I went into MINT in Streatham quite a few times when I lived in Streatham Hill, it is definitely the nicest bar in Streatham - although it really doesn't have to try hard to achieve that! I think it will be a good addition, it's much more of a bar than a pub, so will be something a bit different to what already exists on the triangle. I hope that it gets planning permission.

Geoff at MINT in Streatham has asked the following questions and I suggested these be put to the good people on the Virtual Norwood forum...

Assuming you have visited MINT in Streatham,
'What things do you like about MINT and what positives could we take to Crystal Palace?'
'What areas could we improve which might enhance the experience of the Cystal Palace market?'

Personally I think it's great that we look like getting a proper bar as opposed to another pub. If we're going to get more eating/drinking venues a bit of variety is welcome.

Might be out of character but a pinball machine would be nice! Ever since the Alma got rid of their's a few years ago I've been a very unhappy man...

Other than that, how about a good grazing/nibble menu, a range of coffees and teas, decent music, excellent (and I mean exemplary) bar staff, and loos that are clean, pleasant, and don't stink. Some of the places in the triangle leave a lot to be desired on these fronts.

Agree with Elmo on this one... there is a pinball-machine shaped vacuum in my life since the Alma short-sightedly ditched their one.

Unusual music and by that I don't mean Ukrainian ambient house, Hungarian death metal or 1970's two-step....
More like not the usual stuff. A little imagination...

Friendly bar staff. Interesting range of bottled beers.
Comfortable, clean surroundings.
A bar with a local feel.

For the laptop warriors... free wireless internet

btw there also used to be pinball in the White Swan (pre-Bluebottle, pre-Westow House)

Mint in Streatham make great cocktails and they have table service which nice

I'll collate and pass on all requests (especially the one for a pinball machine). Any more....?

I've not been to MINT, but how about not deafeningly loud???

For myself, some jazzy- funky live music and a bit of dancing would do. That is one of the things missing in the triangle. Some places may already do live music during the week, but what about Saturdays?!

Definitely could do with somewhere to boogey woogey!

I'll second the "not deafeningly loud", being both likely customer and potentially moaning local resident.

Otherwise, looking forward to it. Any plan for a few tables outside? Bit of a busy road maybe, but the pavement's wide enough.

I'd love it to be like the bar they were always going to in "Quincy". We need some serious wah-wah and cocktails.

OK! Here's the list I've drawn up to send to MINT. Please let me know if I've left anything out or not explained anything well enough. I'll be emailing this to them tomorrow lunchtime.

Requests/Comments/Wish List

• By far the biggest request was for friendly, efficient staff. Also a bar with a 'local' feel.

• Clean, pleasant smelling loos (It was pointed out that there seems to be a lack of these in other establishments in the area).

• Good grazing/nibbles menu.

• Drinks to include an interesting range of bottles beers plus the option of teas/coffees.

• Decent music (not overloud) - obviously this is subjective but suggestions included,
  "Unusual music and by that I don't mean Ukrainian ambient house, Hungarian death metal or 1970's two-step....More like not the usual stuff. A little imagination..."
  "Jazzy-funky live music" (some places have live music during the week but not on a Saturday)

• A couple of requests for somewhere to dance (although this would need to balanced out with the requests for non-deafening music and consideration for local residents).

• Free internet wireless "for the laptop warriors".

• One request that cropped up a couple of times was for a pinball machine. It seems there is a yearning for this much-loved machine in The Triangle since other local drinking venues removed theirs.

• As the pavement's quite wide, do you have any plans to site a few tables at the front of the bar ?

Ear-splitting guitar music, lager, big-screen football, strippers and kebabs?

Nork1 - Would that be for or against ?

Is this still happening? Be good if it did!

It would be great to have a bar with some good RnB/soul/funky house music..etc... Kind of like the Sands Bar (now closed) in Clapham.

I've been in touch with the owner of MINT in Streatham. The plans are still going ahead for Chang Thai to become MINT Crystal Palace, but have been delayed due to the extra surveys that have had to take place on the property. By all accounts the place is a bit of a state. They are still waiting for final planning permission to come through and then work can commence, with a target opening date towards the end of this year but possibly January 2008. The proposed finished article is being described as a cool/user-friendly bar/eatery with great loos and cool music. Sounds promising!

'...great loos...' - im sold ha ha

It's easy to knock Streatham isn't it?
Mint is nice, it would make a good addition to Upper Norwood.
It's pitched at the same kind of market as the Black Sheep, but I prefer the food in Mint (and the special offers!).
The toilets are well maintained too (with Molton Brown toiletries, which is a bit above the usual Palmolive handwash)

Actually I wasn't knocking Streatham I was referring to the lack of any real competition to MINT.

