please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We have been curious for the last few months why this pub has an abandoned shopping trolley full with rubbish inside the entrance to its car park. It never moves but likely to indicate that if the Landlord/lady can't be bothered to get rid of it there's not much hope inside the pub either. Curiosity eventually got the better of us and we ventured in today for a drink and a bite to eat. Simple fact is - it's awful. We came here regularly in its heyday of the late 80's/early 90's and its really saddening to see the demise here. Staff were disinterested and we waited for service even though there were only four customers in the bar. We changed our mind about the food and left and were joined by a rodent for part of the journey back to the car. Avoid.
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We went Saturday evening with my wife for a party of an old work colleague of hers. I’ve driven past there loads of times and it looks a decent homely place from the outside. As it was inside….
But sadly despite the function attended by 100+ there were only two staff on, both of which pulled beers at the pace of a speeding snail. I waited 15 minute for a couple of lagers, the second time round the same again for three more. Whilst waiting for the second set of drinks I noticed that the bar-maid was holding a set of plastic glasses as the glass ones had not been returned to the bar as there was no-one available to collect them.
I waited another 20 minutes for my third set of drinks, but luckily saw some-one I recognised at the bar so the slowness of getting a lager was a little better.
Whilst all this was going on the drinks were running out fast. Some of the ales were not available, even when we arrived. Guinness ran out as did a few others. So perhaps the tortoise like service was a cleverly conceived tactic to make the drinks last until 11.00pm. Who knows?
I did notice someone else stocking up the fridge with white wine late on in the evening. Whoever she was, the pub could have done with her a couple of hours earlier.
We had a good time and enjoyable evening despite the bar and not because of it.
I suspect with an extra staff person or two and more stock the pub may well have taken quite a bit more £££ during the evening.
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Pub hasn't been reviewed for over a year now and the last review is obviously by a member of staff/landlord.
I went in the recently and had mixed feelings. The pub is located just across the road from The Orchard and is more in the style of a traditional community pub.
Interior is clean enough with a pool table and a big screen for the sport. I know some of the malodorous old Camra bores would object to this and they seem to want to drink in a place that has the noise levels of a library so they can bore each other to death withering on about the mouthfeel of their half pint of ale. Please note that I am a Camra member but I do sometimes drink lager and I do enjoy playing pool and watching sport.
Anyway, when I arrived at a The White Bear I noticed that they do offer a choice of Pride along with the evil Doom Bar however, unfortunately both were off so lager was the only option.
I noticed that in the toilets there was a sloping service over the cisterns. This gives me the impression that this was to stop young chavs going in their to snort Kuffer! This is obviously not the fault of the pubs and the few punters that were in at the time were all perfectly normal.
This is definitely a locals pubs and I just hope that they have enough locals to keep the place going. It was very quiet when I visited but I guess it is probably more lively at the weekend. Let's hope so as even though there could be small improvement, all in all this is a no nonsense boozer that deserves to be patronised!!!
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Wow! What a find! Just moved into the area and thought i'd take my mum out for Sunday lunch. We came across the white bear by chance and decided to give it a try. As we walked in we were cheerily welcomed by the staff and then proceeded to decide what to drink. As a lager drinker I was more than impressed to find no less than five draught lagers to choose from! We had a quick glance at the menu and both decided on a roast. Choosing a comfy looking sofa, we sat down and were almost immediately offered water. What a touch! The food came out quickly and piping hot and a very generous portion was placed in front of me . We tucked in and I had to admit to my mother that the roast dinner was better than ones she makes! Brilliant food, brilliant service and an amazing atmosphere. Definitely will be back!!
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So my dear reader. I have been searching for a nice pub with nearby parking to take my elderly aunts when I visit NW London. They don't do 'foreign stuff' which is a shame. But this place looks to have potential. Perhaps I should have realised as only Miffed has posted in the last year or so and I don't understand what he/she means.
A bad start in travelling from Sarf London, so many pubs in NW London have been turned into Sainsbury/Tesco 'locals'.
And totally underwhemed. Only the evil Doom bar on and no remotely drinkable cider or lager on tap or out of a bottle.
The Sunday roast was silly portions (half a pig) with hard veg.
The Victorian makeover lost me. It does not ooze charm, not helped by the dead atmosphere and loud piped background music.
Please PM if there is any decent place within three miles of Harrow
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Marcus and Deborah must have been spiked, cos this place is well rub innit
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It was a cold, grey October morning when we first stepped into the White Bear pub. After agreeing that the exterior was in need of a spruce up, yet nevertheless exuded a certain charm, we were shocked at what we found inside. �What the hell has been going on in here?� There were more different colours on the walls than Joseph had on his dream coat. This, along with the marvellous velour furniture, led us to conclude that Stevie Wonder must have quit songwriting and taken up interior design in the London suburbs.
