please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I had no idea. Blindly followed the Cask Marque App in. Got a tick.
Not my sort of place. The beer was terrible.
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A decent, laid back gay pub with two cask ales available; the ale I tried was well kept.
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I have been coming to the Q for some 7 years now and have made alot of friends there old and young and find this a very friendly place.Yes,its cruisy but it makes it exciting / interesting. Alot of guys from around the world come here because of its friendly reputation. Most of the staff are good at their job and friendly.Ok you get the odd one who doesnt want to be there but what ive seen he doesnt stay long. On a Friday night and especially a saturday it does get very busy.During the daytime up till i would say 8.30/9 alot of str8 clientele frequent the place.
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The Quebec is unique as a bar that is a comfortable environment not only for older gay men but also for that large percentage of gay men who do not care to adhere to the �twink� or �bear� look.
The Quebec has been a gay bar since before these obnoxious stereotypes inflicted themselves on the scene and will probably still be there when they are forgotten. So it has a varied clientele and a lot less attitude among the patrons than just about any other gay bar around.
Some of the bar staff can be a little obnoxious as they are generally younger Eastern European boys hired for their beauty. Like any cross section of humanity, some let that go to their head, while others are unchanged by it and are nice lads who do a good job.
With regards to other comments, it is inevitable that there will be rent boys and young foreign men looking for sugar daddies in a bar like the Quebec. Older men are more financially well-heeled so they represent a good market for rentboys. And young English men do not have visa worries, so they don�t need to find an older husband. But foreign boys do need a visa and I can't see that there's anything wrong with them trying to find someone to help them with that issue. If you don�t like that, write to the Home Office or the IMF; don�t blame the Quebec.
The DJing ... well it's indifferent, the karaoke on the one time I went to it, was awful � the guy tried hard, but downstairs is just the wrong place for it � and the drag and other acts can be fun.
The Quebec is what it is. Within its limitations, ie expensive wine, no great beers -though they finally gone a step in that direction by getting Abbots on tap, and the occasional look from an 80yo with a face like a half sucked mango ... it's OK.
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I hadn't been here for a long time and was shocked when I returned! The place looks very tired now. It was like stepping into the 1950's. Staff were not very friendly at all. The 'lady' behind the bar was quite simply being a little b1tch.
As it was in the afternoon and I hadn't had lunch yet I asked for something to eat. That was my biggest mistake, apart from entering this god forsaken place...
It took 20 minutes for the food to arrive and it was simply inedible. I don't have high expectations, I know pub food is supposed to be simple, but this was the worst I ever had. It looked as if it had been run over by a lorry and tasted even worse than the tyres would. I couldn't chew the beef, it was far too dry.
I will certainly never come here again and suggest you do the same.
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I've been going to the Q for just over a year and a half, I myself go for the older guys as there is no other gay pub in London who caters for this.
The place can be very cliquey, but there are guys worth talking too.
I don't like the fact that there are quite a lot of young foreign boys looking for a sugar daddy, and not so many young English guys in there.
The DJ on a Saturday night is appalling and couldn't mix music for buttons along side a face like a slapped arse and very rude too - get rid of him.
It's a good pub which could be better , lots of potential, and not too hard to get served, so if your looking for a quiet pint in a friendly gay bar, I would recommend the Quebec.
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I agree with the last post. I had a thoroughly pleasant evening here recently and despite not fitting into either the young or old category of people that frequent this pub, I felt completely relaxed and welcome. Also, the service I received from the bar was sufficiently polite and attentive, which is the best you can hope for in London. I'm not questioning some of the less favourable reports here, but I saw nothing to suggest that I experienced anything other than a regular night at The Quebec.
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I think some of the previous posts are a bit harsh on the old place. Could do with a lick of paint, but downstairs is fab in a sleazy kind of way, and while the bar staff weren't exactly falling over themselves, we got served fairly quickly. And nobody was glassed, or abused or sworn out. Maybe we just got lucky...
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A gay friend of mine call this place the 'Elephant's Graveyard' :)
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I always visit the Quebec when I am in London - at least once a month! I find the place attitude free, and it is friendly with many interesting people, young and old.
Incidentally, it is the longest running gay bar in London!
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This is the sort of bar that Mike my partner and I would love to run. Full of old men; Mike's thing.
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This is a gay pub for old men, which I didn�t spot until I was sitting on my own by the gents writing my little notes in my phone.
