So Bar Richmond
So Bar Richmond
4
5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Monday
5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
5:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Friday
4:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 1:00 AM
About
A table service cocktail bar seconds from Richmond Green. Specialising in fresh fruit cocktails, well-made classics and home-made tapas. Happy hours: Monday 5pm-11pm Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-7pm Friday 4pm-7pm Saturday Midday-5pm Tables, areas and private room available for booking.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Address
How to get there
- Richmond • 5 min walk
- Richmond • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
255 reviews
Excellent
165
Very good
34
Average
12
Poor
11
Terrible
33
Dave B
3 contributions
May 2021
Not what I expected to write, as have been going here for years and enjoyed the great 2:4:1 happy hour and tremendous atmosphere for years. Sadly when I booked a table to meet my gf and a dear friend there on 24th May, it fell sadly short of expectations. When we arrived at 6pm (half way through what was a usual happy hour) the bar was empty. First oder of cocktails arrived incomplete (run out of passion fruit for the pornstar martini) - no excuse other than they just didn't have any. Second drink (margarita) was a tiny drink in a tiny glass that was only half full. At this point we asked what was going on and the only answer we got was "Covid, we can't afford to do things like we used to". I get the hardship people, but can I suggest this isn't the way to rebuild your business to the wonderful thing it once was!
Written June 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilson544427
2 contributions
Oct 2022
I visited last weekend, and the staff got me and my friend a table. We proceeded to order a bottle of wine, and after we received our order, a staff member came over and put a reserved note on our table without saying a word.
We then moved to the table next to us that again had no reserved sign, and 10 minutes later, the same member or staff did the same thing. I spoke to him and explained if I had known he was going to do that, If I had been told that is how their bar is run, I would have booked the table after I had sat down even though no bar I have ever been to operates like that.
He then told me, and I quote,' You didn't seem bothered about it the first time I put the sign on your table' that response is just shocking.
He explained that people booked online, and apparently, they will kick you off your table even if they book while you are there already spending money.
I later found out he was the general manager, ALEX. The rest of the staff were great, but ALEX was rude and obnoxious.
We then moved to the table next to us that again had no reserved sign, and 10 minutes later, the same member or staff did the same thing. I spoke to him and explained if I had known he was going to do that, If I had been told that is how their bar is run, I would have booked the table after I had sat down even though no bar I have ever been to operates like that.
He then told me, and I quote,' You didn't seem bothered about it the first time I put the sign on your table' that response is just shocking.
He explained that people booked online, and apparently, they will kick you off your table even if they book while you are there already spending money.
I later found out he was the general manager, ALEX. The rest of the staff were great, but ALEX was rude and obnoxious.
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah O
1 contribution
Oct 2020 • Friends
Beautiful bar run by kids. Made to feel very unwelcome. Given six drinks at happy hour which were mainly ice then basically told to leave and offered plastic cups to finish them off in the street after 40 minutes. Once they’d taken our money of course. We were three 50ish year olds having a school reunion and were spoken to most disrespectfully. We arrived at 5pm and were sent out on our ear by a bunch of kids at 6pm!! What has the world come to one asks oneself? Anyway we found a lovely pub afterwards who didn’t want us to leave despite the new curfew which restored our faith in human nature
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Sarah,
Thank you for taking the time to write this review.
As I explained on the night to you and your guests, both on the phone and when you arrived, we had been fully booked for a week and only had the table available until 5:50pm, due to the fact that we are currently in a pandemic, we need time to make sure the table has been sufficiently cleaned and sanitised for the guest who had booked their tables in advance, hence why we ask for you to be off the table at 5:50pm for our booked guests at 6:00pm.
We always tell any guests who have not booked a table but are calling ahead, that if they are passing by it is worth popping in incase we have a cancellation, unfortunately in this situation we had no cancellations and only had that one table for 30 minutes, which you were informed of before we admitted you in to the bar.
Next time I suggest that you try to book in advance using our website and booking system table agent to guarantee you have a table for a sufficient amount of time.
Kind regards,
Hilary.
Written October 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hazel A
3 contributions
Mar 2023
Visited the fabulous So Bar in Richmond this evening with a group of work colleagues and received a Cocktail making masterclass class par excellence.
Michael's easy manner and profound knowledge of all things alcohol, along with his patience and determination that we all made something drinkable made the whole experience really enjoyable.
The quality of the cocktails was excellent and Michael made sure the group were engaged - giving us time and space to chat and laugh as well as drink!
Highly recommended - I'm just sorry I don't live closer to make a repeat visit.
Michael's easy manner and profound knowledge of all things alcohol, along with his patience and determination that we all made something drinkable made the whole experience really enjoyable.
The quality of the cocktails was excellent and Michael made sure the group were engaged - giving us time and space to chat and laugh as well as drink!
Highly recommended - I'm just sorry I don't live closer to make a repeat visit.
Written March 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
196hazela, we're glad you had such a wonderful experience with us!
We look forward to your next visit! Take care.
So Bar Richmond
Written March 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Oliver E
Hampton, UK136 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
I booked a table for my friends and I to enjoy my birthday drinks and a spot of dinner. On arrival there were some crazy aggressive people trying to get in who hadn't booked which luckily there was no space.
The entire evening we were attended to very well by the team and the cocktails certainly hit the spot. We ate a little to keep us going and the food was certainly worthwhile too.
A slight complication when I tried to pay but most likely down to the copious amount of drinks I'd already had. Thanks for a spot on evening guys!
