please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
i decided to give it another go on Friday 19th April. Being the only gay pub for miles around there isn't many gay pubs to choose from.
we got to the front door and were amazed that we had to pay £2 to get in. it was only about 8pm. a couple in front of us were amazed at this and swiftly decided to go to Walkabout. apparently a DJ called Nick was on. All well and good but shouldn't the entertainment the means of brining the customers in?! i don't see Walkabout ever charging people to get in. The entertainment they provide brings int he trade.
it amazes me that a pub that has the entire market of London's largest borough manages to 'put off' the very customers it is aiming at. The pub must start having respect for its customers and stop taking them for granted. it the management get it right then they will do very well. What will it take to make them realize.
We both went to Walkabout instead too.
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As one of the paternership that helped turn this pub into a gay bar a year and a half ago i am devistated to here what has happened to the pub my partner and i had worked so hard to create. We really had to fight Bromley to prove that a gay pub in Bromley would work and it will if it is run correctly. So whoever is doing it now, please buck your ideas up and start giving good service to the people who pay your wages!
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My partner and i decided to go there for a pint on Good Friday evening after not having gone there for a while. On previous visits we have found the pub to very lively and well done out. however on this visit we were very surprised how it had changed.
From the outside the pub appeared to be shut, however after making some effort we realized there were staff at the bar and so made our way in. The first thing that surprised us was the once open spacious bar had been horridly boxed in by a large dark oppressive glass holder above the bar.
We ordered two drinks and sat at the bar. We felt very uncomfortable as the atmosphere was very strange. we had to talk quietly when the music annoyingly kept on stopping. as my Guinness was being poured i overheard that the pipe had not been cleaned for 7 months (nice) and i heard a complaint about pouring it.
Basically we felt like were intruding on someone else's space. we regulary heard the staff complaining about the pub, one calling it a 'sh*thole' so we hurried our drinks and fled to Walkabout and had a fantastic time.
Bromley being London's largest borough it's a shame this pub isn't making more effort as it is the only gay pub in the area and could be heaving, as it has the entire market. with management who believe in the place and publicity reaching out to the gay community the pub would be a hit.
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BE VERY CAREFUL....THIS IS A GAY PUB!!!!!!!
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New manageress since last comment posted. Very friendly pub whether you are straight or gay - it doesn't matter. Lots of smiles and fun. Never any real trouble here and even the doormen are the tops. They have just started doing food which I have yet to sample. New disco lighting installed which is pretty impressive. Sheltered smoking area at the back with somewhere to sit! Simply the best atmosphere to be had and better then any "straight" pub around. Now my number-one choice.
spexx - 12 Mar 2008 16:39 |
I found out about the pub in the internet,and as i live quite close,i decided to give it a go and come around to check it out.
I really enjoy the place,i found people very friend,definetly it will be my local place to hang around
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I cant believe it has taken the owner so long to find a decent manager. from what i have experienced he is friendly, aproachable, and generaly all round nice. As for the rest of the staff well what can i say there is a young girl and boy that are absolutly spot on! The weekend entertainment is superb and the doorman on the ball. Fantastic DJ with pumping sound system.. give it ago.. guarentee you go back.
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what an excellent night i had on friday...lovely friendly bunch of people and great music to dance about to! definitely be back soon! :)
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Had a very enjoyable evening in this venue, the manager and bar staff were very friendly towards my wife and i and the door staff even smile. Good to see friendly but capable and on the ball doormen. Leave your attitude at the door and come in for a good night out. Plenty of different beers to choose from. Hope this pub lasts and does well.
anonymous - 3 Mar 2007 03:15 |
I didn't know before I went in but despite being a gay bar its really good. I wasn't expecting so many fit young girls or the respect from the barmen - give it a go, its top notch.
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The Star and Garter since re-launching as a "gay friendly venue" has definately become a competitor for one of the best atmospheres for a good night out! With the new management and staff its now friendly, clean and vibrant and seems to have completely lost its old feel of what was best described as a "pervy hole". Good luck to this new venue and lets just hope the good work continues in the new year!!
anonymous - 4 Jan 2007 19:44 |
Fantastic place - getting busier every day. Since relabelling itself as a 'gay' venue it's a great night out. Definately the pub to watch in Bromley! None of the trouble that previous owners have had but it's really dead during the day and doesn't do food anymore.
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The pub is now much improved with the refurbishment restoring the previous redecoration to its initial high standard.
