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Flares, Guildford

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user reviews of Flares, Guildford

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

It's been a Nightclub for roughly 8 years now (Previously Edwards Bar), now called Popworld. Been a few times (twice as Flares and thrice as Popworld). It's got (relatively, for Guildford) cheap booze, cheesy pop dance tunes and the staff are bouncing around dancing and singing (which might make some nauseous). It does get very busy but I've been lucky enough to be part of a pre-booked party twice which means you get a seat, otherwise good luck! If you're going out to celebrate, party and dance (apparently regardless of age), this is for you. If you're after a beer, sit-down and chat after 11:30pm in Guildford, GOOD LUCK!
MrBear - 27 Jul 2014 06:19
Now called 'PopWorld'
aleman - 28 May 2014 18:20
Never looks open when i walk past, assume it only opens at some point in the evenings?
EyeOfTheTigerBeer - 13 Apr 2013 17:57
Was pretty good when it was called Edwards but can you take a place called Flares seriously?
JabbingJubbly - 13 Mar 2013 12:53
Went to Flares, Guildford to enjoy the end of our work Christmas party. Didn't realise the place ran a zero-policy for fun!! Advertises itself as a fun venue but anything more than 'dad- style dancing' and you will be told to leave! God forbid you vault the metal fence around the dance floor or slide down the six foot long bannister. Not one of us was overly drunk, just trying to enjoy ourselves after a tough year. When trying to reason with the 'jobsworth' doorstops,not a single swear word or abusive word was used, yet we were falsely accused by the female 'doorstop' of threatening violence!! Back to the training manual for them to learn some tact and diplomacy! Can see why the rating for this place is only 2.4 and that's being kind! Flares management. You need to take a long hard look at the way Flares, Guildford is being run!! Will not return with my Sterling!!!
jackojones - 11 Dec 2011 15:42
Bloody awful, even when drunk!...

If you're into 70s music and not bothered about lack of real ale, then this is your cup of tea!!
d.franks - 28 Apr 2011 19:30
A dump of the highest order, not for beer drinkers more the alco pop brigade.

Avoid.
beershot - 11 Apr 2011 15:28
Get down in your yellow shorts and wear a red nose and dance the night away to the Scissor Sisters. Really do, if you're mad.
JohnOcean - 23 Dec 2009 13:58
Another of the gay bars in town.

The only thing I can about the gay bars is perhaps it shall keep the yobs from coming.

Did not like as Edwards and certainly don't as Flares.

Also a huge waste of money.
best_pub_in_city - 21 Jun 2009 19:49
Great party atmosphere, had to wait a while at the bar but overall a decent night out. Drinks promotions are very good and staff dancing on the bar is a must see. Only down fall is the bar waiting time - again, another great night out
xkianx - 28 May 2009 11:20
Silly place - you can tell that by the name though ;)
proper_beer_eating_chap - 10 May 2009 18:17
This is the worst place in Guildford. I went there on a Friday night. You'd think Friday night is one of the busiest trading nights for pubs right? so why did they only have 2 people working behind the bar? and why was a third person sitting in the glasswash area, sipping a drink for 20 minutes whilst watching a massive queue waiting to be served? why did the manager only make an appearance at the end of the night to collect the tills? when his under-trained staff were dying down there, struggling to deal with the massive queue, what was he doing? too snob to come and serve the plebs?

Over-loud music, silly DJ who shouts gibberish in the microphone no one can understand, manager who abandons his staff and the ultimate insult: 6 quid on the door. For what? avoid at all costs.
adebisi1 - 21 Mar 2009 14:02
This is not a place on my ideal pub crawl. Cheesey 70's title, cheesey overall atmosphere and even more importantly no Real Ale. Do yourself a favour and walk down the road to Wetherspoons.
BigAleDrinkhead - 26 Oct 2008 12:08
Pretty bad i'm afraid. Somewhere for the drunk lager louts to go to. Perhaps its not crap all the time, don't go on a Friday/Saturday though. The title Flares says it all, was better when it was called Edwards.
BestBeerBoffin - 19 Sep 2008 10:17
Name says it all really, Cheesey venue trying to be Hip, but not.
TheSensiblePubReviewer - 8 Aug 2008 10:53
Acually not 2 bad but thats if you go on a Tuesday night when it is free, indeed it may well be free a few nights per week, definitely makes more sense when cheap 2 get in
aleman - 1 Aug 2007 00:12
I know what curiosity did to the cat, but I finally brought out my passport to come here Friday night around 10ish (20 July) with a mate. We were held up at the entrance as the bouncers meticulously checked our photo ID. I imagine this partially explains my previous questions as to why there is a long queue here some Fri/Sat nights if everyone - regardless of how old you look - has the same rigorous ID check. Oh, we were charged �3 to get in - a pi** take - given Time night club for instance is free entry before Midnight and even Yates' opposite do not charge.

