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Rather than me harping on about how wonderful a venue The Auberge
is, and thereby potentially making out it's better than it really
is I wrote to all the players that attended our first event there
asking them for feedback and letting them know I would publish
their genuine views. All 30 players were asked, 17 have replied
all of which are published verbatim here:
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I genuinely liked the venue. It is clean, spacious and in a
pleasant location. The staff seemed to be very friendly and the
ambience and furniture all top notch.
It is a real shame that numbers were so very low because it would
have really made it a great atmosphere.
I wonder if this is because of perceived parking issues or because
it is a new venue.
I drove there and was able to find parking at about a 5 min walk
away but in any case it is perfect for public transport.
Raj Jansari
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Ok, I thought the venue was the exact opposite of the St John’s
Wood one. It was light, airy, spacious, and just had a feel that
you wanted to be there. There was plenty of space for us all, and
could easily have accommodated another 20 without any problems.
Location wise I thought it was superb, but accept that is largely
down to the fact that I am just 30 minutes from London Bridge.
However having train and tube that close has to help quite a few
people. The food was good too, not overly expensive and to a high
standard. A very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
All in all I will definitely be returning.
John Reddington
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The Auberge is a roomy, quiet and private venue with a decent
varied and reasonably priced menu which makes this an attractive
facility and it can easily host a well attended event - it would
be good to see 80+. Some may find parking an issue, but its
proximity to London Bridge station makes it easy for those
choosing public transport.
Malcolm Robertson
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The venue was ideal and spacious. I dont mind spending money at
the bar and buying a meal, although others might, which obviously
the management wont like, and might end up with us losing the
venue.
Value at £5 and 5% is excellant value - i won £850 and only paid
£42.50 as oppossed to £85 at 10%.
Always the problem with small numbers that once you are knocked
out you cant find another tournament to enter at your level but as
numbers pick up - that will be less of a problem.
If you dont know the area really well, then parking is impossible
- but not a big factor.
Im sure in time it will pick up to 40 +
Nicky Check
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Thank you as well because you are a such a good host every time
and make people to fell great.This last event for me was, like
allways, a good opportunity to meet new people.It was a great
atmosphere, good tournaments and a lot of fun.The place was very
beautiful and i`m glad there are gone be more tournaments.Thank
you very much and please excuse my english.
Catalin Bucur
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Venue was fine and food OK - altogether a big improvement on SJW -
only thing that was disappointing was low turnout although
hopefully this will improve.
Edward Leighton
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Very spacious and comfortable playing conditions. Only two minutes
from London Bridge which is served by many rail lines.
I did not sample the food.
Ray Kershaw
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Best venue yet. Spacious. Exclusive. Good choice of food and drink
(with a good value happy hour between 4-7 pm.). Run with all the
renown precision of backgammon in London. Only downside is
parking. Don’t bring your car as you will be driving around in
circles all afternoon.
George Miltiadou
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A lovely spacious relaxed venue, no music (a good thing), and more
convenient for south Londoners than other Backgammon in London
venues. With more players it could easily have the same buzz as
the Lockside Lounge does when we gather there. Looking forward to
next time.
Graham
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We both had fun on Sunday. The venue was good if a little out of
the way :-)
Sean
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Venue was fine if perhaps a little soulless, maybe just needs a
few more people to make it a bit livelier.
Dave W
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Warm welcoming atmosphere, considering it was my 1st time playing
live everyone was very patient with bringing me upto speed on do's
and don'ts.
1st experience all round was very positive, I won all three games
I played and I will most definately be attending regular from now
on.
Steve Cogan
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I thought the venue was comfortable and spacious, with a decent
basement feel to it. I did notice that several players were
looking around for the better-lit parts, though there were plenty
of them. I particularly liked the sense of having the entire area
to ourselves. If more players turn up on future occasions they
might be well-advised to have a member of staff down there
permanently in order to take orders at tables and man the bar more
effectively.
Jon Hoskins
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The venue rocked imo. It felt just right, with the big wooden
tables and choice of well-lit, out-of-the-way, or close-to-td-desk
playing options. There was plenty of space and service was
reasonably quick. The food, sampled by a few of us, was competent
faux-French bistro stuff at reasonable prices for that part of
London. Happy-hour drinks prices were appreciated, and when I
asked for their card I was given a membership invite which offers
10% more off food and drink at any Auberge, just for my email
address - no fee! A big thumbs up from me.
Martin Hemming
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I enjoyed it – but winning a tournament does help! Clearly,
players should not try to arrive by car – no parking in the area
at all.
Should not be the end of the world – tube and rail connections are
first class. Plus, if you are doing badly and need a breath of
fresh air – the
Thames walk is immediately next door. The ambience for a
tournament was fine – hardly any disturbance from on playing
visitors.
Food was ok and arrived promptly. Am happy to go again and have
put 23 Nov in the diary
John B
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Hi Mike, Alan and I were impressed with the Auberge at London
bridge it is well suited for B.G. tournaments. It was bright and
airy with lots of large tables. We found it very easy to get to by
public transport and hope it will be a regular B.G. venue. We look
forward to being there again on 23 November.
Alan and Monica
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I thought the venue was spacious, ideal, and easy to reach. From a
humorous point of view, it was very easy to lose track of time,
because there's no sense of day and night inside the venue! lol
PS: Would like to add that benches in some areas of the venue were
a little low for viewing the board, but this could be easily
rectified by using cushions.
Mike I
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