Crazy Bear reviews
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 (2 reviews), 08 Apr 2009
by regina (2 reviews), 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 (18 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 (18 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
Called 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 2005
by jilly, 04 Aug 2005
Have we missed a great bar in London? Let us know.
Photograph © Crazy Bear
