please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Had a pint of Ghost Ship, £3.40. Wasn't very good quality.
Liked the pub though. Relatively busy, quiz machine, TVs for sport, separate areas for quiet conversation. If they sort of their beer quality would be happy to return.
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Quality pub. Well run and has great live music!
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WE ARE THE TRUE CAM-O-LOT TEAM AND WE WILL BE FUNDRAISING AT THE SWAN WEST WICKHAM SATURDAY 21ST APRIL 2012 FOR HELP FOR HEROES. WE HAVE EXCESS STOCK OF H4H WRISTBANDS �1 EACH. DONATE ON THE DAY AND YOU WILL RECIEVE A FREE SOFT DRINK OF YOUR CHOICE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK LISA FOR SUPPLYING THE TEAM WITH FREE BEER ALL DAY.
WE ARE THE TRUE BEER MONSTERS.
Dave
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Dear All
Update on toilets. Both toilets in the big bar should be finished next week. Then we start on the small bar. These may take some time as they are really bad. When the toilets are finished then we are going to start on the outside of the pub. I want to build a real garden at the back of the pub with a childrens area. I have lots of plans just need the money. Please keep posting your comments as I do take notice of them. I want to be proud of The Swan and make it a real family pub.
Lisa
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Dont worry about Pissflap(name sayes it all). Last year it was on about the Coney and New inn !!!! Its also always on about "one post wonders", well it needs to understand that this site is not the be all and end all of everyones life !!! For what its worth i visit this pub about once a month to see regulars that drink in there and it has improved as the management now at least care. It will never be the most popular pub as it needs serious money spending on it but as i say it has improved and it depends what you are looking for.
Good luck to the new owners .
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Strictly lager pub..If you catch the start of a new barrel of Beer (bitter) you might get a reasonable pint , but you'll be lucky ! Do a good line in Coke though
Lots of stuff going on in the conservatory bar from kids events, welcoming soldiers back home to wild west bar fights !
The toilets in the 'Saloon Bar' I think are being renewed but in my opinion they need more sit down toilet cubicles as there always seem to be 2/3 men with very short hair styles, in the one cubicle.,It can't be very comfortable for them as when they all leave they are wiping their noses and eyes ..they must be sad about this ?
!?
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Ok so I�ve read the reviews and thought I would join to respond to some of them.
This pub in my opinion is a bit on the rough side, I popped in on a Friday evening and the clientele left something to be desired. The said the barmaid was lovely, drink prices I didn�t find too bad to be honest, whole place needs a total refurb though, that back room does look more like a village hall than anything else. Although I probably won�t go back it's more to do with personal choice than anything else.
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Hey Dymchurchdaytripper, don't be too hard on Lucyx. We've all been in a few pubs where the beer smelt like the toilets.
I'll get me coat.
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Had another fine few pints of Harveys last night, was busy and a great atmosphere.
I doubt that the gracious response from the new landlady will be responded to with the same graciousness by PissFlaps. There seems to be an OCD from her with regards to toilets its functions in both user name and on all posts. It would be a great irony if PissFlaps were to open the new toilets but it will remain to be seen if the Bethlem will authorise release for such an event. lets see.
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Hi
I am the new Landlady of The Swan and would just like to add a comment concerning the state of our toilets. When we took over in June this year yes the toilets were very bad and I would agree with pissflaps the smell was awful. It took me a good 5 hours to clean them. Still the smell would not go altogther so we sort a drain company. There was a problem and we had it fixed. The toilets are still not up to standard when it comes to decore but they are cleaned everyday. Hopefully they will be refurbished by the end of Jan 2012.
Pissflaps I don't know what we have done to upset you so much but our toilets are not as bad as you say. You and your husband would be very welcome here. When the toilets are done I am thinking of having a toilet opening ceremony, it would be great if you were our guest of honor, as if we could please you we could please anyone. Lisa
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I think the place is great and am neither a member of staff or management. Am a local resident who until the new folks took over avoided the place. Yes the toilet smells but there are notices apologising and explain ing that they will be dealt with in the new year. I dont understand why a postive review is met with the ignorant suggestion that the poster must be form peole who work there or managment. A coupkle of people seem to have a vendetta aginst the place ( or could they be the same person with a different user account ?)
@ PissFlap is that user name self descriptive ?
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No Mr Beergut, I'm not barred, but will happily bar myself, and no I am not the local competition. I'm, a LOCAL DRINKER just looking for a decent pub.
And as for it now being a Palace pub....I think you'll be very much at home in this fetid place.
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According to an earlier post here, those that don�t like this pub are moaning old gits. Maybe I am, but with good reason. All I want is for West Wickham to have some decent pubs. This is not one of them. Popped in there on Saturday and was hit straight away by the smell of the toilets. Even the locals were joking with the bar staff about how the new owners were supposedly sorting this over the summer. Surely where food and drink are concerned you would make this a priority? One thing that used to be half decent here was the beer. Sadly the pint of Harveys I had was poor. As for Lucyx below � she is either a member of staff or should visit her local ENT hospital without delay.
