please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Dog closed (as posted on here, more than once) 12 and a half years ago!
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Now closed as a pub and a Costa Coffee shop occupies the building.
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toni, this awful/failed venture closed about 5 years ago m8! did you hear that London has got the 2012 Olympics?
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Having a moment of sadness to hear the mighty Spotted Dog is no more. I spent ever Christmas day there between 1992 and 95. Worked there for a year. Stole dozens of pint glasses (Our house were clumsy drinkers) Who do I remember? Anette Studden (Still contact ) Judy Thompson ( In Perth now I believe) Kathy, who started working with Judy but took on the manager job for a while. Mick Fitzpatrick, and Elaine (Irish girl). I still have my work shirts AND as I type this I am sitting on an original pub stool. A real live Spotted Dog pub stool. Jude used to bring home the damaged ones and repair them and I inherited this one. Came home in a tea chest. It's starting to fall a part but looks like it out lasted the pub.
Back in the 90s, that place really rocked.
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I used to work and live there in the late 90's for over a year, David and his girlfriend were the managers, then it changed for James and Phil. Had the greatest time! We had good rave parties and I met wonderfull people! I can't believe they made flats with it!! If anyone knows people from this period: Helen, that used to work in the kitchen, Gaven, Mark, Chris, Mel, Stephanie, Greg,Tores, Phil, Brandon who's nickname was George, Brett, Craig, Cherry, Staff, I am the french Canadian, Marie I worked in the nightclub, in both pubs and in the kitchen. I lost contact withmost of them, would be fantastic to find some of My old mates!! I also lived in the BLUE HOUSE and at Melrose, just next to Chandos.
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Living in the area for 15 years I had visited the SD a few times. In later years it was a bit grungy, but considering there has been a pub there for 250 years it is sad that it will now be residential flats. I think the current SD builging has been there for 150 years - I doubt the same will be said for anything we replace it with.
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I used to live in Willensden Green from 1980 to 84 & the Spotted Dog was the place to go and have fun.
I met a lot of great people like: David Webb, Julie, Steve Kelly, Kevin, Lesley & lot more.
Sat to hear it�s being shut down, I spent great moments in that place.
I was planning to fly next year to London and have a few beers, but sadly it`s not going to be possible
Anyway life goes on.
[email protected]
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its been closed down for 18 months and is going to be redeveloped into flats.
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very sad news, I was looking forward to visit the place again.
Beer6 - 22 Apr 2008 00:01 |
Yes, really sad that it has gone - moved to Willesden Green in 2000 and lived in the place. What an institution, was so shocked to see it closed but it had become a really unpleasant place to go, no atmosphere, no punters, just depressing - we should all club together and buy it and try and get it back to its heyday.
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the dog was in that era (2000 to 2001/2001)the best best place to go for travellers,it was at its height,thousands of people enjoyd the sindrone and the pre sindrome,the tudor bar,and 38 bar,it was the best place to be,the whole of willesden aussie/nz/sa/popultion came there coz it was addictive,they loved it,the spotted dog was at its greatest at that time,the gov,dave,and james g,put there all in to the 'dog'/sindrome.it is a sin that the 'dog'doesn exsist any more,that was a part of my life and many others,where relatonships flurshed,my mate married a girl he met there.i and my mate went to cairns to see our mate get married. they met in the spotted dog, yipee.....those of you who have been to the dog after that period....guys...you missed the party...the dog will live for ever for those who were there in its day....you know who you are....big nick!!! scotish dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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i used to be part of the management team at the dog in 2000 for 18 months,we made the dog and the sindrome,with the limited money from the brewery a far better place to be,the place was packed every weekend,i and the other managment team that was there did our best,to make sure everyone that came to the dog and the sindrome,had a great time,im devastated to learn it is no longer,it was at that time,by far the best place to go to for live music,meeting new people,and people who came and went on there travelling plans.and where the davy and stevie show started and slidies. im gutted. bring back the dog.
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Last visited this pub in 1976, yes you can tell I was impressed. Most of the patrons were worried I was with Army Intelligence judging by their stares and unfriendly comments.
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Unfortunately the Spotted Dog is no more, it closed down about three weeks ago and is now being converted into flats.
It was never the best place to look at, but me & my mates had some good times in there, got along really well with the staff and played tonnes of pool... the place will be missed.
RIP the Spotted Dog :-(
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The way that I see it is that yes, the building can do with some TLC and re-decoration, BUT there are many pluses if you happen to like Rock or even heavy Rock live music and DJ-ing. And the place is massive it can become one of the best venues in London for Rock gigs.
