And good gardening...!

Pub no. 125. The Abbey Tavern, 23rd December 2012.

Always be wary of pubs that say things outside like "Drink Eat Garden". Are these nouns? Clearly "eat" can never be a noun, can it? I'd be more happy if they were verbs, and I could go in to drink and eat, and then nip out the back to see how my carrots and runner-beans are doing. But we all know what it means really, it means they're idiots.

G

The only ale on was Shingle Shells, so I shingled-shelled out £1.90 (I think) for a half. The place is big, empty, dark and cold. But that didn't bother the barstaff, who were clearly very excited about Christmas or going home for the day. One barmaid decided to swap her Santa hat for the one on the other pump above, and popped hers back on the Shingle Shellsu pump handle. "Oh - is the Shingle Shells off? I was going to have another." I lied. "No." she looked at me with a look that said "Why? Why are you asking me this stupid question you stupid person? Why on earth would it be off?" as she waltzed away very happy with her new hat on her hear and her old one on the pump.

A lady came in and asked to order some food from one of the numerous menus. One girl took her order to be then told by a chap that he wasn't sure if they still did food. She went to the loo while he went to kitchen to ask. No more food he told the lady, can you collect the menus he asked the barmaid. The lady wasn't happy. "I'm starving!!" she whinged.

The blackboard outside was boasting that they were showing Christmas movies, A Wonderful Life, Mary Poppins (is this a Christmas movies?) - etc. I can't remember what the others were. Inside they were indeed showing Mary Poppins - always a fun film to watch. But they were showing it with the sound down, so you could singalong to the jukebox rather than Julie & Dick. Chim chim cha-boo!

Wild west Annie.

Pub 124, Annie's Bar, 23rd December 2012

Not long back this was once one of the most colourful pubs in Kentish Town and called itself Auntie Annie's Porter House. I never went in though, sadly - perhaps not being a huge fan of porter. Apparently it was another honest rough & ready Irish pub, but then they went and did it up. I was chatting to a drinking-pal just recently, who's very knowledgeable about all things Camden-pub, and he mentioned that a Christmas knees-up he was going on was to take him to Annie's. "Isn't that a bit poncey now?" I aked. "Naaaaahhh! It's like the wild west in there!" he said. Intrigued I had to go.

Blimey. What an odd place... it wouldn't look out of place in Las Vegas. Luxurious curtains, velvetette banquettes, what must be the hugest chandelier-type-thing in Camden and a weird wavey bar that seemed to think it was in a cocktail lounge.

I got myself a pint of Guinness and settled down at the front of the pub. The football was on, and everyone in here was watching it, perhaps 8 or 10 gentleman all with lager and shirts untucked, but not at at rowdy. In fact it seemed very calm and cosy in there, and despite it all feeling very odd felt very comfortable.

A middle-aged couple sat down by me, with no interest in the football, chatted for an age about what to drink and then moaned about how football in pubs ruins conversation. The Sky boxes went to standard for a moment or too and quiet murmuring threatened to break out while the cheerful friendly barmaid looked for the right remote and then looked for the right button.

Probably not a bad place to watch the footie if you're not after real ale. But it seems that the only people it attracts are moaning middle-class types who think it's trendy - "poncey" like I did, or the same old boozers that came here before the refurb. They should've just left it be... still it's nice to have a novelty I suppose no matter how odd it feels.

Uncomfortable reading

Pub no. 123. The Old Eagle, times various.

Nothing against the Old Eagle but I've never really like it. I'm not sure if it's the beer, which there isn't a huge lot to choose from and I'm sure isn't cheap. Or the barstaff whose English is rudimentary but seem to harbour the idea that they work in one of Camden's great secrets. Maybe it's the faintly ridiculous contrived bric-a-brac. Or maybe it's that I've never comfortable in here - physically comfortable that is. They've worried so much about making the chairs look trendy and stripped back and rustic, as places do these days, they've not worried at all about what they're like to sit on. So the resulting array of wobbly pews, straight-back dining chairs and "cool" battered leather sofas is a bit of a mess, and one that's difficult to get comfy in. The plants and conservatory bit round the look nice though.

