please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I arrived here just before 2am on a Friday morning after lots of drinking in and around Chalk Farm.
Having been born and bred in London I don’t ever remember knowing this place existed.
The group of Americans I was with use this place regularly, mainly because it’s a late night drinking venue and they play very loud heavy metal and rock music….not really my scene but fine to listen to after a lot of alcohol!
Being a tad worse for wear I went straight for cans of Red Stripe without evening looking at the pumps or any bottle options.
I must of stayed for an hour or so before heading home. The Crobar is a good place to know for a late drink in the Soho / Charing Cross Road area, but it’s not massively my thing.
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The only and best R&R place in central London. This is the kind of pub people came to visit England for in the 60s and 70s, to experience the wild and fresh night life of famous London.
Now as hipsters, banksters and yuppies govern the town, and tourists are lured into ridiculously overpriced and boring établissements, this is the only dive bar for the young and wild at heart. If hard rock and metal is your diet, you have come to the right place.
A pretty good selection of bottled beers (I missed Aventinus though but that one is rare anywhere in London), a huge selection of great whiskeys, and a lot of people of street credibility. The crew does a good job even under stress. Wonderful loud and hard rock music, occasionally played live by a band in the back part of the pub, and unless you think starting trouble is a good idea, the Crobar is the safest and funnest place for practically everyone in that part of town. If I ever live in London, this will be my watering hole.
I had no problems (contrary to what some of the commenters on here obviously had) with the toilets as my dick has no eyes and I did not come there to eat out of the toilet bowl.
I'll be back for sure.
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Probably wouldn't spend the whole night here as it is small but the booze is cheap especially in happy hour with the Sailor Jerry Rum! Brilliant jukebox and some occasional bands make for a good start or end to a night. Toilets aren't the best but then us metalheads are used to that! I often go here before or after garlic and shots (down in the dungeon of course)
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Entirely unimpressed with this place. Pokey, uncomfortable, and the only cider they've got is Kopparberg so if you don't like that and you're a cider drinker then bad luck I'm afraid. The toilets are also awful, it isn't worth going here just for the metal soundtrack.
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So, Chris, it's exactly the same as it's always been yeah??
The Crobar (stupid bloody name) is like an overpriced student union with a jukebox that only plays rock and metal, really. Which is fine, if you're in the mood for that sort of thing.
When the Astoria was still down this way, there was actually the off-chance of seeing music types in here grabbing a quick pre-gig drink (supposedly Pink was in here a couple of years back, although I really can't picture it!). I'd guess that the chances of that happening now are pretty slim...
This remains the only place I've ever been physically thrown out of and barred from, for the crime of pouring most of a bottle of Hobgoblin onto the floor. So if you're looking to escape this place - that's one way to do it. Happy memories.
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Ugh. Well, this is one of those places that you're going to find yourself at some point. It's ok. I mean, it's too small, the toilets a... I don't know, maybe there's a word that can describe them but it escapes me.
The thing I like about this bar is that it plays rock and metal. Everything else about it is totally rubbish. The drinks are overpriced and, come on, Red Stripe in a bloody can?!
Every time I've been in at least one of the bar staff has been in a right strop, I've spent the whole time either suffling past people or shuffling for them to get past, and then you're not allowed to take your drink outside when the smell of stale hippy gets too much.
Good music, open late.
Crap bar, crap toilets, crap booze.
I'm torn...
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It appears that the hard drinking, hard living crew at the Crobar all had to go home to their mummies over Christmas - very rock n roll!
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Amazing rock/metal bar. Very welcoming if you're an easy going and pleasant person. Open really late with some classic tracks being played on the jukebox by the regulars who obviously know their stuff. Highly recommended.
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I`m a gay man, and went there with a black, dreadlocked, straight woman, and we both felt very comfortable here. It`s relaxed and friendly, and would definitely recommend it.
Yes, the loo`s are a bit grim, though, it must be said...
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i used to really like this pub like i did with the intrepid fox, but i could really do without the pretentious staff at both venues it really spoils it, i mean, you're only a barman/maid so don't have a holier than thou attitude its not cool "if you don't keep your feet on the ground the fall can hurt"
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Pros: Fantastic music, CANS of beer sold which is excellent!, Cool bar staff, rock/thrash vibe!
Cons: Pray you do not need to use the toilet...no lock, no paper, piss and allsorts everywhere...horrible. Small with limited seating, no sunlight whatsoever.
