Bulldog

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

I was in Bulldog last night. Same old cheesy band playing 80's songs. The lads I was with mention last season the band continued playing during live coverage of EPL matches.

I therefore wouldn't recommend this bar as a venue unless they change policy.

Hongkongyid - when's your bar opening in Hebe Haven ? Went pass it the other day. Seems to be near completion - looks good too.

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2596

That's annoying.

Still I suppose we have a bit of time to kill searching for a residence before the season starts.

Gary Stevens Joined : 08 Jun 2007 Posts : 1063

I missed the first part of last Thursday's meeting (ok, I missed most of last Thursday's meeting) so not sure what was discussed in regard to venue. Along with Stew and a few other yids, I've been going to Delaney's ever since I arrived in 2001. It's been a scene of many a heartbreak when it comes to watching Spurs - semi-finals, league cup final and so on. Being a highly superstitious idiot, I've often felt that Delaney's is jinxed. However, that is a completely irrational thought and should have no influence on my viewing habits, and for that reason I continue to frequent Delaney's. I accept that the prices are a bit high, the service slow and very often surly (must be the only place in town with surly Philippina staff) but the plasma screen is good, the big screen acceptable and the Guiness excellent. Also, and this is the main point we must consider - THEY ALWAYS GIVE PRIOIRITY TO SPURS GAMES. What more can we ask for? Last year, we had Spurs games on almost every weekend. Delaney's is a Spurs pub, we really should support them. Plus, it's walking distance from my flat Very Happy

Gary Stevens Age : 37 Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1266

Founding Father Joined : 05 Jun 2007 Posts : 3522

Edgar Davids Joined : 08 Jun 2007 Posts : 2316

Just to add my tuppence-worth: I know some of you have watched games in McSorleys in Soho as well. I like that place and location personally, and since it never seems packed, they may agree to a regular block for us there. Overall though, I don't mind which one we go for.

Gary Stevens Joined : 07 Jun 2007 Posts : 1015

Yup Bulldog's has limited appeal as a viewing venue. Price of drinks is no different from Delaney's across the road, shorter happy hour and no discount arrangement with Spurs supporters at this time. The upstairs sports bar at Delaney's always has the Tottenham games on the large screen and on the plasma and has no dodgy band playing.

Happy to try other venues... criteria we should look out for:
1) good space to watch the games to accomodate our growing family
2) good screens
3) guaranteed spurs priority on the screens
4) reasonable drink prices
5) no side distractions ie dodgy bands
6) plus to help us out.... bar manager is a spurs fan!!

I've lunched at McSorleys but not seen a game there. Decent looking bar, only hassle is for those that are coming from MTR bit of a trek up the escalator.

Hope we can all come to agreement b4 season starts!!

Gary Stevens Joined : 08 Jun 2007 Posts : 1063

On a couple of occasions, when there has been a private function, we have had to watch the game on the big screen in the Thai Restaurant. But, on the whole, in the past, 6 years Delaney's has served us well. It's in a very convenient location, close to the MTR, on several cross-harbour bus routes, and there's plenty of venues for post-match celebrations. Another thing in its favour, imho, is that the upstairs bar offers an intimate setting where a group of 20-30 Spurs would make it feel crowded. In that context, Bulldogs would be too big a venue. There's nothing worse, again imho, than watching a game in a place where the majority of the customers couldn't give a rats arse what's on the screen. Anyway, I am, of course, not adverse to giving another place a chance, but I feel all the arguments against Delaney's could be ironed out after a chat with the management. Isn't the owner / manager of the chain a Spurs fan? I'm sure I'd heard he was. I like McSoorley's but it isn't the easiest place to get to for many. Bulldogs has a great screen, good sound, but yes, there is a dodgy band and many people there aren't interested in the football. Are there plans for Skitz to reopen? Any other places? What's Amici's like? Can't imagine it being an improvement on Delaney's. I believe the Liverpool fans used to use it.

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2596

To be fair the section Moses showed us for Spurs In Hong Kong in Bulldogs, was reasonably private if a little small. Still I suggest we give it a go anyway for the first game and see what happens re: the band etc.

Also Moses also proposed to give us happy hour prices on drinks so thats not so much of an issue.

