BITE user comments - Nochavsinmypub
Comments by Nochavsinmypub
Bloody hell, whats happened to this place? I went on Friday 16th at around 9pm. Music far too loud (i like music in pubs but not at an earsplitting level) and there must have been at least 20 people in there.
Ages waiting for a drink (4 bar staff all making cocktails) and when leaning on the bar i had to peel myself off it because it was filthy. Very poor selection of drinks in there as well.
In closing, awful! Close it down!
20 May 2008 15:47
In response to psweeds123, no i dont expect quality control of glasses but that was one of many things that ruined the place for me. It appears i am not alone regarding the DJ either noting the other comments. Maybe it would have been a good idea to throw my the dirty glass at the DJ. At least he might have shut up!
Yes, there aint many alternatives but when a new place opens you wish that it would finally be a place thats worth going to in our er, um, lovely town.
But once again you get disappointed.
Dont get me wrong, its has got potential but my first impression was "Christ".
3 Apr 2008 16:29
Oh dear. What a missed opportunity. Lets face it, the Rat and Parrot was awful (and those who say it was good were only people who couldnt get in anywhere else or had been barred from other places). Most of the drinkers who can type or hold a conversation without using 'text speak' were glad when it was shut down.
I went on the first Saturday it opened. First impressions are good. Security let people in as it was the first week without being too heavy on the ID thing. Very flash id policy. It scans your driving licence which i dont have a problem with but it unfortunately leaves the screen next to the door looking like a rogues gallery of offenders!
Must admit, i'm a bit unsure about what the door policy is going to be. If you are old enough (and look it) do you still get asked for ID. Is it mandatory?
Once you get one thing you notice is the decor. Very swish and looks the part but from then it goes downhill.
Firstly, DJ's should be there to play music and give the occasional 'shout'. He wouldnt shut up talking. The music was really loud so conversation could only be made by shouting even if you stood right at the back but add the DJ's laughable rapping along with some of the songs only made people annoyed.
Leave the fake 'gansta' speak to Tim Westwood on Pimp My Ride eh?
As for the punters. Im afraid it was a lesson in what Bexleyheath has become.
Drinks? Well, quite a few cocktails are on offer from what i remember. Usual beer selection and admittedly the prices were ok. One of the girls we were with ordered a JD and coke and had to take it back as the glass hadnt been washed properly. Quite a queue for the bar as well.
So overall, not very good. Shame really as what Bexleyeath needs a a high quality bar / drinking venue for the mid twenties onward crowd.
17 Jan 2008 10:19
regarding "nearly shut down the rat"
oh well, they should try harder next time!!!!
14 May 2007 12:54
Watch out cheap beer fans, a new brewery will be taking over this place at the end of September 2006.
For the time being, the most miserable bar staff ever have taken over (old staff have now gone) so enjoy the cheap beer while you can
The temporary landlord (who appears to enjoy a pork pie or two!) has confirmed that the beer prices will be going up.
21 Sep 2006 11:57
The Rat and Parrot, Bexleyheath
whats this rumour i've heard that it all kicked off in there after the England Paraguay game. I heard that there was a massive fight and everyone got chucked out. A few pissed up punters went to TK Maxx and trashed it.
Bit ironic that a load of chavs wearing Argos rings and chains trashes the place they buy their clothes from!
15 Jun 2006 10:08
The William Camden, Bexleyheath
havent been there for about 10 years, whats it like now? Last time i went it seemed it was a case of "your not from round 'ere are ya".
15 Jun 2006 10:04
Went there last saturday for the first time in a month. Had a very good night and the music was better than normal. Wish they would do away with the bloke in the toilet asing whether you want to freshen up (!!). Its just not needed.
Once again, it emptied out a bit around 10.30 - 11 but there was still a good atmosphere until it shut at 1am and there was a good mix of people as well.
27 Feb 2006 12:56
Well packed on saturday (25/2) but got served pretty quickly.
ideal for a few warm up beers and a good atmosphere.
