Terrible experience- TripAdvisor has less fake 5* reviews.
We attended Salsa Temple for NYE and found that the evening was disorganized, run by a staff that seemed unaware of their duties, had a heavy handed and rude security team, and a manager (gold jacket) that clearly had no sincere interest in the actual guest experience.
We attended as a group of 6 and we are not able to sit together because we made 3 bookings of 2 (despite asking several times over email, and when we collected the packs, we were told that this would be okay for us). For no logical reason, and without explanation, we were not allowed to swap table or sit near each other as the seats were assigned. The manager gave us some free prosecco to make up for this (which was appreciated), but it would have been nice to sit with our friends on NYE.
Just before midnight we went outside to view the fireworks (best part of the night) and then proceeded to rerun to the venue. There was no queue system in place and the door staff just opened the doors, and did not let people in, this caused the crowd to rush forwards, push and crush each other.
This was dangerous, and the management should have had control of the situation (especially following the deaths at the O2 the previous week from the crush of the crowd).
Once back inside I told the manager (loudly and not in a happy way, but with no violence or threat) that it was shameful that he and his staff were putting people in danger and that he should do something before somebody was killed. He decided to have the security forcefully remove me from the building for this complaint. He also threw out several other people for complaining about this situation.
We joined the end of a new queue and returned inside to finish our drinks and leave, 1*.
Once outside we were asked by some passers by what the venue was like and if they should go inside, we told them not to because of the bad experience that we had, and the door staff overheard this, and they threatened us with violence and swore at us.
I have read many of the reviews for Salsa Temple and it appears that many 5* reviews are coerced from customers by the staff at the venue (“5* Frank was the best” & “5* Angelica was the best” are reviews that are very common). Many of the accounts posting 5* reviews only have 1 review in total to their name and it is for Salsa Temple for 5*. I note that a couple of reviews claim that the bar is charging GBP 5 entry, or free if you post a 5* review.
If you take the time to read the actual genuine reviews of Salsa, you’ll find that many people complain about the rude staff, the incompetent management, and the heavy-handed security. It seems that in many past instances people have complained about the services or unjustified decision making of the management and been forcefully removed. If you complain, you will be made to leave.
Do not go to Salsa Temple, go to a venue where the staff care about their customers.