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Recommended bars in Dongguan
DONGGUAN
One for the Road – (nicknamed “the Road”)
As a traditional English Pub the place features the largest selection of draught beer in town, such as Guinness, Kilkenny, Boddingtons, Blackthorn Cider, Tiger and more to come. They also have great traditional English food including Sunday Roast every Sunday. The pub includes darts and pool areas and a high-end professional Golf Simulation area and tournaments are played regularly. The outside area is a beer garden with tables and another bar.
Address : IEO Dynatown, Building 2, 1/F, Dongcheng East Rd, (22030001/2)
广东省东莞市东城区东城东路星河
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Having just spent sometime in Dongguan, I can throughly recommend the One for the Road pub. The fact that it is the ONLY pub in Dongguan does not detract from this nicely fitted out facility. Two great pool tables and a good menu. Great selection of beers and friendly staff, it is also very near Club 9 another haunt of the ex-pats. Definitely a sporting theme to the bar, although no sports coverage to speak of, also nice rugby type polos for sale. The boss could do with some cheering up. I suspect he was a prop at some stage and is missing that hugging of all forwards. Perhaps we should all give him a big hug when we walk in the door to get him out of his melancholy. You can not miss him sitting at the round end of the bar working a computer. Seriously, nice place that would fit in to larger cities with more outlets and it would still be a favourite.
I would agree with all said above. Including the boss, He surely has a problem being friendly. Maybe someone can give him some customer relations advice, or get his ass off that bar stool and go wash dishes. Put someone in his place with customer service skills.
The manager Jason truly hates Americans it seems but torelates them for the revenue i suppose. He is lazy, extremely rude and does not lift his head from his computer long enough to address the bad service his employees provide. Most bars tries to keep your drinks filled and your can sit empty for 30 plus minutes there while the bar manager/staff ignores you because they are too busy handing Jason his electronics, plugging in his phone etc. and kissing his behind in general. Menu could also include some healthy items instead of all deep fried in lard fare. I met the owner, Lucas, who is truly polite and seems to be an outstanding person though. He must have on blinders when it comes to computer boy.
I have been in Dongguan for 4 years and ” one for the road” is my favourite.They have a wide selcetion of food and I love them large tables.I don’t know why most of you are hitting so hard on Jason.It is true he sits there for a long time but I reckon he is a nice person.I have talked with him on a few things not regarding the bar and he was helpful.He spent time talking to me and gave me the contact of one of the Doctor’s in one of the top hospitals in Dongguan.I have no problem with him because I don’t go there to make friends but to eat.The waitresses and waiters are ok.If you want a quick service please talk the ones in black T shirts.Those in white T shirts are pretty new.Just get in there to eat your food and try to cheer yourself up since you can get everything perfect in one place.Have fun and take it easy.
Eric, you’re not an American! I’m not trying to create an “across the pond” rift because God knows I love the English but he really was rude to us. I tried saying “hi” a few times and complimented his bar in an effort to break down the cultural barrier, but it was almost as if he wanted me to feel unwelcome. I’ve never experienced a manager that rude in my life, anywhere. Apparently there’s some kind of Thirsty Dog-One For The Road rivalry so maybe that happens to British patrons at the Dog as well, but I hope not! Bars are for eating, drinking, AND making friends (you said you don’t go there for that, but why not? What’s more social than an alcohol-filled pool hall?), luckily everyone else at OFTR is super nice and helpful!
G’head, Jill, create an across the pond rift. We could use the excitement. Besides, you’re not the first or last victim of some cheeky John-Bull-Barman “takin’ the piss”.
Haha, believe me, I didn’t feel victimized and I think my frequent visits to that pub prove I wasn’t at all bothered by Mr. Bull-Barman! I’m happy to “take the piss” but would just rather save it for World Cup cheering and debates over whose version of “The Office” is better (Ours. Substantially)!
