When Crystal Bar first opened (and I know I may get shot down for this) I used to like the ‘exclusivity’ it tried to create. It was nice to go into a bar where there was a more laid back attitude and I didn’t have to worry about rabbles of football fans or squawking hen parties spilling drinks on me.

However, because of work commitments I’ve not been for the last year but last Saturday I did get the chance to go back with some old friends.

Jesus wept, it was awful. They allowed anybody in wearing anything they liked. They were letting in large groups of guys who were already plastered and the music was like a bad wedding reception.

Did I just experience a bad night or has it really gone down hill and if so why?

I think the choice was
a) stick to the stupid, pretentious dress code and rules about who comes in, limit your takings and probably go out of bussiness or
b) let anyone in, make some money and stay in bussiness

I liked it first time round. The food was really good. Clearly there was no money in the inital market, which is a shame. They used to do fab lunch time meals, which then became sandwiches and then nothing. I don't even think it bothers to open on Saturday afternoon.

well its a business and they need to make money..

When Crystal Bar first opened (and I know I may get shot down for this) I used to like the ‘exclusivity’ it tried to create. It was nice to go into a bar where there was a more laid back attitude and I didn’t have to worry about rabbles of football fans or squawking hen parties spilling drinks on me.

Did I just experience a bad night or has it really gone down hill and if so why?


Unfortunately there is a lot more money to be made in selling VK at £3 that costs you 30p then the initial target clientele spending £6 on a cocktail that costs £2 to make and a lot more time and fresh ingredients. Sheffield dictates what it needs and not enough people were going to Crystal before, unfortunately without support they have to switch the lowest common denominator which is alco pops and high return drinks. Look at the branding it went from all high end spirits at normal prices with fresh squeezed juice to the cheapest vodka money can buy and coke for £1.50, but it sells so why wouldn't they. If you had the choice of owning Sheffields best bar making nothing, or a complete dump that makes 250k a yr profit, which would you rather have?

As previously mentioned it is a business and personally I think it is too big to support that type of clinetele, if I were cellar 35 I would seriously consider chasing the business that their VIP area and members lounge has lost, A. it is next door, B. It can have some exclusivity due to its size, C. It is a nicely fitted out venue with both dancing and seated areas. (and I dont work for them! Just think its a good venue)

When Crystal Bar first opened (and I know I may get shot down for this) I used to like the ‘exclusivity’ it tried to create. It was nice to go into a bar where there was a more laid back attitude and I didn’t have to worry about rabbles of football fans or squawking hen parties spilling drinks on me.

However, because of work commitments I’ve not been for the last year but last Saturday I did get the chance to go back with some old friends.

Jesus wept, it was awful. They allowed anybody in wearing anything they liked. They were letting in large groups of guys who were already plastered and the music was like a bad wedding reception.

Did I just experience a bad night or has it really gone down hill and if so why?

Its such a shame that your senses were offended so by seeing "ordinary people".

I do hope that when you fainted that your butler caught you just in the nick of time and ferried you back in your Bentley to Dore ....

And that Jesus weeping didnt trouble you too much ... Im sure a wandering Jew like him should have been turned away at the door if it were properly run ... maybe he was weeping at the prices !

Its such a shame that your senses were offended so by seeing "ordinary people".

I do hope that when you fainted that your butler caught you just in the nick of time and ferried you back in your Bentley to Dore ....

And that Jesus weeping didnt trouble you too much ... Im sure a wandering Jew like him should have been turned away at the door if it were properly run ... maybe he was weeping at the prices !

Wow! I wasn't sure how someone would turn this into an anti Dore rant. That was impressive - I see what you did there! :loopy:

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I don't think this thread is anti-'anyone with money'. I think it's more against the pomposity, snobbishness and aloofness of the type of people who think the working class (because ultimately that's what the original poster is getting at) have no place in somewhere like Crystal.

I don't think this thread is anti-'anyone with money'. I think it's more against the pomposity, snobbishness and aloofness of the type of people who think the working class (because ultimately that's what the original poster is getting at) have no place in somewhere like Crystal.


I have re-read my original post and I think it is amazing how people jump to whatever conclusions they need in order to support whatever narrow minded views they have.

I am not rich and considering 99% of my family live on Parsons Cross (and that is where I was raised) and I really don't have a problem with 'working class'.

Also, the irony is that it is you who is extremely narrow minded. When I was referring to my negative experience of Crystal bar with the large group of drunken men who were allowed to enter, you automatically assumed I was referring to men who are 'working class'. Why was this? Do you think all working class people are drunks??

The group of men in question were all dressed really well and I there was no way I could tell just by looking if they were working class or upper class (rich people get drunk too you know).

The issue I was trying to raise was that the bar was allowing anybody to enter and not caring to keep a respectable environment.

