please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This imposing main road pub is huge inside, it’s open plan and absolutely spacious but pretty uninspiring.
Only 1 ale on tap which was Otter Ale which I didn’t fancy so I opted for bottle of fruit cider while my pal had the Otter which apparently was drinkable but not the best pint he’d had that day.
Busy with mainly blokes. The Fenman isn’t a horrible pub, it’s nicely laid out inside but it’s overly welcoming and staying for 1 drink was definitely enough time to spend here.
Having never visited before I doubt very much I will be back.
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Visited for a quick pint at lunch. Football on one side, families lunching on the other, didn't find it overly pricey and sizeable beer garden. Would go back and try the food.
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The pub needs to make its mind up about what it is! Trying to push the food now and go all top notch. Not making a bad go of it but WOW The prices are high! Won't be going again at that price!
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Just visited after its revamp. All the chavs and screaming kids have gone, along with the pool tables. I was pleasantly surprised, very comfortable pub now, but oh, the prices forbid me being a regular, a pint and two glasses of wine �17+.
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The Jolly Fenman is our 'local' pub and we've been there a few times. The younger bar staff are friendly and chatty and there is usually a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. However, the older gentleman who works behind the bar, and I am assuming is the manager, is the rudest man I have ever met. He does not smile, basic pleasantries are not in his voacabulary, and his general manner is obnoxious. Having worked in hospitality myself in the past, I am aware of how important good customer service is. Especially since the pub put their prices up, I feel that our custom should be treated with at least a grateful smile! Myself and my partner are 21 and the pub recently put a 21 and over drinking policy in place. However, the manager is erratic with ID checking - he has been heard to ask people simply if they are over 21, and on other occassions, just refuse to serve someone because he seems not to like the look of them. The manager of the Jolly Fenman needs to realise that the success of his pub relies on the customers, and the only way anyone will return is if their custom is respected, not snarled at. My experience at the Fenman this evening has ruined what should have been a relaxing Friday evening with a few drinks.
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Now reopened as part as the Barras chain. Well, at least it reopened...
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bar staff are spot on very friendly great pub
se9er - 29 Oct 2011 13:30 |
Currently closed with builders' vans much to the fore. Does that mean that it's going to reopen rather than be redeveloped? Only on a completely new basis, one hopes.
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Poor bar service, too many menu items 'Off' and then far too slow service, followed eventually by poor-quality food, burnt and yet stone cold. And an ineffective manager (amongst a definite shortage of staff which resulted in long waits) who tried to stay out of sight during the totally unpleasant process.
Where would they be without the geographical accident of being near enough to Eltham Crematorium to be booked (once only, naturally) for successive Wakes?
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went to the Jolly Fenman with my neice and was pleasantly surprise by the quality of the food.. definately great value for money my neice had the gammon and again was surprise not oily I had the chicken and bacon salad and salad crispy fresh ..and the drink price very reasonable
definately will go there again..
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I went here with my sister and mum for a meal when we arrived there we no draft beers or draft anything with an hour wait for it to come back on
We ordered our meals and had to wait ages and when they arrived the order was wrong so we sent it back and when it came back it was cold.
Dreadful service,Dreadful pub.
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Recently had a minor facelift. Lick of paint on the walls, new carpet etc. The food iv had from there has been fine, but nothing special. Very mixed crowd, but friendly enough. Rarely get any trouble in there.
alchy - 21 Nov 2009 20:05 |
Gents toilet out of order, litter all around the garden area, and astronomic prices for a mediocre pub. Little wonder its nearly always empty during the day.
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great food,good service,good bar staff.
drinks a little pricey but decent enough pint
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Used to be an excellent pub... good lunchtime grub and quality IPA... Now... I think they should just raise the place and leave it as rubble, as an example to the local chavs
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This place is definitely in need of a face lift, getting very unloved.I cannot see what justifies such high prices at the bar, are they saving for a new carpet.
