please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This premises is now the Portland Arms. It is about a 15 minute downhill walk from Norwood Junction station. On my late Saturday afternoon visit, it was quite busy. Service was a bit disorganised. One guy beat me to the bar and got served quite quickly. As soon as he walked away, the barmaid wandered off to deliver food for somebody before coming back to the bar with said food, only to work out it was for a large group who had been keeping the second barmaid busy with whatever they were ordering. Portland Arms Best Bitter is the house beer, brewed by Sambrook's. Guests were Bexley's Own & Truman's Zephyr. It seems to be very much a community pub. Customers were spilling out into the garden at the rear and there were many families. I'm not averse to kids in pubs. But, the screeching from one particular child was too much to bear. So, I supped up and left as soon as possible.
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The pub is now closed for good.
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This pub has been closed for nine months and boarded up.....i think it has squatters.
It become a bit of nighmare....atrracting rough people....shame as I like the food but felt too intimidated to eat in here..
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Knew this as The Prince of Denmark - had the best Irish band going and a really good sound system for its time - it was the late 80's afterall!! Awesome steak sandwhiches for lunch, too,!
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The barman asked me where he could score coke from on one of my first visits there. Admittedly it was 2 years ago.
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Decor is an odd mix and is already looking tired. Drinks are pricey, staff are friendly though and it has a nice beer garden. The thai food is ok, however this means the whole pub smells of cooking fat - yuk!
anonymous - 19 Nov 2007 11:10 |
It isn't a bad place. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is groovy. The trouble is the food is overrated and overpriced. Take the mixed starters for �8.90. The pancakes are good. The prawns are good. The toast is okay at best. The wan tons are burned. Burned. Not good. No. Not good at all. Do not pay full price. The chicken sticks. Satly. If I want brine chicken I'd drown my own at Brighton. Beer. Overpriced. This isn't central london. Don't pay london price in south norwood where the rent, okay is going up, but is still a fraction of that of the west end. The atmosphere is fine, the drink is fine. The wine is actually a good price. But take the good with the bad. Norwood needs more places like this. It does. But it has better restaurants already. As a BAR this is in a league of its own.
anonymous - 19 Aug 2007 00:13 |
I have visited this establishment on numerate accessions and have to admit, it is a touch of class with a relaxed, no pre-Madonna atmosphere. You have a range of locals from all back grounds chilling and chatting away their weeks experiences, while sipping a wide range of drinks, while listening to a chilled yet vibrant selection of fruitful music��..ranging from reggae to R&B�..yet not your typical environment. A calm and peaceful bar, with chill out people. Good food and drinks, clean toilets and a contemporary yet blingged out surroundings. ***** Stars for South Norwood
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Great mix of music, people, and genres.
I have seen on many weekend evenings a wide range of people all bopping along to reggae, r'n'b etc. Ask the local police station what the rep of the bar is, and even though there is such a mix, there is hardly any trouble as everyone respects each other. The staff are amazing. Even the ones you can tell who are brother and sister (Angela) and she is in my opinion the best member of staff they have there. Deffo the best bar in South london.
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Frankly bizarre - what's a bar like this doing in a grotty road in South Norwood? Quite where they're going to get the custom an expensive place like that needs in that area I don't know. Soulless inside, but patio area at the back is quite nice.
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Is Oceans Apart a head of its time due to its location? Could be. But I'm not complaining as the West End just got a lot closer with a bar like this. Definitely the best bar in the South East of London, seriously, it has great cocktails, cold beers, Thai food and a solid atmosphere. And the staff are really friendly too. I have no idea what Ed Sullivan of the Evening Standard was talking about, it's beautiful, hip and cool! Check it out 152 Portland Road SE 25.
Dominique Massey - 10 Nov 2004 19:25 |
Oceans Apart is a secret haven in the Norwood area and just as good as any lifestyle bar in the West End. Definitely worth going to as I have had so many great nights there with my friends. The cocktails are amazing and the atmosphere is great when the DJ's are playing. Had a really good time at the Haloween party.
Emma Carling - 5 Nov 2004 00:19 |
Oceans Apart is a breath of fresh air to the area. I've had many a good night with my friends there and the bar staff are friendly too.
Mark Dudley - 1 Oct 2004 13:06 |