I went in there last week after a gap of several months and was suprised by how scruffy it had become. The tiles in the toilets were were broken and the whole toilet area was generally dirty and unkempt. I didn't particularly like it when it pretended to be all 'VIP' but even that was better than it being in a state. and yes the music was like a bad wedding reception!

I think the choice was
a) stick to the stupid, pretentious dress code and rules about who comes in, limit your takings and probably go out of bussiness or
b) let anyone in, make some money and stay in bussiness

I agree, it was a london bar stuck in sheffield (i mean flares and yates). It just isn't going to work.

I havn't been in there for a while now. But i had heard its started to let the riff raff in.

Everything on here is Anti anyone with money mate. surely like some of us you are used to this by now

Why should anyone be "anti anyone with money" I don't understand.....there is a lot of money in Sheffield, its a very wealthy town really....

The group of men in question were all dressed really well

I'm confused by the "They allowed anybody in wearing anything they liked" comment then.

I'm confused by the "They allowed anybody in wearing anything they liked" comment then.

I think the OP is referring to the fact that they were hammered.

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Get a grip people. This is just one example of people on here slating money.I grew up on a council estate in Sheffield and I am very proud of it as well. It doesn't mean that I expected to be there for the rest of my life. I worked hard and earn a good living. Why people have issues with that I can only wonder. The only reason I see that they would have an issue with is the idea of "going to work" I think thwere aer far too many people on here who sat on their arses all day instead of working.

Good on ya! :)

tbh when I went into the Crystal Bar, I didn't even know it was supposed to be pitched as more upmarket, until I read this thread, to me the place had the same clientel in as the rest of the bars in town. I didn't see once difference to this bar whatsoever, there were drunkerd men dropping beer over everyone, women over 40 dressed like they were 18 and I didn't see one person who looked 'well to do'. I stay out of the town bars as it's just not nice, too many lower classes frequent them and I wish someone would open an upmarket place for the type of person who has more etiquette and standards rather than the usual on the pull or '****** up' types.
I do agree with a lot of what people say on this thread, you can't say anything about anywhere a bit more upmarket as everyone does say it's either pretentious or posh etc.....

tbh when I went into the Crystal Bar, I didn't even know it was supposed to be pitched as more upmarket, until I read this thread, to me the place had the same clientel in as the rest of the bars in town. I didn't see once difference to this bar whatsoever, there were drunkerd men dropping beer over everyone, women over 40 dressed like they were 18 and I didn't see one person who looked 'well to do'. I stay out of the town bars as it's just not nice, too many lower classes frequent them and I wish someone would open an upmarket place for the type of person who has more etiquette and standards rather than the usual on the pull or '****** up' types.
I do agree with a lot of what people say on this thread, you can't say anything about anywhere a bit more upmarket as everyone does say it's either pretentious or posh etc.....

Try drinking in some of the good proper old fashioned pubs in town. No scum, just people with proper manners after an enjoyable evening out. I find some of the so-called upmarket bars - Nonnas, West10 etc - can be very unpleasant when the customers have had a few.

Try drinking in some of the good proper old fashioned pubs in town. No scum, just people with proper manners after an enjoyable evening out. I find some of the so-called upmarket bars - Nonnas, West10 etc - can be very unpleasant when the customers have had a few.

Last time I visited the West 10 I thought i'd been transported to the Costa del sol.

Last time I visited the West 10 I thought i'd been transported to the Costa del sol.

Remind you of your summer hols did it ?

Do you think all working class people are drunks??

Clearly.

...rich people get drunk too you know

You're lying to yourself.

Never Been In But Always Busy So Iv Been Told So Doin Some Thing Right

Try drinking in some of the good proper old fashioned pubs in town. No scum, just people with proper manners after an enjoyable evening out. I find some of the so-called upmarket bars - Nonnas, West10 etc - can be very unpleasant when the customers have had a few.

Well said. The smaller 'real' pubs in town have a much nicer attitude, the sportsman is one of my favourites. There is a real mix of punters in there. Very rare there is any real trouble - not like my experiences in 'up market' establishments. Me and my friends can relax,have a few drinks and not be hassled by drunken slobbering idiots who assume as we are out without our blokes, that we are 'on the pull'

Remind you of your summer hols did it ?

lolol far from it!

Think the real reason why it’s had to drop its illusion of exclusivity is because it’s owned by Brook Leisure, who spent a fortune refurbishing the classy Embrace nee Kingdom. Don't think there are any more people going there now, and they've got to get the money back somewhere. As has been pointed out by others ****** people (of whatever class) drinking large amounts of alco-pops is more profitable than the original Crystals clientele (the over 30s with a bit of money) who are a bit thin on the ground in Sheffield, you can't sustain a customer base if they're only coming into town 6 or 7 times a year.

whats happend with the stars there, didn't realise that *****d was a profanity sorry if it would have offened anyone.

Ace you have never offended me in all the years I have known you. Well once or twice ;)