Once inside we were served fairly quickly at the bar by cheerful bar staff and I liked the option of having a double Smirnoff and either Red Bull/Pepsi for �2.99, which I thought was reasonable. The crowd was more blokes than women and overall appeared a lot older. There were enough women here though in case I needed to search for H-Files, helped by the colourful surroundings, flashing dance floor and DJ playing "cheese" music, e.g. Queen, Abba & Jackson Five.

While the atmosphere was lively and there were potential H-File candidates, personally I did not enjoy Flares as I detest the "cheese" music associated with this chain. If, however, you like this sort of music, then I would certainly recommend the place. Just remember your oh so precious photo ID and that the toilets downstairs are a bit of a trek after a few drinks!

Searching_for_H_Files - 23 Jul 2007 12:05
SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS
Callum251 - 20 Jul 2007 23:38
OK if you like the saturday night fever style dance floor. Attracts a very young crowd at times, but tries to cater for everyone. Not worth it if theres a big queue.

wizzardofoz - 10 Jul 2007 19:58
I used to love originating at this bar first on a monday night...thats when it was Edwards!

now, its just aweful in there! i like a bit of 70s music...but its to corny for my liking, and it takes so long to get a round in!
Apw223 - 24 Jun 2007 11:06
Again, the queue to come in here last Friday night (25 May) was as far back as the Lloyds Bar when we arrived in Bridge Street. There was still a shorter queue when I left Yates' near midnight and given the window on the upstairs dance floor overlooks Bridge Street, there was a queue for most of the night! I am asking anyone who has been here�what is the fascination with this place, especially compared to the other bars on Bridge Street??
Searching_for_H_Files - 30 May 2007 12:48
The queue for Flares was stretching back as far as the main Lloyds bar entrance Saturday night (19 May) around 10.30! Is it that good?!?
Searching_for_H_Files - 21 May 2007 13:29
Despite comfortably looking over the age of 21, the bouncers refused to let me in!? Apparently I needed my passport/driving licence to enter, despite having genuine photo ID courtesy of my englandfans official membership card! Whatever happened to bouncers using a bit of common sense (like the ones on the door at nearby Lloyds & Yates')?
Searching_for_H_Files - 9 May 2007 11:34
This place really is awful! Like previous comments, you pay to get in, generally queue for ages for the pleasure, and then wait about 20 minutes each time you want a beer. I would recommend being hammered before coming here, if you can wake up in the morning and not remember it, well done you. Oh, and the standard of girls in this place is excellent. If you like the 'overwieght but proud' type.
guiness1 - 9 Apr 2007 20:44
Occasionally went here when it was Edwards, doubt i'll go there with this name. The fact you have to pay to get into it and it is also meant 2 close about 12am, better places to go
anonymous - 14 Nov 2006 16:10
I really don`t think this place should be called "FLARES" should be "PANTS" cos thats what it is.
Beersupper - 30 Aug 2006 10:45
WELL!!! Madness in here! If you go for funky flashing disco floors, and wild cheesy party times - then yeah this is the place for you - i would suggest being totally wasted before you go in here! Unfortunately it would seem that a fair amount of chavs enjoy the cheesy atmosphere too - which i guess does kinda ruin it for some people! Good luck though! Ha ha
Rob B - 17 Aug 2006 14:03
What a pile of crap.....you que for an hour to get in, then the service is so bad you have to wait another hour for a drink!! and u have to pay to get in!! never again!
anonymous - 13 Jul 2006 14:01
Now a 70s inspired bar called "Flares" I believe...Just glimpsed it on my way into town last night.
Sunny_Sunnarsson - 16 May 2006 14:58
Wow. I saw someone chucked out of here the other night. I didn't think they were at all picky about their customers.

The thing about Edwards is that it LOOKS great to the unwary passerby. Of course it's often weirdly empty until that point in the evening when all of Guildford is already drunk...I wonder why that is?

Ummm... well the food, and accompanying "service" is pretty bad, but the worst thing about this place is the people who use it. It's Chav Central - and not in an attractive way.