Beer6 - 16 May 2007 15:53 |
What the hell happened to the Dog? Back in 2000 it was a lively friendly pub, always full and with a great juke box. Now, empty, cold and totally unwelcoming, went from being my local to a place I can hardly stand to think about...
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Terrible place. If you want a dirty, cheap, empty boozer with unfriendly inexperienced staff, this is the place.
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Being new to the area, Willesden pubs do very little to stand out. This pub is one of the worst. Have they heard of electricity... turn some lights on guys! And decor..... the Sindrome is so run down its horrid.
Try the pub No. 8 down the road if you want nice atmosphere for weekdays and a busy vibe fri and sat nights. Thank god for that one place in Willesden.
Cheers
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Travelled all the way from Middlesex to see the band Undiscovered play on Saturday.Me & my mates were not dissapointed.For lads of that age they really are somthing else.All the rock classics were played with such energy.Spoke to the band when they came off stage & they are really nice guys.They said the Dog is having a refit,which is great news,cos this could become a very serious music venue.Thanx for a great night guys.
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I have come to this place a bit lately, and there seems to be improvements in the friendliness of the staff there. Having no food there seems to be a little strange considering that just about every pub in London does! That aside, the atmosphere seems to be changing with people from many places over the world. I have met Eastern Europeans, Irish, English and of course the Antipodean crowd!
Downstairs at the Sindrome, although parts are rough the dj's and the bands seem to be improving and there has been some big nights there! Some work needs to be done in the toilets though. My partner refuses to go for this reason!
The sports on the TV's appears to be aimed mainly at the Antipodean crowd. If you are going to show English football you need to have Prem+. Can't just have some of the games and not all of them!
The manager has mentioned that there is a refit of the pub in January. If it all goes as well as expected, this place should be rocking and breathing some well needed new life into the old dog! Lets hope we can see it back to it's former glory.
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Another week, another live band! I spoke to the manager on Saturday night and he told me there were big plans for the dog & sindrome. They have changed the music back to Rock, Punk, Alternative and Indie and is hoping to have a live band every Saturday from October and a new rock DJ very soon. The very long awaited refurb is happening in January and they will be doing food and accomodation after that. There seems to be a much happier atmosphere amongst the staff than there has been recently, this might have something to do with the new guy actually liking the place, when i asked him what he thought of the place he said it was "my kinda pub"! So yes the dog is tatty but maybe just maybe things are looking up!
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Went there on saturday night.Saw the best cover band i have ever seen.The band were called Undiscovered.The place was rocking.It reminded me of the Spotted dog of a few years back.Ihope this is going to be a trend that continues at the dog.The place is very tatty,but good live music is a must...
anonymous - 21 Aug 2006 23:12 |
oh my god!!!!!!!!!!! what has happened? from being one of the busiest, well run(though in desperate need of some investment)venues in london to this crap........in 6 months!!!! i can't believe how bad this place has become. the beer was awful , staff hardly spoke english (got a kinda polish grunt i think!1), the place was dirty and with undesirables lurching over the bar. we went downstairs hoping things would be better but no.......even worse!! there were about 50 "customers" listening to crappy dance music that no-one was interested in. i believe the old manager, james, moved on out of frustration with various breweries but i'm sure he'd be absolutely horrified at what has become of his "baby"!!
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!! the worst place in london.
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This place is filthy, dirty and grotty. Go Somewhere else, the food sucks to!!!!!!!
anonymous - 13 Mar 2006 19:12 |
Walked past yesterday - hand written signs on the doors saying 'Closed until further notice' Don't know what is going on...
anonymous - 8 Mar 2006 16:39 |
the spotted dog (club not the pub)
was not my cup of tea... live band on stage...alot of backpackers...Ozzies, Kiwi's n safas...
i was with a bunch of Ozzie girls...it was alright but i felt a lil out of place..due to the choice of music.. haha 2 guys got chucked out the back door for jumping around like nutters (e.g. mosh pit) no boys thats not the way to dance...
but i liked this place just cuz at the front the bouncers were funny...and the girl in the cloak room was a rite tease...her tight jeans were so low i cud see her bum...i told her to lift it up..she did a tiny bit...
but thats how the ozzies are...luv it...friendly...mad...cool atmosphere///
6/10
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I worked and lived at The Dog in the mid 90's Kathy was the Manager and Brendan was still there - believe that he moved back to Ireland. Went back in early 2001 - things had changed - can honestly say I miss the Old Dog, the crowd hasn't changed all that much. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of any staff from the mid 90's let me know
flicj - 26 Aug 2005 00:56 |
jesus, who's idea was this?!?! in a former life this boozer had a flat roof and lived on a council estate.