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Excellent music, unpredicatable staff, dirty toilets, and can get very busy. I always have a good night here: it's a spit and sawdust rock pub - if you like this sort of thing, it's great.
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Dirty, grotty, has the kind of toilets you should only enter if you remembered to pack your chemical warfare stuff...
but
This is quite probably the coolest bar on my 'all time coolest bars of all time' list...
I love it! only discovered the place 2 weeks ago, but I've made the 1 hour journey up to town every time I've had a night off since.
They also don't give a flying you-know-what if you're drunk, as long as you behave yourself ;)
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This is a pretty great little place. It is tiny and the bar itself is crowded, but they serve Sierra Nevada (one of the best American beers around).
Toilets are awful--especially at the end of the night--but whatever.
The juke box is one of the main reasons to go, even if it doesn't always play all of my songs. Volume is a bit low, but I suppose some people want to talk or something.
Crobar stays open til 3am, unlike other crappy bars that close at midnight.
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Feel's a bit like coming into a different World in here. Interesting to see a place where they sell canned beers. Very much a Rock and Heavy Metal music venue. Interesting Comic decorations in the back room.
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Excellent little bar - totally untypically for Soho. Only bottles and cans, but not too expensive, and very good whiskey range. Generally good atmosphere, but WAY too small for all the people who try and cram into it; on weekend evenings you can forget about even getting in the door! Earlier on in the week / day, however, it's busy-ish without being rammed. Superb rock jukebox, no-hassle staff and it's open late. The toilets are absolutely abysmal, though. Still, you can't have it all...
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Small pub catering for fans of rock and roll - (I believe its a style of music popular with the kids)
No beer on draught - but then having tasted that on offer at the other rock pub, the nearby Intrpeid Fox, cans and bottles are no hardship!
Good decor but bet it gets a bit cramped in there on a Saturday night.
The Gents is just wrong but the jukebox is so so right.
Definitely worth a visit
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Expensive and small, but still a cool place. First time I went they were hosting a post gig piss-up for Howard Marks, which meant a little bit of blagging when the bouncer asked for a pass, and it really was standing room only once inside. Lots of very minor celebs to trip over. On subsequent visits I've always managed to get a seat. Not cheap, but worth a visit...
anonymous - 3 Jun 2007 17:50 |
This is a simple place to like due to some simple facts
1. Has rock music. Too quietly for my particular taste as a attendee of the Intrepid Fox, but it's still there
2. Beer - cans of Stripe and some bottled lager (not sure if one of them was a Yankee doodle lager - perhaps Topdog_Andy can tell me since he was in there with me at the time.....) and a bourbon menu! Three pages! I prefer scotch, but you can see who they're marketing it for - the neo-Slash wannabees
3. The toilets are cr8p - get over it or go to somewhere where some flunky watches you pee and then charges you two pounds to freshen up! Is this a reason to hate it? No....
4. The people. Why people think that rock/metal clubs are frightening dark/dingy holes is anyones guess. We went there, had drinks, was even weearing a suit while discussing the merits of Page vs Hendrix....don't wear a tie (they look stupid in bars like this) but just enjoy the banter and feel for the place.
One last thing: INTREPID FOX (CONSERVATORY) MANAGEMENT - THIS IS WHAT THE FOX SHOULD BE LIKE!
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yeh !!! on;ley been here a couple of times .. and unfortunately not for very long .. though i will say its a great place .. thers this nice vibe around .. and the people there are great ?? a defo must visit again .. and this time .. il saty longer .. haha i recomend this little pub to anyone! it really is nice.
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Red Stripe and Jaegermeister. Ouch!
Surprisingly excellent vibe and amazingly nice clientele, even if not a goth/punk/metaler. Despite the lack of cask ales I'd certainly come back here for a session, if only because the place is sooo chilled and soooo friendly, and because the juke box is so amazing (even if they cut it off when I put on 'Freebird').
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DRAUGHT Jimmy, not draft, DRAUGHT. Doesn't change the fact this is a horrible place. Thank you though Edrok, for the wonderfully considerate correction of my spellink, nuff said innit.
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wonderful bar. good atmosphere! oh and fantastic music.
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If I specifically want DRAUGHT beer, I go elsewhere, but if I want somewhere that plays the sort of music I like and has a policy of 'No Burberry' and 'No ties', then I can put up with drinking ale out of a bottle.