Actually... the worst thing about this bar is the three mile hike to the loo...in four inch heels... after a few too many sherbets! (That's if you can find them - Labyrinth is not the word for it!)

The staff are not great but bless the poor loves for having to work here.
anonymous - 7 Mar 2006 20:56
Was an overpriced, overrated ponce hole, now mostly heaving of an evening with semi scum who have graduated from Wetherspoons - the Guildford chav's 'Chinawhites.' Hiking boots and a compass recommended if you need to use the toilets
markaj - 7 Feb 2006 22:25
seemed ok for ordering food here to me, rather like lloyds. Despite having the same sort of system as lloyds it is totally dead here during the day, cant see why its so empty. just not an especially popular place to eat it seems. better than bar med across the road
anonymous - 30 Oct 2005 14:56
Awful, attracts the worst kind of Guildford drinker...plus pulls in some of the woking crowd.
gooding - 11 Oct 2005 09:07
didnt like it whent in at 1 o'clock got told to sit down and someone will come and take my order(3 staff working and the place was empty) someone came and took my order,then i waited and watied and watied.after 15mins gave up and whent to another pub
lovetodrink - 23 Jan 2005 14:30
Food is nice here, only been once in the evening and it seems like a fairly funky place. Drinks are a bit on the pricey side but if you don't like vodka or bottled stuff then there isn't much choice...
fivepints - 6 Jan 2005 09:03
Fantastic DJ's, best looking staff by far in the whole of Guildford, best place to go for a fun funky party
Becky Beard - 15 Oct 2004 21:06
Quite a nice layout, clean tables and lots of space. Very different on Friday night from midweek, when it seems to be completely deserted. When it's busy, people tend to go here to pull. When it isn't, I'm not sure why they go! On the whole, I'd say it's quite a good pub though.
Will - 8 Aug 2004 20:22
This place can be rather empty in the daytime. Plus there is not the best range of beers in the World
aleman - 7 Aug 2004 16:11
wicked place, friendly staff, quality bouncers, stop complaining u misserable lot if u dt like it dont go there!!! all my mates love it!
p - 4 May 2004 22:33
Edwards is without a doubt the best night out in Guildford! I go there every weekend and have not seen a fight this year! Staff and managers all great and with 150 drinks every night nothing to complain about at all
Regina Falangy - 17 Mar 2004 19:36
Edwards is without a doubt the best night out in Guildford! I go there every weekend and have not seen a fight this year! Staff and managers all great and with 150 drinks every night nothing to complain about at all
Regina Falangy - 17 Mar 2004 19:36
Big long bar to lean on and plenty of reasonably efficient staff. Good mix of customers.
anonymous - 2 Mar 2004 21:45
The food unfortunatly is awful, and not worth the money you have to pay for it. The staff are good looking and efficiant, which is the main plus on a busy weekend night. Offers are worthy of drinking in, and prices are average. Doorman are a bit less professional than some, but not the worst I've met. Overall though, not a bad joint.., 6/10.
Barman DAN - [email protected] - 21 Feb 2004 02:12
Went here once when we couldn't get into Wetherspoons because at the time we couldn't prove we were all 18 (we weren't all 18). Interesting, because it was over 21s only. Mainly remember it having terrible music playing which got louder and louder, so we couldn't talk to each other. To be fair as teenage boys we were too mesmerised by all the flesh on display to want to converse anyway.
thegooddoctor - 15 Jan 2004 15:35
nice place to go out with mates. shame bouncers are rough and think they own everyone
anonymous - 4 Dec 2003 22:18
Great place to go on Friday/Saturday night, great music, nice bar staff, and doormen, would say is probably the best place to go in Guildford
Anon - 17 Jun 2003 11:37
Yes, I agree about the food service. Awful. Do not goto this pub if you can avoid it.
Mark Worrel - 11 Jun 2003 14:00
Disgusting lunch time service. Very quiet wednesday lunch, and over an hour wait for a toasted sandwich. A quick sorry with a laugh was all we got when we requested to take it away as we had to go back to work. Total Sh?t
Local Worker - 11 Jun 2003 13:57
great looking place. Good promo's on drinks. Great looking people drink in here. would say it's deffinatly a place to go on a busy night.., here and yates's!!
barman DAN - [email protected] - 25 May 2003 04:04
Very Lively, Up to date chart music, frinedly atmosphere...
Claire - 8 Feb 2003 13:06
Very lively atmosphere. Great for getting you in that clubbing vibe. Great DJ.
Sarah Edwards - 15 Jan 2003 09:22

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