please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now I've been in the area for a while I'm upping my review. There is a buzz there now and I'd say it was taking some business from the surrounding pubs. Definitely worth popping in for a few pints, a game of darts or somewhere to watch the game in a friendly environment, whoever you support.
|
Just moved to the area. I think the landlord is new too. Decent pub though: shows live sport without being a "sports bar". It is still very much a pub. The Morlands was a well kept pint. It does seem like a "locals" place though and it doesn't have that background buzz some places have. Definitely worth a visit for a couple of quiet pints.
|
New management are terrible and need a course in customer care. The pub looks much better but food was awful and gave me an upset stomach. Come here if you like dodgy food and agressive managers. Avoid!
|
Been in the Freelands Tavern a few times and it�s a good pub. Nice and clean inside with a central square bar. There is sport regularly shown and decent ales on tap accompanied by standard lagers.
A nice place to go for a quiet drink and read the paper as well as a good old Friday night session. The garden could do with some attention, even though there are some flower beds along the side and back wall their not much to look at. The garden is all paving slabs and concrete with a few picnic tables. Nice for a beer after work in the summer but I would rather be in a pub garden that is well looked after. Saying that it doesn�t let the pub down too much.
The toilets are clean and smell nice, unfortunately I didn�t get chance to sample any of the food there however I�m sure its of a good quality as I did see the kitchen on the way through to the garden and there was a cook who seemed to be very passionate, even when making sandwiches.
All in all a good pub
|
With the exception of almost being used as a human sick bag by a lets' say 'well tanked up fellow' in the gents - I still enjoyed my visit to the Freelands Tavern - as mentioned on previous posts it has changed hands. Since my last visit two years ago - it is now much cleaner, lighter and roomy. Two ales on tap, both were well kept and pleasant.
|
Been here a few times over the years and for the first time I can say I will gladly return. Following a sympathic revamp it was the busiest I ever seen this pub. Only 2 ales on IPA and the Old Speckled Hen which I went for and it was top notch. Greene King are doing their own January real ale beer festival where you buy 3 and get 1 free- they give you a small card and stamp it. Man came round selling selected seafish so I went for the cockles with bags of vinegar and my posh mate had the lobster tails. The barman was very polite and greeted us warmly on arrival so I did something I've never done here before - I stayed for a second pint of Speckled Hen. Will be going back with the wives soon to try out their Sunday roast and of course a few beers. Keep up the good work 8/10
|
New Landlord... New Look... New Local...
Come and visit the new and improved Freelands Tavern. With a wide range of Cask Ales & Draught Beers, an updated Wine List, Live Sports and a spacious Patio Garden.
Sports clubs and societies are welcome, or come and try out for our Darts & Football Teams. Pub Games include Dominos, Darts, Connect 4 and Giant Jenga!
Our "Trivia Tuesday" quiz night will be returning in August and we'll be hosting regular "Live Entertainment" on Saturday evenings - beginning with a 60's band on 2nd August.
Food, prepared by our in-house chef, will include Lunchtime Sandwiches, a Weekend Grill, traditional Sunday Roast and, coming soon a series of Gourmet Evenings.
Private parties and events catered for, please pop in and say hi, or call us on 020 8464 8136.
|
I reckon someone saw my previous post, because today the service was exemplary. OK credit where credit is due.
spexx - 24 Mar 2008 20:25 |
Oh dear. If I am sat there waving a fiver above my head for five minutes I expect to get served. If staff prefer to natter to a certain group of regulars over making a sale there is little hope. A cursory glance over the shoulder is not enough. I thought I was the one who needed glasses. Had no choice but to walk out.
spexx - 23 Mar 2008 19:10 |
*** UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ***
... yet again! The new two lads running the place are nothing like the previous two "lads" we had running it last year and seem to be getting on well with the regulars (me included - it's my closest pub). They seem to care what the punters think and have already produced a survey form for people to fill in with suggestions for the future, which is a nice touch in my view. Need time to find their feet but off to a good start.