This bar has a great selection of spirits though.
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my favourite bar in the world. lovely people and great music.
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No draft beer, and for that reason alone I will give it a 3/10. Astounded at the high rating this place has gained so far (7.4/10 at the time of writing). Atmosphere might be decent (at times) but no draft beer. NO DRAFT BEER! No thanks. There are far better places nearby with late licences, (with beer on tap, would you believe!) I'd give this a miss. In fairness I can see the appeal to former Intrepid Fox punters.
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We started drinking here more often after the original Intrepid Fox closed down and grew to really feel at home here.
The Intrepid Fox has now re-opened at the old Conservatory bar near by. However, they now appear to operate a dress code much stricter than the one before. The Intrepid Fox's loss is the Crobar's gain as far as I'm concerned.
It doesn't bother me that they have no draught beer at the Crobar, they still have bottled versions of some really nice real ales, such as Hobgoblin.
I go there more for the music and the general atmosphere anyway.
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Certainly a fine place to go for a late drink, albeit as several have already commented it is not a satisfactory replacement for the sorely missed Intrepid Fox (which is rumoured to be re-opening nearby). Preferred it when it used to be the Acoustic Cafe though - we had some GREAT gigs in there with my old band.
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i like this place,its quirky.The goth,metal pierced bar staff are friendly and serve you cold cans of lager or nice cold "dixie lager".I sometimes go in dressed in jeans and shirt (am not a goth or metal fan) and nobody bothers you or gives you that "what are you doin in ere" look.Its friendly,laid back and just a cool place to have a few beers,unlike the intrepid which was always in your face too much.
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This place is filthy and disgusting. It should be closed down going on the state of its toilets and IT'S EXCELLENT.
This place does not pretend to be anything at all. Even a pub, seemingly. No draught anything, it's bottles or cans and that's about it unless you like your whisky, which fortunately I do. Excellent range. The bar staff look like they've just been dropped off by their hells angels boyfriends, and the jukebox looks like it's been filled by them too. Went there with a mutal friend to meet a band he was working with and thoroughly enjoyed a can of red stripe... my standards may have thoroughly slipped but with a bit of Sabbath playing in the background I felt about 16 again. Can't complain about the place.
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I was devastated to hear about the Intrepid Fox closing but i heard this place is a reasonable substitute. I will definitely pay a visit next time i'm in London. It sounds good but a pub with no draught beer? thats er .......different
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Took the wife in on a saturday night...LOVED IT!
as has been mentioned it has a great juke box (mostly metal). Left at about 1:30 am , freindly and safe but watch out for the crappy toilets.
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Brilliant Jukebox, good drink and excellant service. Took a mate of mine in, he complained that no Alice Cooper on Jukebox although there's a poster of Alice on wall - you can't please everyone!!!
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Proof that all a place needs to be successful is beer, a jukebox, and word of mouth.
I love this place - it's like drinking in hell's off-licence. It's bottles or cans only, a 3-page whiskey & bourbon menu, and a jukebox full of anger. The only downside is that the music should be turned up "to 11", but typically only plays at around 4 or 5.
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There's something special about the moment when, having ordered a bottle of Budvar, a 500ml kingsize is plonked in front of you, instead of your standard 330ml baby bottle. Though you should really be drinking Bourbon at this place. I have never seen a jukebox with so many AC/DC albums on it. Memorable.
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Classic jukebox and just the right side of squalid decor. A typically good rock crowd and good staff. I like it. I will be going back, probably with the mysterious Graeme. He was less keen, but you can't have everything, can you?
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Nice place. No draught beer, so you have to stick to bottles here.
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Love it! Firendly and interesting if you love Rock! Juke box is ace.
vicky - 20 Jul 2004 17:57 |
Always smells a little of disinfectant, and the decor is a bit divey, also too small for the amount of people it attracts on the week end. but great jukebox and bands that play the Astoria (round the corner) can often be seen here after a gig.
Julia - 12 Jul 2004 16:53 |
love the crobar, prolly the best place to catch ya fave rock bands chilling out after gigs too at weekends..
emzily - 14 Apr 2004 11:51 |
Had some good nights in here. Cheap pitchers of cocktails before (I think) 9pm. Great jukebox too. Arrive early though as there aren't many seats. Open til 3am. Also good for occasional star spotting (Dave Grohl etc).
Chris - 18 Mar 2004 12:07 |
