(No) Smoking at the Black Stove?

[R.Wethereyet]

I went in once with family and friends after we had been for dinner, and we were surprised how full it appeared. The clientele however, were all young locals who had been watching a local Portuguese band who had played there that night. Every seat was taken, but nearly all the tables contained only the odd nearly empty small beer glass or bottles of water, and the air was thick with smoke.

Although the bar area was packed, no one was actually waiting to be served, yet it took nearly 5 minutes to attract one of the bar staffs attention. The manager also seemed more interested in chatting to the various groups of of non drinkers than 'managing' his bar.

We had one the drink, which we drank outside, and needless to say decided to leave and have a few drinks elsewhere. We weren't the only ones that did that either.

[Gary/Gaynor]

Hmmm having read this thread I think the 'Owner"needs to get on site quick and sort out the duty management. I certainly wouldn't want people walking out at any cost from my bar and to be ingonred for 5 mins is not acceptable. Staff customer service training would be a pretty good idea. I guess the pay element comes into it as well.
Gaynor

[greenpooble]

I've been in the Black Stove a couple of times, and don't think it's a patch on Brady's Irish bar, a bit further down on the opposite side of the street, in Brady's they have a brilliant variety of entertainment, attentive pretty barmaids, it's no smoking except for on the terrace outside, and a general all round better atmosphere, so I would say don't waste your time, go to Brady's instead!! And no I don't work there or have shares in the place!!

[EMM]

We have been to the Black Stove a few times this visit not really that busy but it was always before 12,00 when we expect that the " going home " crowd call in on their way back up the hill.
Entertainment OK, Brian K very irish referred to the English as " overseas visitors ".
On the subject of smoke the ventliation does seem to work .
one night a group of germans obviously not aware of the zoning lit up creating clouds of smoke but were soon informed by the barstaff of the correct way to behave and where to sit.

The place seems to be v popular with familes early on ( free lollys for the kids ).

Better atmosphere ( no pun intended ) than Mungos which is getting a bit rowdy as the season livens up.

[Bristle Si]

Better atmosphere ( no pun intended ) than Mungos which is getting a bit rowdy as the season livens up.[/quote]

And what's your definition of rowdy? Are there fights or just increased volume of noise?

[EMM]

Mungos seems to be the choice of the younger tourists who arrive around 12.00ish often the worse for wear.
( they only look around 14 but thats because we are O&D ).
There is a bit of pushing and shoving around the bar and higher noise volumes making it harder for the entertainers.
We usually exit around this time and head off to somewhere a bit quieter.