Crazy Bear reviews
Went to the Crazy Bear for drinks before a Valentine's meal and had a great time. Sampled some fantastic cocktails. I really love this bar and will definitely go back. A fabulous place for special occasions.
by Jonesy1968, 15 Feb 2008Went to Crazy Bear on my birthday with a bunch of crazy friends. Very good staff and helpful too. Champagne quite expensive, but had a very enjoyable time. I'd recommend this stylish bar to anyone.
by Valkaramel, 02 Feb 2008I felt compelled to write a review having read the last reviewer's comments, because they are completely at odds with my experience. I've been to Crazy Bear 3 times in the last 12 months, most recently last Monday. Without fail, I've enjoyed every visit and each time I've been intrigued by how they manage to keep it effortlessly classy without tipping into pretentiousness. The combination of great decor and great staff are definitely a winner. The staff in particular are unintrusive but magically appear when you need them.
Crazy Bear, like the majority of West End bars, expect a minimum spend per head when you book space, and this is the case with the booths. I can only assume the last reviewer was ignorant of this fact, which would have led them to gain a negative perception of the waitress who was trying to do her job. I've never booked a booth and have never had a problem getting a seat. If you want my opinion, the better seats are those around the bar anyway (there is no minimum spend and you get a better view of the place).
I would keep my visits to a minimum - this is the kind of place you go to every now and then for a special occasion. Too much of a good thing can ruin it. Check out the toilets, they are worth seeing! Nuff said.
What a truly dreadful bar. God knows where they employ their staff from but they certainly wouldn't win any charm awards. Having booked a leather-clad booth for the evening we were asked several times by the aforementioned snotty waitresses when we would be moving - apparently we weren't spending enough money to occupy a booth. I wasn't aware you had to pay rent and rates to sit in a bar; things must have changed recently. I'm not sure where we would have been demoted to, possibly a few deck chairs near the bins out the back? This completely ruined our evening and I certainly won't be going back again.
by Anonymous, 23 Apr 2007Another good night at Crazy Bear, but only scored 3/5 due to their new door policy. Seems they are happy to let in groups of bankers (the stereotypical type) and also the kind of people who normally frequent Dean St bars. Would be a shame if the place lost its nice relaxed, friendly atmosphere due to these new punters.
by Wagonface (4 reviews), 13 Oct 2006When I first walked in I thought I was in a pub. Then I realized this is more of an English restaurant. I had to ask someone if I was really at Crazy Bear since the decor doesn't say "Thai."
The service is good and helpful. The cocktails were great and they had a good wine list. The food was similar to any other good Thai place for the same price. The decor is comfortable and quiet and seems to appeal more to the older crowd. It's perfect for a date but don't go there with a group of your friends.
Make sure you visit the bar downstairs for drinks, younger crowds tend to like the lounge downstairs better.
Fantastic restaurant, from the wine list, food and service to the bar.. what can I say? Superb decor, nice mix of people, and the best toilets I've seen.
by Anonymous, 16 Jan 2006A fantastic bar and restaurant, did great food and treated us very well. Can't recommend it enough.
by Craigyboy, 17 Nov 2005Superb food - soft shell crab was mind-blowingly good, excellent, attentive (but not intrusive) service & a great relaxed atmosphere. I loved it!
by Anil, 24 Oct 2005A great bar with a nice vibe. It is an oik and burberry baseball cap free zone where great cocktails can be had. Frequented by happy, easy going people with an even mix of gender, maybe even tilting to the females. Craziest gents I've ever been in.... the final scenes in the film Enter the Dragon sums them up. Go, you will enjoy.
by Noodles (7 reviews), 07 Oct 2005Overrated. What's all the fuss about? It's a small, cigar / smoke-filled bar with okay, but expensive cocktails. Staff are pretty good and cow covered seats do look cool.
by Anonymous, 06 Oct 2005Called the bar to ask if we needed to book for a leaving do and was told that would not be required. When we turned up we were turned away at the door because we hadn't booked space at the bar! This has happened twice now, so won't go back as staff were really unmoving and rather unhelpful.
by jilly, 04 Aug 2005I absolutely loved this bar. Very cool interior. Staff very friendly. The dim sum was well yummy. Visited the loos on recommendation and they were fab. Sad but true.
by Anonymous, 28 Jul 2005Absolutely loved the decor in this bar, very original. The toilets are a must visit even if you don't need to go! Good service too.
by layla (3 reviews), 26 Jul 2005Great decor, especially downstairs where the sunken bar, cowhide chairs and clandestine leather booths create a playfully intimate atmosphere... the cocktails are varied and inspiring and the bar staff all very attentive...
However the restaurant leaves a lot to be desired; it's rather dingy during the day, to the extent that you can't read the oversized menus, and although the tables have lamps fixed to the surfaces this leaves very little room for the food, which on the whole is fairly average.All in all though a great place for cocktails, but book in advance as it gets busy later on in the evening, and you can risk losing your spot... no matter what kind of a bill you've racked up.
Fantastic place, very original. Food in restaurant and bar is exceptional. Staff are very helpful and welcoming. They also have a bar / restaurant / hotel near Oxford which is equally as good. Just can't say a bad thing about either of them.
by Anonymous, 13 Apr 2005Have we missed a great bar in London? Let us know.
Photograph © Crazy Bear
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