please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A nice relaxing local, particularly during the week when its a littlemore tranquil. Beer always well kept and I doubt if you'll find cheaper prices anywhere in London. Young and (mostly) cheerful bar staff. THe less said about the food however, the better.
The Strange Torpor.
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Indeed it has been refurbished and has reopened as a "Flaming Grill" steak-house pub.
It's still a Punch Tavern, just switched from a John Barras to their new Flaming Grill brand. One assumes the new brand is a post-smoking-ban response, designed to bring customers in for the food. Indeed, their strapline is "flaming good food". So they do good food, right?
Let me start by saying I've lived around the corner from the Five Bells for nearly five years. It's my local and I've spent a fortune in their over the years. Previously their food was average, to be generous. If was dirt cheap and filled a hole. Otherwise, you go there for the booze, the quiz night and maybe the karaoke.
Now where does it stand, this new steak-house pub? The food is neither flaming, nor good. And, to run salt in the wound, it's more expensive. Yep, they charge more, for worse food.
Questions should be asked about whether their branding is applicable. "Flaming" good food; images of flames rising up through a grill; the black and orange brand colours... how does this relate to the piece of microwaved/oven-baked chicken I was served? My piece of meet was cooked and THEN placed onto a hot skillet. Hardly flame-grilled. What about my partner's beef? She ordered a medium rare steak. She's have been better off eating her shoe. This is, supposedly, a steak house pub... and they can't cook a steak?! My partner said "this is the worst piece of meat I've ever been served"... and it cost more than the old John Barras steak.
God knows how much the refurbishment cost, but it was most certainly not a wise decision. I hear Punch are struggling with lower profits and increasing debt... I suppose this "give 'em shit and charge 'em double" strategy is a response to that.
The old place was cheap and tacky, but met (low) expectations. The new place sells itself on "flaming good food" but delivers outrageously poor dishes for higher prices.
Maybe stop in for a drink... but eat at KFC for a tastier meal.
In other worse, Punch should have left alone.
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Closes on the 28th. of March. It will be refurbished, and will open as a steak-house pub.
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A big house with a conservatory 'restaurant' tacked on to the side of it set off the road from East Finchley to Finchley. It's a Barras house you can be sure... as the signs and etched glass windows attest to. Pretty much your bog standard open plan pub though they did have three ales on (Abbot, Young's and Hydes Splash & Dash). Plumped for the Hyde's brew which weren't up to a lot but more than one would expect in the vicinity.
anonymous - 12 Feb 2011 00:00 |
Visited here yesterday afternoon. This very much has the feel of a chain pub. There are plenty of tables and seating, with menus on many tables. The bar was bedecked in different flags in preparation for the World Cup. Sure enough, the music playing when I entered was switched off as the Eng-er-land fans arrived to watch a friendly on several screens. The arriving fans switched the TVs to full volume and started shouting 'Who are yer' to the screens. So this is probably a pub to avoid when the World Cup is on. Beer served were Greene King Abbot Ale, Wells Bombardier, Thwaites Nutty Slack and Adnams Broadside. A large tree-lined beer garden at the front is surrounded by an equally large car park. Service was fine. I don't think I'll particularly want to return here. Although it could be fairly pleasant during the week.
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Have not been in this Pub for over a year after the bad service last time so I thought I would give it another try too see If its Improved that was a bad mistake. This used too be a very good Pub just a few years Ago but the current Management seem too be running it into the ground. Staffing levels always seems too be very bad with arrogant staff that just don't seem too care and have no manners what so ever not even a Please or Thank you and they often just serve their own east European Friends first whilst other customers are left waiting. But I suppose thats what you get using cheap labour. Went in on Saturday Evening recently with the wife for a Meal both lots of food was under cooked & stone cold The Beer quality is not as good as it used to be either.
I would not return till things Improve a lot it Needs a complete new lot of more experienced staff IMHO.
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What a disappointment! We went in looking forward to a nice Sunday lunch, found a table (with no chairs, but we pulled a couple over to ours) & ordered. We were then told there was no chicken, no beef, no pork on the menu left therefore no Sunday roasts. At just before 3pm, this was rubbish news.
