please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub has indeed changed its name, probably due to the ultra bad press and reviews it was getting. It was originally called The Globe, but is now The Covent Garden. I'm not sure if with the change of name there has also been a change of management, but there was certainly no sign of the stroppy little landlord who was upsetting everyone and who has been mentioned numerous times in previous posts about this pub.
When I paid the pub a visit last month there were 2 female bar staff serving and it came across as a decent enough establishment. I only stayed for a couple of beers so can't really say if it has improved, but from my experience it came across as your average London boozer and was certainly a darn sight better than some pubs I've frequented over the years. Having said that, I still prefer The Marquis Of Angelsea which is right next door 🍻
|
Oh Dear, the reviews on here!
I was actually looking for the Coach and Horses and in biblical rain, peaked too early.
Time was getting on, so I took advantage of the fact its a bar and kitched and ordered food.
The London Pride was exceptional. The food excellent and reasonable value (for the area) and the service first class.
I can only assume its been taken over? In fact, I'm sure it was called the Covent Garden. Google maps still shows it as the Globe.
|
Rude and surly, the reason being that they don't rely on regulars and the business is on their doorstep. If they provide bad service it matters not as they don't need repeat custom. Poor pub
|
THE WORST PUB IN LONDON
DO NOT GO TO THIS PUB; If I could give this bar a zero rating I would. I've lived in London for 9 years and this is the WORST PUB I've ever come across in the city.
The staff are the most rude and least skilled bar tenders I've ever had the displeasure of being served by. When I complained to the manager he started screaming and shouting verbal abuse at me across the bar. My friend, also a Londoner, had gift shop bags so I think they thought were we tourists and they could get away with treating us like worse than dog poo on their shoe.
PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THIS PUB. London is a lovely friendly city (I had a great chat with 4 total strangers on the train on the way home from this pub). Do yourself a favour and go to one of the nice, friendly pubs just 5 doors down the road.
|
Always had a great time in the Globe. I work frequently at the Opera House across the road and we always drink at the Globe, post show.
The service is part of the charm of the place. I've never seen anyone being treated as rudely as has been suggested on here and never seen any customers intimidating anyone at the bar.
It's not a glitzy, spangly bar by any stretch. It's a pub. I had a meeting there a few weeks ago and took my Jack Russell Terrier with me, they were very welcoming to us both.
Sometimes, the 'attitude' of the staff can be a little tongue in cheek but as I say, that's part if the charm of the place.
|
I went into this pub on Christmas Eve with my fiancée and two friends. I have never, ever been treated so poorly by any publican, in any pub or bar in my life. The four of us went to the Globe Christmas Eve at about 7pm for a pre-Christmas get together and drink, one of us was driving and not drinking the other three of us had just left work and not been drinking. We turned up and I ordered a round, I asked for a "JD and Diet Coke, a Coke, a larger (Carlsberg I think) and an Ale". I gave my fiancée the money for the round while I went to find a seat.
Upon my return I noticed that the coke we had ordered had not turned up. I went over to my two friends to check they had not taken it over to their seats and then returned to the bar and said to my fiancée "We still need to get a coke". The bar tender (who was serving other customers) saw us still standing at the bar and said "is there a problem?" and I said "oh, we didn't get our coke". He replied (very abruptly) "you didn't order a coke" I said "I did, I ordered a..." and he instantly interrupted and exclaimed "no you did not, you ordered a JD and diet coke and then changed it to a JD and coke". I have worked and ran pubs for many years, this is a very common mistake for both bar staff and customers to make and I just assumed the bar tender hadn't heard me so I tried to explain again that I had ordered a coke. He got very angry and told me off for not listening to him and stated, incredibly abruptly that I therefore had the wrong coke in my JD. To this I replied that I didn't really mind, I just wanted a coke when he had a minute. He replied "well you have to wait until after I served these customers". I replied that that was "no problem". My fiancée and I carried on chatting at the bar while we were waiting. After a short interval the barman asked us "what’s the problem" and I said "nothing at all, we are just waiting here for the coke". He then started to raise his voice loudly and said "I told you have to wait, for f***'s sake what is wrong with you".