I'd go back without too much moaning if there was a reason, but just to write a scoffily dismissive paragraph is not one!

Flown like a Falcon

Pub 122. The Falcon, long time ago.

This is first pub in Camden that I remember causing much angst when it became known it was going to close, which was some time ago now. Ten or twelve years probably. I would go there to watch bands, and don't remember much now. I remember a triangular stage I think, and a friend who was playing there one night being stalked by his eccentric Japanese ex who walked round cupping a toy frog in her hand.

Predictably it's luxury flats now, and sadly this is the only photo I can find on the net - admittedly after a very half-hearted search.

Crown and Anchor

Pub 120, The Crown and Anchor

The Crown and Anchor is so "perfectly ok" it's to be rude about it, but hard to be too nice about it either. Nothing to dislike here but not a lot to make it stand out. The VPA was very nice, and the sole barmaid seemed a bit flustered. It was very dark. Why do pubs think it's clever to cloak themselves in darkness??

Nothing wrong here but with the Exmouth Arms and Bree Louise just round the corner why put up with average?

England doesn't expect...

Pub 121. The Nelson, 13th November 2012

 

I'm not sure what this pub is... and I'm not sure it knows what it is either. A pub? A winebar? A restaurant? An unfinished curry house...?

Looks like a pub on the outside. No ale on the inside. MTV or some such thing on the telly. Just me and my mate and two other punters. Not what I expect.

Cross my heart

Pub 119, The Cross Keys, 10th November 2012

A pub famed across the Borough... across the capital - even across the world judging by the number of tourists in. But I suppose in Covent Garden on a Saturday afternoon that's what you'd expect. But is it even Covent Garden. Someone was trying to tell me last night it was in St Giles. I'm not convinced - Seven Dials if anything.

But who cares? It's a cracking pub. Feels like a proper pub, looks like a proper pub and with it being Brodie's central London tap it tastes like a proper pub. If you like Brodies that is of course. Even the bar staff are like proper pub barstaff, engaging with us punters even when they're not having to fetch us beer. Beware Chelsea though (Chelsey?) the lovely but undeniably cheeky local gal behind the ramp. If your mates  decide to play a practical joke on you while you're in the loo enjoying the pub-based cartoons, then she's bound to game to join in. Yes Chelsea - I got my jumper back thank you!! ;-)

One of Camden's best I think, despite the tourists. Certainly one of the best in the locality. If you're in though and a load of wide-eyed tourists come in on a treasure hunt, looking for a King's signature above the bar don't help them. They're not welcome! Hoards come in, find it, and bugger without without spending a penny. Unless they also actually go to spend a penny in there. Others come in on a guided tour take a few snaps on the interior, turn on their heels and skidaddle. I innocently helping the treasure hunters, and got told all this as they were scarpering, pre-occupied with the treasure hunt involving a pub rather than a holiday involving a pub. So don't help them. In fact I'll help them - THE KING'S SIGNATURE IS ELVIS PRESLEY'S ON A SIGNED PHOTO ABOVE THE BAR. There you go treasure hunters - no need to darken the Cross Keys doors again. Unless you want a drink because THE BEER IS VERY NICE and it's a splendid pub and much better than A POXY TREASURE HUNT.

Poorly engineered

Pub 117. The Engineer, a year or so ago.

 A little while ago a few of us were out in the Primrose Hill area and we popped in the perfectly good Albert but unfortunately there was a quiz on and we all fancied a natter, as you do. Question 1 - what ruins a good night out in a pub? Answer - A pub quiz! Stupid things. So we went round the corner to The Engineer for our drinks instead. Bit of a mistake really as it's basically a restaurant masquerading as a pub. Barely even can claim to be a gastropub really. And at nearly 4 quid a pint it's an expensive place to be when it's your second choice.