We tried ordering the chicken & chips - nope. I ordered a bacon & cheese burger in the end & was presented with a sick, pale looking fatty burger with over fried chips which I left half of.. my other half ordered the steak & ale pie but had to return it to the bar as it was stone cold. We left.
Unfriendly Eastern European staff, fairly busy but we won't be coming back until it looks like it might have changed hands again. Sad, as it used to be a nice place & the venue especially outside seating is still rated highly.
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This is a great place to visit.even more so during the summer months,Huge beer garden,and car park,Really great selection of beer and real ales,also a very pleasant atmosphere,between the boots and the suits.the staff are well mannered.and very helpful.lots going on here in the evenings,the food looks very good and tempting. Really worth a visit.
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reasonable well kept ale at �2.60- �2.70 a pint
big chain pub, wouldnt touch the food, sure its all microwaved or deep fryed - it must be for the prices they charge.
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I would like to say that this pub was an absolute delight. I stopped by one saturday with friends, we ate, we drank and throughly enjoyed our evening there.
The service was excellent, the food was great, and the atmosphere was really friendly. It seems that the new manager going in was the best thing they could have done to the place. He is completely professional and very polite, the pub is clearly going from strength to strength.
I would recommend this pub to anyone who wants a nice atmosphere and a warm smile when they go out for a drink!
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I would have too Echo what the last poster said Went in on Saturday evening around 7pm with a Friend and found the place Freezing Cold no heating on what so ever. Ordered a Meal & Drinks but the meal we ordered was also stone cold. Tried to complain to the new manager but he did not want to Know he was more interested in trying too pull some of the woman than a Pint. The Place had about 8 other customers of which A few I know as regulars they were also were complaining about the lack of heating and standard of service.
We left 8.30pm and went around the back to a Mc Mullen's Pub which was absolute Full up with most the old regulars that used to come in here it was nice warm and welcoming as well. I don't think I will come back here till the problems are sorted out If ever they are because this has been on going for at least over a month judging by the last post.
anonymous - 29 Dec 2008 11:30 |
Oh dear since the last landlord left this place seems to be falling in to the depths of depravity. Its now full of Scroungers and the usual Doll merchants pissing it up the wall once a month when they get there giro's. Other times its deathly quiet cant see it lasting the year out. Another Good Pub run into the ground by The Spirit Taverns group. Customer service is absolutely zero with No Please or Thank you just total ignorance by the staff. they stand there with solemn faces that cant even raise a smile whilst serving you. I would go round the corner too find a much better Pub. Definitely not recommended and cant see it improving unless the present staff and management are replaced. Plus the last two times Ive visited this Pub its been absolutely freezing cold with the doors wide open and no heating on. 2/10
anonymous - 28 Nov 2008 23:28 |
GREAT CASK ALE AND GREAT VALUE FOOD
TWO MEALS FOR �8 (CANT GO WRONG)
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Whoever banmrk is, you want to get your facts straight! You were either still drunk when you wrote your comment or you just seem to get your pubs muddled up!
The Five bells does not have a lock on the gents front door, they do not sell bacon rolls and they do not sell carling, so which pub or pig sty shall i say are you talking about...?
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Very average place. Food is good for how cheap it is.
Often show Man Utd games over Arsenal ones, despite teh latter being about three miles down the road which is a joke.
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I'm sorry but this pub was behond a joke with service. The inside was great, very well designed but the service did not match. When I ordered a "Carling" (pint) I waited and got a Guiness. I then thought this was interesting and ask the manager if I was on "Are you being Framed!".
Anyway, the next pint went well and thought this was a one off. After around 3 pints, like you do, I got hugry and order bacon roll. Waited for 20 mins and got a new drink with a packet of crisp! I would not mind but thought hey maybe some one ordered this and waited.
I could not believe my luck! I went back to the bar and asked about it and they applogised to me and then reordered the roll. This time it came and all was well, I then went to the toilet after feeling very drunk and could not believe the next thing AHHH why do I get bad luck.