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

I did use to attend most games in Delaneys but in recent years I seldom went apart from the odd 'big' game. I actually share the sentiments of Daniel about Delaney's. I only use to continue going because I wasn't aware Spurs fans were meeting anywhere else. It does however tend to show most Spurs games live through it's South African satellite channel, which in turn has a bias towards covering Spurs.

I didn't realise Bulldog has changed its policy regarding the band performing during live football coverage. That certainly makes a difference. If Moses is willing to offer a decent discount then it strengthens the Bulldog case even further. Yes Delaney's do offer 10% but their prices are about 10-15% higher than most in the first place.

I've been into that place up in Soho a few times. ( not during football ). Also seems a decent bar.

Founding Father Age : 38 Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 357

Dear Yids
I have chatted with Moses at length about this, and I'll try to put things as impartially as I can seeing as he's one of my closest friends.

1. When he says something he means it, and if he knows that you lot are my friends then that is of more importance.

2. The band will be closed off during any Spurs matches should they be on of course, HOWEVER, if only, say me Daniel & Eric turn up and he has 50 odd people in listening to the band, I know which way he'll sway, business is business after all, even Daniel & Eric knew that at Skitz, in fact everyone did when we were in the bar watching the Chelsea Cup match.

3. As far as I'm concerened I have never been a fan of Delaney's, too pricey, not that that's a good reason granted, but one all the same, to me it's always been a very clique bar. Saying that, I am not adversed to change, I may not be able to make a lot of matches next season anyway.

4. As someone mentioned the GM (he could be a Director now, haven't seen him in a while) is Noel Smyth, Irish, but a Yid all the same, maybe someone can approach him regarding this should the majority feeling be somewhere else, Dublin Jacks??

5. DO NOT think that just because Moses is my mate that we owe him anything, at the end of the day it's no skin off his nose.

6. Delaney's upstairs has been closed for sometime.

7. Skitz will re-open. When? Anyone's guess, but don't expect it to be the same as when I was there.

8. Think that's all.

I don't mean to rock boats here, but I just wanted to mention that for Moses sake more than mine, oh, and I didn't know about the Happy Hour prices that he mentioned.

Spur'don, yes we are very close to opening, hopefully next week Monday or Tuesday, I'll put a confirmation on this board in any case.

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2576

I think we should give Bulldogs the benefit of the doubt - innocent until proven guilty... My feeling is that the corner he showed us would be ample for most weekends, late nights and midweekers I doubt many people would be out anyway. If we're organising a big turnout for a big game he said he would turn the band off and put the game on the big screen. And he said he'd do happy hour prices on lager all night, $30 a pint.

As I've said all along, all I'd like is for Spurs fans to get along, get together, and make a lot of noise supporting their team.

Gary Stevens Age : 37 Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1266

Turning the Dublin Jacks spanner thats in the works, Im happy to chat to Noel and see what they have to offer. Of course its LKF which may not suit everyone but is slap bang perfect for me cheers

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

GDG - I'm happy to try Bulldogs given what's being said. I wasnt' aware of the package Moses proposed when I posted this thread.

Subject: Bulldogs and Other Places Mon Jun 18 2007, 16:33

I don't mind trying to switch the venue for my fellow Delaney ites but although Moses is a good bloke, I am not convinced it's the right location with the live bands and lots of people eating there on Sat nights. Having said that, there's no harm in giving it a go and testing the water for one of the earlier LIVE games in the season.

We are by no means restricted to Delaney's, but I don't hink even I can persuade all the Spurs fans that drink in there to relocate across the street, even though the point is taken that if Bulldogs offer pints for $30 all night, that could be an incentive!

I think we should keep our oprions open and check out a few places during this season for a 'trial' and then come back here to take a 'poll' to see what's popular amongst the masses.

There could be other options such as Champs Bar in Wanchai Road? I have watched some non-Spurs matches in Maya Bar, but that doesn't have a lot of space, same with Devil's Advocate - the manager's boyfriend is a Spurs fan by the way. The White Stag has no elbow room and has too many 'neutrals' - mostly Yau Yee League players drinking in there at the weekends. Dublin Jacks is probably more expensive than Delaney's though.

Parting note on this is that if we can assure Noel more numbers in Delaney's I may be able to beat up on him for more of a dsicount than the 10% that we get off prices now outside of happy hour!

Let's keep looking around then!

Stew.