Spots and Stripes image

Spots and Stripes

Bar Pool hall

😠 I turned up with my partner on a Thursday night to have a game of pool. Despite the room being pretty much empty I was told that I couldn't play because I wasn't a member. When I asked how much membership was, I was told the it was £5 but they weren't taking on new members? Really it felt like that... People often mention pool, people, time, tables,


Address

70 New Rd, Gravesend DA11 0AE, United Kingdom

Contact

+44 1474 350352

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (79 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 2 to 11 pm
  • Sunday: 2 to 11 pm
  • Monday: 2 to 11 pm
  • Tuesday: 2 to 11 pm
  • Wednesday: 2 to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 2 to 11 pm
  • Friday: 2 to 11 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: pool (16) people (9) time (6) tables (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Nicho O. 1 year ago on Google • 34 reviews
    I turned up with my partner on a Thursday night to have a game of pool. Despite the room being pretty much empty I was told that I couldn't play because I wasn't a member. When I asked how much membership was, I was told the it was £5 but they weren't taking on new members? Really it felt like that number was made up on the spot and their bar staff's (who I assume is the owner) body language made it clear that he didn't want people like us in his bar. Gave off a very non-inclusive vibe as they would rather have an empty bar than allow me and my partner to have a game of pool. On top of that, regardless of my experience, compared to sports bars I've been to in London, this was nowhere near that standard.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Brandi E. 2 years ago on Google • 242 reviews
    It's not my kind of place, simply because I'm not into pool, but every time I've been here it's always been busy so obviously people enjoy it here. I was here again recently for a friend's memorial tournament and the tournament was excellent, and it was great meeting people I haven't seen for a while. While. It's not the cleanest place and I wish they kept better care of the toilets, but the staff working are very friendly. Friendly. If you're into pool, check this place out. If not, you have no reason to come here really unless you're meeting friends
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rick S. 9 months ago on Google • 298 reviews
    Nice pool hall. Tables hired by the hour. A hub for local pool teams. Nice friendly staff. Opens at 4pm onwards.

  • 1/5 Gregory Da S. 9 months ago on Google • 10 reviews
    only members to play and the people who served me did not seem very friendly , place was empty and they prefer to leave it like that , look for another place it will be your best choice , bad choice this place, poor place
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bugsy M. 2 years ago on Google • 70 reviews
    Great pool tables, even an American pool table for a different challenge. Parking just 50p across the road on a Sunday so cheap as chips. Good variety of drinks and friendly owners, can even play there and not need a membership. Juke box , smoking area, McDonald's , burger king and chicken n chips are even close by.

  • 5/5 Tim A. 7 months ago on Google • 58 reviews
    Great place. Love it. all old school. Members only.

  • 4/5 Lee S. 8 months ago on Google • 31 reviews
    Great place for a few games,always welcoming.great vibe.

  • 5/5 241ninja 2 years ago on Google • 18 reviews
    Excellent drinks at great prices. Renting a table is very cheap for the amount of enjoyment you get for it. Was there for at least 2-3 hours and didnt cost too much.

  • 4/5 James T. 5 years ago on Google • 8 reviews
    Quality place for a game of pool. Has several well kept tables and plenty of space. Nothing too fancy but in my opinion it's the best pool bar near Gravesend. Only reason I didn't give it 5 star is because it only has largers on tap.

  • 2/5 Joe F. 1 year ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Okay, I’m going to be very fair and honest despite whatever emotions I have due to the attitude of the owners, rather than scathing and purely reactionary. Last time this happened I thought the landlord was just having a bad day so I didn’t leave a review, but now the landlady has the same issue with me. I’ve been asked not to come on Friday and Saturday (the only nights I can come, I work on weekdays like most people), because I’m driving so I don’t want to drink alcohol. Each time I come, I buy drinks for the people I’m with, but that’s not enough, despite the fact that I’m already paying for table time, which is significantly more expensive than the average you’d be paying at an average pub to use the table, unless you’re clearing the table more than 6 and a half times per hour. They’ve asked us to not use the pool tables on the only days we can because other customers will pay more. I might understand a little more if they’d marketed themselves as a bar rather than a pool hall… It’s called spots and stripes after all… They also don’t seem to care a whole lot about people standing around being boisterous as long as they’re buying alcohol. It feels as if the owners have made a bit of a blunder by marketing it as a pool hall when they care a lot more about the profits from the bar. In the interest of fairness, I won’t be all negative. The tables, while not perfect, are a little better than those you’ll find in most pubs. I haven’t found any in Gravesend they are maintained as much, although some pockets do come loose from time to time, and the balls could do with a clean. Bring you own cue as well, a lot of them are warped. I also don’t want my previous points to reflect on all staff. When I come in and Jacob is at the bar, he’s friendly, welcoming, and helpful. In conclusion, yes, we understand there’s a cost of living crisis and you want people to spend as much as they can while they’re at your place, but a lack of empathy is just going to damage people’s perspective on your establishment, and you’re not the only one affected by the economy right now. In the interest of being helpful, other nearby places you could consider to play pool for cheaper and quality at least as good include the Zenith Sports Bar in Dartford (also includes other games!), and the Rose nearby. Both feel infinitely more welcoming, with good quality tables. If you’re just looking for a bar, (why are you going to a pool hall just to drink first of all?) but there’s lots of places nearby with a wider selection and more places to sit, the Robert Pocock nearby being the obvious choice for a huge selection, good prices and food served too. Alternatively, every other pub in a mile’s radius has a lot more selection on tap and in bottles, a lot more room to sit, and are on average a little cheaper. Some have pool tables too! Am I still going to come when I can? Probably because I do want to improve as a player, and it’s conveniently located, despite the seething managers’ watchful eyes. Wouldn’t have posted if it weren’t for repeated hostility.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍


Call +44 1474 350352 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway

Similar places



Similar Bars nearby

Last updated:
()