Before I left I spotted a standard draught selection alongside Peroni and there was a plasma screen showing Sky News, which was muted for the decent background music.
I've been to a few gay pubs on my travels, but this one seemed more like a pick up joint than pub.
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You either like it or you don't. Its a gay bar principally for older men who like younger men and vice versa. It's really the only one in London catering primarily to this sector of the gay community.
Some of the old boys in blazers are comfortably into their retirement whilst their younger admirers are all ages down to 18. Its not an especially attractive pub - very long and deep and a bit dark. The decor keeps evolving through a rather strange repertoire of schemes - none of which is much like a traditional pub. It has been a gay bar since the early 1970s at least -and is probably one of the oldest gay bars in London.
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as a real ale drinking gay guy i normally steer well clear of places like this for obvious reasons - this was my first visit here in almost 20 years - and it was generally quite a pleasant experience - but as previous reviewers have stated the bar staff need to lose some their "attitude" they'd be sacked in most other places...
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I have been a semi-regular at this pub for around 15 years, I remember the landlady before Tony took over, and she ran an efficient ship, as did Tony, although the latter was not greatly liked. Since Tony's sad decease, things have drifted steadily downhill. Maintenance is poor and cleaning is worse. The basement toilet smells, sometimes the smell permeates a large part of the basement, and it is a "not thoroughly cleaned daily" smell. Carpets are threadbare in places, and the management are very anonymous. The complaints about the staff I have read here are sometimes true, there is a very high staff turnover and training is obviously poor. Very few of the staff have English as their mother tonge and it is very difficult to be charming in a language that you don't speak fluently. The place has a bright future if well managed, but it needs a new and very competent general manager to take it by the horns!
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I went there in July '08 after a concert in Hyde park (Morrissey) and i am surprised from some of the comments on here as i thought the place was Brilliant, some great characters. The only thing i will agree on is that, the bar staff were alittle 'funny' he (barman) got my order wrong but instead of changing it without a fuss he looked to some customer at the side of me and pulled a face and rolled his eyes....not very nice or professional. Anyway, over all i thought it was a great place and will be going back hopefully in the next 2 months. Furthermore, the doorman and the other barmen were pleasant.
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Went in last night and sad to say attitude of staff hasn't changed. After waiting 10/15 mins (it was not busy) asked for a pint and glass of white wine ... 'What kind of wine?' was the reply ... fair enough ... 'What have you got?' ...'Chardonnay' ... 'Anything else?' .... 'No' (with a smirk and real ha ha see what I did attitude and glance to the punter next to us).
So we turned and walked out ... this was actually me giving the place one last chance ... it's all very well hiring the barstaff because they appeal to a core punter, but to be honest they need to actually behave with courtesy to the customers who are maybe less likely to but them a drink every round.
The venue itself has a lot of potential ... though the toilets could do with cleaning up ... it needs a new broom in there who will make sure everyone is catered for.
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Walked in here, no ales on, quickly left.
Sharp - 28 Aug 2008 11:51 |
Known as the elephants graveyard due to its popularity with the older members of the community.
Two bars large comfortable one upstairs, downstairs has a disco with a miniscule dancefloor.
Reasonable prices for a pub with a W1 postcode. As mentioned in previous reviews the bouncers are the usually surly lot and the barstaff aren't very good
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No real ales. More a meeting place than a pub.
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well I'm very new in London but I must say that I like Quebec... In anycase better than most places and cheaper also!
I like the place... I like the waiters... And I like the people who are hangin' out there :)
So go&taste it I guess!
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14th Jan 2008.
In Oct 2004 I was assaulted in this pub. don't let the date put you of as its not too late to do something. A case like this is never closed.
I was hit in the face with a glass ashtray causing me to have 44 stitches to my face. Across my forehead nose and lip. Very painful and now I'm scarred for life. A person was arrested but released due to lack of witnesss. So I have had no closure on the matter. The bar was busy but no one came forward.
I press release was given out outside the pub in 2006 and some people spoke but did not go to the police.
I would ask you to please contact the police on this number 0208 358 0698
DI Lee Presland is dealing with the case and if you come forward you can ask to be kept confidential.
Please help me to bring this to an end.
I did not get much help at the time from management but some staff were great.
If you seen anything please contact the police.
Thank you.
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I`m sorry to read of the landlord`s death; I didn`t know him, or hear of some of the problems that others have described.