The whole bar began to fall silent and as he continued to shout at us my friend came over to see what on earth was going on. I couldn't actually believe it. Drinks get muddled all the time; I really did not know why he was so angry and why he was swearing. The people he had been serving (three men who I think were his friends) began to make suggestive kissing noises at me and asked me to "ignore him and come and sit with us" and "you can sit on our laps". The whole situation felt very intimidating and unpleasant and I did not have any idea whatsoever what had riled the bar man so sufficiently.
I asked to speak to his manager to which he replied "I am the manager" and I asked him whether he spoke to all his staff and customers like this. The barman/manger (??!) then said to my friend (who by this point was even more gobsmacked and flabbergasted than me and stated that if he was going to continue we would leave) "F*** off then, I don't care". I asked for my money back for the drinks (as we had not had chance to touch them) and he gave us the money back. My friends then left. I faltered back and asked (because I really could not understand what on earth had just happened and I really wanted to know how I had offended him to such a great extent in such a short space of time) "Do you mind if I just ask what on earth I just did there to offend you so much" to which he replied "you would not listen, you are one of those women who just won’t listen". The three men at the bar then started to make lurid comments again so I asked for the card for the bar (so I could make a complaint) and promptly left.
I just could not believe it. I still can’t! Apart from the fact that it was not my job to listen to him (in fact, in terms of customer service I am sure it is the barman's job to treat the customer positively and be a least a little polite) I do not see what there was to listen to in that situation! This event completely ruined the evening. I left incredibly upset and quite shaken up. It felt as though the barman, for some reason was spoiling for a fight and decided he wanted this fight with us. The parting comment he made had clear sexist overtones. This comment coupled with the men at the bar's comments felt intimidating and hostile. I will never be setting foot in this bar again and would assume that at the very least an apology is due from yourselves.
I will be posting this on other sites and writing a letter with a formal complaint to Nicholson's against this barman/manager as it is frightening to think how he may be treating other customers or staff. I think this man has some anger management issues perhaps should be addressed if he is to continue working safety with the public.
|
The landlord of this pub is very rude and offensive.
He rudely moved our bags out of the way because he wanted to get past and when we moved them back he reacted aggressively and offensively.
I think customer service is severely lacking here and the landlord feels he can speak to customers as rudely and carelessly as he likes.
From reading other reviews, this is not an unusual occurrence.
With all the other pubs available in Covent Garden, I would pick somewhere else to drink.
KateD - 29 Sep 2013 23:31 |
In all truthfellness you can excuse many things in a busy west end pub....but here's a a couple that might surprise you ......
I arrived at The Globe to meet friends, as I opened the door I stepped back to let a diminutive foreign barman go out to pick glasses up, needless to say he didn't say thank you.
as the bar was busy, I waited near the end of the bar to get served .....the aforementioned barman came back in empty handed but made an attempt at shouting that people should not block the entrance to the bar..... such a welcoming chappie ..... but it gets better....... After settling down I noticed that the same barman was frequently helping him self to a a bag of nuts he'd placed behind the bar by pouring them in one hand and picking them with the other.....but the picking up glasses to serve customers while putting his index finger in the top of the drink he was pouring .......no, no seriosuly there's more......the principle reason why I would never go back in this pub again........at least two of the bar staff were seen to pour slops into drinks ......there were three pint glasses hidden below the bar (which could be senn from the end of the bar) that the staff used to start / top up drinks ..... quite how long they'd been sitting there was anyone's guess and then to cap it all I saw the staff top up a drink from the slops tray. I really am considering passing this onto the council weights and measures people.....my God the impression we give to tourists
|
Visited for the first time last night and was pleased to find three ales from Sharp's on, along with one from Okells and several from Fuller's.
A Sharp's Ice Ale, followed by an Okells Bitter went down nicely and at around £3.70 a pint were pretty much par for the course for the area pricewise.