The thing that annoys me is that the pub sign shows one Mr IK Brunel. An engineer of course, perhaps the best engineer of them all. But he had nothing to do with much round here. But of course he's the famous one that will appeal to most people wondering why their fancy posh eatery has such a prosaic dirty-overalls name. The name was probably more to do with the almost unheard James Morgan, or perhaps even the very heard of George Stephenson - both of whom literally changed the landscape surrounding the gaff. To use IKB as their mascot is a crime - especially when he's stood in front of his Saltash Bridge, straddling the Devon / Cornwall border, pretty but hardly local. And the thing is - the engineer sign is the best thing about The Engineer.

The Newton Arms

Pub 118, The Newton Arms, 8th November 2012

Funny what you find wandering about... Come to the Newton Arms - the council estate pub in the middle of Holborn! Or Covent Garden... or where-ever it is. But there's nothing wrong with that - it just looks a little out of place.

Inside it's bright and unpretentious, although the £1.80 for a half of Ripple Steam best wasn't all that unpretentious. The bar staff are old, or at least older and nowt wrong with that either, just something you don't see very much in London. Nicely turned out in shirts and ties they were, and just slightly grumpy enough for to know that you're not being patronised. They're probably family.

The place was busy with people going home from work, or going out from home, or going out from work. Bit of a meeting place this one. Although I'm sure they've got they're fair share of regulars.

I settled down between and old chap chuckling into his Kindle and two young smart bucks talking loudly and amiable about things that concern rich young handsome clever people who don't have a care in the world. They were drinking Guinness because it's more sophisticated than lager and ale is a dull old duffer's drink, or just that tad uncool for them although they'd never admit it. Their reasons for drinking Guinness were completely subconcious of course.

Outside there was a board with some kind of the history of the pub. I was going to go and have a read, but two women were sat directly underneath one either side of it smoking, so I thought to leave it another time.

In and Out

Pub 116, The Fiddler's Elbow. Times past.

Haven't been here for ages, but it's not bad little place for loud dirty bands and loud dirty beer.
Despite that isn't quite pleasant inside, and feels like a pub rather than a sterile bland 'venue'.
But it's a pub for giggers, not for boozers. Enough said.

Southbound

Pub no. 115, The Southampton Arms.

Possibly one of the best pubs around, and everyone certainly seems to think so judging on how busy it gets. People come from near and far to visit the place - even people with no interest in pubs or ale.

I must've walked past 100s of times when it was in its previous incarnation - a very no frills basic lager & Sky Sports locals' pub by all accounts. As shown above, and love it as I do now I do wish I had seen it before. One of the reasons to try to visit every pub we have before they go - or change. It's near name-sake the Lord Southampton is worth a look before it goes one of these two ways. 

I first went in not long after it re-opened, in early 2010 I think. Had a few pints and was suitably impressed. I was on my way to another boozer, and when I got there excitably told the manager there where I'd been and why it was so great. "Ohhhhh" he said, sucking air through his teeth "I really wish them well, but I for just would never go in a pub that doesn't sell Guinness - and I'm not the only one." It is the only pub I know that doesn't stock Guinness or similar stouty type branded beer. And these days sometimes you can hardly move in the place. 

Lots of ales, lots of ciders. One lager. Some cheap & cheerful basic snacking food. What more do you need served in a pub? The staff are nice, and the gaffer a decent fellow. I've never had a bad pint, the only time when I had one I really didn't like - on the gaffer's advice as it happens - he changed it for another. They look after the regulars here, and there's a good bunch of them.

It gets lots of pub tourists - the ale-loving Camra lot, the "Gee - ain't it quaint, they have a record player and serve beer in pots!" and worse of all young trendy knobheads who treat the place as a novelty pub for parties and the like. These are very annoying. As are the families who come in treating like a creche - if a child is in a pub it should be quiet, and certainly shouldn't be running about. The smoking ban has a lot to answer for!

The only problem is that the music is often too loud. And when the pub gets busy, and noisy, they have a habit of turning it up more. So people talk more loudly... etc etc. Not much fun for the Mutt & Jeff amongst us. At least the thrice-weekly live music makes up for it.

If you base your favourite pub on where you spend the most time & money, then this will be it for me. It stopped me being a regular in the Bree Louise, and stops me seeing lots of other pubs. It also costs me a bloody fortune!!

