"The staff are professional if not friendly but this is a busy West End pub so I understand that they can't be friendly all the time."
"It's a friendly gay bar the staff are all ways smiling and very helpful if you have a disability."
"Staff were very attentive and my glass was not empty long before I was being offered a top up."
Cons:
"The bartenders in the lower floor seemed miserable and would rather be elsewhere."
"Honestly, he is so grumpy it puts you off get anywhere near."
"The most unfriendly and rude staff I have ever come across in central london."
"The place itself is pretty cosy but the staff didn't make much of an effort to engage with (or even look at) you when they serve you."
"Unfortunately most of the younger bar staff are sullen and unfriendly."
"Barman Ang was completely rude and antisocial to me and my friends."
"The bald guy with the cow nose piercing has the most miserable face I've ever seen in my life."
Atmosphere and Venue
Pros:
"Such a fun night & great atmosphere!"
"The venue always feels safe and inclusive."
"Love Halfway, I’ve been going for years and have had the best nights here."
"A real local pub vibe which is rare to find but most importantly a safe space for the LGBT community!"
"Halfway has always been a very safe and welcoming LGBT haven, right in the heart of a hectic city."
"The atmosphere is great, and most patrons are friendly."
"This is a lovely venue and safe haven for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies."
Cons:
"Don’t bother going unless you match a very narrow definition of LGBTQ."
"The only tiny criticism I’d have is the place is tiny, so you may have trouble getting a seat at busy times."
"Music in the basement is so loud that some customers wear earplugs to protect theirs ears."
"Weird vibe, I was not expecting that at all, so unnerving, we never go back."
"You unfortunately have to expect a certain level of physical contact that would be considered sexual harrassment in any other place."
"Roughly shoved and punched in the back by another customer as well as deliberately hit with a walking stick by one other Security looked over clearly saw it and just shrugged shoulders."
"I really liked Halfway to Heaven and have been going there for years but sadly i wont be going there anymore after my coat jacket was given to somebody else from the cloakroom area in the downstairs bar."
Entertainment and Events
Pros:
"The queens are so funny and entertaining, Karla Bear is my favourite out of the queens we’ve seen."
"If you have time, check out a drag show, especially if Vanity Nightmare is on!"
"Really cool gay pub, always busy on a Sunday for the cabaret."
"Some great drag acts appear throughout the week and karaoke on Monday’s and Wednesday’s is a must see!"
"Ideal location.. If your looking for a laugh don't miss the Saturday cabaret."
"Also great entertainment on weekdays Karaoke/Games/Drag acts!!"
"Cabaret shows on the weekend are great especially Rose in all her fabulousness."
Cons:
"The building is not fully accessible but that's knot there fault."
"Just a bit a refurbishment will be appreciated as seems out of date but bring authenticity."
"The entertainment from Rose Garden never disappoints."
"They easily hold up the service so they can chat and laugh with their regular customers."
"When is busy is quite hard to get drinks."
"Others have been in the bar since noon and are completely drunk and disorderly by the time you arrive at 8pm - bar staff will carry on serving these patrons."
"But this Saturday sadly I left early because of the comments being made about the Queens and her passing by the drag act the Vixens."
Drinks and Pricing
Pros:
"A wide selection of drinks available and definitely the most affordable I’ve seen in the west end."
"Drinks are very reasonable for london."
"Drinks were on special offer."
"Drinks are reasonable in price..particularly good value on Mondays!"
"Drinks are so well priced for the center and Trafalgar Square."
"Drinks best value in London bars."
"Drinks are not expensive and always nice to have a not loud music bar to have a chat with friends."
Cons:
"No cocktails at all on the menu, just wine and champagne."
"The selection of drinks on offer is seriously limited."
"It would be great to see some more IPA’s on offer, even if it’s just Brewdog, as well as even some Belgian stuff like Delirium, etc."
"I was served what I can only describe as half shots in a large shot glass."
"Please add more chairs downstairs."
"I wanted to enter the pub but the owner was extremely rude."
"The two guys at the door were so hostile since the beginning."