu, They refused due to it being 'against the law'. I completely understand that restaurants need to be health and safety conscious, however it is not true that it is against the law they are simply protecting themselves from the remote possibility of being sued should the child burn their mouth. In addition, this healthy & safety consciousness did not seem to stretch to them cleaning off the trays on the high chair provided. Baby wipes to the rescue. However, on this occasion food was good and only a very minor error of cheese missing from the cheeseburger.
|
I am the current Landlord of The Bulls Head and have been since June 2010. I feel that the accusations of baldyone require answering. When I took over The Bulls head there were no 36's (brewers barrels) or any syphoning kits in the pub. Whilst I don't doubt that Baldyone spoke the truth about something that happened in the dim and distant past (I have in my career taken over 2 pubs where this was the practice before I arrived). I do however take offence with the incinuation that this practice continues. I have contacted Baldyone and invited him to have a look around my cellar, no response as yet. I would like to offer any of my customers who are concerned about these allagations the chance to see for themselves, simply ask for me at the bar and I will be happy to show you around (obviously I don't want to be doing this forever so the offer stands until the end of April 2011).
|
used to work there as a cellarman/assistant manager.sorry to dissappoint you real ale drinkers out there but everything is filtered back into the 36 galon barrells of bitter once a couple of gallons has been sold out of it so people dont notice.i was encouraged to do this by the manager.the quickest way to get rid of this (dodgy brew )was to sell it through the function room at the back as a wedding party or any large function would soon empty the barrell.yes i do have a grudge against youngs as we were treated like shit by them.but im only telling the truth and the way it was when i worked there.so go there and make your own decisions.happy drinking.
|
Visiting from Sussex and came here with the family after a pleasant Sunday afternoon walk. Greeted by a miserable-looking bar-hogger who wouldn't move out of the way, while I was trying to browse the beer pumps. Service was with a frown.
After a couple of expensive rounds, we asked if we could use the baby-changing facilities. We were told that we couldn't because there was a function on and that they were in the function room. The "function" was the tail-end of a christening, and I doubt that anyone would have minded us using these. Changed our baby's nappy in the garden and left.
Probably fine if you're a local, but I wouldn't go here again. Though this could have been more of a general Chislehurst vibe than a bad pub.
Sponk - 11 Oct 2010 11:28 |
I like this place - more of a winter pub for me but always friendly staff
|
Spent a very nice few hours in here as part of a wedding group. Service was very good and the staff were pleasant. The usual Youngs & Wells beer was spot on. Will come again.
|
The Bulls Head Hotel is Youngs/Wells managed and seems a good place to drink and eat. Its layout is nice and it has a lounge bar, a public bar and another not so well defined area - so thats two and a half different drinking areas with different ambiances. Beer was spot on.
|
Been to the smaller bar a couple of times recently. I have always felt that, being in the Royal Parade, this place has ideas above its station. Bit slow behind the bar and prices are more West End than BR. But all in all a cheery place especially at this time of the year when the weather is foul and they have a fire going.
|
Too pricy now and long waiting times to get served are being regularly experienced. �4.13 for a bottle of Bulmers absolute joke...
|
I still really like this pub, but since the refurbishment the service seems to have gone downhill. It takes a long time to be served even when there are just 2 or 3 people at the bar - this never used to be the case even on a busy Friday night! Last time the guy next to me was ignored by the barmaid for ages, gave up and walked out. A bit of staff training for newcomers should sort it out. Beers are good, nice atmosphere.
|
Still overall good, but rating dropped following rather unnecessary makeover which has lost much of the traditional feel. The prices have hiked up rather too high as well, although if this is now brewery standard, not a lot that can be done! Thank goodness the smaller bar has been left alone (at the moment)!
|
Went in here for a lunch a couple of days ago, reasonable food, good pint of Youngs, nothing outstanding about this pub, but nothing wrong either.
There are worse out there.
|
Bedroom cold, heating not on in morning, and insufficient blankets. Beer not well kept. Nice breakfast, though.
|
Popped in for a few at lunchtime on Christmas Eve, and all of the decent lagers (Peroni, Star etc) were off. I didn't mind too much as it serves a great Bombardier. Shame about the London prices though.
|
Wonderful place - excellent manager (Dave), excellent restaurant manager (Sara) and on the whole, a lively set of bar staff with one or two straggling. Wonderful beer and food out of this world. Took my husband to the restaurant for his birthday and we were the only ones in that night - treated like royalty! See you for the rubgy final on Saturday!
|
Nice friendly staff quite pricey 2 drinks �10. Stay the night its in need of a refurb, dirty carpet, dirty doors.
Room was clean, shower very slow. I would stay again, breakfast fantastic. Hurry up and refurb.
|
We must keep it a secret This place is the best in Chislehurst at lunchtime.
Lounge bar.Wonderful service by Pauline.Loverly friendly locals.Well kept Youngs to quaff and the ham m on the bone with eggs & chips the best I've eaten in years.
LONG MAY IT REMAIN
|
Lounge bar very pleasant Now non smoking .Well cared for Youngs range.Service very attentive & food good.
Felt really at home must be the recco that its a "Tory" stronghold haunted by 4 x 4 drivers
Mine was the black one with big bullys & the cow horns ...........YEEEEEEE...HA
|
The usual sort of Young's interior and Young's dtandard of attitude from the staff. Most of the punters in the pub looked like they drove a 4X4's and voted tory.
Was alright though I didn't find it relaxing.
|
My local therefore very biased - but consistently The pub of Chislehurst. The beer's good and have to say is as consistent as it has been for a long time. Prices are toppy but quite frankly don't mind if it keeps the chavs away. Good conversation to be had and generally a very friendly pub.
|
A classic Young's-style pub before they started modernising them in the 'cafe bar' fashion. Roomy, imposing but at the same time cosy and as intimate as you want it to be.Top class beer, good conversation; I'd always drop in if I was in the vicinity.
|
The Tart's Bar (on the left as you go in the front; a pleasant place to enjoy a decent pint of 'Special'. Usually in on a friday early evening and thus, quite busy. Staff continue to be very good, but don't they keep turning over?
|
Visited 26 Sep 05. The whole Young's range was available, on draught or in bottles. I had the Waggledance, which was a bit ropey, but was instantly taken away, and a new barrel fed through. This time the pint was perfect. Thanks to the attentive and polite staff.
This is a huge place, 3 seperate bars, immaculately clean, clientele all very polite. As this was a Monday, I'm guessing that the pub was somewhat quieter than it would be at the weekend. A combination of all of the above, led to a somewhat sterile atmosphere. This is nit picking really, because the beer was good, the staff great, the place very clean.
Oh, have a bowl of olives, they were delicious.
|
A very well kept selection of Young's beers. Well served with a smile by very able and friendly staff. Not a place for kiddies as there is an abundance of good conversation!
|
Huge Pub, several bars, good sized garden Lunch time food good if a tad pricey. Youngs beer excellent. Average age of punters at least 45 so not really a lively place.
|
Decent range and well kept Youngs
Steve - 30 Aug 2004 23:19 |
