please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub is now called �Toby Carvery�. The pub is split with a huge eating section on one side that was pretty busy on Saturday afternoon and a smaller area that is meant to be the bar, but I think that it would be more for people waiting to be seated in the dining area. There is a paved garden area out the back that is quite pleasant.
Loads of bog standard lagers are available at dirt cheap prices, �2.15 for a pint of Carlsberg. I didn�t spot anything for the real ale drinker though.
Like most carverys this is a great place for a family outing and I�m sure that the many people dining is a good endorsement on the food, but I wouldn�t enjoy sitting at the bar having a beer as it is a very sterile environment.
This is one for families and twirleys.
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its now closed !! Toby have got their way :-( although the official date advertised was friday oct 5th, it closed on fri 27th sep with no warnings or single mention by jamie F !!! guess the masses are now forced to head elsewhere - Russ quiz is now mondays at the railway tavern down new barnet, bar square is now called hadley oak, went there on sat (had no choice there lol) and it wasnt bad at all , brighter than office hours and better atmos, so its next best thing, and waitress service too !!! I've also discovered pages on myspace and facebook for dandelioners so if you want to see what everyones up to ....
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I also heard it is shutting down which means that we won't be able to go to the quiz on a Monday night anymore - we've never won but the quiz is really, really good. Apparantly Russ (the quizmaster who looks like Chris Evans) will be doing another quiz when the pub shuts down but he's not sure where yet... when I find out I'll let you know cause if you haven't been then you should.
anonymous - 26 Jul 2007 15:33 |
10 weeks left of this place , nnooooo !!! Since becoming the dandelion its been the best ever, fab quiz nites, late bar with karaoke thursdays, buzzing fridays , chilled saurdays !! but the brewery are closing it late sept - to make it a toby carvery !!! where are the masses going to go ??? time for a petition !!!
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used to be nice enough in the daytime but weekend nights can be quite chavish.
anonymous - 3 Jun 2007 18:20 |
I have no idea what this pub is now called - I'm too old to drink in there anyway.
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Taking into account how busy this pub can be on Friday and Saturday evenings the barmaids, confidently led by the lovely Lucia, are remarkably enthusiastic in the face of the largely tight lipped customers and as a matter of course properly fill all pint glasses.
Until recently my previous visit was when the pub was still the Red Lion, but I will certainly be returning.
Remember to arrive before 11.00pm!
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they have changed the pubs name again to the dandelion.
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So here's the thing about this pub - it isn't as bad as it was as the Chavs seem to be heading elsewhere these days. I only go there though on Sat and Sunday afternoons to watch the football and on Mondays for the quiz.
I agree with the other reviewers that the quiz is in here is outstanding - Russ who runs it is a good bloke and his quiz is the best I have ever seen in any pub- and it is winable (I have wone twice and I am thick!) - only shame is that it is on a Monday.
anonymous - 16 Oct 2006 17:35 |
come down on the 24th of oct, the best karaoke host around is gonna b in there, jodie stone.
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I went in there for the first time on tuesday night 1.25 for a cocktail plus they had karaoke in there, well they got karaoke in there now every tuesday night with giddeon and jodie stone, wot a result!
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Had not expected much from the place, but was pleasantly surprised. Went to watch the footy, and tho the outside is grim, the inside is a different matter - its very clean, and a lot bigger than it looks. 2 projector screens, and god knows how many other TVs to watch on too! Beer was very cheap, and everyone even got free 'chip butties' at half-time! I'll definitely be watching football there from now on.
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The bar staff here cannot always help it if people get sneaked in through the back doors, but they do try to be as vigilant as possible to prevent this, and I have seen them ID a lot of people. apparently bar tenders these days get a personal fine of �80 if they are found to have served someone under the legal age with more severe consequences for the licence holders. maybe those that are offended by this should realise that they are not being I.D'd for the fun of it. It doesnt look fun to me and the staff often have to put up with being shouted at and abused by customers just for doing their jobs.
The quiz on a monday night with Russ is top notch its my favourite night in the Ave and the beers are even cheaper than usual.
Weekends they have their resident DJs in which can be quite fun, and a cheap night out as the prices are the best in Barnet! �3.50 for a double Vodka & Redbull, what a bargain!
anonymous - 25 Aug 2006 12:26 |
I used to go up there when they had bands on - used to be a good night out. It was a meat market even then though - just a large roon designed for the simple purpose of seperating teenagers from their money. I and my friends have boycotted it since it became The Avenue - it's seems the binge drinking kid centre of Barnet acording to the local papers...
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Oh yeah, I forgot... they ID'd me once, and refused to serve me. I'm 6'1", 33 and had about 4 days growth. I aksed if they'd ID'd everyone in here, and they said yes, so I stopped a lad walking to the loo, who wasn't a dot over 18, and asked if he had ID. He had no idea who I was, and almost pooed himself. I'm guessing 17 at the most. The bar-staff had no idea what to do, so apologised and asked what I wanted. I told them to get stuffed and walked out.
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If you're over 18, avoid like the plague on Fri or Sat nights. The bouncers are idiots (never!), and the bar staff have serious social skill issues. The beer's are, surprisingly, OK, but not if you want and Ale. The only saving grace is Russ's quiz on a Monday night. Good fun, and well run via the 1/4 million TV's dotted around.
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I wouldnt drink in this dungeon if you paid me, the bouncer was a mug and the Bar staff had serious social problems, the toilets were a disgrace, do yourself a favour and go to the off license! this pub is ghetto.
anonymous - 29 Jul 2006 16:48 |
Been drinking here since it was the Dandy Lion! Still full of kids and a total meat market at the weekend. But great night out if your a local and want a good laugh. Not too expensive either.