PS. This is a replacement for The Bar, which after careful examination of the Borough borders turned out to be just over in Westminster. Oops.

El Wiggo ... I mean El Hurcules!

Pub no. 114, The Hercules Pillars, 8th November 2012

I'm sure there should be an apostrophe somewhere in the name of this pub, but not to worry... I suppose.
Well, to sum up very quickly - very nice pub. Youngs. Pillar motif strong thoughout - as was the fragrance of  the bouquets of flowers, which was at once pleasant and unwelcome. Luckily the vinegary stench of someone's fish & chips counteracted it quite well.

Pleasant pub, nice bar staff. But it soon got full of excitable types either finishing work and meeting up or meeting up before going out. It got a bit cosy with loud people at that point so I left.

Angelic!

Pub no. 113, The Angel, ages ago.

Another quota quickie, trying to get a load of previous visits ticked off I'm afraid.

If you like your Sammy Smiths pubs then the Angel is one of the best. Big room at the front, small room round the back and another room on the other side that tantalisingly I've still not figured out how to get in to! I like pubs like that.

The last time I went in there was still a 'proper' old Irish landlord with shirt & tie, the sort who'd both be running a good pub and be taking no nonsense at the same time.

But also every time I've been in it's been very busy - and understandably so.

I think there's no doubt that this is the best pub in St Giles.

Foxy ladies

Pub no. 112, The Intrepid Fox, age ago.

Another one off with not much to say I'm afraid. If you're familiar with the pub's usual clientele you'll understand that when in my 70s vintage rocker days, long hair, big collars and flared jeans I got extremely stared in here the one time I went in to meet some lovely Swedish friends (the foxy ladies in question). I don't know what this place before it became the 'new' Intrepid Fox since it moved from the lovely old Intrepid Fox in Soho, which did have at least some charm about it this place has none, for me anyways - but it's not for me. So each to is own... but I wonder what Charles James Fox would make of it all...

Book me in?

Pub no. 111. The Booking Office, April 18th 2011.

I've always loved St Pancras station - one of the wonders of Borough, so when the hotel bit of re-opened last year after a lengthy and well documented redevelopment I couldn't wait to get in for a butchers.

Wide-eyed I wandered about marvelling at the wonders within until I got collared just as I approached the famed grand staircase! Darn it. Not surprising I looked out place really as I'd just been shown round an archaeological dig round the back, and was a tad muddy. Oh well, never mind - let's go for a drink. 

As I peered in The Booking Office I was even sure if it was a pub, or a restaurant or open to the public without reservations or what. Anyways, as it turned it probably is a pub if only just. Ie., you can go in and have a drink at the bar in what roughly looks and feels like a pub. I just had a half which came in a cute little tiny pewter tankard, I've never seen half-pint pewters before. For some reason it took them so long to get my change from a tenner that I'd drunk by the time they got back, although if there was actually half a pint of beer in it was impossible to tell. But after hearing the price for this half a Redemption pale ale my eyes were wondering long after... As you can see I didn't leave a tip but it is a wonderful place if you like Victorian railway slendour.

No dramas

Pub no. 110. The College Arms, ages ago.

I used to come here occasionally with a friend with whom I was 'friends' if you get my drift. She was an actress and was either performing, or rehearsing or studying somewhere nearby. I can't remember - it was definitely her choice. And I think it was perfectly good. I might even go back one day!

What a good boy am I?

Pub no. 109, Little Jack Horner, ages ago.

Another one off from back in the day that I have no desire to go in again. Not that my visit was particularly unpleasant. I went in with an American friend, and I think she must have chosen it as I would never have. We watched a world cup final - I think Italy won on penalties. Someone won on penalties. I enjoyed watching the numerous tourists celebrate almost as much I did watching them wondering what to do with their pub-standard Traditional English fish & chips. The beer was ok though I seem to recall.

The Belle's end

Pub 108. The Fitzrovia Belle, ages ago.

The only time I've been in here was a while back when it was the Mortimer Arms, and I was here waiting for my friends who due to a small communication failure had gone to Mortimer's, another pub (of sorts) not far away. Once I had drunk and trekked over I wish I stayed here as it was much more preferable and as I recall perfectly cosy and pleasant high street boozer.