Ooooooooh, no you didn’t! And you said you didn’t want a rift. Next you’ll be saying our Top Gear was better too…
Well I’m a chick so I haven’t watched either but I’ll give you that Coupling was better than Friends. IT Crowd, however…..not so much. What were you guys thinking? I never thought I’d take the side of Big Bang Theory over anything but IT Crowd is just unwatchable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr9_5uZn6ds
Blaspheme!
Fact: Around 30% of my friends are American (30% British & 40% other nationalities).
Fact: When I am working on the computer, I am organising future events (including Independence Day Party, Superbowl Party Live & Thanksgiving Dinner). I am still however watching my staff and making sure my customers are being served properly.
If I didn’t come to say hello to you, I apologies I didn’t realise you needed such attention as majority of my customers don’t. However Jill I have never been rude to a customer and there is no inter-bar rivalry with any bar.
Jill (if that is your real name), I would appreciate your talking to me next time you are in so we can clear the air.
Kindest regards,
Jason
For the record, I have known Jason for several years now and can attest he is not anti american. We regulars at the pub are always using slap stick comedy against one another in pure fun. OFTR location is outstanding and does at times get quite busy, therefore service time does become affected. This does not mean that Jason is negligent in the services provided or the directions given to his staff. I do agree, Jason loves his toys (Apple Products), however, the emphasis and time he puts into OFTR is very honorable and business shows it. By the way, I am an American and have been on the receiving end of his slap stick comedy and I have also given it back, with a great laugh in return. Perhaps BABSO, you caught him on a bad day, we all have them.
It’s amazing to see these comments about Jason being ‘anti-American’, and ‘lazy’. Not only does this show that the commenters have no idea what they’re talking about, but it also shows that we, as foreigners, have nothing better to do within our small community than to spread hurtful rumors amongst ourselves. By all appearances, this listing was to provide a short description on a good bar in Dong Guan to visit – it now has become a childish name-calling playground! I am an American, and I have never encountered any sort of issue with anyone treating me differently because of that, especially Jason. To address his rudeness – sure, we all have our good days and bad days – but working at and managing a bar greatly increases the percentage of ‘not-so-awesome-the-next-day’ days. Take that into account the next time you’re in there. Maybe you don’t realize it, but you ARE talking about a real person here. A good friend of mine who has worked his ass off to create a very successful pub in the middle of Dong Guan. Give the guy a break.
And Jill – I’m not sure what being a ‘chick’ and not watching Top Gear have to do with each other.
From Across the Pond Rift to Expat Free-for-All! I usually have to go to the Beijinger for this kind of pointless ferment.
Wow!!!..cannot believe what i’m reading here! Jason is probably the friendliest person, barkeep or otherwise in DG. I’ve been living here since Feb. 2008 and going to the Road an average of once or twice a week ever since. When Jason sits at the bar on his computer, he’s nearly always working on something for us..his loyal customers. Trips for the scuba group, golf outings for the golf club, bbq’s for every conceivable event in DG. He has never been rude to me or anyone that i call a friend. He is forever checking our food orders, making sure we’re all happy. I’m American and i feel very confident in saying that he holds no hatred for us..or anyone else, regardless of Nationality. Granted, there are times when the food service is slow but, bless his heart , he keeps trying to get faster service for everyone. Jason works his butt off for the Road and for us. If he has a down day once in while where he isn’t the absolute first person to run to your table to greet you then big fat deal! Get a life and grow up! If you really need that kind of continuous attention in a busy bar full of happy people then i suggest, Jill, that you try staking out a stool at any one of the other bars in DG…surely someone will pay you the kind of attention you so obviously deserve.
Trish that was a nice one from you but too incident on Jill.I think people are free to say what they want about a place as long as it does not take them to jail, even if it does.Jill has not yet felt the warmth around Jason and it will probably take a while since she has no plans from her statements in the near future to get close.She has ruled Jason out I reckon because she could not get the response she needed on a busy day.Jason is a nice person and he is doing his best as a competent Manager.I think we need to commend him for managing one floor and now doing two.Jill….you sound a nice person and you guys could get along if you talk to Jason on one of your visits.People love to stay anonymous though.I hope you get all the needed attention in 2012.Way to go girl!!!