Busy enough downstairs around 7pm on a Saturday evening and there were also people heading up to the dining area.
One TV above the door showing BBC news although was turned off not long after we arrived.
Staff seemed friendly enough, which is always a bonus.
Would head back were I in the area.
|
There's been a pub on the site since 1682, though this building was erected in the early 1700s. The Globe is a traditional small Central London back street pub with a side bar. It is run by Nicholson's so there is a ever changing range of guests beers. Popular and friendly with a middle class, media type group of regulars.
|
I had dinner last night at The Globe Pub during the interval of the Ring Cycle at the Opera House. We were restricted to an hour and the staff seated and served us very quickly, they are very professional and obviously used to dealing with large volumes of people during intervals. I had the fish and chips and my husband had a pie, both of which were excellent. The pub was very busy and had a great atmosphere, I would definitely recommend it if you are going to the opera, before, after or during the interval.
|
Was kicked out by short barman for trying to pay for beer with cash instead of card. Will NEVER go again...
Arrived into pub, sober, after tough day at work. Ordered two beers. Tried to pay with card. Machine didn't work for either me or two other customers. I offered cash but before was happy to hand over cash I asked for receipt for failed card transaction. Was refused said receipt. Was then shouted at, told to to take my money and leave and told never come back again. Don't worry mate, I'll never go back again... And I'll make sure none of my colleagues go back either!!!
I have never been treated so badly for trying to pay for a beer in my life. Correction. Never been treated so badly as a customer in my life before... EVER...
|
Last pub we visited on a crawl and to me it was fine...served straight away and the staff were pleasant..would visit again if in the area...
|
Suprised by these comments as the staff were very helpful and accommodating on our visit. Sweet smoking area upstairs too. Can only rate on the basis of our visit.
|
Could not believe how rude the waiter upstairs was - mentioned in previous reviews as a rude little chap. He was rude when we told him we weren't ordering food and said we would be moved If someone that wanted food arrived. Joke. Never heard of a pub that does that. Then my boyfriend went to get a pint and a coffee and as the bar maid was handing him the already made coffee the same waiter came over, yanked the coffee out of her hand and simply said "we don't serve hot drinks to those who don't order food".
Obviously he was lying and just wanted to be a little s**t.
We left. What a dreadful little place.
|
I must have caught this pub on a good day!! Cheery barmaid (although after she served me she did spend a lot of time chatting to her mates - but to be fair no customers were kept waiting long). I had a half of a guest beer (sorry forgotten which one it was) but it was OK and it looks like I will have to visit again just to see if I really did miss out on the experiences of other reviewers.
|
A truly hideous pub! I�ve just been reading the comments about the short chap who's really rude to people. When we went in, he offered to let us sit in the upstairs seats (marked bar/restaurant) but pointed out we would be shifted at the drop of a hat if people came in to eat. Fair enough. Having looked at the menu, we decided we would actually like to eat after all. We went to get the drinks in, and one friend asked for a glass of dry white wine. What he served her wasn't the house wine, it was something more expensive. She politely queried this and he shouted at her and bullied her into buying the more expensive one. Then he shouted at my heavily pregnant friend for "only" buying a lime & soda and indicated that we should all be putting out change in the 'tips' tray. When it was my turn to be served, he didn't have anything to shout at about, but decided to get stuck into me about the 'outrageous' behaviour of my friends instead. He then misheard my order, gave me one drink instead of the two that I'd asked for and sighed dramatically when I had to repeat that I wanted two pints. Needless to say, we didn't order food. We decided to drink up as quickly as possible, while the staff paced ominously up and down behind us. There were a lot free seats downstairs, but we didn't want to sit there as it smelled of fetid, blocked, rotting toilets � although attempts had been made at masking this with a powerful cinnamon-scented disinfected. It didn�t work. Still poor, clueless tourists and heavily pregnant ladies who just need to sit down anywhere as quickly as possible should keep this unpleasant place afloat.
