Toolans in Barnet

Visited this pub yesterday during the day , very accommodating to put on to Tv what we were looking for . service at bar quick and very friendly also available at table . Haven't visited in years met up with friends . Much cleaner pub as well then years ago and customer clientele of the right age in pub !!! we definitely be back and recommend to anyone in area to visit .

I had the misfortune of witnessing the shocking behaviour of the management/staff of this establishment and my conclusion is that they should not be allowed to be in business. Not sure what the issue was but the managers/owners attacked a group of customers in front of everyone. The females behaviour in particular was abhorrent. She was loud, rude, aggressive and confrontational. She and her partner appeared to be drinking there which, in my experience, you do not do. One of the barmen also displayed very bizarre behaviour throughout the night. He was seen drinking shots and I witnessed him making fun of the the more elderly customers (of which I am one) in a nasty sarcastic way. He also sprayed an older male customer with soda water for no reason leaving him soaking wet. People were questioning whether he "was on something" as his behaviour was so erratic and bizarre. I think one of the group of customers who was verbally attacked approached the managers/owners about his behaviour and this was when the incident happened. Whatever the reason, the management of the situation was vile. I am an older gentleman and do not frequent the place as often now (and never will again) as in my opinion it has really gone downhill since the previous owner left. I do not expect to see management behaving in this vile way. They had no idea how to manage the situation, in fact they did not let it drop and carried on their attack as the customers were trying to leave. The female followed them out through he bar onto the street screeching like a fishwife with the bizarre barman also verbally attacking in a menacing way. Very low class. There should be training on how to manage situations in a professional way and these vile people should be at the front of the queue. Vile, vile behaviour. Avoid these animals at all costs. There are far better civilized pubs in the area to spend your money in.

Went to Toolans, Finchley High Road last week to see if we could catch up with some of our old friends. We left London 19 years ago but had always gone back to Toolans over the years to catch up with the old gang when Nancy ran the pub. It was very sad to see the way that is has gone since she sold it on. We had a meal down the road and arrived at the pub around 10.30. A woman behind the bar shouted at us that "there was no more entry". We tried to ask her what this meant, but she ignored us and walked away down the bar. At this point in the evening (a Thursday night) there were about 8 people on the premises. As this was the bar that we had always met up with friends, we decided to give it another chance and popped in the following evening - Friday - to see if there was anyone there we knew. There were about 6 people there at 8.15 pm in various places throughout the pub. The same women who shouted at us the previous night, served us promptly, did not engage with us in any way and once having served us, went from behind the counter to the other side of the bar. We left after that one drink and went down the road to a friendly pub who was glad of our custom. When we left, there was one person left in the bar at 8.30 pm on a Friday night. This was the most unfriendly bar we have ever been to in London. Traditionally the role of a publican in the UK is to establish a relationship with a customer especially people who may be new to the area or even to have a friendly conversation with customers who might be on holidays for a five minute chat. The people who run this pub have absolutely no interest in anyone they do not know (and probably people they do know) or any interest in trying to gain new customers by having a conversation with people who might be an asset to their business in the future. They seem to have given up on their business and I would be surprised if this couple manage to maintain this business for another year, given their appalling attitude to anyone new who goes into their bar. We had at least 20 friends who were regulars in this bar when Toolans was run by Nancy and not one of those (who were also neighbouring business owners), were seen in there over the weekend. Such a shame to run into the ground what was a very successful established business over 20 years by a couple whose ineptitude to maintain the standard means that an institution that was so successful could die such a painful death within such a few years. Very sad. Won't be going back. These people should just try to sell this pub on to someone who really cares a bit about the business.

Been visiting this wonderful bar for a number of years and it’s one of the top! Great owners and great warm staff. Looking for a pint or food and music then you can’t do any better.

Live this pub, live music every Weds afternoon. Great friendly crowd and lovely staff. Can’t wait to visit again and have a good dance.

Great pub great food definitely worth a visit if your in the Finchley area. Very friendly place with a great selection of drinks

A quiet Tuesday evening in Toolans, no live music, quiz or poker. However same friendly atmosphere, great service, great Guinness and wonderful if simple choice of 3 bar meals for a fiver! Cannot fault it , will be back next time

Rude staff and place was a bit of a dive. Not the type of place you want to end up on a night out with staff who don't understand what hospitality means. The worst elements of a rural pub.

Went watching the Ireland game, place was obviously packed, had a right knees up, friendly bar staff and locals .

Great place for a pint and a bowl of Irish stew and chunk of bread . Friendly , efficient staff good atmosphere created by locals. Wonderful Loved the stew which a £4 a bowl is quite incredible. Went back for more on my second night in the area.

A lovely friendly place to have a drink, they also have food but only 3 main courses. I tried there chicken curry, it was very tasty. The staff were very friendly and Irish I think. Place to sit outside in the front and rear.

Went to Toolan's last night for a drink and meal with my friends. Food was delicious, apparently its home cooked. There was a guy playing live- he was brilliant! We were all dancing and had a really great time! Barmaids were busy but still friendly and we didn't wait long to be served despite the crowd at the bar. We are going back there next weekend as well:)

Toolans is a pretty sad place to go for a pint. While they do try to liven things up with trivia and live music, for which I give the staff due credit, the clientele pretty much always consists of drunk old men who have been there all day. There is a sheltered smoking area out back which is a nice feature, and the staff themselves are generally quite friendly. It's just a shame that the people who drink here always tend to be middle-aged to old men without much variety. As far as typical Irish pubs go in terms of décor and drinks it's pretty much what you would expect for London.

Had an enjoyable afternoon watching football and having a few pints. Lots of televisions, good quality big screens and pleasant bar staff served an excellent choice of beers. Would go there again to watch football.

The staff and manager need to go on a course how to deal with the public. If the manager is as rude as what she was to me to all her non regular customers it won't be long before this pub closes. The young girl behind the bar (blonde hair, wouldn't give me her name) was so rude and it seems anti English. Why on earth do a job you clearly cannot and don't like doing, give it to someone who would want the job!