27 Feb 2006 12:47
Ahh, Affinity. I used to go quite regularly when it was Breeze (i'm even old / sad enough to remember when they served free food downstairs)
Good points
Not normally any trouble. Probably the age of the punters sees to that (or maybe its because its so cramped you couldnt swing a punch anyway!)
Not many chavs
Quite a friendly crowd.
It 'tries'. Probably one of the only independent bars in Bexleyheath which is a good thing.
Bad points
Too small. If it knocked through to a shop either side it would be just right.
�3 a bottle. Sorry, thats just too much. We aint in the middle of Soho you know.
Samey. I sympathise with the DJ's to a certain extent but after 10.30 you can almost guess the next record (wham / aha etc)
Toilets - 10 - 15 minute wait if you a girl, blokes can play "lets find one that isnt blocked"
At least they seem to have a consistent dress code now. A few years back it seemed to vary depending who was on the door!
I probably would say that Zero Bar and Affinity are probably the best 2 bars in Bexleyheath for the over 25's
Affinity would probably nudge ahead if they made a few changes. Reducing bottled beer to �2.50 a go would help.
7 Feb 2006 14:25
Another name change! I havent been to the place since it was the Polo Bar years ago(where i witnessed some bloke beat up a girl - lovely)
Still, the bouncers gave him a shoeing so thats alright.
As for the new Drayman - Its.. ok. Bouncers think that they are the best thing ever (no suprise) and failing and everyone seems to spend most of the time pouting and posing rather than trying to mingle with each other.
Upstairs is very nice and good for chilling out.
Music downstairs is very good and was more than someone playing "Now thats what i call the same old crap volume 187" (are you watching affinity!!??)
In fact, from what i saw, the DJ was actually mixing!! Shocking!
I just get the feeling that in the summer it will be full of waynes wearing pastel Ben Sherman shirts, chino shorts and slip on shoes.
I hope not though
7 Feb 2006 14:08
It looks great, reasonable music, nice decor and all that but everytime i go there it seems to die about 10.30 with punters apparently going elsewhere.
I dont know why this happens as its a nice place.
Reasonable (bottled) beer selection which could do with more variety but i dont like the draft ale (and i'm not the only one). In fact, its awful. If the owners want to avoid the Carling / Stella crowd why not get some other draft beers in like Oranjeboom or Hoegarden?
Good older crowd. I've been upstairs a few times and the DJ setup and music is pure cheese but enjoyable.
Average price drinkswise
7 Feb 2006 13:57
The Rat and Parrot, Bexleyheath
Awful place. I really cant see why people rate it so highly on this website. I went there on a saturday and it was dead apart from some bored people at the front and loads of chavs playing pool.
Expensive beer as well.
Toilets are a disgrace and full of wanabees crowding into the cubicles no doubt shoving loads of class A up their noses for the inevitable Coach / Bus to Amadaeus "to like, pull da birds and stuff"
Horrible. I'd wish they would put the old Kwiksave back!! I'll give it a 1/10 just for comedy value.
7 Feb 2006 13:40
Went there with a mate last month. I havent been there since it opened a few years back so i wasnt expecting much.
Suprisingly, it wasnt too bad. Quite cheap drink wise and reasonably atmospheric about 5pm when we got there. Definately a wide age range of people there (ranging from some girls who looked far too young to red face old people who've been on the lash all day)
A nice view of a very empty Yates as well.
minus points for having the usual bloke in the toilet "freshen up boss??"
Oh, go away!
7 Feb 2006 13:30
Back to Nochavsinmypub's profile
The Drayman, Bexleyheath
Its a strange pub as it has the potential to be really good. The garden is great at the front with ample seating and a flat screen TV and although i didnt try the bbq, it looked quite good. It looks like it should be in Ibiza of similar.
Pretty dead on a friday though. Not too sure that the 2 pool tables are a good idea though. If it was a closed off part of the pub then maybe but not in the open.
Still, got a free shot on my way in.
2 Jul 2008 14:03