Floundering at Amsterdam Hub
Talking Fork has always been pretty objective when it comes to reviews. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Trying a new place is always a journey and venturing into the new is all part of fun. One of the key things we consider as super important for any outlet is service. So when we dropped by this new venue in an already crowded market place, we thought at the least that all hands would be on deck to provide outstanding service. I mean good, attentive service actually costs nothing. It just takes commitment and skill.
Regrettably, it seems that this has been lost on the powers that be over at the Hub. With a heavily revamped interior and a new hook, the Amsterdam Hub as opposed to just The Hub has a long journey ahead of it if it wants to make a real play in the JBR nightlife scene. With a very thin gathering on hand it would be pretty easy to welcome all 6 patrons with open arms, warm smiles and a can do attitude. This however was not how it went down much to my surprise. It was remarkably a struggle to get a full priced pint of hops, as happy hour only offered one brand (guess which one?), so I was forced to go premium. All good I guess.
Anyway, after a about five minutes of floundering about the draft was supplied and then charged despite having asked to start a tab, this obviously was lost in translation or inattentiveness, who knows but you would expect a little better in this day and age at an empty bar. It would seem on the back of this that it's quite an inexperienced team running the bar, the dead give away being not a hint of a refill on offer for at least a full half hour with the empty glass looking on helplessly for some love and despite it being dinner time - not a food menu in sight. Oh well so I guess the idea of trying the food is out the window.
Slick operation this is not. Having said that, the place is not pretentious or trying too hard, which is a minor victory in its own right. There are some nice hops varieties on offer, it's just that you'll procure them in the 45 - 50+ dirham range which is a little bit of a disappointment that at least one other beverage aside from the mean green was not offered at a competitive rate.
The surrounds are nice but un-inventive. Lots of re-purposed beer kegs and barrels as tables and a few clusters of leather chairs and heavy use of wood throughout deliver a dimly lit, atypical bar ambience that is clearly being underwritten by the big green brand from Amsterdam. Some Banksyesque black and white faux street art wall paper adds minor interest to an otherwise unimaginative visualscape.
Time will tell if this re-imagined night spot will find anything other than a hardcore green bottle following with a lack of a competitive happy hour and lackluster service but you'll try anything once right?
Bottom line: If you're a big Heineken fan and love football then this place may well tickle your fancy as cheap hops of this variety abound and the big screen is clearly in place to appeal to the football following guy. As time went on it became obvious that this is set to be a male dominated destination centered on 'the game' as the numbers grew it became a room of twenty five or so guys and one lady which is not the kind of odds a broad minded individual likes to play.
If you're looking for something a little more coed/ grungy / unique or maybe service orientated then perhaps it's something else you're looking for.
Like I said - you win some - you lose some.