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Oh dear. This pub has not improved at all since my last review. Plus an overpowering toilet smell. Left quickly. Definitely won't be coming back.
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I go to this pub pretty much every weekend especially since it was taken over, There is always something going on like the school theme night and the Halloween night! The staff are all so lovely and always serve you with a smile :)
i dont understand some of the previous comments about the toilets :/ i cant smell a thing when i go in there except for beer!!!! Im looking forward to my next visit to The Swan for friendly banter and a good old dance ;) x
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The place is great since the new owners took over and the negative comments just sound like miserable moaning old gits to me with some axe to grind. Go elsewhere if you dont like it, simple. Yes, the Toilets do need sorting out and the owners are well aware and making plans to have that issue dealt with. Great atmosphere, good beer, pleasant staff, real fires, lots of events. What more could you ask for in a Local Pub ?
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Don't dare complain about the beer. You'll have the manager arguing with you that you can't be right as no one else has complained. In my humble opinion, the lager is generally poor and over-priced. I won't be going back, which is a pity as I was amember of the darts team.
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Went in a few Saturdays ago. Really good live band playing, (Slider?).
Landlord a nice guy, bar staff polite, decent booze and a friendly atmosphere!
Fred.
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As a West Wickham resident I know the Swan well.
It has recently been taken over by new management and has improved drastically.
It is nice to go in there now and be treated like a customer,unlike in recent years when it seemed like they were doing you a favour to serve you. They have some good ales including Doom and Hobgoblin on tap and the food is fine.
The place is getting tidier by the day and it is a great place to watch Sport or just go for a few beers and a snack. Long may it continue.
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really enjoyed my visit to The Swan, which is thankfully now under new ownership.
Made very welcome and enjoyed the ambience, well worth a visit.
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The new management have really turned this pub around.
Please do not take notice of the comments from a while ago. The toilets have been sorted and the place is a lot more cleaner.
The staff are all very happy, quick to service and have always got a smile on there faces.
Spoke to the Landlord and he is a great guy and has turned it into a family run business which is always great to see!
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To the two most recent reviews:
Have you actually been into the pub since the new management have taken over?
There has always been a problem with the toilets at this pub due to the drains but from speaking to the new management they have assured me that this problem is being dealt with as we speak!
And going from how busy the pub was on their open day and every other event they put on your comments are definitely in the minority!
I had my birthday party here a couple of weeks ago and i can only give full praise to the management and the staff!!!
I suggest you actually go inside and see the difference and then review your comments!
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Absolutely filthy place. Decent choice of beers but something not right about the taste - probably the pipes need cleaning. Hugely expensive as well.
Dodgy regulars make this an unfriendly place for people who don't like foul language, aggressive machismo banter and talk about football.
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New Management in The Swan have made such a difference! Had a great night, the atmosphere is getting back to how it used to be. Obviously there is so much more to do, but it lovely to see friendly staff behind the bar and not just that I could rest my arm on the bar without being glued to it!
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To be honest I have now given up on this place due to its poor service and unfriendly atmosphere. Do yourself a favour and get on a bus to Beckenham.
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Well kept beer but first ever visit let down by the awful stench of urine wafting across the room every time the door to the Gents opened.
Oh yes and my car parked around the corner was egged that evening (although luckily it landed on the rear window - so no paint damage).
Will avoid the area in future.
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I always try to avoid going to the swan in West Wickham there always seems to be trouble there. The beer is over priced and the food is sub standard. Even though there is a good selection of sports being shown it still dose not make up for the poor atmosphere and drunken louts causing trouble.
Apart from that there is �ok� selection of beers on tap, and in bottles as well as cider's. The building also has a lot of character. There is a small car park at the back of the pub but I would refrain from leaving my car there over night because of all the trouble in the pub.
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The Swan has got to make its mind up where its going and what its future is. On the plus side its well positioned and the beer is good. They are also making an effort with an extended menu including Thai food. On the downside its ridiculously expensive and is looking shabby. They also seem to be letting in a few rowdy's who are allowed to get too drunk and spoil it for many.
As I say, a small refurb would be nice - as long as it doesn't end up looking like an Ember Inn !
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What a shame, five years ago this was by far and away the best pub in the area. It was clean, well run and had a good selection of real ales, albeit rather mainstream, but kept well. Now the chav element that the old landlord kept out are back with a vengence.The pub is dirty and feels as if no one cares. This is a major landmark and its a tragedy.