The new management seem to understand service considerably better than the "Mad Australians" and I understand that this is to now be a gay pub with ladies' pole dancing upstairs in the pink lounge!!!!
Prices are a little steep, but presumably that's keeping the worst of Bromley away.
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The Star and Garter is now under new management and will be a gay pub.
Initial signs are very promising, there's a full refurbishment of the upstairs being carried out, the pub is now sparkling clean, and the new manager Richard is very friendly and welcoming.
Drop by for a safe, no-attitude pint in the centre of Bromley!
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Had the misfortune to carry out some repairs in this pub's domestic quarters,.... what a complete pig sty, filth everywhere, Not much difference to the bar areas either.
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This pub is a complete hole - I went in with 2 friends and was asked for ID, which doesn't bother me at all, but the bouncer told me the reason he was asking for ID was that I 'didn't have big enough boobs to look over 18'. I can only presume this is because I am one of a dying breed of people who aren't clinically obese living in Bromley. Once I'd got inside it was even worse - the floor was covered in sticky drinks and empty bottles and I have never seen so many foul sleazy old men in one place!! It was loud and dirty and just another reason why I refuse to go out in Bromley. Seriously - don't ever go there.
anonymous - 21 Oct 2005 09:32 |
THIS PUB IS JUST ENTERTAINMENT PLUS.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOUR GOING TO GET.
THE NEW AUSSIE'S IN THERE ARE TOTALLY HILARIOUS
THEY SHOULD BE CALLED DINGO BEAUTIFUL AS ITS A DIFFERENT COYOTE UGLY BAR. EVERYONE GETS WET.
THE BAR STAFF ARE GREAT THEY COME FROM EVERYWHERE, THEY DANCE ON THE BAR CHANGE COSTUMES REGULARLY AND MAKE EVERYONE FEEL GREAT.
IF YOU WANT A GREAT LAUGH FUN NIGHT GO THERE YOU WILL LEAVE IN STITCHES. HAHA
IT WAS JUST SO GOOD TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING SUCH A LAUGH. SEE YOU THERE NEXT WEEK......
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The "Mad Australians" are struggling to run a pub in Bromley. Twice during my visits they have been plagued by Bromley's youth running in to steal drinks and misbehave. Presumably a throwback to when the pub was occupied by children in it's pre-vamp existance.
Their general attitude is probably at odds with Bromley's pub needs and plastic Australian culture is readily available at the horrendous Walkabout down the road. The pub seems to alternate during the evening between packed and empty, due to the clumsy makeover mentioned below.
To sum the new management up: "DILLIGAF" is written on their tee shirts "Does It Look Like I Give A Fuck" - No it doesn't.
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NOW NOW NOW>./..... this opub needs to be revisted!"!!!!!! it has been taken over by AUSIES,.. and had had a major REVAMP!!! id say go here for a laugh with ur mates it is getting a back its good reputation and is gettin rid of the old BAD repution. having a laugh in this place come naturlly. a MUST VIST!!!!
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A pub with a personality disorder - in trying so hard to get away from the scummy reputation it had, it has tried to reinvent itself as a jazz bar/restaurant and it just doesn't work. Had a Frank Sinatra DVD playing one of the wide screen tvs on muted loop for 3 hours, had a host of barstaff who were ruthlessly efficient at emptying ashtrays and badgering people sitting at tables as to whether they would order food, but useless at serving drinks. The layout is poor, the acoustics are appalling, it's not a pub that people stay in for the evening. On the night we went it was advertised as a Jazz evening with a live singer from 8 til 11, but the singer (who was excellent) finished her set at 9 and we were then treated to the sounds of some anodyne pap being blasted through the sound system. I give the place six months before it goes bust - whether you love or hate the surrounding pubs - Greyhound, Swan, Bell etc - at least you know what you are letting yourself in for, whereas this place doesn't know what the hell it's trying to be yet.
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no longer a creche for all those who had been kicked out of all the other pubs in Bromley! However it still attracts the younger crowd in Bromley. since it has been redecorated and is under new management it has become a lively and fun place to be. It's not a big pub and so is the ideal place to go for a quiet afternoon drink or to fill it out with your friends and enjoy the evening. The bar staff are excellent although perhaps a but slow when it is busy, this is forgiven though becasue they don't seem to have forgotten the time old motto of service with a smile! I alsways enjoy my evening when it is spent in here! i highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice quite place to enjoy their drink!
jenna - 8 Jun 2004 13:42 |
