If the cap fits

Pub 66. The Black Cap, 20th May 2012.

So many pubs in Camden threatened with closure at the moment from developers wanting to do their thing. And at the time of visiting The Black Cap was one, although now a month later with the help of Cindy Beale from Eastenders it's been saved. Well, they didn't want to close it down completely, but just build flats upstairs and move the bar area downstairs to the cabaret room. There's not many cabaret rooms in Camden nowadays so thanks Cindy!

Initally on going in a large bouncer demanded a contribution off me in that "there's no entry fee but a voluntary contribution to charity" way that makes it clear that it's not voluntary at all. I'm not sure whether he meant just to get to the bar upstairs, which seemed harsh or in to the cabaret room downstairs. Anyways, I didn't have any change so I told him I'd go and buy a drink and then give him his precious ten bob.
The bar upstairs is cosey and comfy, but the choice of one ale wasn't very my favourite really. Oh well, I guess the clientelle here doesn't include many Camra members. Oh - it's a gaypub, did I mention that?

Not much to see upstairs - I forgot to check out the balcony garden bit although the last time I went out there years ago excotic cigarettes were much the vogue - so I went downstairs to see the cabaret, with donation ready. Luckily the rude bouncer wasn't there so I just walked in. There was about 10 or 15 other people in quite a sizeable room watching a 'lady' singing and doing cabaret style things. Very entertaining she was too, in a kind of 50s Soho way. It was quite fun, in fact she was less of a drag than the Adnams. But none-the-less I didn't feel the need to stay for another pint.

 














So if you're gay and/or fancy some camp cabaret and/or some dodgy Adnams go to the Black Cap. But if you're passing and not going in do glance upwards to see a bust of the Old Mother Red Cap - the Shrew of Kentish Town - who gives the pub its name, although I can't quite figure how.
Also be sure not to miss the nice Victorian tiled mural on the way in, as I did. Dratted moody bouncer!

Well well well.

Pub 65. The Wells Tavern, 6th May 2012

Well. I think I'm the only person to have drunk at the bar in the Wells Tavern for a long time, and it did have the feeling of leaning over a shop counter prying into what was going on, no chance of a cosy bit of small talk with an avuncular publican here!

The Black Sheep was very nice, but I felt I was sticking out a bit because I was on my own, I'm sure the excitable Spanish / Italian (??) bar-staff were wondering what I was up to. Unless they were too busy darting about keeping themselves looking busy doing nothing, rearranging fridges and polishing shelves. It wasn't very busy - just a couple of a romantic couples and a family outing who were rowing about something.

Sadly for such a historic pub in such a history-rich area there's no mention of the Wells. But I intended market probably don't care for such things, such is the nature of the gastro-pub. I hear Occupy London are currently Occupying the Heath at the Vale of Health just up the road. I doubt they'll be popping in here for a snakebite & black, so at least it has one thing going for it!

Queen of Diamonds

Pub 64. The Queen's Head, 5th May 2012

Rather apt that I popped here over a month ago, and uploaded the photos and gave it the headline... and then now just after a splendidly marvelous Jubilee weekend I'm back to put some words down. Some kind of royal intervention perhaps? Or just my slackness? You decide!

I had been told that there was a rather fine pianist that played here on a Saturday evening - I think it was a Saturday I went - but alas she wasn't here. It was about teatime and there was a good crowd of drinkers in, always a good sign. I don't think they were part of a party - I like to think they were just a good old crowd of afternoon drinkers. But then again they didn't look like the sort, and seemed to know each other. I guess I need to go back again some fine afternoon, and I don't mind if I do!

Darkstar Hophead's always reliable, and it so it proved again. And I settled into a corner to enjoy and do some people-staring. (This is like people-watching, but more slack-jawed). To my thrill next to me I found a whole library of Ladybird books, and I spent the rest of the pint thumbing through in more slack-jawed amazement. Only now with a wide-eyed joyful stare, but a bemused slightly annoyed one. They were wonderful.

The pub is very nice, but do look out for the Ladybird books should you pop in. They made my day. And the people weren't annoying really either to those wishing to do some people-staring, I'm just easily annoyed for no real reason. 

The Queen's Head the best pub in London? No. Mainly because pubs with quirky humourous blackboards outside are very tiresome, and also because it just isn't. It's still quite nice though. But the best weekend ever? Yes, Queen Elizabeth II, it was. Hip hip hoorah!

Rugby tackle

Pub 63. The Rugby Tavern, 30th April 2012.

Cripes, I'm getting so behind with these pubs. I went here a month ago, and I'm only just now getting round to trying to thing of something to say about. it.

I had to come here to go to a slide-show of very interesting photographs, amongst chaps twice my age! But I'm sure they all had an easier time then me finding the place. But the silly fool had someone deleted all his jpegs so the thing had to be cancelled. Nevermind, this allowed time for a few beers and engaging chit-chat about railways.

The Rugby Tavern is a very nice pub. Good range of Shepherd Neame ales, can't remember now which I had. The Master Brew I think - a name which I am not at all fond of! The beer itself I am though, so that's ok.

It felt like me to be one of those hidden places near the beaten track but just enough off it so that you've never stumbled into before now, but I think that's just me. And I've been missing out. A lovely boozer.