|
Tried to go here for lunch today. A friend had made a reservation by phone. We were told by an extremely unhelpful owner/manager that they don't take reservations on Saturdays, that we must be mistaken, etc. etc. No apologies for the confusion, no attempt to find out which barman had accepted the reservation, no suggestion that we might like to have a drink while we wait for a table to become free, etc., so we left. Clearly this pub has enough tourists and does not need your business, and will treat you accordingly.
|
5 beers on yesterday at �3.60 a pint. Pretty busy in the early evening. It's Ok but there are better pubs in the area. Lunchtime food menu looked quite reasonably priced but more expensive in the evenings.
|
I was once about to order a pint of bitter here only to watch in horror as the slops' trays were poured into another client's glass.
We left.
|
I agree with Kim70. I regularly attend the ROH and meet up/eat/drink here on occassion before/during/after the performance. The food and drink are fine, if a bit pricey (to be expected, I suppose) and the service I and my friends have experienced has, if anything, been above and beyond what could reasonably be expected.
The Anglesey next door is also OK but tends to be a bit packed when trying to find a space/table for 3 or 4 of us plus drinks plus food. Hence our commen preference for the Globe.
|
Hello, everybody.......From your reviews, I have a strange feeling that I came across exactly the same kind of rude / polite (it depends on circumstance) manager & staff several years ago in a restaurant in Covent Garden. I wonder do they always work as a team ?? Does anyone have any ideas about their nationalities ?? I am curious !
|
We had a private party at the Globe last week. The food and service were excellent, the whole event was organised for us including a cake and flowers, the music and the atmosphere were fantastic, I would highly recommend it for a Christmas party or any other occasion. The staff are all extremely friendly.
|
I regularly go the Royal Opera House and always have a drink in The Globe during the interval and afterwards. The manager and the staff are very friendly and efficient, after the opera the musicians are regulars there which adds to the great atmosphere. I have eaten there a few times too and the food is always excellent.
|
If the owner is as rude as you say, the pub will not survive for very long. Plenty of competition these days!
|
I have never seen anyone create as much of a scene as the manager of this place over something so trivial. We were thrown out for having the temerity to sit down, after asking if it was fine to sit where we wanted. One day that guy (who is not big in any shape or form) will mouth off at the wrong person and get his just desserts. Small man syndrome. Never visit this pub and hopefully he'll go bust and leave these shores! Next door much better in all ways. AVOID THIS PUB.
|
WORST STAFF I HAVE EVER SEEN. The manager is unbelievably rude and arrogant. No atmosphere. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PUB AT ALL COSTS
|
Went in there last week and there was an amazing band with an old Rastafarian singer singing really great authentic blues, Reggae and Ska and everyone was dancing. Apparently they are there most weekends and for this reason I'd go back again.
Seafarer beer was nice.
|
What a shame! The pub is lovely but the owner is appauling. He is an extremely rude and angry little French man who thinks he's running the Ritz instead of a good old fashioned boozer. We have been there twice and both visits have been ruined by his rudness and horribe attitude..! I will never set foot in that place again or give him a penny of my hard earned money! Go back to France-you don't deserve a place in Covent garden! NIGHTMARE!!!!
|
Went into this pub last Friday, the first time since it's makeover and I thought the new decor wasn't particularly to my liking - a bit too bright for me.
However, I drank the Seafarers which was very nice indeed. The pub was busy although not packed and bar staff seemed friendly.
Overall a pleasurable experience!
|
The photo of the pub gives the impression of a small traditional hostelry however nothing could be further from the truth. The guts have been ripped out of this pub. It is now a single sterile room with three large handeliers above the bar giving it a brightness that was almost painful.
Ales were Pride and Seafarers. If this is a Fuller's pub they should be ashamed of themselves but I suspect it is just a prime example of what happens when pubs fall into the wrong hands.
Avoid like the plague - there is a better pub next door (Marquis of Anglesey) and a much better one three doors down (Coach and Horses). All that is wrong with Covent Garden in one small room.
|
Ive visited this pub three times in as many weeks. Under new management with brand new staff, food and drinks this bistro pub is a must if your in the area.
