Liquor Station, Wembleyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This place is now called the Liquor Station. It's a large place with a fairly extravagant décor. The barman was Polish and the two other customers were also Polish. Not quite sure how it survives. Bombardier and Doom Bar were the ales. Just a couple of doors up, you'll find the Wetherspoons - a similar size with many more customers, more ales and cheaper prices. Keep on walking.
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Closed, lease for sale.
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Forgot to mention, did this one for Wembley Central on London Overground.
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Currently visiting a pub for every station on the London Overground. Found this to be a typical high street pub, had two real ales Bombadier and Directors, only Directors was on. Considering the surrounding area though the pub was not as bad as I expected. It was clean and had comfortable interior. Had some MTV style music channel on when we entered which changed to showing Danish Speedway. Wouldn't avoid it if in the area.
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When England failed to win the bid for the 2018 World Cup, it was suggested this may have been due to "goings on" at FIFA. I have an alternative, theory. I believe the delegates visited Wembley in the same way as the average fan. Namely they arrived by train at Wembley Central Statiion, an old school Eastern European style concrete dungeon, smelling of stale urine, came out into the open air to see a grim high street with Primark, Poundland and boarded up shops. Feeling thirsty they would have gone into the first pub they found, in the direction of the stadium. The Bear.
As it was a match day, the clientele were all bluenoses, so it is hard to judge what they regulars are like , but based on the state of the toilets (far worse than any O'Neills and almost as bad as the Costers), and the overall state of the place, it would be safe to assume that personal hygiene is not one of their priorities. Although the place sold a couple of ales (if Courage counts as that) I decided it would be wiser to stick to Stella. The plastic beaker it was served in, made it taste warmer and weaker that usual and left a nasty plastic taste in the mouth. All draught pints were �3.35, whether it was house lager, Guinness or premium lager, the pricing policy for match day, according to one of the old brasses serving the beer. Geezer in front of me looked horriified when he handed over a tenner for 3 pints of house lager and was told it wasn't enough. Most of the staff seemed to be typical cockney stereotypes. The glass collectors were short, potbellied, tattooed old blokes in grubby white England tops, the Doris behind the bar was revealing far too much cleavage for her age whilst the bouncers looked like extras from the Sweeney.
A few plus points. Sky Sports on a couple of big screens and the beer was 95p a pint cheaper, and despite what I've said about the quality, considerably better than the slops on sale inside the stadium.
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Just Spoons by any other name. Same food, same beer, same decor and right next door to the original. Ate here one night out of desperation after failing to find any other decent eating places and was treated with a shoe leather steak and chips paler than a goths girlfriend. Only rough Bombadier on tap in a sterile plasma filled lager swilling dump.
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Finding ourselves in the rather unremarkable setting of Wembley High St prior to an Oasis concert at the famous nearby stadium, my brother and I were faced with the rather un-envious dilemma of where to settle for a couple of pre-Gallagher brother beers. After initially attempting � and failing � to get served in the stuffy and claustrophobic local JD Wetherspoon, we decided to turn our attention to the former post office next door: The Bear.
First impressions upon entering were favorable, with seating aplenty and no great queue at the bar. However, the atmosphere took a distinct nose dive when some boozed-up baboons decided to throw poorly-aimed blows at each other each, resulting in several toppling to the floor in fits of hysterics and mock-agony. Thankfully, the rather masculine female doorman � sorry, doorperson � wrestled the presumed ringleader to the floor before escorting the lout off the premises. Finally, once the spectacle had ceased being of any interest, I and fellow patrons were now able to turn our attention to the well-stocked bar: not. Despite three hand pumps, two appeared redundant and the Bombardier clip was half-turned � does that mean it is on or off or half-on?? I regrettably opted for a pint of Stella Artois and a Fosters. The former was, as expected, rancid and barely drinkable. A few moments of solitude ensued after we managed to settle at a table, although the music volume soon went up and a notch and ones ears were insulted by the latest banal offerings from today�s urban and RnB elite � scoff. Turning my attention to the interior for a few brief moments, I am at least pleased to report that the architectural structure show some merit and there is even a slight sense of grandeur within this former public-services building. As-per-usual with so many of today�s drinking establishments, a cheapie all-day food menu is available with the now commonplace �curry club� being amongst the more palatable promotions. Back at the bar and the staff situation most definitely needs addressing: despite at least five employees manning, service was slow and morose: although here was busy, they were surely not overworked. Lagers ran out and were seemingly not readily replaced, which is a poor sign. To conclude: if I ever find myself in Wembley for a musical or sporting event in the future, than suffice to say, I think a quick detour to the local supermarket for a few bottled ales would be preferable to patronizing anywhere in the vicinity.
HTM69 - 19 Jul 2009 14:05 |
Three pints for under five pounds? Bombardier, no less! Couldn't believe my ears after the skinning that this tourist endured elsewhere in England recently. So what if Wembley might be London's blowhole, at least the ale is cheap even if the grub might be passably indifferent
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Unfortunately Damene has left, so we shall see what happens to this pub now!
anonymous - 26 Oct 2007 11:49 |
DPS = Designated Premises Supervisor (Licencee in old money!)
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Come to wembley to watch england play germany, what a fantastic bar(i think it is too nice for wembley). The food is very (wish my local pub served food like this). The staff are good fun and friendly,
The larger is at a good price tonight at �1.85 for foster but some thing tell me tomorrow will be a different day �3.00 ??????? but this will not stop me and my wife going back in later on tonight or tomorrow,
At least a glass of coke will still be �1.00 not like the greyhound �4.00 per coke come on please it is coke not gold,
Well done to Damene Andrew Hepworth DPS(what ever DPS means)
Try it people we did and loved the food
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Hi everyone, since the Old Post Office gone and The Bear has landed, It is clean and tidy and the staff are very friendly.
It is nice to see cask ale on there now and at �1.50 per pint i could not believe my eyes,
The only thing i would say is the prices on Wembley match days to go up but hey so does everywhere in the area.
I would say the 2 steaks and a bottle of wine is an amazing offer.
The manager was very chatty person you can tell he is from yorkshire
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From the outside, it still looks like the Post Office it used to be, complete with the old post box built into the wall. Part of the Barracuda chain which generally means avoid like the plague, but given the lack of any real decent pubs in this neck of the woods, the choice is generally this or the Wetherspoons next door. The interior is quite spacious and divided up into several sections although you need to avoid eye contact with the hideous deckchair material carpet. The staff do not exactly leap out of their way to serve you and on my visit all 3 ales (Green King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Courage Best) were all off so clearly something needs to be done on a staffing level. Apart from the aforementioned carpet, the d�cor is pleasing on the eye with tasteful modern prints and plenty potted plants although there is an abundance of empty shelves just calling out for some old books, jugs, urns etc. Multiple screens satisfy the TV addicts and the music was unobtrusive. It is all very clean, tidy and functional but not worthy of making a special trip to find.
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Now open as The Bear. (opened on Thursday 3rd May.
Trying in vain to copy JJ Moon's next door... menu with special prices, special food & drink price combos. Now selling real ales (GK Old Speckled Hen @ �1.80 & IPA, Courage Best) at time of visit. Other draught beers range from �3+ per pint. The bar already has a leaky ceiling! Background music playing but amusement machine volume far too high. Plasma screens for sports.
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Further to my earlier post, it is due to reopen soon as The Bear; badged as a Juniper pub which is still part of the Barracuda group. Looks quite smart from the outside through the window... we'll see... Hope it's an improvement on the Old Post Office!
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