All Bar One

You've seen one, you've seen them all

22 May 08, 17:37 As expected

OK, it's a huge chain so anybody who's ever consumed an alcoholic drink should know what to expect. This one's in Leicester Square so has a mixed clientele of local workers and tourists. Usual Central London (high) prices, but a fair selection of drinks. The outside area gets very crowded when the weather's good and sometimes you have to fight your way to a packed bar. A place to start a night from with the first couple of drinks, then move on. You're in the heart of London here, there are loads of better places to fall over.

Nice location

19 May 08, 20:29 As expected

Its better to drink outside, so the smokers benefit more from this ABOne, its ok but nothing special and it really does take an age to get served. The food is good value if you are having a sharing plate and the dessert would be nice if it actually arrived hot.

Not Bad...

08 May 08, 14:50 As expected

A nice location and one of the few All Bar One's where you can sit outside on a sunny day... It tends to get very busy, but the three levels give the place a spacious feel and they serve a decent array of beers... The staff are generally pretty friendly and as there are two bars I've found it reasonably quick to get served... As a central London location it's not a bad old bar really (if you can handle the inflated prices)

Great location

08 May 08, 14:18 As expected

I love the location of this place, right on the side of Leicesterr Square, that location can't really be matched however, I hate having to wait ages to get served, then we you finally do you can't grab a table, and you get ripped off for drinks, I'd head to Yates, or Wetherspoons for a better deal!

great atmosphere though, good for a bite to eat at lunchtime when its quieter!

Best place in Leicester Square for a beer

07 May 08, 13:28 As expected

But that's not saying much as your alternative is Yates!? This is a fairly good Albaroney (as a friend of mine always calls them) but it gets so crazy busy afterwork you can lose the will to live waiting to get served, particularly if the sun comes out.

great atmosphere

29 Apr 08, 13:33 Above expectations

I love this bar, especially in the summer. the menu is great and if you like people watching with a glass of wine on a summer evening it is the place for you. i cant wait to go back

Very central and bustling

27 Apr 08, 13:30 As expected

This is a really popular and crowded branch of the chain as it's situated right on Leicester Square, but if you do manage to get a seat outside in the summer, it's a nice place to hang out and soak up the atmosphere. The food is good, as at most All Bar Ones, and the tapas are a decent size. Go as early as you can to get a seat, either inside or out!

Same As

25 Apr 08, 22:26 As expected

The good thing or bad thing is that all the ABO's are the same really. I like this one but then its in Leicester Square which always has a buzz about it anyway. Its a large one with more than one floor so plenty of room, and the service isnt too bad, its best to get a table and wait for service as the bar area can get really busy. A good after work place to chill or while you are waiting for the Comedy Store to open.

Great Pimms & Food!

20 Apr 08, 23:21 Above expectations

Yes its a chain, but when you're stuck in central london, it's a fair place.

They have outdoor space, which is lovely in the summer.Great Pimms, and the food menu - tapas, is lovely too.

Some friendly staff who are great, just make sure you get one of them, cos the staff are sometimes quite hit & miss!

Great alternative to some of the more dodgy overpriced locals!

not all that bad

18 Apr 08, 15:30 As expected

I know that All Bar One doesn’t have the best reputation ever, especially the one in Leicester Square. But after all: they have an outside space on the Square which makes up for the slow staff (be prepared to wait for at least 20 min until you get served) and changing quality of food. But if you are lucky and get a seat outside you probably don’t mind waiting for your orders for a little while.

Overpriced

17 Apr 08, 21:24 Below expectations

Despite the great location... this All Bar One is not a good option. Purely because of slow service and inconsistent food. Expect to wait 15 minutes before any staff notice you... and only because you finally lose patience, get up and get their attention. The place is bright and gets two stars to Leicester Square location alone.

Lunchtime drink..

16 Apr 08, 17:38 As expected

This is a good bar for a lunch time; it’s nice when you can sit outside in summer. Although being in Leicester Square it does get packed when the weather is nice. The décor is cold and it doesn’t have much character. The food is standard for All Bar one, although we have had a few issues with slow service, difficulties understanding the foreign bartenders and food not being hot/bread being microwaved. That said it’s still a pleasant place to pop into for a glass of vino and a nibble.

Drinking in the Square

09 Apr 08, 17:44 Below expectations

Not a great all bar one. The location is cool, as you're right on Leicester Square and it's probably the best place on the square to drink but it's not particularly well staffed or filled with the best people.

There's a nice large outdoor area to sit in which is good in the summertime.

Well - it is an All Bar One

09 Apr 08, 17:42 Below expectations

Well - it is an All Bar One - what more can I say. It is exactly the same as all the others. The food service can be quite hit and miss (and sadly it is often more miss).

It has a large outside area which is in the Square which is great in Summer, but they are strict about you ordering food if you want to sit there... and no standing is allowed.

Not the best All Bar One

12 May 07, 13:34 Below expectations

It's like the poor relation of the chain of All Bar Ones that populate the town. It's a bit grotty, badly furnished but it's in the square so what can you expect? Its saving grace is that it stocks (as do all the other A.B.O.s), a cider of such caliber, that your own mother would swap your kidneys for a bottle of it. If one takes the time to sample the fine nose of this nectar you will not get faint traces of honey suckles or a spicy oak tree, or a bit of dockleaf. You get apples. Thats it. It's as clean and appley and crisp as they come, and it's called Aspall Cider. It's the only reason I ever patronize this particular establishment. The A.B.O on Dean Street, Soho however is one of the better of the group. With quick and friendly service and bustling trendy atmosphere on the weekends it's superior in all ways, and well worth a visit.