Once you've got a beer (Caffrey's, Strongbow cider, Murphy's Irish Stout, Heineken, Heineken Export, Stella Artois and 3 pulled bitters are on offer) there appear to be plenty of tables and chairs around - they are available upstairs, downstairs and, of course, outside at the front. There are some quieter corners to hide in should you want to tuck yourself away from the ever-present loud music, there's also 2 tables in the back left corner designated no-smoking. This is not a place to visit for a quiet chat in the evening. A live DJ chooses music (from dance to 70's) for the mainly-young clientele until midnight, Monday to Saturday. The DJ himself stands vicar-like in a "pulpit" overlooking the dancers on the ground floor and the drinkers on the top floor too. Another much smaller bar upstairs sells most things except the pulled bitters. More toilets up here too and room around the balcony to lean and observe life below. Television screens everywhere show a mix of vision including VH-1 and a selection of Bear advertising stills. Corporate plastic covered menus push an appealing snack/meal selection. Omelette (selection of fillings) and chips and side salad £4.45. Other options are steaks, salads, hamburgers and a hot chicken sandwich. There's also 3 veggie dishes and desserts at £2.95.

The Bear re-opened on 29 April 1998 after the refit which also removed the hotel rooms which hadn't been used for years. The building's entertainment licence allows an incredible 590 people inside the bar. Clare and Michael Collinson were the managers until January 2000. Then Greenalls (the pub's owners) were bought by Scottish and Newcastle. Going back much further, the hotel was nearly destroyed by fire in 1951.

Eto Demerzel writes on 8 January 2003:

Slightly over-zealous security staff. Avoid conversations with.