A full house and very busy with food being served on three floors, the staff were jovial and full of smiles.
If any of said barmaids and waitresses happen appon this review, thankyou again for making our night so fabulous!
See you next week!!!
|
The rumours are true! Elvis has left the building. New manager and currently under renovation, things seem to be looking good for this pub.
The real fireplace is a deffinate bonus, variaty of ales, beers and spirits and a nice relaxed atmosphere with cande lit tables.
A favourie hangout of the workers and performers from the royal opera house, a must if your in the area before or after a show, with a chance to bump into the performers youve just seen perform live on stage.
I look forward to seing the venue when the renovations are complete.
10/10 !
|
I believe your famous, "dirty old man","dysfunctional", "incredibly nasty landlord with an obvious Napoleon's complex", all of which i agree with has hung up his attitude and left. The big question now for the new proprieter is what to do with the paintings?? He is stuck with portraits of Hitchcock, Churchill and Henry VIII that have the previous owner, HR,'s face painted on them. Does he get his own face painted on them? Leave them as they are or get the real ones restored?? Nightmare!!
|
I knew this pub many years ago when it used to be a popular watering hole. A rather strange colour scheme with what appears to be a picture of the landlord painted as a famous Henry VIII picture.
Spitfire was fine rather than excellant.
Not a pub I will bother visit again for quite a few more years.
|
An incredibly nasty landlord with an obvious Napoleon's complex. Will never visit again. This has to be the most abhorrent demented little man running a `pub` in london. Having worked for pubs in the West-end for a few years now, I can safely say that it is not uncommom for a pub landlord to have a few drinks on duty, but when a `manager` cannot handle his tipple and ends up violently abusing his staff through harassment and physical threats it becomes something that is a major turn-off for the customers.
Someone else commented that the manager is complarable to Hiltler, I would say its closer to Herr Mengele.
Avoid like herpes.
|
Glad to note the near-unanimty about the dysfunctional landlord. Anyway, there has been something funny about the cellar at this pub ever since its current incarnation started in December 2007. To begin with, they persistently got the Deuchars and Youngs barrels mixed up, meaning that Deuchars came out of the Youngs pump and vice versa. Staff were not fluent enough in English to understand the mistake when it was pointed out. Then on my most recent visit I was served a pint of Deuchars so unpalatably tart that I had to take it back (though, oddly, it looked completely normal). It was changed without quibble for a Youngs, but the ale was very pale (Deuchars-like, in fact) and tasted nothing like Youngs! For the record, Spitfire is served too but I didn't get round to trying that. Looking forward to the next regime change!
|
I have visited this pub twice in recent weeks (to this day i still don't know why i made the second visit).
The pub itself is fine, comfortable and cosy, but the atmosphere is somewhat soured by the little Hitler (little being the operative word) posing as a member of the service industry. I don't think the word 'service' is in this man's vocabularly because as approaching the bar, rather than being welcomed and asked if i could be helped, he just stands there staring at you aggressively as if you're a burden.
On my last visit, and it will be my last, he was too preoccupied by another female customer wearing a skirt that could have passed a belt to pay any attention to the needs of others wanting a drink.
He is, as Harold Steptoe would say, a dirty old man.
Please take my advice and don't waste your time in this establishment, it's not the pub that falls short it's the short manager.
|
My wife and I stopped for a pre-theatre drink and dinner around Christmas, and found the climate and owner delightful. He was cordial, knowledgeable about American politics and education, and entertaining. His stock of American whiskey was under-rated so I offered to send a bottle of Kentucky Rye upon my return. The cider was just a sweet as first tasted 36 years ago at my wife's grandmother's house in Brimpton. My taste for English Ale leaves a bit to be desired...but the scotch (provided gratis, he left the bottle on the table) by HR was a perfect ending to a perfect evening. I can't wait to return and sample the Rye.
|
Never going to win pub of the year, but has had an interesting referb.
Beer is pricey but it�s a half decent range and well kept.