I like MINT which isn't too far from West Dulwich but often forget it is there. A branch on the triangle would be really good and what it needs really - younger cosmo crowd to get the prospective investors excited.

Sorry Bosie. I must stop typing when I'm tired...

Is there any news on this place?

I finally saw the Streatham version last weekend as I was passing on the tedious rail replacement bus ride to Balham.

They have just got planning permission to change the shopfront so it would appear to still be on the cards.

I thought they were aiming to open at the end of Jan. Nothing appears to have been done to the site since planning permission was granted. Is this still going ahead?

Mint tells me building work starts in two weeks. They used the word "hopefully" so this remains to be seen but they are still absolutely planning a branch in this spot.

That's good to hear as it's been dragging on so long I was starting to think they'd given up.

It was full of builders rubble bags when I walked past this morning. Don't recall seeing them there before?

They're behind schedule but that is indeed Mint clearing it out for the refit. According to Mervyn this weekend, anyway.

I hope it's finally happening!

There not in a hurry are they

Just drove past Chang Thai this morning and 90% of it is bordered up. Anyone know when they are going to open? And as what?

The latest is they are planning the opening for mid July (17th/18th). They looked again at the concept and design, and have decided it should be something a level up from Mint in terms of food, drinks and service.

It will be The Exhibition Rooms. Have they got a view from there? I don't think I've been in. Would be good.

As opening is so close, I don't expect this to change now but who knows? If I ask again next week, maybe it'll be a Tesco Metro opening in 2017.

Hi Everyone,

I noticed there were a lot of questions and comments about what’s happening to 69 – 71 Westow Hill – well I am going to answer those questions for you. In July 2008 ‘THE EXHIBITION ROOMS’ will open its doors.

What is The Exhibition Rooms?

The Exhibition Rooms is Crystal Palace’s newest Restaurant & Bar on two floors with a beautiful courtyard to enjoy summer days & summer nights. The food will be ‘Modern British’ with David Massey, from The Butcher & Grill, Battersea, in the kitchen.

This will be a place like no other in Crystal Palace – but I don’t want to give it all away. Instead what I would like to do is offer you guys the chance to be a part of The Exhibition Rooms and experience it firsthand. By passing on your e-mail addresses you will be in with the chance to be the first people to try The Exhibition Rooms before it opens to the public.

One e-mail address is all it takes. I hope to see you all there in July.

Brian Butler
The Exhibition Rooms
(e) brian@theexhibitionrooms.com [/font][/size]

Hi Brian,

Thanks for coming on and telling us more about the new bar/restaurant. It sounds great!

Have dropped you an email so hopefully I'm in with a chance for a sneaky preview .

Me too!

And me

Sounds brilliant, can't wait!

and me - modern english - fab!

fab count me in

count me in too.... sounds very promising!!! have sent email too...

i am all for a new experience... i am in ...

Sounds great. I've sent an email as well

Brilliant! atlast a positive addition to the Palace....Good luck with the run-up to the opening..... will definately be heading there for a few vinos and nibbles in the sunshine....

I'm sure you're intentions are completely honourable but may I ask what you plan to do with these email addresses?

[size="4"][/size]Hey Everyone,

Thank you so much for the support - with all of you behind us I am sure THE EXHIBTION ROOMS will be a huge success!! In response to Jannism's comment (which is perfectly a resonable concern) about e-mails. What I am doing is compiling all of the e-mails together so that we can keep you informed about what is going on at The Exhibition Rooms (i.e. special promotions, discounts, entertainment etc...).

Also leading up to the GRAND OPENING' we'll be doing some soft launches so that we can test the product and get feedback. As you can imagine in order to do a soft launch we need people and by having your e-mail addresses I can invite you along at different times to try out Restaurant & Bar and of course get your feedback. I promise not to fill your inboxes with 'Junk Mail'.

Because of everyones support and interest I thought it would be a good idea to include some of you in the process - hence my request for e-mails.

I hope that makes sense and want everyone to keep those e-mails coming through!! Again if you guys have any questions you can e-mail me direct at brian@theexhibitionrooms.com or here.

Best wishes,
Brian

Thanks, Brian. I was looking for that all-important promise about junk mail in writing

I'm now sending you my email address in the hope that I'll be in the area at the right time...

Anyone been along to the soft launches? Is mid next week still on for opening?

How far along are they? I saw ancient signs exposed where they've taken off the Chang Thai name. Still looked chocka with building stuff inside but, as we always say, these things can get turned around in no time.

Hello Brian! Your new place sounds great and I'm looking forward to trying it. But why do you need to email everyone - just post a notice on VirtualNorwood!