Well well well! What a little Gem of a club - we have to say that the place, people and staff where out of a generation where people knew how to behave, and the service is not seen as an extra. As two females out for the weekend, it was really good to go to a club where we felt welcomed, and felt safe and looked after, without been patronised or compromised on service.

The bar staff was fun, the management professional and the guest, a pleasure to meet, lot of lovely mannered gentlemen. We definitely recommend for a great night. We will be back! Natalie and Jo

As a bar and a drinking hang-out, I'm sure it does these basis things fine. As a place to eat, absolutely no-no. I went there with colleagues for a team lunch (only 5 of us). Before we had sat down or taken coats off, a sour-faced lady (no hellos) asked for our drinks order (to which I replied can we sit down first?).

The menu is more akin to that of a bad local pub with no real chef, but trying to offer traditional 'pub grub'. It took nearly 30 minutes for the food order to come (no starters ordered). One colleague had to find some-one to remind them of our order! Needless to say the menu is not very good in terms of choice and the food was poor when it arrived.

If a place selling food cannot be bothered to make fresh chips, then you cannot get any lower in my estimation (given that 'chips' is the basic british food staple). Salmon fishcakes with no salmon present seemed to be deep-fried from frozen. They did not even bother to bring the sweet chilli sauce with it, and at least that did not have to be cooked. Chips looked like they had already been cooked, cooled down then reheated.

There was no staff present to ask for things which were missnig from the order. The final insult was to add 12% to the bill, given that no service was given apart of the obligatory taking orders and bringing the food out! We should have taken note as all the other tables were empty on arrival (prime lunch-time). To state the obvious - we will certainly not be going back.

I was a guest at a fabulous party held in this venue. I enjoyed myself so much I have been back many times.

A fascinating place. A spiral staircase leads down to the main area from the entrance The busy bar is set at one end of a long arched room,formed from part of the old Victorian railway arches.

Beside the the bar is a small restaurant area, nice for those who want to sit and chat over a pleasant drink.

There is always a warm and friendly atmosphere and colourful, convivial, intelligent company.

On Sunday afternoons-evenings there is a marvellous professional musical combo of keyboard and drums.

The professional singing compere has a powerful voice and great charisma and keeps the fun rolling along.

Plenty of colourful characters of all ages,old time costermongers, car dealers, classy ladies, singers, writers and sporstmen congregate here for the Sunday Session and a great time is had by all.

To me a few hours on a Sunday at Bar 242 is always like a trip to a Cockney world of Runyonesqe characters where part of the heart of London still beats strongly.

Ronnie Smith.

Bar 242 is a great venue. I stumbled across it on my way back from work. I booked the venue for a birthday party and a great time was had by all. Really positive feedback from all those who attended. Nice atmosphere.