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I can imagine this place can get horrific on a Friday or Saturday night, but as I've only been in there either on weeknights or before 9pm I can only say that it seems fine then - nice and comfortable seating, fairly cheap and drinkable beer, though the music is astonishingly bad Euro cheese for the most part.
A good afternoon pub I'd say, then haul off somewhere else before the kids arrive.
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Monday night quiz with the ginger bloke was excellent but I think that there were some people cheating an dthis should be stopped.
anonymous - 10 Dec 2004 02:29 |
I went to this pub on a Sunday afternoon to watch Football on the big screens, several of which are dotted around the pub and liked the place so much I stayed until closing time. Never saw any bouncers surly or otherwise. Prices weren't the worst and there were some good deals on selected drinks. Food was excellent. Nice big pub with comfortable seating and enough different little areas to provide a suitably pleasing drinking environment for almost anybody. Music was ok and there are quiz machines and pool tables for those who wish to waste good drinking time playing games. Very nice I look forward to visiting again.
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I really like this pub, its especially good on a friday night!
Me! - 11 Jun 2004 11:03 |
Come on it's a pub for god sake! All you lot pi55ing and moaning need to get a life. It's good for a laugh, not expensive enough to notice (same as any pub) yeh the bouncers can be a bit rude, but there not there to be your mate! The managers a lovely guy and yes i agree about the bar staff, they're terrible, very rude - could it hurt to smile!!! But apart from that its a giggle. Well where else is there to go in Barnet??
A Local - 21 May 2004 15:44 |
bouncers on a wednesday night, why does a subarban pub need bouncers on a wednesday night ? this just invites trouble . the bouncers are there to sort out the trouble caused by having bouncers there to sort out the trouble .
dan - 6 Apr 2004 12:23 |
Went back there again a few months ago on a Friday night - completely packed full with posers and shazzas. No more torture, please!!! Where have all the decent pubs gone???
Mel - 29 Dec 2003 16:50 |
I don't see anything wrong with the Avenue. Drinks expensive? i don't have a problem with the price. I agree with MGR. The over 20's policy is a great idea. to this day i haven't seen anyone who is younger than 19. For those 16-17 who want to enjoy themselves there's the moon just down the road. I love this pub!
Dan - 13 Dec 2003 16:11 |
Full of oldish blokes ogling young girls out with their ready to kickoff at any second boyfriends. Non-existent service, rude doormen but nice decor!
The only worthwhile entertainment came from the teenage beauty queens swearing and scratching!!!
Percy - 15 Oct 2003 20:00 |
that rugby shirt guy is right about the blokes in there,trying to nonce up the young girls when they should be keeping an eye on there own daughters.wear tracksuit bottoms and a hat and ur sure to be let in,poor poor poor
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and blokes in there 30's trying to be 18 again!!!! (bloke in partick jumper, how funny was that)!!
rugby shirt guy - 13 Oct 2003 13:03 |
just as i thought it would be,me and two friends walked in on saturday 11th oct after the turkey game.i was wearing my england shirt and my mate was wearing a rugby shirt.no problem getting in.very clicky indeed,kids with attitude and wearing baseball caps and refusing to take them off.its ok during the day, but of a night its a no no.
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Not a Pub more like Bagdad at present. Poor beer, short fills, full of adolecent thugs, and violent out of their head girls.
Avoid at all costs. Police there constantly.
anonymous - 1 Oct 2003 12:17 |
Folks barnet aint exactly a happening town but for what the avenue has to offer its not bad. For you people who keep bitching about it being over 20's well at least there trying there upmost to keep the 14, 15, 16 and 17 year olds away. The atmosphere is very friendly, the prices are average and the staff are very efficient. People who moan about the prices being to exspensive are obviously to used to the cheap dirt and crap service provided at the moon or excalibar.
MGR - 1 Aug 2003 21:15 |
Totally gone to the dogs. Every pint pulled is short, I mean every one, the manager says its not his problem take it up with the bar staff. Weekends its wall to wall Neanderthals and thats just the bouncers. DJ's play the same tracks over and over, may as well be a CD on repeat. And as for women I have seen more talent at Battersea dogs home. The place has more attitude than Dynasty. Do yourself a favour, dont bother. Oh yes and after 9 at the weekend the price of the drinks goes up (premium rate they call it, I know what we call it), in direct proportion to the shortness of the pints.
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this pub has never been that amazing but was better when it was the firkin. too many people in there trying to be cool, listening to the same music week after week. you cant make a pub good just making it over 20s only.
nicole - 1 Jul 2003 17:25 |
great staff, friendly atmosphere and good tunes at the weekend. The management are always on hand to make sure you are enjoying yourself and feel relaxed. The new colour scheme from the recent refurbishment works well. Good lookin ladies in abundance.
Adder - 30 May 2003 12:01 |
It's about time Barnet had a lively pub like 'The Avenue'. Good atmosphere, women and music on friday and saturday nights. And not just for the young, I'm 33!!
Jamie - 14 Apr 2003 17:29 |
Bloody horrible now. But probably brilliant if you are a teenager. Loads of doormen, loads of club sounds. Had one and left. Not for the over 25's methinks.
Henry - 9 Feb 2003 06:19 |
I Love this pub, its my life.
Z - 9 Jan 2003 11:05 |
The ex "Firkin" pub as re-opened and now called the "Avenue", it's mainly gor the young of heart 17-25's. Best bet is cross the road and use the "Ye olde Mitre", always on sale is the best "Adnams" in North London, plus three other guests. A classic gem from the 17th century.
Alan "Real-AL" - 3 Nov 2002 14:11 |
*has
Jan - 2 Sep 2002 18:47 |
it was been closed and is being replaced by ???
Jan Boyce - 2 Sep 2002 18:46 |
its closed at the moment
anonymous - 19 Jul 2002 16:16 |