Every interesting feature in this grade II listed building had been removed and seemingly replaced with the contents of the Argos catalogue circa 1987. Against our better judgement we ordered a drink and sandwich, and having survived we sat down to discuss the latest in what was becoming a very long list of potential premises. We should have walked away, by now you�d think we�d have known better, but somehow we just can�t resist a hopeless case. You see, we love the underdog. When we see the kid with buck teeth and glasses crying in the corner, we go over and talk to him. And so it was that we embarked upon our journey to resurrect the White Bear.
As most were tucking into their Christmas meals, we were busy planning what to do. We decided to try and take the building back to it�s Victorian roots, with wooden floors, darks panelling and a muted palette. By early January work had begun. The whole pub needed to be gutted before we could start.
It was all going well until a visit from the local planning authority threatened to derail our best efforts. It looked for a while that we may have to halt work and return the building to the state in which it had last been inspected. This turned out to be shortly after the last technicolor refurb!! However, after deciding that our plans were more in keeping with the character of the building, works continued �at risk�. �Not a problem� we thought �the whole thing�s a gamble anyway.
As the days passed, the site began to look less and less like Dame Edna�s boudoir, and more like somewhere we�d like to sit and enjoy a drink with friends. We documented the process for posterity, taking pictures at the key stages. The images you see here are during the very first few days of work. It�s unclear whether the spots in the pictures came from dust that was thrown up and had subsequently become trapped in the camera lense, or what we�d actually captured was the souls of drinkers past, finally released from their tortuous wine bar limbo!
The photos in this post serve as a reminder of where we started from, and hopefully, how far we�ve come.
Please remember that we have a sense of humour, we like to joke, and our comments are in no way meant as an attack on the previous owners. Everybody has a different opinion on what a pub should be and we really hope you join us for a drink and see if you like ours.
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My wife and I had dinner at the White Bear and it was excellent. The food was tremendous and the surroundings just felt so comfy and relaxing. I think this will become a regular treat for us. See you again soon.
Marcus & Deborah
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Now up for sale. They failed miserably to try and turn it around
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Entirely agree with rog57. Furthermore, pub advertises Karaoke on a sign outside - Definitely a no, no. Used to be a great pub in the 80's. Wouldn�t re-visit again based on recent findings.
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Over the Christmas break I visited this pub for the first time since the recent renovations, internally it has changed beyond all recognition, it is brighter, and cleaner both of which are not a bad thing on the face of it. However because of these changes it sadly it has lost all of its atmosphere, and worse of all they now have no real ales on tap.
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Friday Night Karaoke, Oh what a night!
Suprisingly a lot of students about on a Friday but also has a good mix of age ranges.
Had a really fun night, not brave enough to have a sing song but was entertained by the talent. Bar staff joined in too and were pretty good. Friendly staff and the reviews are true some good looking bar maids!
Will be back for more!
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I went on one of their Karoke night's (Sunday), and I was only going to stay for a while but I found it hard to leave. Had a good night want to go back.
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Great pub. Amazing front and back gardens, parking. Inside very specious, very cool pub managers and crowd. Very beautiful women too.
Beer6 - 12 Jun 2006 12:22 |
Drove past on the way home with my mates and stopped in for a few beers to celebrate St Georges day and in all honesty we thought it would be just a quick pint and head off to somewhere a bit more lively.Walked in and was welcomed by some really gorgeous barmaids in fancy dress, one of which looked like a pussycat doll!
Had some great entertainment on and decent priced beer! Had an excellent night and will stop by again...even if it is for the eye candy!
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Is that you Emily? If so are you trying to find Matt Gay (big feet and scared of spiders?)? Let me know cause we know where he is!
And no Ron and Chris left ages ago.
Andy
PS Tim says...say hi to bush pig!
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I worked here for about a year when i was living in england. I am looking for my very dear friend Matt who used to work there with me. If anybody goes there - could they see if Chris and Ron are still the Managers and If Matt still works there.
Mxxx
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Good place, they allow dogs, yippee!! think it's the only place in the area that does, even give the old chap biscuits,( dog that is...!)
steve - 16 Oct 2004 09:58 |
great darts board area - secluded so you can play without some oik standing in your way. also has a calculator so no need to work it out in your head! Friendly enough place.
Matt - 20 May 2004 21:16 |
happy hour every day 5-7pm. beer garden.
josephine - 14 Feb 2004 15:00 |
