BITE user comments - Marky2
Comments by Marky2
K I've changed my mind on this bar now. I posted on 8 Aug 2010 that the place had 'got better', but frankly I've just seen too much weird stuff happen there now to recommend it to anyone,
Of course any bar or club has the legal right to turn anyone away that they think might genuinely cause trouble of some sort. But its so unusual to be turned away with no explanation, that its really an inexcusable insult.
I've now seen this happen at this place, for absolutely no reason whatsoever. I saw one couple turned away, they looked well dressed and nice people. Completely humiliated without reason in front of an entire queue of people. I've seen it myself to many others also almost completely arbitrarily from what I can see. I was behind one group and they were just treated terribly, they were happy, well dressed, ready to have fun night and spend some money, just ruined afterward. So it really seems to be up to luck whether you will get in or not. So your decision to go there is dependent on whether you are willing to risk having your whole night ruined by this kind of treatment.
Why is this happening then? The only explanation I can come to is that the door staff are INCENTIVISED to turn people away. Randomly if necessary. Why would they do that? I've no idea, certainly doesn't make business sense. But maybe they are trying to set up some sort of exclusive feel to the place? And its really very far from that -its the classic O'Niells, stale poisonous beers, with the small advantage of a band playing.
The whole thing has a taste of very bad spirited Management. Lucky enough to be given the opportunity to manage a bar of this size in Central London, but unqualified in terms of basic human values, and respect for others. You can't fail to make an enormous profit in this location. They do lose business during the week though, thats undeniable.
I'm not going again for a long time.
19 Mar 2011 18:59
In response to the last poster dee1ite. I went there last weekend as saw hardly a single black person in the entire place. No one. Which is obviously a really unusual thing. But it is an indication of the kind of atmosphere and weirdness of the place, which is undeniable.
Problem with your theory is that the door staff, at least one, maybe two of them, are black. So I don't know how that works in practice
But if I were you, if I were treated like that, or denied access a single time I would never give them my custom again.
11 Mar 2011 20:18
Very small bar, The Mayflower. Interior is very claustrophobic� or atmospheric, depending on how you want to look at it. Still has a very nice feel to it, and some of the details of the interior have been very well handled.
The balcony, has unfortunately at some point been attacked with an attempt at historically accuracy . In its width and design, this box-like wooden structure obscures about 60% of the view. And and yes you can get wet at high tide, but thats fun.
They are still charging higher prices for what is good, but not that special food anymore. I guess this is what's most probably a 'good chef' markup. Guess good chefs are harder to find, or easier to lose than I thought. There used to be someone there who was turning out great food. Food seems to be partly catering for the "just give me a burger, but make it BIG'", American tourist.
Staff I've always found to be good ones, nice and smiling helpful souls. You'll get served in about 1/3 of the time it will take you at the Old Salt. Manager ��well looks like he's under a lot of pressure ;-)
17 Aug 2010 14:42
There is so much potential in this enormous pub that its amazing to me that its NEVER more than half full. Upstairs is generally empty. Upstairs balcony that offers one of the best, of the not the best river view in any bar in London. Very often empty.
Been many times to this pub in the last two years. In all honesty its not a bad place, certainly improved since it was known as Spice Island. Food I reckon is not bad, certainly much better than the Prospect of Whitby across the river, and The Angel. Sure there's a slight Motorway Service Station feel to the whole food experience there - but at least its clean, cheap and someone is taking care. The menu is very fixed though, and a little lacking in choice.
Main problem with the place is bar service, which is variable. Very often regulars who know the bar staff will with a wink, get served first. I've seen this especially on busy nights - and once or twice seen people walk out in frustration. Generally bar service is far too slow. I think they use more inexperienced trainee staff, - but there is also an issue with the process of pulling pints and the till transactions being very slow for some reason.
But still worth a trip for the interior, space and general 'palatial' feel of the place.
17 Aug 2010 13:26
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
Never been to this pub before today. The way it stands at the moment (present management) - its an Ok boozer I guess. All the beers are standard, and don't taste particularly well kept. The food is probably worse than average pub food these days. Very unloved and plastic tasting. Burgers look like they are being served on polystyrine, vegetables very overcooked. That kind of thing.
But what saves it is the layout, and atmosphere. Anyone who decides to do anything drastic to the interior of this pub, deserves hanging because its the best feature it has. Staff were a bit rushed, but Ok when I was there.
15 Aug 2010 20:12
I like this bar . These days Saturday nights seem to be much better! with bands, and a good atmosphere upstairs. Its on the verge of getting things right.
Used to go regularly a few years ago, before and after the refurb. It was much more dull clinical and empty after the refurb, and kind of gave up. The club at the top floor used to be dark dance club, very often empty - and not fitting with the place really. Glad to see its now more rock based, which is better for the theme of an 'Irish' 3 storey bar.
Only serious bad point I can see - for some reason the door bouncers do take their position very seriously. This can lead to aggressive behaviour from people treated unnecessarily badly at the door. Or people denied access for no obvious reason, with intelligence insulting lines like 'need to see Id'. Lets face it, its only got to happen to you once, to stop you ever visiting again.
Can't be good for business. Waxy's is approach is much smarter to this, they have the balance right,
I think the main problem with the atmosphere of the place has been a very 'professional' and commercial, in its management and atmosphere. As a regular punter, can seem quite oppressive and off-putting. Sadly this hasn't changed much.
The Manager, who seems to be the white guy who prefers spending most of the night on the door - may have listened and things may have got better on this front, we'll see.
8 Aug 2010 18:04
The Coach and Horses, Mayfair
Made a disastrous trip to this pub on 20th March 2014. My visit was very short. It looked quite okay to begin with, before I went to the toilets! Unfortunately the patrons in their "clean an presentable clothing" had urinated all over the floor and walls! Sadly it looked very much as if there had been no cleaning for a long time. So after seeing this I left. On this basis it certainly wouldn't be a good idea to eat there.
24 Mar 2014 11:11