Although the much maligned landlord can appear quite prickly, especially to his staff, I�ve always found him pleasant enough and his antics can be of some entertainment.
Worth at least a drink as you pass by.
mrse1 - 13 Dec 2008 00:45 |
Is this a covert champagne bar as I didn�t get any bubbly vibes during my recent visit?
By the sounds of it I was fortunate enough not to cross paths with the governor, but the barmaid that served me was nice enough. Deuchars, Spitfire and Youngs Ordinary were available along with San Miguel, Fosters, Kronenburg John Smiths and two ciders, Strongbow and Bulmers.
The pub is small, as you�d expect for the area, but there is a real fire.
The background music was depressing and in the end I was glad that I had only ordered a half as there are much better pubs in the area.
|
We met some friends in London at the weekend and on first impressions decided the Globe looked like a nice place to have lunch. We were totally wrong. This has to be the worst pub we could have entered in London. The Manager was a rude obknoxious man who was constantly barking orders and swearing at his staff. The language alone was very strong and unnaceptable. We found the atmosphere quite disturbing and left before we had finished our drinks. We certainly did not order food and will not be returning!
|
Awful place. Exceptionally bad service and poorly kept beers. Quite how the manager of this establishment thinks he is an ideal candidate to work in the service industry is beyond me. He is quite possible the rudest ill tempered man to have set foot behind a bar. When not abusing customers who had the audacity to order a drink he is bullying his miserable looking staff to the point where punters felt the need to intervene. I was unfortunate to have witnessed him scream accusations of theft at one of the bar staff who promptly fled in tears. The man is a tyrant. His personality disorder is further illustrated on the paintings on the walls where various portraits of important historical figures (Henry VIII etc) have had their faces replaced with images of the manager. Quite scary really. I left after a few minutes having taken a sip of a rancid pint of bitter. I could not be bothered to complain about the dodgy pint as Stalin behind the bar would probably have tried to send me to the Gulag.
Avoid this place at all costs.
|
I was a regular at the Globe before it closed, so went along in anticipation now it has re-opened. It was unbelievably bad. I can�t believe the landlord has ever run as pub before; he appears to think that shouting at his staff, thumping the equipment and being rude to the customers is the way to go. We left after one drink, others left before they had even been served, as he was so rude to them. It wasn�t even Basil Fawlty funny, it was just plain nasty. And it wasn�t even a good pint. I can�t see The Globe lasting very long like this.
|
I didn't realise this was supposed to be a champagne bar, but it explains why the malevolent dwarf landlord was so angry at being asked for two glasses of lemonade that he slammed them down on the bar hard enough to spill one of them.
|
The Globe has now opened up as a self styled champagne bar. I wouldn't bother!! It used to be an alright pub but now its neither. CRAP.
|
The Globe has re-opened!
|
Rumour has it that the Globe has been purchased by a new owner and shall be opening again soon. Fingers crossed this once fine pub shall return to the scene.
|
A real shame - I spent an evening in here a few weeks ago with a mate who wanted to tuck into the French bar manageress. The staff were a good crowd, we went on with them afterwards to a late bar and it was a good night. A shame this is closing - seemed to be a successful pub, packed on the Thursday night we were in.
anonymous - 22 Sep 2006 15:08 |
Now closed for good. One of the many pubs that are being sold off.
anonymous - 22 Sep 2006 13:47 |
A good pub with pleasant atmosphere with the added bonus of Addlestones cider on tap but be warned......do not have the food as the standard is below par and very, very badly cooked and presented.
|
Standard Nicholson's pub. Beer's well kept, decent selection. Gets very busy in evenings and hard to get a seat.
|
Far too bright.
Jack Knight - 24 Aug 2004 12:06 |
has great lounge chairs upstairs and that always seems to be fairly empty. Small but you can usually get a seat, even if it's not one of the leather lounges. Relaxed also
Sarah - 8 Apr 2004 16:54 |
this pub was used in hitchcocks film frenzy
mark - 1 Jan 2004 19:10 |
