The Zoo Bar, Leicester Square

This was my worst bar experience in London. Although the 8 of us celebrating a friends leaving do, went in with the best of intentions and a good, friendly mood we ended up having the worst night ever, being abused by bouncers and regretting giving our money to a place like this. The security stuff -who btw are everywhere!-is full of ignorant ex-bodybuilders who were bullied back in school and got this job to get revenge on the society. After being repeatedly harassed by one of them we asked to speak to the manager who - surprise!- looked like coming out of a Guy Richie movie (or wanted to look like one), treated us with disrespect, was hostile and with even worse manners than the bouncers. (Apparently he used to be one of them who got promoted for having a record number of teenagers beaten up in one night!!)
They seemed to regularly throw people out of the bar with any excuse - which we figured out is a good way of refreshing the clientelle every hour or so by the long queues outside, and pocketing more money.
Generally there are no rules or rights in this bar, it is like entering a crazy person's home and you have to play by his rules. Seriously, there are so many nicer places to go in London, with friendlier atmosphere and much better service.
There is one thing I owe to give them thought: they couldn't have chosen a better name!

6 Oct 2008 13:49