The Dove reviews
No, it's true and SUCH a shame. I was there with some friends recently too and we were asked to leave because we were too drunk and loud! We'd only just arrived and had just been for dinner nearby and were not at all in bad shape, just having a good time.
What's this anti-fun rule they have? I've since heard other people say to me that you get thrown out for laughing, and I think people feel forced to go to the Cat and Mutton which isn't as nice really. Shame a few people are spoiling it for all. ie. the bar manager.
Wonder if the owner knows about this? A reluctant 1 star I'm afraid. Shame cos the beer's good.
Clearly a lot of the below reviews are from the same party and want to make their point many times! I have had great visits here and found the food wonderful, the staff friendly and the atmosphere relaxed. Great pub in a great location.
by anonymousX, 26 Oct 2007Went for a drink for my birthday last night. My mates were told off for singing 'Happy Birthday' to me. The (and I use this term loosely here) manager said it's not that sort of pub and could we be quiet. Then he kept on shouting at us from behind the bar telling us to be quiet. We eventually left. Perhaps it's a themed pub, a sort of 'No Fun' pub. I'd give this place a wide berth if you're out for a good night.
by SenorBaz, 11 Oct 2007Rude staff - you are expected to talk in whispers as this is a 'quiet' pub!
by mavisdavies, 11 Oct 2007This is not a pub for the human. The staff are rude and not at all friendly. We went in there for a friend's leaving do and spent a lot of money on drinks and food. There was another group of people in there and it did get quite noisy. However, the manager kept sending his bouncer round to tell us to be quiet and was very rude. My friend got locked in the toilet and they suggested she had a disability - they did not even apologise! We used to go there as our local but whenever we go in they are rude. The beers and food are lovely but overpriced and not worth the nasty atmosphere!
by hev, 08 Oct 2007Do NOT drink or eat at this pub! I have been frequenting this venue once a month for a year, with many of my colleagues. We have had problems on every single visit, most frequently being asked to clear the passageway to the bar or kitchen (sorry - we only sat on chairs that you placed here!), but tonight was the last straw.
General grievances: The Dove will now charge you 50p for EVERY card transaction and you cannot set up a tab; our packets of crisps/pints of chips/glasses of drinks were cleared before we finished them; you cannot have your Hoegaarden in a Hoegaarden glass, as they use them all for their 'pint of chips'.
On the topic of noise: we were asked to "Keep the noise down", (apparently 20 people having conversations on a leaving do on a Friday night creates too much noise). When we joined in with singing 'happy birthday' with another group of drinkers, we were all asked to leave, as apparently we had had 6 warnings ("We are a quiet pub and do not cater for that sort of thing").
The bouncer then escorted us to the unisex toilets, waited for us all to finish and then walked us out to our taxis. I attempted to have a conversation with the manager, who stood aggressively with his legs spread and arms crossed and informed me he had worked there for 15 years. I calmly asked what exactly we had done wrong and apparently he could come up with nothing more than "You are too loud". The bouncer then frogmarched me out of the pub.
Needless to say, this will no longer be our monthly pub of choice, despite the range of beers available. I will also no longer be going to my local, The Dovetail in Farringdon, their sister pub. My rating is 1 star only because I can't rate it as 0 stars!
I have been to The Dove a number of times over the last 2 years and I have to say every time the food has been great. A wide range to choose from. There is a warm friendly atmosphere and the staff have been really helpful. Highly recommended!
by Stuart Rhys Jones, 26 Aug 2007The Dove is a great gaff. It takes you back in time, has a fantastic range of beers and is the perfect place to cuddle up with someone you love on a winter's evening. It's also a hassle to get to so never completely overcrowded... and you can book.
by Cazbah, 20 May 2007Great atmosphere. Loved the loos, and the beer's good too! I will return, and would definitely recommend.
by Anonymous, 06 May 2007Service is pretty shocking in this pub. Food arriving at different times, not getting orders right... The final meal turned up after everyone else had finished and had their plates cleared away. The manager is unbelievably rude and obviously needs to go on a customer service course. So despite the good food and nice setting, none of my friends nor I will be visiting the Dove again until there is a change in management.
by darreng1000, 10 Oct 2006This is not a local. It is a tourist haunt. Staff are unhelpful, rude and totally up themselves just because they work in a pub that sells Belgian beer. The restaurant is just as bad - the staff bark orders at you as if you were their pot washer. No matter how many times you give The Dove a try, it always leaves a very bitter taste in your mouth.
by Arthur Prixby, 24 Aug 2006I often retire here after a stint in Broadway Market - the food is spectacular. The rabbit-warren restaurant area always feels warm and inviting and the food is always a joy. They have 5 or 6 sausage and mash options (duck, beef, chicken, pork etc etc, each made with a coordinating beer) as well as a wide range of hearty fare that is always satisfying without being stodgy. Fish pie, game pie, chicken salad, chestnut pate have all been winners. Wonderful in the winter - can't wait to see how it feels in the summer...
by strwberrydelight (2 reviews), 02 Feb 2006As I work in the West End surrounded by bars such as All Bar One and the Pitcher and Piano, the Dove is a welcome escape. It is very cosy, has an open fire and is a little bit like going back in time. There is a huge range of beers and although I have yet to sample the food it looks lovely. I recommend that people should visit Broadway market as the Cat and Mutton is also fab.
by Anonymous, 24 Jun 2004Have we missed a great pub in London? Let us know.
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