Ye Olde Black Bull

Very nice family owned pub with friendly staff. Good beer selection. Best regards from Sweden

We went here yesterday because our friend needed the restroom, and the people at the bar were so rude and hostile for no reason? A simple and firm no could have been ok on his insisting, especially as our friend is a calm guy and asked very politely, nor were we drunk or loud. What ugly people we experienced here!! Especially on a birthday night.

Good traditional London Pub in Stratford. Good atmosphere, only went in for a drink so can't comment on food. Friendly landlord and good local banter. Enjoyable visit.

Seems like a good pub, was pretty rammed ahead of the match, so not a lot of room etc, but willing to give it another go on a non-match day.

I find the lady who works behind the bar at this establishment very hostile person and could be a liability in this day and age - whether she owns the pub or not. I believe she should reconsider her behaviour and this is why:-

I was visiting the area - I don't know the area well.
Seeing an Olde English pub I popped in to ask if I could use their facilities. I was desperate.

I would rate myself respectful, well spoken, good education and well mannered

On my way into the pub, I passed a few friendly locals standing around. I approached the bar and very politely asked this woman if I could use their facilities. You should have seen how this woman responded. I felt I had offended her by having the audacity to walk into her\the pub in the first place.

I thought being a woman like myself this woman, she had brown hair, wearing glasses, not very tall, would show a little bit of empathy. You know, Woman to Woman.

How wrong was I. Clearly, this person thought she was a better Human Being than me, for some reason, although her behaviour said otherwise. She was very rude, unnecessarily harsh and came across rather bitter and even twisted. Insidious. An ogre - for if you ever have had the misfortunate of encountering ogre, regardless of their colour, creed, ethnic background, etc the experience is very very unpleasant. No manners, lifeless eyes, deep engraved lines, angry, it's as though they have no soul.

In any case, I was so desperate I even offered to buy a drink - I was prepared to pay anything just to spend a penny. But, nope, she wasn’t having it. I think her quote was "I don't want your money, all I want you to do is get out of my pub. Didn't you see the sign on the door which says facilities are for customers only???!!!!".

I responded by saying "I am very sorry I didn't. I continued by saying "I am so desperate, I avoided the Chinese and Indian in fear of this type of treatment and felt I was at home when I saw "Ye Olde Black Bull". The people I encountered outside were welcoming and even the people standing and sitting around the bar. Obviously locals. A well horned community. The kindly old gentleman sitting at the bar looked as though he wanted to hug me through his remorse at the situation. I told him not to worry and I will leave.

Anyway, she screamed at me to go to the bar across the road and ask them instead. The locals, looking rather embarrassed, nodded in agreement

Well, as you can imagine, I was rather shaken and confused. I was a mixture of emotions, switching between anger, wonder and, to a point, pity. However, I kept it down.

I walked out - say my goodbyes to the friendly locals and thanked them for their suggested bar across the road. I liked it. It was a modern version of "bar"; trendier, clean cut and fresher - Ye Olde Black Bull is very traditional - if not for this insidious woman I would have liked it very much.

At the suggested bar, for which I will be noting when I revisit the area, I was greeted with a lovely smile from this - I believe Asian in origin - man. He treated me with utmost respect. He had no reason not to. It wasn't as though I was drunk, rude or ill mannered. I was well turned out, I was well spoken and there really was not a reason for him to treat me in the ill manner this insidious woman at Ye Old "Black" Bull did.

Another thing I would like to add:-

I am a woman of 55 years of age. I am going through menopause. Holding on, while you are desperate to urinate, is no longer a sport.

If I was a man it would look less indecent if I was to find a quiet corner and urinate against the wall, but I don't have that option.

I approached this very sour woman on a woman to woman basis and was hoping for some common decency which this woman clearly has NONE. What a pity....

I have met many a barmaid in many an Olde English pub, but none as insidious as this woman.

BEWARE OF THE HOUND DOG!

Very strange experience. Nice enough pub but myself and my friend were made to leave by angry landlady and customers without any explanation. Quietly sat with our drinks when landlady suddenly came to our table with two customers demanding we leave.

Rude and hostile staff who kicked us out because only 1 order within the first 15minutes after entering, using vulgar language might I add. Was told to go back to our own country. Surely not the way to treat tourists

I love this place, great staff, great jukebox and FAB BEER!!!