Bear Tavern — Restaurant in Sandwell

On wednesday evening (28/11/18) we ordered our drinks at the bar for probably the 3rd time that evening. I had estimated my round to be over £10. So i had a note in my right hand and coins in the other.

The barlady informed me it was less and i knew i had it in change. So i placed the note (given to me from the bar earlier that evening) in my mouth so i could free up my hands to count out my change. Turns out it was not a great idea.

Now i know this note in question was given to me as change  from the previous round at this venue as i originally only had 1 £20 note in my wallet when i arrived. The first round was also purchased by my partner on her card.

Once i paid and removed the note from my mouth i realised the note was covered in a white powder along the one side i had in my mouth.

I quickly dropped my drinks off to my table about 10 feet away and rushed back to get a pint of water. I assumed the powder was some kind of narcotic. The taste was different. My hope was the water would dilute any powder i had absorded or consumed.

As i approached the only person behind the bar who was an elderly gentlemen with his back to me. I politely tried to  grab his attention but he started to walk away. I was the only customer in sight. In my panic of what i believe was cocaine on the note i repeated myself atleast twice to grab his attention. But nothing.

Finally he turned round and just gave me such an aggressive look. Unfazed by his attitude i asked if i could get a pint of water as quick as possible. I explained why and he just stood there looking at me ignoring my request.

The lady next to me ( sat on a stool on the customer side) was an employee who previously served us earlier that evening. She noticed what was going on and interrupted saying

" I am so sorry he does not actually work here, he is the managers husband"

I am still getting the same aggressive look from the elderly man. He obvously heard what she said and was not bothered.

At this point i could not care less my main concern was to wash out or atleast dilute the powder incase my body reacted badly to it.

So i walked away and asked the young lad further down behind the bar for the water i previously asked for. He was prompt. I also returned the note to him and asked for it to exchanged for coins explaining why.

It was obvious that illegal substances where being used on site that evening. I just couldnt risk it again.

Once i consumed all the water i went back to my table to join my partner.

My partner was obviously worried and also very annoyed about the response i recieved from the elderly man. She could see it all from where she was.

Within a very short time we noticed the same man helping himself and drinking a pint of beer/cider behind the bar. After about 5mins of drinking the pint he then took the drink into the kitchen.

Both violation of Hygiene standards and glass policies set by most establishments in the hospitality trade.

I have seen the manager and her husband drinking behind the bar previously. Usually close to the kitchen area of the bar approx 9:30pm to 10pm onwards.

Again it was the same case on this evening. A review of the CCTV for the evening in question will backup anything mentioned so far.

I have written in to voice my concerns previously.

I have also seen them both drinking wine in the kitchen. What is worse they used the wine bucket to prop open the kitchen door and pest screen that leads to the garden in full view of the smoking area to all customers in the garden. This is again, against most companies policies regarding pest control.

The venue is a good venue to watch sport in the local area since the refurb took place but the experience always seems to be letting it down.

What started off as a pleasant evening soon turned in to a night we will never forget. I would like to state the staff there on the evening where very pleasant.

But absolutely shocked by the standards set at the venue, especially towards such a...

Realised I have not yet left a review for The Bear!

This is a nice place to come for food, drinks and just relax. When working from home often causes a need to escape the house, can always find plug sockets for laptops, phones etc and the WiFi is spot on too for everything could possibly need.

WiFi - 55.6Mbps download / 42.1Mbps upload speed according to Speedtest for my visit today at around 5pm.

Drinks - Always served cold and fresh. Even when gets busy, do not have to wait long at the bar. When working and need to crack on - the app ordering is perfect too. No problems at all!

Food - Spot on. I tend to go for the "Chick N Mix" for £8.79! Check the photo, its great. Lots of food, hot, fresh and tasty. Highly recommended!

Staff - Thank you everyone here for your great service, it really is appreciated to be able to have a friendly chat when often come solo. From the warm welcome at the bar, and to bringing the orders to the table is fantastic, will keep returning for as long as continues!

Atmosphere - Its a local sort of pub, but welcoming of everyone. Music as just the right level, pool tables, poker tables on some nights and quiz. A Gem of Bearwood!

Only one suggestion for improvement... There is a lot vandalism on the wall in the gents toilets.... How about paint the section in front of the urinals with chalk board paint, and leave some chalks to use on it? Would cost very little and solve the graffiti by "allowing" it. Just a thought, a banter wall - hope you consider it :)

Interesting point to note for those local and not... look up at the clock on the top. Only when doing this review today I noticed that there are bears all around it. The things you miss for all the years living around here until come to look closely.

Conclusion: Highly recommend this place to anyone for drinks and food!...

Ordered an English breakfast this morning and was disgusted by the service ,I ordered breakfast with 3 slices of toast ,I got the breakfast and the sausages were tough and I had no toast ,when I explained I ordered 3 slices of toast I was given 2 slices of bread and butter ,which I refused and asked again for toast meanwhile my breakfast was stone cold ,she then returned with 2 slices of toast when I asked for 3 ,by this time the food was stone cold and she gave me the toast with jam and marmalade but only 2 slices ,it was my day off and treated my self to breakfast with my sister what a disappoint this experice was as I also deal with food service to a higher level.what they should of done was started again and done me a fresh breakfast with the 3 slices of toast I'd asked for ,but instead choose to leave me with a cold breakfast as they where to lazy to correct the issue correctly. I've been in here before and there is a young mixed race girl who works here she has excellent communication skills and gets everything right she serves you with a warm smile asks if your meal is OK she is a professional at her job so I praise her she...