Now it's been done up it seems to be a bit smart. All bare blond wood, and no doubt very gastroey, trying to appeal to big spenders with more interest in style over content, hence the pretty new name replacing the dull old one.

I didn't go in this time, I doubt I will be any time soon.

Barf

Pub no. 107, The Barfly, ages ago.

Used to be quite hip and very dirty when it was the Monarch, but now it's the Barfly it just seems very hip and only quite dirty. I used to just use it for late weekend drinking and bands, but I did watch a world cup game here once.

The lager was always awful - more chance of being struck by thunder than real ale in here. And the only redeeming feature - the large 'chandaliers' made up of dozens of low-wattage have gone, presumably because the ban on incandescent light-bulb ban. A shame, but there again I doubt I'll be going back in these days. One for the 20 year olds and Camden Town tourists.

A tavern or not??

Pub 106. The Magdala, 3rd November 2012.

Whatever happened to the word 'tavern' from this pub? Trying to sound posh and fancy I bet. Or maybe Ruth Ellis shot it off, like she's supposedly had done to the exterior tiles while shooting her lover. I reckon someone's done them with a hammer.

There's two bars here, or rooms anyways. The pubby back-bar is very nice. Lots of wood and comfy seats, but on a Saturday night was packed of raucous posh 20somethings. It looked like a charabanc trip from Chelsea. I went for a pint of Greene King IPA - which was served in a Hoegaarden glass without any word of explanation. Very annoying.

It being so busy in the back bar I went through to the other bar, which has the feel of a village hall. Pairs of people hunched over small tables looked like they were interrogating one another or playing chess. They were all deep in conversation, and all very serious. They seemed the kind of people who'd be earnestly discussing the middle east problem or their Marxist ideologies before heading back to their £2million house up the road. There wasn't much laughter in here, and not much drinking. I went back to the other bar. One f the rich kids was playing the piano and very nicely too. He stopped and a few of us - myself included - urged him to carry on. Much fun this side of the pub. But to be honest it's probably much more on a quiet afternoon. A nice comfy cosy pub - it's wasted on a Saturday night! I wonder what Mr Quilp would've made  of it.

Rat trap

Pub 105. The Rat & Parrot, ages ago.

The Rat and Parrot was not very pleasant at all. The whole thing always struck me as lazily run and dirty. It was very shabby - but not in a charming olde world run down way, but in a redecorated 10 years ago on the cheap and is now falling to bits way. The food was awful.

But the big windows were nice to sit behind and watch the world go by.

Now it's a posh curry house, but at least they had to keep the original Victorian signage. Small mercies!

Cocktails and nightmares

Pub 104. Fifty-five - ages ago.

I only went here once years and years ago, when it was called Blake's. And it was awful. We got in a heated discussion with a barman who wouldn't serve us at the bar but insisted on table service only. So that's what we did. But then when we left we forgot to pay. Haha. Idiot barman that'll teach you. I can't even remember who I was with - but I remember Krishnan Guru Murphy off the Channel 4 news was in there.

I walk past regularly and do admire the fine building. But now it's VERY TRENDY cocktail bar, which is not my cup of tea. All the punters seem under 25 and are loud and excitable. But if they like cocktails good luck to them - they're keeping it open and who knows, one day it might be back as proper pub. I look forward to that day!

Monkey business

Pub 103 - Monkey Chews, ages ago.

Oh dear, poor old Monkey Chews! Twas a good pub, a bit trendy and bit knowingly cool and contrived but very decent all the same. I think it was the first pub in Camden that I though "what a stupid name..." but at least it's post-flats coat of white paint reveal the original name, the much more meaningful Queen's Arms.

It was the last place I DJ'd at, well played records. In a wonderfully atmospheric cosy-shabby very Victorian upstairs room. But the chap who organised it had done it on Bonfire Night - that year a Saturday night, so literally no-one turned up. It was just me and the barmaid and my choice of music and free beer. I enjoyed it - not so sure about her though. A silly name, but a good pub and a sad loss.