The toilet was LOCKED!! Well I asked and they unlocked it and told me that a member of staff was getting some stuff and locked the wrong room by mistake, when she came out someone asked a question and with out noticing locked the wrong room....why do they have locks on the toilet? As far as I know these locks have gone now but still I will no longer go there (was around a month ago).
I leave it in your hands to what you think
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Dire - awfull food and below average beer. Not worth the effort.
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Having been back in here a few times during the week day evenings I would say this Pub has definitely Improved a lot In recent months with some very good guest beers on offer. And the two worst mannered guys that worked behind the bar seem to have left. So please disregard my earlier post as this was based mostly on Saturday visits and the down side on Saturday evenings is the left over Drunks from the football crowd especially on days when theres three games on like 12.30 15:00 17:30 because this causes some people to spend all day in the pub then they cause problems Saturday night being loud and troublesome nothing serious I add but enough to put some Customers off going in here on Saturday evenings I know this is not strictly the Pubs fault more the fault of Greedy Sky.
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We went into this Pub for a meal and a drink on Saturday Evening and I can see why the place has gone to pot. There was No Ice for the drinks The Toilets were overflowing In the ladies when we ordered the food It took ages to arrive only after we complained to staff we had been waiting more than 45 Minutes the staff seemed to have a could not care less attitude when I complained. As an Experienced manageress of a supermarket I would not expect this type of behaviour from experienced Staff in the customer service Industry. When the food did arrive it was cold we did not bother to complain after the first time. Now I know why the Place was almost empty on a Saturday night. We used go here in the daytime in the week and it was much better. Seems the Staff on Saturday Night is not as good.
anonymous - 10 Jan 2008 11:56 |
Been in this pub a few times and have never had a bad pint of ale. I am shocked to see the previous comments, that person must be drinking somewhere else! I am a big real ale drinker and they have a different guest beer at least once a month which is a great thing for me as i do like to experiment on my ale! As for the new manageress, well i think she is very pleasent and has a great team behind her (some are foreign) but are'nt most bar staff nowadays? She has done a great job to get rid of the crap that used to linger in there (young crowds getting up to no good) It is a nice, friendly local pub that is great value for money (food and drink) Not many left around here!!
Go try it, we all have or own opinion!
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Being new to the area I thought that I give this place a try and also the other pub that mentioned in a review, The Bald Faced Stag. It is correct that some of the staff at the Five Bells are foreign but I found tham to be charming and most helpful, and at least they are working unlike a lot of our own young people. I ate at lunchtime (very cheaply) and had no problems with the meal and also the ales were fine (well I only tried two and a Guiness!!). There was no music on at lunchtime and the tellys were on but no too loud. When I asked a 'regular' local about live music I was informed that there has only been two occasions where a band has played live since the summer, although there is karaoke but it is only one night a month on the first Saturday evening of month (be warned if you don't like karaoke). Having visited now I have no concerns about bringing my wife and kids back here for a meal. I don't know why the previous review was soo bad, perhaps some staff have changed since then of perhaps it was just "one of those nights!!"
Leaving the Five Bells I thought that I would try out the Bald Faced Stag. To my horror I found that the Guiness costs �3.20 compared to �2.54 in the Five Bells. I now know where I will be eating and drinking in the future.
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Yes she dose look good especially in those tight leather Jeans/trouser's. Its just a pity most the staff are diabolical and cant understand English very well. They just tend to stand there gassing to each other or Friends instead of serving customers also they have a bad habit of taking your beer when the glass is still half full and I mean with at least two inches in it not just a splash. theres also far to much noise in here now most of the time with groups playing TV on or music on full blast in the back ground. Would not be any good to have a meal in or eat as you cant here yourself talk most the time I used to go in here regularly with the wife for A meal at least once a week Now I would not bother anymore.
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I still haven't got round to visiting this pub yet but some say it worth going just to see the new manageress!