spexx - 12 Mar 2008 22:07 |
Went there recently and plumped for one of their guest ales - after one sip wished that I had not, because it tasted distinctly of the disinfectant used to clean out the pumps. Still, it was replaced with the minimum of fuss with an adequate pint of old speckled hen. Which rather sums up this pub really 'adequate' Feel it could do with something of a make over though - a bit dated really.
|
under new management again... the two young lads are now gone (thank god) and i believe it has been bought by the same guy who owns the star and garter on bromley high street.
|
Had the potential to be a nice little local. Then the Crown closed!!! I can't confirm it but a lot of faces I used to see fighting on the pavement outside the crown now drink in the Freelands. Couple of youngish guys took over from Gawin last year and have very little respect for the local residents. Have heard from people I know in Freelands Road that the police have visited on several occaisions to sort out fights in the summer...Nice!
flbr1 - 28 Sep 2007 16:46 |
***UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT***
The new landlords have not sparked off on a good note with the regulars of the pub, with a general disinterest in talking to the punters whilst enjoying their drink. Many have taken to drinking in another one of the local four pubs for a more comfortable atmosphere.
|
Nicely decorated pub in the backstreets of Bromley. Not the usual Bromley crowd.
|
Thinking this place had potential, i popped in, encouraged by the previous comments. Sounds like the landlord may well be a good bloke, however he wasn't there and the disinterested barmaid happily served all the locals in the place (even those who didn't want drinks) before me. Then when i was trying to watch the footy i was put off by a short angry man at an adjacent table looking at me funny and whispering darkly to his mate. After 20 minutes i'd had enough and left, trying to decide if i've got one of those faces you just want to punch, or if some pub regulars are just cocks.
Funny atmosphere, not hostile but certainly not welcoming. I'd still give it another go though.
Decent guinness.
|
Freelands ale update: All 4 ales rotate & guests now include the likes of St. Austall's Tribute, with a blackboard listing 'Guest Ales Coming Soon'
Great stuff.
|
The Freelands is constantly progressing, thanks to the continued efforts & enthusiasm of the landlord, Gawin.
The ale now tastes great & the range has been increased to four, with at least two guests at any one time (all still brewed by Greene King or its affiliates at the moment, but better!)
The Sunday lunch, at �5.95, with a choice of two meats, all freshly prepared (apart from the mini Yorkshires) is tremendous. Opted for the lamb & a pint of GK Ale Fresco on a nice sunny afternoon sat on the benches out the front, and would be hard pushed to suggest a better alternative in Bromley.
The secluded, grassy back garden has also been given some care & attention.
There is a large plasma TV by the bar always showing sport of some kind. At the quiz night on Tuesdays, the staff & locals take it in turns to compile the questions & host the quiz, which includes a cash prize & free sandwiches & snacks for your �1 entry fee. Everyone seems very friendly & welcoming to new faces, especially the staff.
Most improved pub in the borough in the last 12 months.
|
When I first visited this pub it was adequate, if a little dingy. It was then given a disasterous makeover which involved sticking a mirror to every available wall. Subsequently the makeover was rescued and it's now a comfortable atmosphere! (I mention this in case you've seen one of the bad versions)
The drinks were fairly priced and the pub was clean, but the two young barmaids working were quite frankly rude, refusing to top up drinks and not helping matters by sulking afterwards. Otherwise, a pleasant quiet pub attracting an older crowd.
|
Thanks for your post above! Its always nice to get some good feedback. I moved in 2 days before your comments. Oh...the lines have been sorted out. Pop in and say hello, there is all ways something good going on!
Cheers!
Gawin
Freelands Tavern
gawin - 28 May 2005 00:52 |
A good pub with one of the friendliest landlords you could hope to meet. Keen to attract the ale crowd, this Greene King home-from-home offers IPA, Abbot & a rotating guest ale (eg. Marstons Original, Wadworth 6X). You can sit out the front & watch the world go by & don't be surprised if you strike up a conversation with an outgoing local or 2. One slight criticism is that the lines could be a bit cleaner, a must if the Freelands really wants to compete with the other fine real ale establishments in the Bromley North district. But don't let this put you off giving this place a go.
|
