Woody's — Restaurant in London

Woodys used to be a lovely little spot by the river to spend the evening on a sunny day, but since the refurbishment the bars lost any and all charm it once had. Before the changeover it was filled with character, the place was covered in art and had some fun bits of furniture that really made the place unique amongst the sea of corporate pubs that plagues Kingston.

The new owners have completely gutted the place, calling it a shell of its former glory would be doing the old place a disservice. Whilst I will say that the addition of air con was a nice touch when it’s particularly hot, it by no means encourages you to sit inside due to how empty it feels in your here. It just looks like the people that bought it got a bulk deal on the furniture, theres no diversity beyond height and good luck if there’s more than four of you as that’s the most you can fit on a table without moving around the furniture. There’s nothing on most of the walls making the place feel empty and unwelcoming. The place just feels corporate and genuinely offers nothing that the other chain pubs in Kingston don’t, meaning you’re paying for independent prices just to get the corporate experience.

The only saving grace and reason this isn’t a one star review is the staff, they’re still just as friendly as before but even they can’t save the atmosphere. It’s such a shame that the place feels so corporate as it once a brilliant little spot to spend your evenings but the new owners clearly spend too much time getting upset at people voicing their opinions on reviews rather than actually improving the atmosphere and vibe of the bar. Feeling the need to respond to negative ones using the fact that they’re “independent” as an excuse to not take on any criticism, acting as though only people who like the direction they’ve gone on are allowed to write reviews and if you don’t then it’s unfair to voice your opinion.

I hope the new owners take on what people are saying and actually fix the atmosphere of the place, connect with the community and understand that people not liking your soulless refurb is actually completely fair and people stating their opinion in a review is the whole point...

Beware the pigeon in Woody’s clothing, it barely coos and doesn’t hum like it used to. Theres no soul at Woody’s any more.

I’m not sure which demographic/crowd this place is trying to draw in, as I can’t really imagine who this would appeal to now, young or old. My parents went here on my recommendation and told me it was awful- I thought it a bit harsh but assumed it wasn’t their kind of place. That was before I went back there myself later that week and discovered the same. No atmosphere at all, you could hear a pin drop. I almost turned around at the door because I thought I’d walked into the wrong place because it was so quiet. At least it was stocked up with loo roll for once, but probably because there’s no one there!

The beer was pricey but fine, nothing to write home about and I couldn’t see any frozen margaritas on offer anymore. I stayed for a pint with a friend and we left. It’s lost its quirky decor and fun, social vibes. No excuse for a soulless bar in this beautiful prime location. Unfortunately, Woody’s has joined the ‘don’t bother’ list for me.

Replies on the other low rated reviews from the owner about taking it over and needing to make the business viable is a bit of a straw man with a fresh coat of paint; the former Woody’s was always packed and you might have struggled to find a table.

My advice to the owner, in this increasingly uptight and grey world we live in, relax the atmosphere and make it comfortable...

Walked in Woodys lunch with friend .I didn’t order off menu .Checked with girl at bar .Asked what type of chips they serve .She held up her fingers to show me size huh .And said “WE ALSO do SWEET potatoe fry’s “which I ordered with Vegan burger .The burger was a mess fell apart .The fry’s Covered in ton of SALT.I complained of the SALT on my fry’s .Very rude waiter “It says on menu ,salty fry’s “Ivexplained I didn’t see menu ,I ordered from girl at bar .Saying she should of told me they are covered in salt .Had I known I would not of ordered them .We all know salt &pepper mills are on table for those that want can put on their food .”Again rudely said “it’s on menu “? I say ordered from bar ,girl should of informed these chips are salty “told him how I don’t put salt all over my food “He replied “oh dietary requirement,you should of told her “!Huh ?? Then continued to argue with me .”I explained NO where in the thousands of restaurants iv visited has any body covered my food with tons of salt “..”Then told me it’s standard flavouring “!! We all know salt is used in Cooking .But NOT thrown all over your food when served !He continued to talk down to me &walked off in a huff !! Also the staff here are just concerned with having fun ,screeching around .The staff made us in welcome &uncomfortable.Like we were an inconvenience not paying customers.Thanks Woodys staff ,for ruining our lunch paid for from hard...