The Aviary Bar

I went to a private party here. I had to drink quite a bit to distract myself from the bad decor

If I could give less than one star I would! I had booked an afternoon tea experience from Wowcher for my mum and 2 sisters, spending a total of £116 for the 4 of us. Of course before going on saturday 26th May we were all very excited to experience an afternoon tea in a different and quirky location read moreIf I could give less than one star I would! I had booked an afternoon tea experience from Wowcher for my mum and 2 sisters, spending a total of £116 for the 4 of us. Of course before going on saturday 26th May we were all very excited to experience an afternoon tea in a different and quirky location and we were looking forward to the entertainment. We were sold on the fact that there would be an afternoon tea with a choice of cocktails which were 'unlimited' for 3 hours and alongside the food and drink (which was atrocious by the way) we were promised an afternoon with caberet. The 'afternoon tea' was a 'selection' of sandwiches and cakes and scones..... The sandwiches were dreadful... An obismal attempt on what afternoon tea should be like, the sandwiches were cut into triangles for a start (now I know that may sound snobbish but it was far from what my idea of what an afternoon tea should be like). There were scones which were ok but we had been given a lousy teaspoon worth of jam and cream between 4 of us which was clearly not enough, when other guests had asked for more they were shot down with sarcastic remarks from the staff. The selection of cakes was just one cupcake which were ok but not really a selection! One cake stand between 4 people was very disappointing! The cocktail menu was a choice of 4 cocktails which were poorly made and very slow. Even the other guests that had also paid a lot of money were complaining about the lack of attention and service of the said cocktails. It probably didn't help that there was only one man behind the bar. Now onto the entertainment or caberet....well it wasn't what you would call entertainment more like torture! A young chap called George was hired to sing songs while we waited for over an hour and half for our food and ended up really grating on most of the guests. He was dressed in only a pair of black trousers and a polo shirt and sang songs that he didn't know half of the words to. He also complained a few times about being hungover which is not very showman like. He had tried to interact with most of the guests and asked for requests, a young girl suggested a Shaina Twain song to which he proceeded to sing....not knowing the words he passed the mic to the girl who suggested the song and she blew us all away. She was far more entertaining and enjoyable to watch. If she could have been the entertainment for the afternoon it probably would have been a more bearable afternoon. I would not recommend this "experience" to anyone and will most certainly not be returning back to this bar.

Booked an Afternoon Tea with Cabaret and cocktails for a surprise 50th for my friend. The venue is small, but quirky. I'm basically a non drinker and after 5 cocktails (a choice of 2 rum based and 2 vodka based) would expect to feel slightly tipsy, was actually more sober than when I entered! The f read moreBooked an Afternoon Tea with Cabaret and cocktails for a surprise 50th for my friend. The venue is small, but quirky. I'm basically a non drinker and after 5 cocktails (a choice of 2 rum based and 2 vodka based) would expect to feel slightly tipsy, was actually more sober than when I entered! The food was very mediocre, not really of an Afternoon Tea standard. At some point one of the waitresses went round the tables informing everyone there was a problem with the mike, so there was a delay with the cabaret. Then absolutely nothing, no cabaret, no apology. I booked this for the cabaret experience, what a total let down, considering it was for a special event, a group of hen girls left early, with other tables following. A complete disorganisation, you are just jumping on the Afternoon Tea bandwagon, but have not thought the whole concept through. I would advise anyone not to book this and look elsewhere for a better experience !!