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my father-in-law took my wife and his 80 year old sister in hear for a meal as they were visiting in the area,appalling aparently
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Chav city. I walked in thought there was a local youth club outing! Definitely won't be returning
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I live close to this pub, and I have never seen a pub have so many governors. They are doing reasonable grub throughout the day, but I am afraid it is for youngsters, not oldies like it used to be. Beer selection ok.
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Big Al's Local. Food ok, beer ok, patrons ok. In other words it's okay. Just your average Greater London Suburbian working class pub.
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The main food is generally ok, but they make the worst salad in the world, ever. It doesn't even pass as salad. It's just a side plate full of dry lettuce. No tomatoes, no cucumber, just the lettuce. Maybe if you are unlucky a single red pepper. I mean, why put it on the plate? It makes the meal look hideously unappetising.
The old pool playing cook that used to work there didn't wash his hands when next to me in the toilet either, I don't think he works there now, but I'm just saying.
Some bar staff act like one of the lads, which is annoying and very unamusing, but not to them...
Apart from the above it's alright, there's ample parking, garden, pool tables, dartboard, quizmachines and sofas.
anonymous - 18 Jun 2006 12:33 |
took the family here again for easter sunday and was easy to get a seat (table 20) the old barman with no hair (now with hair) was back behind the bar so no probs getting served today hmm infact he was the only person in sight behind the bar ,however food and drinks ordered and no too long a wait food was good and hot and plenty to go round although brussels ? with chicken anyway.
This is when we first caught sight of a barman in full fenman uniform crashing into nearby tables collecting glasses but not removing them from the tables at first we thought it was part of the easter entertainment but sadly this young guy was not on plannet earth ,however good news for us today the football game was being shown at other end of pub so we were able to enjoy our food and drinks and not be driven out by the loud youngsters who normally set up camp around the tv shouting alll kinds id rather my kids dont here, granted its a pub we spent a total of about �120 thats for 4 adults and 4 kids that aint cheep as for returning again well yes just to see if the barman can walk strait our only other thing that has been pointed out is its never clear who the manager is he is never seen
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Oh yeah, and the hot air hand dryer in the 18th century toilets don't work either.
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Went there for luch while looking at houses to buy in Blackfen. Table was sticky and there was rubbish on the floor. Lady behind the counter with black hair and blonde streaks had the personality of a cold turd. I ordered fish pie which she struggled to find on her till. Stood at the bar for about 10 minutes ordering. I was polite but didn't get more than a grunt out of this lady and no "thank you" at any stage. Think I'll stick to London pubs.
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Nice pub, fairly lively on fri/sat, none of the idiots thinking that they are gangsters that u seem to get in most pubs in the area.
Fairly decent pint in there, service aint too bad, but they do tend to make sure the regulars are sorted b4 anyone else, mayb not a bad thing though.
Varied crowd, young and old.
Couple of nice sorts get in there as well.
All in all a decent pub.
anonymous - 13 Mar 2005 11:43 |
Boasts a warm friendly atmosphere as a steak and ale pub, part of the spirit group. Children are welcome all day and food is served till 9 pm 7 on sunday's. Thre is a quiz night every sunday and dj on saturdays.
Sarah - 9 Nov 2004 17:36 |
Totally unfriendly atmosphere.
Chris - 16 Nov 2003 14:29 |
The staff in this pub are only interested in the welfare of their 'regular' customers.
The food is often 'luke - warm' when it finally arrives to your table; following a recent makeover the pub's decor at first glance seems OK, however the tables are dirty and the toilets havent changed in that they are smelly and dated (the gents are..I cdo not frequent the ladies and hence cannot comment on their state).
Dont go here unless you are desparately thirsty !!!
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Takes over an hour to get your food and the tables are covered in crusty baked beans where they don't clean them
Stuart - 31 Jul 2003 12:08 |
This was once a delightful pub, but my opinion has changed. Since returning the Blackfen area I was disappointed with the Jolly Fenman. The service is slow and the staff are unwelcoming and often rude infront of customers.
John - 29 May 2003 19:33 |
