THE PRINCESS... of Wales

Pub 68. The Princess of Wales, 16th June 2012.

No pub is complete without some Morris dancers!

The Princess of Wales in Primrose Hill used to be a fairly decent unpretentious boozer, called 'THE PRINCESS OF WALES' but now after what looked a huge tart-up, scaffolding and everything, it now seems to be called 'The Princess of Wales'. Which is most curious, you'd think with such a famous name as that they'd be flogging it to death. The sign used to show a nice portrait of a proud and elegant regal looking woman - Anne of Brunswick? Alexander of Denmark? or Mary of Teck even...? I don't know. Now it looks like it's from a cheap children's history book.

The beer choice was London Pride. The customer base seemed to be in pushchairs, accompanied by sun-tanned dads and yummy mums. But thankfully the London Pride was well kept.

The bar-staff were an interesting bunch, it's one of those places where they all have to dress in black.  Perhaps with 'The Princess of Wales' embroidered shirt, although I might have imagined that. Always a reason to suspect a pub's manager I reckon. I have nothing against black I hasten to add, but when I see bar-staff in a uniform it always makes me wonder "who is the manager trying to impress?" and "Why doesn't he have other things to worry about?" Worse though, they were very attentive when you didn't want them to be - ie. faux-patiently looking at you waiting for your order when you're stood at the bar with a 3/4 full pint glass but then doing their darnedest to chat or look out of the window or move glasses from one shelf to another when you're frantically waving a tenner at them. Such is the trouble with young bar staff. And the look that one gave me when I asked her if she wouldn't prop the door open! It was very cold and very windy, I wish the wind had changed at that very moment.

After a little while a band turned up. The drummer took forever to set his funny hi-tec drumless drumkit up, but once they started they were very pleasant in a light-jazz loungey kind of way. The singer even thrust the mic into my face when she caught me whistling along to the whistley bit of Sitting on the Dock of the Bay. I hope I impressed her!

The band were nice, and beer was passable. But the best thing about the place was the 'Oxford Sauce' on the tables. Ordinary brown sauce is not good enough here! But it was very nice, and I've gone a located a buctchers in Hampstead that stocks it. So thank you 'The Princess of Wales' for your saucey tip off.

Crafty

Pub 67. The Craft Brewing Company, Clerkenwell. 30th May 2012

I'd heard about the Craft Beer Company a while ago, but was put off visiting by the name. 'Craft beer' says to me lager & keg. Usually cold and gassy, so it has to be pretty exceptional to be worth a taste - too many excellent cask ales around these days to make 'craft ale' anything special. And also the name - instantly it smacks off contrived-wannabee hipness. If they'd kept the original name of the pub - The Clock House - I might have gone much sooner. But that's the thing with 'craft ale', it's as much about being trendy & cool as it is about decent beer, but also that's thing about judging a judge by his title, as it were. Their claim too on the website they aim to "create a unique beer experience" must be mentioning as it is patronising, nauseating and bollocks. Who writes this stuff?

Anywyas, the good news is though that there's much more here than just craft ale and only a bit of bollocks.

Inside you'll find 16 handpumps. Count them. Try a half from each and see how long you can go on counting them for. I went for a pint of Ilkey's Mary Jane at 3.5%. And very nice it was.

The interior is a bit dull, and for some reason they've opted for high bar stools around the walls - the bollocks I refer to.

Another nod to the hip kids, but to me it just looked stupid next to the windows and made the place feel a bit uncomfortable and out of proportion. At least it should make it easier for bag thieves. Such a shame, as the place would have been lovely once - as the old ceiling and chandliers show. But not a huge worry really. They looked very comfy, and I don't recall hearing any music in there though, which far outweighs any odd seating arrangements.  (Odd seating arrangements that I readily admit probably wouldn't bother another soul on the planet...)

There's an upstairs room too apparently, but I didn't make the trip. I took my pint outside to enjoy the sunshine and bustle of the Leather Lane market.

Despite my seating reservations (pun intended) this is a jolly good pub, good ale and nice staff. Ignore the crafty tag, and be assured that they haven't created "a unique beer experience" - just a nice pub with lots of beer. Far from unique, but pretty much all you need.

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.

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.