Simple simmon

Pub 288. Simmons.

This opened a little while ago but up until recently they didn't have any draft beer, so it couldn't possibly count as any type of pub / bar type place. But now it does. I saw another one the other day, but not in our borough so the march of Simmons carries on.

I've not been in yet, but this is what it looks like so I'm in no rush. But I will, as this is the rod I've made for my back.

So months later... now I've been in. And had the place to my self.

£2.80 for a half of ABInbev's London Pale Ale, and a nice chat with the very nice barmaid. And a mirror ball in the shape of a skull. Her Majesty and Lynch's Tina. I'm glad it was empty.

Camden rocked

Pub no. 287 - The Caernarvon Castle.

Can't believe I forgot to mention this one. A regular on the Camden Town music scene back in the day too.

I think I remember it being the Fusilier and Firkin when I first came to Camden Town but I'm not 100%. Sadly I don't remember it looking like this!

This pic from the excellent "Camden - A Pictorial History"

(Apparently the 'e' was added to the name to make it sound more Welsh. They should have just kept it as the Pickford's Arms).

The other thing that I remember is that the air-con above the stage was often louder than the band!

These photos give a good idea of what it was like before it came the Camden Rock Cafe, and then some naff clothes shop. And then as we all know it burnt down. Currently it's a big hole as they redevelop the market space there.

A good old grubby pub, but one that even if had not been flogged off as a clothes shop and burnt down certainly wouldn't be same now.

What misery!

Pub 286. XO Bar.

Some 150 years ago this pub / bar / place / eatery / space / whatever it calls itself now was known as the Miserable Man. The perfect pub for  a chap like me!

http://www.belsizevillage.co.uk/village.htm

 Fifteen years ago it was still a decent boozer by all accounts, and I had walked by many times them being my Belsize Park residency days but sadly never went in.

Now after a couple of refits The Belsize Tavern became The Belsize, each one becoming more and more gastro and gliztly / nasty and grisly and dull. Now it's the XO Bar and offers "Pan-Asian menu including dim sum and sushi in a modern space with dark wood and scarlet details" That's progress for you.

 
I must confess I haven't actually been in yet... but I will. I'm in no hurry mind you!

Well I've been in now, and at least it was warm and quiet. And 3 quid a half of Japanese lager. Miserable man indeed!

Foundless

Pub no. 286. The Foundry Bar.

Camden's newest pub. But is this supposed to be a pub? It sure looks like one but the web-site calls itself a "hang-out". Like a scruffy shirt??

Anyways, it's certainly trying to look like a pub so it will count, unlike that place round the corner and up the ramp with a hot-tub. Mind you, not all of it looks like a pub.

The Camden something or other lager was £2.50, it was all very comfy and quite cosy on a warm day. A few board games lying about, amongst them the new edition of Operation which was rubbish.

I'm sure the tourists will love it though.