However, I would say that, on the few occasions I`ve been there, I`ve found it an uncomfortable and not-altogether-pleasant experience. Being in my early 30`s, I felt very out of place, and was stared at constantly by the older gentlemen there. The drinks were pricy, and the barman (who, it seemed, couldn`t speak much English) placed my change in a tips box, right there in front of me. He didn`t even acknowledge me! Even in the afternoon, rentboys could be seen around the bar.
I do hope that things change now. As sad as the landlord`s death is; perhaps now is the time for a change of style. There is obviously a place needed for older blokes, and that`s fine; however, it`s clear that there were problems.
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Whilst it is always sad to hear of the loss of a person who was relatively young, it has to be said that whilst the landlord ran an extremely successful pub the attitude of pub company,manager, assistant manager bar staff and doorman has been an approach of total arrogance. I do not believe the customer is always right but it is a good basis from which to start.
The Quebec is legend for the type of clientele that frequent it but also on the London gay scene it has been regarded as an ill manered operation and tales of aggresive behaviour are numerous.
This is an opputunity for Greene King to get their house in order
anonymous - 14 Nov 2007 15:03 |
im very sad to hear of the sad death of tony,he will be greatly missed,ive ran pubs myself and know how difficult it can be,but he really knew how to run this pub!
i agree that he was a difficult man at times,even my own friend was 'barred'by him,but he was the boss and his word was the last!
i dont envy any manager who takes over from him,as its not an easy pub,only tony made it look easy!
i hope the standards and cleanliness remain as high as tony kept them.
to his partner and his staff,i send my deepest sympathy.
for everyones sakes i hope you all keep up the great standards of this pub!
rest in peace tony,god bless
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I would like to thank the last reviewer for his comments. Having worked for Tony for the last year I can in some way understand some of the comments previously made. I must however object to some of the prejudiced and evil remarks made by some. I challenge any one of you to manage a pub such as the Quebec. Having worked in many venues across the country, both gay and straight the Quebec has to be the most difficult in history. While a small minority respect the cherish and respect the Quebec as the venue it is a number have some assumption that they owne the quebec for themselves. The Quebec is a business at the end of the day, Tony was a great manager because he was a shroud businessman and would not take any of the s**t that a small number of narrow minded, biggoted and repulsive characters tried to through at him and his staff. Tony did his upmost to maintain the character and respectibility, I am sure that many of the people on this board would not have made their feelings known to Tony, his management team or Greeneking beracuase they new they were challanged for innapropriate behaviour, or that which warrented the response they recieved.....
I ask you all to think back 11 years to the time Tony first took over the Quebec, whilst some of you may still wish it was the disgusting, seedy venue it was then I am sure the majority would disagree. Tony established a world class, fantastic venue offering a huge offering, whome few in London can challenge or beat!!!!
So I ask you.....COULD YOU HAVE DONE ANY BETTER???
anonymous - 7 Nov 2007 05:40 |
I think it only right to post the news that the manager who was the topic of many posts has sadly passed away. Regardless of what many of you thought of him and his management style, I would hope that you will all show some respect to his loyal staff and partner for which this is clearly a very difficult time.
I knew the manager personaly and whilst he could be difficult at times, was equally loyal and huge hearted to those in genuine need of help and guidance.
Im sure you will all appreciate that a pub such as this has its own challenges and demands and it is not an easy task to manage as some of you assume.
Rest in peace Tony.
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I have posted this before but have decided to give direct contact details to police.
I was assaulted in this pub in 4th Oct 2004. No one has been charged.
Recently an appeal was given outside the pub and it seemed like there was some witness to the assault. How ever no one contacted the police.
If you are worried about confidentialty you can call the detective inspector Lee Presland and tell him you wish to remain annonymous 0208 358 0698
Please do the right thing.
anonymous - 24 Oct 2007 09:59 |
With half an inch of lager in a pint glass I was approached by a barman (whose command of English was zilch) who insisted that I had underpaid him by 10p??? What was that about? I dont know what is wrong with this pub but it seems you turn up to have a good time and someone always puts the dampers on the proceedings. So confused I couldn't begin to think of a rating.
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It is true, the manager here has got to rate as the worst manager in any bar in London. Shouty, rude, miserable little toad who is only interested in peoples money. His deputy/boyfriend is just as bad. Always chucking people out - some for just having a laugh - and never serving with a smile. If you manage to get a round in where a member of staff doesn't look blankly at you because he doesn't understand the language then you are very lucky.
