please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Had several down years after they axed live bands playing saturday nights when the flats above complained. (I hate morons move above a pub and complain about noise) . It has however been on the up for the past few years. Now regularly serves London Pride, reasonabley priced at £3.20 a pint. Staff are good, and probably the most relaxing place to watch Football on Sky. Serve food throughout the day which is normally pretty good.
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Would recommend the previous posters give it another go. Been using ONeils regularly since March this year and never had a problem. Its had a minor refurb, the staff are great and regular live music/DJ.
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This place has gone downhill rapidly I'm afraid. Asked the barmaid for a pint of Caffery's and told it was not served there anymore. Which is a bloody poor show considering it is served at all the other O'Neil's I've been to and they are meant to be a chain of authentic Irish pubs. So I then asked for a pint of Smethwick's which they just happened to have run out of. So I settled for a pint of Guinness and was overcharged. AVOID this place and Patrick's next door like the plague unless you like being ripped of.
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Until my visit yesterday, I'd always been very impressed with this O'Neill's in the five or six times I'd visited over the last couple of years. Yesterday however they lost themselves a customer:
- tables filthy and sticky, empty plates and glasses left lying. I'd expect this in a Wetherspoons, not here.
- service acceptable, not particularly cheery, and it was very obvious they were badly understaffed - the guy serving me, whilst polite enough, seemed panicky and flustered.
- screaming kids, wailing babies. This is not acceptable in a adult boozer especially on a Sunday afternoon.
- The food....where to start - O'Neills used to be reliable for serving honest pub grub in generous portions at a fair price. The new menu is an absolute joke - I ordered the "Ultimate Fish & Chips" described as a jumbo portion of the regular offering - costing £8.99. I received a tiny, tired looking affair that wouldn't satisfy a 10-year old. I finished my pint and headed over to Waitrose opposite to purchase a ready meal for when I got back home.
There's something seriously wrong with this place, as it used to be great. Until it's sorted I won't be back.
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dump, chav, scum, I think this captures the place
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absolute dump, cheap beer and cheep scum
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Typical fake Irish pub really, and as other reviewers have said best to avoid at weekends, especially sunny ones as you'll get squashed. And during any football matches too. Beer ok tho.
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The same as with most pubs in Beckenham, lovely any time you go apart from Friday and Saturday nights. Good value food, decent drinks and a nice atmosphere.
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It is amazing the difference between the one in Bromley and Beckenham. The one in Bromley has such a good atmosphere and you feel so safe when inside. They have just done the place ap a bit too. It is strange tha tthe Beckenham one is apparently very rough when Beckenham is a very posh town. I have tried a lot of pubs over the years and many in London's West End. However the Bromley O'Neill's is one of my all time favourites.
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The one in Bromley is so much better. I think Beckenham has become very popular over the last few years and is experiencing the trouble Bromley had a few years earlier. The pubs in Bromley seem to be a lot more chilled and laid back now compared to Beckenham.
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The one in Bromley is so much better. I think Beckenham has become very popular over the last few years and is experiencing the trouble Bromley had a few years earlier. The pubs in Bromley seem to be a lot more chilled and laid back now compared to Beckenham.
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Been going into this place for years.Used to have a vey nice Irish couple as Managers.Can get edgy,but I've never seen any fighting.Best used during the day,or midweek when its quiter.Excellent pint of Guiness,as one would expect.
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This used to be the preferred hangout for my work colleagues but has fallen out of favour, pretty much because it is a victim of its own success. Weekend evenings always seems to be rammed, especially after payday, and feature a DJ playing a cheesy mix of modern and retro pop. He never disappoints when I have a few jars and request Kenny Loggins. The last few times there has always been an incident that has marred the evening and while the security have always been polite and understanding, the bar manager is very quick to throw people out. However, I've been there early in the evening several times and had nice food and have never had to complain about the beer. A good time can be had if you don't take things too seriously and like young, attractive women.
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Went to the 70's and 80's night...cheesy, but in a good way. I really like this pub!!! Staff are very professional and I love the fact that they laugh and joke..unlike some other bars in Beckenham! I also came in for a quite drink with the fella, and we had a nice time. Keep up the good work O'Neills.
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It's an OK place to go to during the week, but I would avoid it like the plague on a Friday or Saturday night; the atmosphere is really "moody".
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Had a nice time, food menu is lovley....I love the pickers! Very nice staff, asked a few too many questions though. Love the outside area. I've been told that its a different story when the football is on, but then I don't know any pub that doesnt change when footie is on! Quite pleasently surprised by this venue.
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Music was not really Irish but otherwise really good pub, clean, nice, good beer.
ilyak - 23 Jul 2007 22:30 |
Generally a bit of a dive.
Was getting good when they had the refurb but since then has gone downhill - always got new staff who seem a bit clueless and really needs a bit of work (to say the least!)
Got screamed at by an Irish lady (manager???) for waiting at the bar with money in my hand (I had been there for 15 minutes!!!!!!
Give it a miss - I used to drink there every week - now I just don't bother
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The Karaoke on Thursday is good, but I'd avoid O'Neill's on Friday and Saturday as it gets full up with yobs. Don't know about Mondays-Wednesdays as I would normally visit the Oakhill instead....
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Full of teenages looking to pull and/or get drunk, old men who think they can pull one of those hideously-dressed dolled up teens, middle-age overweight divorcees looking for a few lines of flattery, and the occasionly normal person looking for a decent pint. Testosterone charged atmosphere leads to fights on weekends, either in the pub or outside. Can be fun though and the overworked staff do their best. Unlike other bars in the area, drinking here won't empty your wallet on hte first round, and the choice of lagers is acceptable (good by Beckenham standards at least).
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This place has just under gone a refurb. Opens Friday 21st July. Went to their invitation night last and it looks fab. Really big improvement. Top marks !!!
bruno - 21 Jul 2006 15:20 |
Good management (a huge improvement on the old Drummond's), very pleasant bar staff. I avoid on Friday and Saturday nights as it gets so crowded, but a favourite spot to meet friends or just have a peaceful pint during the rest of the week.
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always seems to be an odd bad atmosphere in this place. Can't explain it but it has the air of a pub where it could all kick off at any moment. probably because lots of scary blokes drink in it. good range of beers but is a bit minging. I'd stick with patrick's next door, much more pleasant.
hazey - 10 Feb 2006 09:20 |
O'Neills in Beckenham inherited a dodgy legacy from Drummond's which occupied the space beforehand. The new team are very good and have worked hard to address the problems which are mostly now resolved. The music is however too damn loud on the big nights and the pub has a large builder contingent from the site behind it and market folk from the farmer's market which can be a little overwhelming for a single girl.
Overall, it's well worth a look as the door staff and bar staff have done well to turn it around recently and the pub is busy without being overwhelming. The music selection is great and one of the barmen (simon?) is really cute!
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hard to get served, lacking in hygiene,could do with a good clean.
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