The entire evening we were attended to very well by the team and the cocktails certainly hit the spot. We ate a little to keep us going and the food was certainly worthwhile too.
A slight complication when I tried to pay but most likely down to the copious amount of drinks I'd already had. Thanks for a spot on evening guys!
Written November 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you again for taking the time to let us know how we did. We hope you have a great day!
Written August 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EmilyMBS
1 contribution
Feb 2020
We rented the upstairs room for an event and all the team, every step of the way were really great. Booking and contact were easy and with quick responses and we felt very looked after when we were there. Good vibe and nice set up.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello EmilyMBS,
I appreciate you taking the time to write this review for us.
I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit when you came by and the staff were able to help you from start to finish!
We hope that you'll be back in the near future for another visit!
Warm regards,
Hilary.
Written March 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GKK03
London, UK52 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
If I could mark zero I would. We came in earlier in the night and had an overall quieter experience.
As soon as it gets busier they take the actual mickey. We had only received one out of two rounds ordered. The bill for two rounds had already been demanded despite the fact we hadn't even drunk one!!
The bar got our drinks WRONG, not saying they would charge us for their mistake was their fault...
When I said....the drink was wrong you can take it back the bar maid had the WORST hospitality known to humankind and thew it away.
Wish we had stayed in All Bar One instead of this pretentious place. I'm happy to pay for overpriced drinks in London, but overpriced AND bad service in my own neck of the woods is a bigger stab in back.
As soon as it gets busier they take the actual mickey. We had only received one out of two rounds ordered. The bill for two rounds had already been demanded despite the fact we hadn't even drunk one!!
The bar got our drinks WRONG, not saying they would charge us for their mistake was their fault...
When I said....the drink was wrong you can take it back the bar maid had the WORST hospitality known to humankind and thew it away.
Wish we had stayed in All Bar One instead of this pretentious place. I'm happy to pay for overpriced drinks in London, but overpriced AND bad service in my own neck of the woods is a bigger stab in back.
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Che
Greater London, UK16 contributions
Nov 2020
I booked a table for 2 for our last night out before lockdown 2.0. Upon arrival I was told I could not enter/go to my table (which was about 60cm from the entrance) unless I was wearing a" formal face mask". The lady told me I should go and buy one from Tesco. But I indeed had a face covering, which completely covered my mouth and nose, secure, and in fact was a thicker material than the medical masks people in the bar had on. The government guidelines state face coverings, so I was baffled as to why it had to be a "formal mask" when everyone in the bar had multiple different styles and material masks.
Thankfully my friend had a spare "formal mask" and reached over from the table to let me use it, so I was then able to take 2 steps to my table wearing the "formal mask". During the night I witnessed a couple people walking around the bar/going upstairs without their masks (they were not exempt as they came inside with them on) and nothing was said to them?
I also saw one of staff repeatedly take off her mask to talk to her colleagues, and she even stood right next to the lady who told me my face covering wasn't allowed. So how is having no mask, or taking it down for a good few minutes okay, but wearing a face covering that is not a "formal mask" not okay? I dread to think if you even let people inside who are exempt seeing as my face covering was such an issue! It set a negative tone for my evening at so bar. Apart from the double standards from that one lady, the drinks were nice and service was good. But beware for following government guidelines, they will pick and choose when its okay to wear a mask, take them off their faces and then try to refuse entry to a customer who is following guidelines. Nonsense!
Thankfully my friend had a spare "formal mask" and reached over from the table to let me use it, so I was then able to take 2 steps to my table wearing the "formal mask". During the night I witnessed a couple people walking around the bar/going upstairs without their masks (they were not exempt as they came inside with them on) and nothing was said to them?
I also saw one of staff repeatedly take off her mask to talk to her colleagues, and she even stood right next to the lady who told me my face covering wasn't allowed. So how is having no mask, or taking it down for a good few minutes okay, but wearing a face covering that is not a "formal mask" not okay? I dread to think if you even let people inside who are exempt seeing as my face covering was such an issue! It set a negative tone for my evening at so bar. Apart from the double standards from that one lady, the drinks were nice and service was good. But beware for following government guidelines, they will pick and choose when its okay to wear a mask, take them off their faces and then try to refuse entry to a customer who is following guidelines. Nonsense!
Written November 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles E
London, UK4 contributions
Oct 2022
I had the privilege of attending a 50th birthday party in the upstairs room at So Bar. The staff were all amazingly professional as well as friendly and accomodating. I was really impressed with the quality of the authentically Spanish food that was served. My husband is a Valenciano and the paella and tapas were simply delicious and VERY well prepared and served. Chef Jorge's beautiful food was a brilliant testimony to his Valenician heritage! His family must certainly be proud that he shares there wonderful cuisine with the people of Richmond! It was truly an event to remember on so many levels. Well done to the team at So Bar and especially Chef Jorge!
Written October 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Islewortmid
4 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
Nice bar but one staff member in particular was incredibly rude and unhelpful. When 2 extra people turned up in my party I was spoken to and told off like a child at school with fingers pointed. Definitely needs to get some training in customer service! Shame on you.
Written February 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Islewortmid, we strive for 100% satisfaction, and we regret to find out that this was not the case. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will use your comments to refine our efforts to ensure this issue does not happen again. Thank you again for taking the time to let us know how we can improve. We hope you will consider us again in the future. Take care.
Written August 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
How much would a bottle of house wine cost? Thank you!
Written December 4, 2017
Hi MarcoaL_123, wines start from ÂŁ22.
Written December 5, 2017
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