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great place to meet a future wife
chiaz - 16 Aug 2005 15:43 |
had to re-visit this pub because i heard it had been sold.well what a relief to find the same management and pretty much the same staff.this place just rocks!!theres nothing like it anywhere in london.its still needs some major surgery on the building but the manager james told me that some plans were in place but because of brewery bollocks it was unlikely at the moment.nevertheless what a night ive just had.the music,people,staff,doormen are just awesome.it was rammed to the rafters with people just having a good time with no pretensions and no bullshit.im so happy it hasnt changed........if anything its better.go to this pub!!!
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I worked "The Dog" in the early 90's with some really kewl staff ..... I know it's a stretch .... but if anyone knows any of the following , please let them know I'm trying to find them .... Jude (Thompson) ,Brendon , Rafik , ......bugger .... the rest were Irish on loan trying to stay employed ...............just to keep from going back .
This message , I guess , is really , for old stagers who have made "the dog" their home for a long time.
I re-visited there in 2004 , and noticed the place had more character and less decor since I worked there .... maybe a conscious move to urban grunge .......
still a great time with no pretentions ...........
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The Dog has real soul and character.far superior to any corporate walkabout.a bit more sophisticated than the redback but one of the most popular pubs in town.music is always great and downstairs really goes off.an eclectic mix of antipodeans,lots of brazillian girls and rock heads.noticed all the slipknot,ramones,
s.o.a.d. t-shirts.girls dress to impress.never seen regularly more gorgeous girls in one place.doorguys are cool and chilled out and you cant beat the prices.i love it here.considering this place has not been refurbished forever! it is still the best place in the area.you must check it out- friday and sat the best but relaxing during the week too
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Visited back in 98 so things may have changed. Had good vibe, cheap food, bands. Good meeting place for Antipodeans and locals who don't quite fit in. Slightly cynical attitude reflected by the management (eg. they removed chairs from the bar area so people couldnt sit at the bar and drink even though plenty of room). Toilets not for the faint hearted.
Worth a visit though.
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we had a great night last night with cover band Danger Mouse - good tunes and a rocked out version of cranberries, who i don't really like that much, but that guy went off at the end of that song.
so many aussies there last night! bit empty but nice, friendly, feel-good atmosphere. apparently female toilets could be better, but blokes were okay.
prices good, food looked like it would be okay too if we went for dinner or lunch.
their web site ain't workin' though.
rich - 17 Sep 2004 10:02 |
Absolutely wickedly cheap food. This place is like, a Weatherspoons with well, atmosphere.
Guy - 25 May 2004 13:18 |
Most Aussies returning home have a story about "The Dog" or have been there. Its a treat in summer out the back and gets packed full of us Antipodes.
Aaron - 14 May 2004 04:22 |
great pub for a bunch of Irish men to go and have the craic. Great live bands on a saturday night. Not much of a place to pull birds though.
anonymous - 16 Dec 2003 09:57 |
The Dog, ahh yes memories. Having worked & lived there for some time a few years ago, the place is definately one that grows on you, but as with many places, it is the people that make the experience. A fine mix of fellow Australians, Kiwi's, Springboks ,locals, beer & rugby. Dont get me wrong as many of you would know the area, is a steep lurning curve for a naive 21 y/o from oz, but great times & friends this ex-21 y/o wouldn't trade for the world. ps about time they did live bans instead of DJ's all the time.
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Not a place to go with your girlfriend. Firstly cause it's a bit too rusty. Secondly cause there are indeed some very crazy little kiwi girls there...
Eric - 19 Oct 2003 08:27 |
The Dog is the pub part. Attached to it is the Sindrome, open at the weekend, a plastic glasses live rock cover version haven for Aussies, Kiwis and Safricans. The potential to pull is immense, but unlikely for Englishmen, although I did get a snog there once. She was a goblin though.
Ruby - 15 Jul 2003 19:01 |
Popular with young Kiwis Ozzies and South African. Packed later in the week, with a Garden Bar. Its an Aquired taste, but a good Rugby atmosphere.
Steve - 22 Jun 2002 19:42 |
