Crazy Bear reviews
Nothing wrong with the food and surroundings per se, if a touch overpriced. The main bugbear here, as has been exposed on various other review websites, is the appalling service and rude, disinterested, immature and complacent management when these matters are brought to their attention! You have been warned: all that glitters is DEFINITELY NOT gold, and certainly not in this place.
by FoodLover70707, 21 Jan 2011
by FoodLover70707, 21 Jan 2011
It was my wife's birthday, so I looked at Crazy Bear for a nice sushi... that was a mistake!
I had emailed the restaurant on a Monday, 4 days prior to our event, for a table/booth, and I requested to visit the restaurant. They replied that should be fine and that they had availability. I then called on the Tuesday to let them know that I was going to visit in the afternoon. That was also fine. While at the restaurant, I pointed out to the gentleman in charge the booth I wanted. He checked the system and he said it was available and that our booking would be OK for Thursday evening, for the time slot I requested. On the Thursday I received a call from Crazy Bear to confirm my booking.
Later on the Thursday I arrived at the restaurant with my wife, a quarter of an hour earlier than my reservation. They took us in, I said I had a reservation, and guess what... the booth I had chosen was not available!! The staff were clueless what was going on. They all refused to take responsibility. The person I had met and spoken to the previous day apparantly had "a day off", the manager was nowhere to be seen (hiding maybe?). They offered us another noisy table, which we said we didn't like.
I explained that I had emailed, phoned, visited and confirmed my booking in the past 4 days. Someone with more responsibility said he understood, but that unfortunately the booth I wanted was not available. He did not show that he cared much either. Did not even try to put on an 'I'm sorry' face. We tried another table, but it was terribly noisy. We did not want to spoil further our birthday evening, so we left.
Appalling experience. Stay away.
by rits1111, 15 Nov 2010
I had emailed the restaurant on a Monday, 4 days prior to our event, for a table/booth, and I requested to visit the restaurant. They replied that should be fine and that they had availability. I then called on the Tuesday to let them know that I was going to visit in the afternoon. That was also fine. While at the restaurant, I pointed out to the gentleman in charge the booth I wanted. He checked the system and he said it was available and that our booking would be OK for Thursday evening, for the time slot I requested. On the Thursday I received a call from Crazy Bear to confirm my booking.
Later on the Thursday I arrived at the restaurant with my wife, a quarter of an hour earlier than my reservation. They took us in, I said I had a reservation, and guess what... the booth I had chosen was not available!! The staff were clueless what was going on. They all refused to take responsibility. The person I had met and spoken to the previous day apparantly had "a day off", the manager was nowhere to be seen (hiding maybe?). They offered us another noisy table, which we said we didn't like.
I explained that I had emailed, phoned, visited and confirmed my booking in the past 4 days. Someone with more responsibility said he understood, but that unfortunately the booth I wanted was not available. He did not show that he cared much either. Did not even try to put on an 'I'm sorry' face. We tried another table, but it was terribly noisy. We did not want to spoil further our birthday evening, so we left.
Appalling experience. Stay away.
by rits1111, 15 Nov 2010
Impressive decor, good cocktails. The place was buzzing on a Saturday evening. Oldish crowd but that's fine because we were a group of 10 friends in the privacy of our booth. Even if you don't want to drink, the food upstairs is definitely worth a visit.
by saroj2009 (2 reviews), 31 Oct 2009
by saroj2009 (2 reviews), 31 Oct 2009
I had a great time at Crazy Bear just few weeks ago. The food was delicious but the service could be better. I booked a table in the restaurant but when we arrived they sat us all at a very small table in the drinking area, which was very disappointing because we had to wait until a table was free in the restaurant dining area. The whole ambiance is very seductive but it may be better to go there early during the week when it's less crowded.
by regina, 08 Apr 2009
by regina, 08 Apr 2009
I recently visited Crazy Bear and had a very disappointing experience. Drinks are good but at £10 a pop should be much better. Since it was quiet, the waitress who served us began to spray and clean the table the next to us, which seemed right out of wack. On leaving, the doorman offered us a taxi. We were completed ripped off (£20 from Goodge Street to Camden) and he was super sleazy. Be careful of this place. It's not what it seems.
by mrfionn, 13 Mar 2009
by mrfionn, 13 Mar 2009
A mixed but overall disappointing experience. We were a group of 12 celebrating a birthday. On the plus side, they were very accommodating in providing us a table, the decor is fantastic and the drinks were good (although for the same price we've had better at numerous venues). The waitress we had was the real downfall. The service was slow and we had to chase them on drinks after waiting 15-20 mins after the order was taken. This resulted in one drink being brought over twice. The waitress then decided to have a go at us for their mistake. After which we received no service at all. When we'd had enough and wanted the bill she seemed to intentionally ignore our looks and gestures; even when I walked over to speak to her she turned and walked away and I had to ask another waiter to bring the bill. Definitely not one that I'll go back to.
by 1234, 08 Mar 2009
by 1234, 08 Mar 2009
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 2008
by Jonesy1968, 15 Feb 2008
Went 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 2008
by Valkaramel, 02 Feb 2008
I 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.
by Lianne, 09 Jul 2007
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.
by Lianne, 09 Jul 2007
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 2007
by Anonymous, 23 Apr 2007
Another 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 2006
by Wagonface (4 reviews), 13 Oct 2006
When 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.
by Bachrach (16 reviews), 04 May 2006
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.
by Bachrach (16 reviews), 04 May 2006
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 2006
by Anonymous, 16 Jan 2006
A fantastic bar and restaurant, did great food and treated us very well. Can't recommend it enough.
by Craigyboy, 17 Nov 2005
by Craigyboy, 17 Nov 2005
Superb 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 2005
by Anil, 24 Oct 2005
A 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 (6 reviews), 07 Oct 2005
by Noodles (6 reviews), 07 Oct 2005
Overrated. 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 2005
by Anonymous, 06 Oct 2005
Have we missed a great bar in London? Let us know.
Photograph © Crazy Bear