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I went back to the Five Bells this diner time for lunch & A Pint to see if it was just last Saturday night that was bad but no the staff seem to drink more than the customers and the service is bad thats If you can find A member of staff that actually understands English the same can be said for the Ale tried the London Pride & the Abbots both in bad way. The New Management should be ashamed of them selfs to wreak a good Pub in just a few Months takes some going.
I will go to the Bald Face Stag down the road in future thats got Much better since being under new management so it proves it can be done.
anonymous - 25 Aug 2007 17:30 |
This used to be a very good Real Ale Pub but since a change of management a few Months back the Quality of the Ale has suffered and Is Nowhere as good as it used to be. Also some of the Staff seem to drink more than the customers whilst on duty not a sign of good Management.
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The grounds of the Five Bells are pretty big; they actually make the pub look small. Lots of no smoking areas, hence no seating in the smoking area even though half the pub was empty.
I found it to be very much a local�s pub, to the point where I thought that I was trespassing. There was no unpleasantness, but there was no pleasantness either. Maybe it was just that time of the day when all the Friday afternoon drinkers were getting ready to go home and have some tea.
I wouldn�t make a conscious decision to walk there from the high street again.
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The Five Bells is a gorgeous and inviting local pub. My husband and I have enjoyed many fun evenings especially on quiz nights. The pub has a friendly mix of locals and a wonderful landlord. The food is good honest pub grub....no surpises and consistently tasty. This is the kind of pub you go to for a relaxed quiet evening with friends, and every time is a pleasure.
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Some harsh comments. I think the refurbishment has improved the pub - yes it is slightly identikit and bland, but it's also much more clean, pleasant and welcoming. It's a big out of town pub with parking and a beer garden. Always a couple of ales on tap and the food is cheap (although I accept it is very pub-standard fare). Excellent quizzes on both Monday and Thursday nights.
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They appear to have eradicated all trace of personality from the pub. All the little things I liked about the old five bells (window seats, cool metal tables, lots of arches and alcoves) have been removed. It's now all open plan with identikit furniture.
Has definitely gone down market - looks like they aspire to be a Weatherspoons. The menu used to be pretty original and had some amazing dishes (ham hock for example), now it's the standard burger, mixed grill, ersatz curry, jacket potato stuff. The wine list is uninspiring.
This is my local (or used to be!) and as you can tell, I am massively disappointed.
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brilliant pub especially in the summer
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I have been once since the refurbishment and I'm not convinced. It has been opened out quite a lot; the conservatory is gone, as is the back area, and has been replaced by seating in the dining tables and chairs style. I wasn't a big fan before and I'm still not sure now. It kind of resembles a canteen, and looks like they're trying to cram in as many diners as possible.
anonymous - 7 Feb 2005 20:30 |
being re-furbed as an identikit john barras
dan - 9 Nov 2004 12:25 |
anyone know any more about the refurbishment going on? is it being taken over? when is it opening up again?
Thanks
John - 25 Oct 2004 10:14 |
Looks like it's closed for refurbishment at the moment.
Sarah - 15 Oct 2004 14:16 |
Worth a visit if you like quizzes. There is one on Mondays and a different one on Thursdays, both excellent.
There is a non-smoking area (a large conservatory) and it is a friendly place. We travel all the way from Willesden for the quizzes!
Madeleine (from the 'B' Team)
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huge car park with no room. absolutely solid with folk on a hot summer's evening.
there'a a bouncy castle.
andrew - 9 Jun 2004 00:58 |
many rumours about this pub's closing down/ being re-furbished/ becoming a chain...... does any one have the definitive answer
dan - 31 Mar 2004 12:10 |
Very nice friendly pub with nice log fires, and nice relaxed atmophere. Nice Garden in the Summer too.
Excellent Quiz on Mondays, with questions that make you think a bit, rather than you either know it or don't questions.
Philip - 9 Feb 2004 14:26 |
i think this pub is brillient, i loved it! the food was amazing and the staff were great. i advise you to check it out!
suzy - 25 Sep 2003 09:39 |
Big pub with large child-friendly garden (bouncy castle) out front. Food standard affair, had a band on when I was there.
Corin - 28 Aug 2003 11:18 |
