Who owns the Dogstar now?

[tarannau]

He has moved indeed. I feel a bit sorry for Irish Grant and I miss him from the Hob (my local) but here's hoping he makes a success of it.

Without trying to contribute to the gossip, there was a bit of an altercation involving the ElPanzon chief and one of the Hobgob's staff which led to a quick but fairly amicable split. Good luck to him - I just wish it wasn't the present management of the Dogstar than he benefits - he succeeded in making the Hobgob a place where people genuinely travelled to eat at. And that's no mean achievement.

 

[rennie]

the hob had been fairly empty the last few times i'd been. and then with panzon still there. i can only imagine how soulless it might be now!

will have to try those burritos soon me thinks!

 

[gaijingirl]

oh bollocks.. that was well handy and lovely having that in the Hobgoblin... can't believe the Hob would do themselves out of that amazing food.... so silly!

 

[William of Walworth]

oh bollocks.. that was well handy and lovely having that in the Hobgoblin... can't believe the Hob would do themselves out of that amazing food.... so silly!

Used to be good for veggies as well then was it gaijon??

 

[Neil-NewX]

Dogstar/redstar

What about the Redstar in Camberwell, wasn't that originally opened up by the same people behind Dogstar. Looks really run down at the moment.

 

[gaijingirl]

Used to be good for veggies as well then was it gaijon??

It has a really nice selection of veggie food... I suppose it's not the end of the world, it's only another 5mins down the road - but it was dead handy for us.

Here's the menu ... the full extent of the veggie options is not immediately apparent.... you have to read it... most of the meals have veggie options...

 

[tarannau]

oh bollocks.. that was well handy and lovely having that in the Hobgoblin... can't believe the Hob would do themselves out of that amazing food.... so silly!

I know, I was in the Hob yesterday and they've kept on the same kitchen assistants, albeit serving the same pub grub menu that every other 2-bit pub offers- burgers, chicken, jacket potatoes, nachos etc. Tatty photocopied menu as well, complete with obligatory misspelling of 'vegiterian' (sic)

I can't see them doing good trade somehow - El Panzon built up a good reputation - and they only managed to serve a couple of meals over the couple of hours I was there last night.

I reckon a little male pride kicked in between the El Panzon chief and the Hob's management - it's something which could have been avoided if they'd really put their mind to it. It's a shame, especially when summer's coming up and The Hoboblin becomes a hell of a lot busier and everyone could have benefited/

Rennie - the pub was pretty darn busy last night. It's been ok when I've been in there of late.

 

[Crispy]

What about the Redstar in Camberwell, wasn't that originally opened up by the same people behind Dogstar. Looks really run down at the moment.

Th Unsound guys are running nights there now. No idea who owns it though.

 

[rennie]

What about the Redstar in Camberwell, wasn't that originally opened up by the same people behind Dogstar. Looks really run down at the moment.

that changed hands n is being used as a party venue AFAIK.

 

[rennie]

Rennie - the pub was pretty darn busy last night. It's been ok when I've been in there of late.

the last couple fo times i'd been there it was pumping really loud horrific music n not a soul in sight. I hope it stays open!

 

[editor]

I reckon a little male pride kicked in between the El Panzon chief and the Hob's management - it's something which could have been avoided if they'd really put their mind to it. It's a shame, especially when summer's coming up and The Hoboblin becomes a hell of a lot busier and everyone could have benefited/

The Hob's one of those pubs that seems adept at clutchng failure from the jaws of success.

There's been one or two moments when the place looked like it was really going to turn into something special, then every time something's gone arse-up.

Mind you, nothing can match the Dogstar for fucking things up.

When I first started doing Offline there, the place was buzzing. I remember thinking how lucky I was to get a Thursday night there, and the jazz nights were superb.

Locals were coming back in, the staff seemed loyal and happy, people liked the manager and the restaurant was picking up good word of mouth reports.

So, time to shunt out the manager then.

 

[editor]

Th Unsound guys are running nights there now. No idea who owns it though.

JAMM are in charge of the place. Not sure about actual ownership though.

 

[tarannau]

The Hob's one of those pubs that seems adept at clutchng failure from the jaws of success.

I know what you mean. I'll stick up for the Hob's management to a certain extent- they're running one of the most mixed and down to earth pubs in Brixton and doing a good job at balancing out the various tribes. It's not a job I'd particularly envy if I'm honest. The new manager's proved surprisingly adept at dealing and diffusing potentially difficult situations ime and the place has a more settled, happy atmosphere than in recent years. There are even toilet seats in the Gents!

On the downside, some of the ideas he's come up with have met with a distinct lack of interest - speed dating, rock type nights, the cocktail menum the ill-advised (and now thankfully aborted after much local ridicule) to call the pub the townie-tastic Terminus.

And losing El Panzon's a big blow - I think the Hob believe they can do without them, but I suspect their food sales will rapidly sink without that menu and food.

FWIW, from what I know of the Dogstar's management, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some fireworks with EL Panzon too. The chef guy from El Panzon is genuinely passionate, hard working, tends to become the centre of attention and doesn't suffer fools gladly. I suspect he won't be too impressed with any blagging, bullshit and general unprofessionalism. Make of that what you will...

 

[ChrisFilter]

Mmmm, tucking into an El Panzon burrito as we speak.. fucking lush.. Dogstar was empty though, more staff than punters.. real shame.

 

[editor]

Went past the Dogstar on Thursday night around midnight (when Offline would normally be in full flow).

There was around 10 people in there.

They certainly have a knack for pissing off successful nights there and replacing them with shit.

I didn't even want to leave the place but their endless fucking faffing about and total lack of support/promotion made me feel decidedly unwelcome.

So now they've got a nice big empty venue all to themselves.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

I've never really seen the place busy except when Offline was there.

It's a shame really, I think it's potentially a very good spot.

 

[pootle]

The Dog Star seems to go up and down (I guess in line with it's owners/managers)

When I first moved to London about 5 years ago, we'd travel from North London to go there for sunday lunch or a nights boozing, then it went all crap and seemed to oerk up again about 3 yrs ago, but now it's all crap again.

I mean really, it's not that hard, surely?

 

[editor]

I mean really, it's not that hard, surely?

You'd think that, but it seems that they had no problem pissing off their most successful night in the week with consummate ease...

 

[William of Walworth]

JAMM are in charge of the place. Not sure about actual ownership though.

JAMM are in charge of the Red Star??

I thought Unsound had effective control over the management of the place ...

 

[editor]

JAMM are in charge of the Red Star??

They've let Unsound sort out nights there (and a good job they're doing too), but JAMM are actually the people who could pull the nights and put in a night of pop-dancing Polish pole dancers, if they so desired.

 

[William of Walworth]

Thanks for that, was less aware of the setup than I thought ...