Havers-sacked?

Pub 62. The Haverstock Arms, 29th April 2012

I used to live just round the corner from here and would often pop in. A perfectly good nice & comfy no frills boozer it is. Sadly though it looks like it's going to be another tarted-up fancy gastropub as 'Andrew the celebrity barman' is retiring and selling up. He's been there a while though and despite my desperate punning title he's not been sacked, so I guess he deserves it. Although he attempts to re-brand it using a popular nickname for it is a bit annoying. No-one is going to 'pop down the Havers for a pint' just because you've painted 'The Havers' on it.

Two of the four handpumps were pumping, I went for the Sambrooks and settled at the bar to admire the stool-spaniel. Animals in pubs are smashing - when they are quiet. I got into some friendly banter with one of the locals at the bar who had to attract the barmaid's attention for me. I can't remember what now, something mildy teasing towards her I think - all good pub fun.

A piano was evident although I suspect the Sky Sports on the flatscreens provides the entertainment nowadays, The urinals used to be full of loose change if I remember correctly, but it looks like it's been cleared out for Andrew's retirement fund! And good luck to hin, but it will be a shame to lose this pub. Why don't renowned pub-lovers and ex-locals Chris Moyles or Chris Evans do something with it? There's not many no-nonsense boozers round here. And what will become of the already faded mural?! Another one is about to bite the dust. Sigh.

Hip flask

Pub 61. The Flask, 29th April 2012.

Once a load of us went to the Flask in Highgate for a Sunday lunch, but one came here instead. Oh how we laughed.

Anyways. Thankfully, the Flask isn't hip at all. It's actually very nice - and has that rarest of things these days : two seperate bars! Oh what simple and lovely joy.

Being a bit rough, and knowing my place I went in the public bar. Usual Youngs fare on offer, which is fine. Had a sip, bit of a look around at the bare, empty, poor side of the pub and thought "I'm better than this!" and went next door to live it up in the lounge. Checking first of course I didn't have my workman's boots on.

I didn't fancy walking through the Gents with my pint, so I popped outside and went in the other door. It's always a vaguely liberating experience walking even a short distance down the street with a pint. Even a very short distance down a very little quaint street, as Flask Walk is. And into the lounge. Typical Hampstead touristy types in here. I should've stayed public! But I do like a carpet.

The Flask. This one's in Hampstead, it's very nice. Choose the public bar, or even better sit in the street! There's not even traffic fumes round here.

Star bar

Pub 60. The Star, 29th April 2012

A lovely old building tucked out of the way, it can't be easy to make the Star work. But thankfully someone is trying hard. If it weren't the large table of chatty Sunday afternoon snacking loungers+toddlers and one other quiet couple it would've been empty. So make a note if you fancy a quiet pint.

There were only 2 ales on, Timmy Taylor's Landlord and one end of the bar and Sharp's Doom Bar at the other. As I sat in front of the Landlord I went for a glass of that. And boy... was it cool. Very cool. Positively chilled! The coldest ale I'd for a long while, even chiller than the chilled ales in the Hawley Arms.  I can't remember now how much it was, but it wasn't cheap. £1.85? The barman was very friendly - his directions to the loo were detailed and extensive to say the least!, but I didn't mention the temperature of the beer. Apart from that it was very quaffable. The slate top on the bar was annoying though.

It's a big pub, and felt big. There's nowhere to hide! I'm not a fan of one-big-room pubs, where are the partitions, little rooms, saloon bar & lounges? I bet when it does get busy here with all the bar wood and big windows it gets very noisy.

Pork or venison?

There's not much more to say about the Star. It's ok, and I do hope the locals appreciate it.

Palmerston's treat

Pub 59. Lord Palmerston, 29th April 2012.

Oh for the days when Prime Ministers were that popular they got pubs named after them. Even the main road through my home town is Palmerston Street - he must have done something right. Perhaps if Mr Cameron dies in office he'd be honoured likewise?

"Half a Doom Bar please!", barman gets a pint glass. "Oh - just a half please"
"Uh?" grunts the barman
"Just a half please"
"Uhh" as he gets a half pint glass.

And this is my welcome to the Lord Palmerston, a pub that actually describes itself as a gastro-pub. Make of that what you will!

The Palmerston is an light & airy, inoffensive, middle class, nice-but-dull pub, full of light & airy, inoffensive, middle class, nice-but-dull people. A whole roast chicken for two to share plus a bottle of wine coasts £35. I didn't see many being carved in to.

It's all just very nice nice, and chicly-plain. The real fire is nice, with fire-surround banquette type seat to warm a chilly behind. The upstairs function room is so hip it makes you want to scratch your eye out. The shady off-pavement beer garden would be lovely when it gets hot.
Pop in if the walk up the hill as worked you up a thirst, but I wouldn't travel too far for his Lordship.