Its a shame, it used to be so good - & could be again if the brewery got rid of the toad and his spawn.
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This is a brilliant pub only ruined by the agressive manager and his side kick boyfriend , agressive humourless doormen and arrogant staff.
Quite why Greene King keep this manager with countless complaints against him defies belief.
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I agree with the last comments.The manager here is a rude git.He swaggers around with such an attitude.Really spoils the atmosphere sometimes.The upstairs barstaff find it very difficult to understand English sometimes.There is an older bear guy who works in the downstairs bar sometimes and he's great.They need more of the same here.This pub is an institution on the London Gay scene and needs to stay that way.think someone needs to have a word with the manager and get him to DROP THE ATTITUDE......
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What spoils this pub is the shitty,rude attitude of the manager and his deputy. The manager starts screaming at the customers to get out at about 1 minute after closing time - in other words,weve had yer money,now f**k off. His deputy strolls the bar and toilets,throwing people out with the help of the door gorillas at regular intervals for the henious crime of appearing to have a good time. This behaviour hasnt applied to me, but I have seen it and it spoils it for many.
Comments on the bar staffs lack of basic English are spot on.Looking good isn't everything you know.
However,the pub does have great cabaret on Sundays, and good pianist sessions in the week.
But it could be so much better.Shame.
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My fiancee took me in this pub the day we got engaged. We had no idea it was a gay pub until we got inside. Needless to say he didn't do the deed in here. Nice G&T but not really our scene although we have been back several times since.
anonymous - 6 Sep 2006 16:17 |
If You could get your Ferind, to drop me a line or email about when this happened with a date & time, I will look into it to.
thanks
Tony Dawson
General Manager
The Quebec W1, 12 Old Quebec St, London W!H 7AF
[email protected]
tonyd - 24 May 2006 14:45 |
Ferind had bag a stolen in the pub, not the pub's fault. But NO HELP at all from any staff members, just told to leave!!
anonymous - 23 May 2006 13:56 |
The Quebec could be amazing! It has a lovely long bar upstairs and even downstairs is well done out with a nice little dancefloor.
However, unless you're an old man or a fan of old men the customers can make your experience unpleasant. My first visit was very brief when I moved in round the corner because my mate and I couldn't take all the gazes of the old men. My second visit was to meet a date for a drink. We started making out and not long after one 50+ year old guy started grabbing my bottom (while i'm snogging!). My third visit was with another mate when already rather drunk late on a Friday night. Even before we had ordered at the bar another old guy was in my mate's face asking 100 questions and continually rubbing on his chest. We promptly went downstairs and I don't think we had five minutes go by uninterrupted with someone trying to get us. I tell you, if you're under 30 and dressed casually I'm sure all the regulars think they can slip some cash in your back pocket and promptly take you home for a good lot of slap and tickle!
anonymous - 2 Feb 2006 16:13 |
A great pub - especially for the older gent.As has been stated,the bar staff need to be more than pretty - how about learning some basic English chaps? However,this is still one of the best gay bars in Central London.
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an oasis for us non scene guys who are just a tad older politically conservative who dont like loud modern dance music its is possible to be right wing and gay you know !
DAVE - 19 Mar 2004 19:19 |
I had a fantastic time there last week. Made some great new friends. Thanks Jeremy.
Scottish Dave - 5 Jan 2004 09:59 |
A haven for the mature man and a great place for an overseas visitor to connect with the locals and other travellers. I felt totally relaxed and at home there.
Howard - 27 Jul 2003 07:52 |
It is one of the best pubs in London - Gay or Striaght. Good atmosphere, but need to improve selection skills for the bar staff - looking cute is not enough- people need to be served as well
anonymous - 12 Jun 2003 16:40 |
the Old Quebec a Great Bar the best in the UK! maybe the World,
Mark S - 2 Jun 2003 23:01 |
Been going to the Quebec for years, whenever I am in London. Always friendly with many interesting people, young and old.
GARY - 31 Mar 2003 05:28 |
A warm and friendly, civilized place where conversation with many patrons is comfortable and rewarding intellectually as well as generally socially. Must be a magic stone under the pub.
david orr - 10 Mar 2003 08:29 |
One of the best places to be If you like mature men.packed with really good looking felllas during the weekend.the atmoshpere is unpretentious and very friendly..great pub!!
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the pub is brill, great for younger men who like older men. always get noticed with my hairy chest and dark handsome mediteranean looks. brill pub!
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