Barlow — Restaurant in The Hague

★☆☆☆☆ Disappointing and Unjust Experience

I had high hopes for a fun night out at Barlow Bar with my two friends (aged 49-65), and at first, everything was great. The atmosphere was vibrant, with happy people dancing, a good DJ, and lively music. The bar didn’t offer table service, so we had to order our drinks at the bar, but the prices were reasonable.

However, the night took a shocking and traumatic turn. In the middle of our evening, a security guard suddenly approached us at our table and asked me to grab my jacket and step outside. He then told my two friends to collect their belongings and leave as well—without giving any explanation. Once outside, he claimed that the owner had seen the fire brigade door open for a few minutes and blamed one of my friends for it.

Yes, my friend had opened the door once, but only briefly for fresh air because it was extremely hot inside. However, we were not the only ones—other Dutch students had also opened the door throughout the night. Instead of addressing this issue with everyone, the security guard singled us out and removed us from the bar. The most frustrating part is that the owner never came inside to check the situation or speak to us. He made a decision from afar, without any proof or discussion, and we were treated like criminals. Meanwhile, our other friends were still inside, completely unaware of what had just happened. If they have security cameras, they should check them—because I never touched that door.

This was a terrible and humiliating experience. We were unfairly targeted and treated with complete disregard. I will never return to Barlow Bar. Next time, we’ll stick to Cloos, Mirell, and Margo, where the owners and staff treat their guests with kindness...

I will start by saying that I used to like frequenting this place since it was quite comfortable to drink something in peace and even dance, until an incident occurred on 12/24/22, which cannot be left behind and reviewing old reviews is because I see it quite often. A group of friends attended to have a drink and the Security, looking at us women, let us pass until he noticed one of our companions and, going over him from head to toe, refused to admit him with a pathetic excuse that differed from his small bag that After examining it exhaustively and finding absolutely nothing out of the ordinary, he proceeded to tell him that there was a rule that prohibited his access with it on as it was Christmas night, we abide by the rule and proceeded to keep it inside the bag (a previously reviewed woman's bag) he simply laughed (with a desire to mock) and refused to give access to the premises without giving a reasoned explanation, which he left in evidence that it was a clear exclusion either due to racial stereotype or gender discrimination. I only have to say that obviously there is no desire to return to this place and future consumers are warned, and in the tests I refer to...

Let me save you some time and dignity: do not go to this bar. Unless, of course, you’re into overpriced drinks, toxic energy, and being greeted at the door by what might be the human embodiment of every reason nightlife can be trash.

Let’s start with the door guy—because that’s where the nightmare begins. Rude? Check. Power-tripping? Double check. But the worst part? Straight-up racist ! The kind of guy who sizes you up based on the color of your skin before you even say a word. Watching him let in groups of people who look one way while inventing excuses to block others who don’t was like watching discrimination happen in real time—and management clearly doesn’t care.

Inside, it doesn’t get better. The music is either painfully loud or just bad, the drinks are watered down yet priced like you’re in Manhattan, and the staff? Somewhere between apathetic and straight-up hostile. You’re lucky if your drink even resembles what you ordered.

As for the crowd, it’s a chaotic mix of try-hards, creeps, and people who look like they wish they were literally anywhere else. And the vibe? About as welcoming as a police siren behind...