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Whoever said that this is the worst pub in the area obviously hasnt visited The Coney.
anonymous - 22 Aug 2007 15:41 |
rubbish pub no nice qualities take another 5 minutes down the road to pub in coney hall get decent food and drink at reasonable price and friendlier atmosphere
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Worst pub in the area, scruffy, expensive, smokey but not for much longer thank heavens - they encourage smokers at the moment (is that the only customer profile that wants to go here?). Worth driving a 100 miles to avoid in my opinion, unless that is you are in a tatty Nova with drain pipe exhaust........
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A naff pub thats way too over-priced. Has no atmosphere and is not somewhere I would go out of my way to visit. Thumbs down in my opinion.
anonymous - 19 Mar 2007 03:54 |
A bit bland really with not much of a cohesive atmosphere. And pricey too.
However, at least it's trying with various nights of entertainment.
However, bear in mind that 17 year olds called Ricky drive past here playing commercial dance music very loud in 25 year old Ford Fiestas with cheap alloys and sub-woofers.
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Is Rick still running this place? Remember when Bill and Margaret used to. They were grumpy. Rick was less grumpy and played Rugby, so he always had a black eye. Popped in here a few months ago and it was rubbish, because I didn't know anyone anymore. Can't really blame that on the pub, though. Sorry, I've come over all stream of consciousness. Forget I said anything.
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dull and expensive
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Yes, its not as clean and tide as the Railway and yes it get so smokey you cant see the bar and yes, the beer is expensive and wine needs a mortgage. However, what saves it is the entertainment they have. I have seen a couple of excellent bands there and had a really good evening. Worth sitting in the garden in the summer and having a laugh at the people walking by and the middle aged people sitting at the lights in there BMW convertables bobbing there head to Ultra Vox on there stereo, while looking around to see whos looking at them!
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Great Pub, isn't it strange that very sad, negative and abusive people have to label thmeselves as 'anonymous', it must be the route of the mental conflicts and rejection they obviously have to contend with.
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They really do a fantastic quiz night on a Wednesday. It's not one of those quizzes where the same team wins every week, it caters for everyone and loads of friendly teams come down. Its really close and each team stands a good chance of winning. Come one come all to the Swan quiz.
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Are we in the West End ??
No justification for the prices - very average !!!
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This pub is abit of a problem. It is an old landmark building in an area which has hardly any pubs. But the interior is just horrible. It needs a good refurb with wooden floors and basic olde worlde style. The pub just feels uninviting and naff. I don`t think there is a nice pub in the town. You are better off travelling to Beckenham, just up the road. It may take ten minutes by car but it will be worth it.
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I've been going to this pub for 24 years. The previous landlord, Rick, was great but the current chap is probably the laziest I've ever come across. If any pumps run out, no-one bothers to change them until next day. There has been a problem with Directors bitter for 6 months. It is always off either awaiting delivery or a problem with the pump. Now I'm told they have stopped selling it as 'there's no call for it'. How would they know, they never have the stuff available. I have now stopped going there until a new landlord is found.
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Was a good pub a year or so ago - but sadly no more. Management and staff lazy and rude - beer is outrageously expensive for the kind of place it is and beer quality is poor. Avoid unless desperate.
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After writing that last comment i decided it was unfair to judge a pub based on what it was like a couple of years ago so i went in again. I have to admit that it was much nicer than I remembered it being and is certainly more relaxing than going to the noisy and overcrowded Railway. So apologies for the previous comments, I will certainly be visiting again now I am back in the area.
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Great jazz on sunday lunchtimes and live music has replaced the disco's.Still the best pub in ww.
angela kirtley - 10 May 2004 20:46 |
The only pub I go to when is WW. Beer a bit pricey - �2.60 for a fosters. But other than that a pub that caters for all age groups - never any trouble, great landlord, good food. Many happy times there! It's never open late at the w/e when I'm there?
Jim - 20 Jun 2003 11:44 |
i forgot: with the new refurbishment the landlord has introduced bar billards and darts. the open fires at winter are gorgeous and the foods not bad either. if u are in west wickham, shirley, hayes area this is the pub to visit. see you there - Swan its a hell of a pub
Tim Mott(again) - 15 May 2003 00:16 |
hello. i am a regular at the swan, west wickham kent. it has just been refurbished (it was closed for about a month), and is completely different. It has william morris style wallpaper (in a fairly camp pink, i prefered the old decor) but serves a good choice of bitters, ales and lagers and a fruit based drink for the ladies. a great pub with a good atmosphere. one side is geared toward the mature drinker, while the otherside is somewhat modern, with arcade golf and a disco on sundays. the beer garden is small but functional (i was first taken there about 6yrs old by my grandfather). a good pub that should be visited. the football atmosphere is great particularly on international days, and there are a surprising amount of women on football days (indeed i have pulled there)
Tim Mott - 15 May 2003 00:13 |
Best pub in West Wickham, good atmosphere, open late at the weekend.
Gavin Clayton - 27 May 2002 17:39 |
