Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Belsize Park, London, United Kingdom

White Horse - by joslyoung

joslyoung — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:27:02 +0000

Review by joslyoung

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7485 2112

Tags: food, thai

Terrible, terrible pub, with rude surly staff and zero atmosphere. It's a shame really, because a friend of mine who took me there said it was once quite fun, friendly and lively, and because its location near the heath would make it otherwise perfect for a Sunday afternoon pint. Luckily there are lots of other pubs within a few feet of here that do fantastic food, serve good beer and are friendly (three of which have fabulous beer gardens - I'm not going to name then for fear of mistakenly coming across as shamefully partisan - I'm not). A real loss.Terrible, terrible pub, with rude surly staff and zero atmosphere. It's a shame really, because a friend of mine who took me there said it was once quite fun, friendly and lively, and because its location near the heath would make it otherwise perfect for a Sunday afternoon pint. Luckily there are lots of other pubs within a few feet of here that do fantastic food, serve good beer and are friendly (three of which have fabulous beer gardens - I'm not going to name then for fear of mistakenly coming across as shamefully partisan - I'm not). A real loss.

The Washington Arms - great by Barney752

Barney752 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:15:45 +0000

Review by Barney752

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7722 8842

Tags: food, vegetarian dishes, traditional

This is my favourite pub in the world (well out of the small number of pubs that i have been to in the entire world). The bar staff are really friendly which is a pretty standard description of staff but here they really seem to take an interest in you and chat with you whilst pouring you your pint. Secondly the pub has a very nice interior with tables and couches witch gives it a really very nice feel which is not always easily maintained in other pubs. The drinks are reasonably priced, neither expensive or cheap and they have a huge variety. All in all i really cannot reccomend this pub enough. If your every in the belsize park area then you shoudl reaally check it out, the nearest stations are belsize park and chalk farm which are both on the northern line.This is my favourite pub in the world (well out of the small number of pubs that i have been to in the entire world). The bar staff are really friendly which is a pretty standard description of staff but here they really seem to take an interest in you and chat with you whilst pouring you your pint. Secondly the pub has a very nice interior with tables and couches witch gives it a really very nice feel which is not always easily maintained in other pubs. The drinks are reasonably priced, neither expensive or cheap and they have a huge variety. All in all i really cannot reccomend this pub enough. If your every in the belsize park area then you shoudl reaally check it out, the nearest stations are belsize park and chalk farm which are both on the northern line.

The Holly Bush - Decent old boozer by chrisp

chrisp — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:18:28 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7435 2892

Website: http://www.hollybushpub.com/

Tags: traditional pub, posh, relaxed

Ignore the "gastropub" tag that is sometimes attached to this place - the Holly Bush serves middling-to-good food and has a pretty limited wine list. But for a pint of nicely kept ale in some achingly pretty surroundings, there's probably nowhere better in Hampstead. A great place to take tourists or visiting friends for a taste of 18th century London quaintness.Ignore the "gastropub" tag that is sometimes attached to this place - the Holly Bush serves middling-to-good food and has a pretty limited wine list. But for a pint of nicely kept ale in some achingly pretty surroundings, there's probably nowhere better in Hampstead. A great place to take tourists or visiting friends for a taste of 18th century London quaintness.

Sir Richard Steele - Olde Worlde by freestanding

freestanding — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 07:23:29 +0000

Review by freestanding

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7483 1261

Tags: food, real ale

In my opinion its the 2nd best boozer in NW3 after the hill across the road. First up its a huge old victorian boozer that retains its olde world charm.The locals are friendly enough around here. Good selection of beers on offer and the Thai food is excellent at Â£5 a plate. I love the upstairs with its battered leather sofas. A good spot for a party. Downstairs the beer garden is a must in the summer. big and plenty of seats.
Lovely olde pub thats not been changed inside for a long long time. I only hope it stays that wayIn my opinion its the 2nd best boozer in NW3 after the hill across the road. First up its a huge old victorian boozer that retains its olde world charm.The locals are friendly enough around here. Good selection of beers on offer and the Thai food is excellent at Â£5 a plate. I love the upstairs with its battered leather sofas. A good spot for a party. Downstairs the beer garden is a must in the summer. big and plenty of seats.
Lovely olde pub thats not been changed inside for a long long time. I only hope it stays that way

The Freemasons Arms - Great Post-Heath option by sokratis

sokratis — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:16:40 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7433 6811

Website: http://www.freemasonsarms.co.uk/

Tags: relaxed, traditional, food

The Freemasons Arms is a great ending to a nice day in Hampsted Heath if youâ¬"re finishing on the south-west (if youâ¬"re heading north-east then Cafe Mozart on Swains Lane is a excellent option too). Very spacious and with a modern, slick finish it serves a variety of beers and ciders. One of the best outdoor spaces in the area and a great kitchen that serves what youâ¬"d expect by the â¬ÜWinner of the Sunday Independent/ LBC Gastro Pub of the Year!â¬". Be prepared to wait for a table on a sunny Sunday afternoon as the place gets very busy. Of course be also prepared to be surrounded by yummy mummies, Â£500+ baby carts, noisy small children and generally the rest of the Sunday family squad that descends on Hampsteadâ¬"s surrounding areas on a weekend.
Donâ¬"t let that put you off though. The Freemasons is still one of the best places to enjoy a drink and a bite after a hard days navigating the heights of the Heath.
The Freemasons Arms is a great ending to a nice day in Hampsted Heath if youâ¬"re finishing on the south-west (if youâ¬"re heading north-east then Cafe Mozart on Swains Lane is a excellent option too). Very spacious and with a modern, slick finish it serves a variety of beers and ciders. One of the best outdoor spaces in the area and a great kitchen that serves what youâ¬"d expect by the â¬ÜWinner of the Sunday Independent/ LBC Gastro Pub of the Year!â¬". Be prepared to wait for a table on a sunny Sunday afternoon as the place gets very busy. Of course be also prepared to be surrounded by yummy mummies, Â£500+ baby carts, noisy small children and generally the rest of the Sunday family squad that descends on Hampsteadâ¬"s surrounding areas on a weekend.
Donâ¬"t let that put you off though. The Freemasons is still one of the best places to enjoy a drink and a bite after a hard days navigating the heights of the Heath.

Ye Olde White Bear - Quaint, but bitchy barmaids? by iamroninator

iamroninator — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:33:47 +0000

Review by iamroninator

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7435 3758

Tags: food, vegetarian dishes, sport pub

Really nice atmos, nice ale too... The pub cat just adds to the quaint village-y feel.

Didn't eat here, though may come back as seems a good place to watch football.

One downer - not sure my girlfriend will ever come back here with me - when she went to the bar to get a round, was deliberately ignored by the (bitchy? Jealous?) female bar staff. Blokes were served in front of her, and she only got service when the (v friendly) barman eventually returned to serving.

Some peope, eh?Really nice atmos, nice ale too... The pub cat just adds to the quaint village-y feel.

Didn't eat here, though may come back as seems a good place to watch football.

One downer - not sure my girlfriend will ever come back here with me - when she went to the bar to get a round, was deliberately ignored by the (bitchy? Jealous?) female bar staff. Blokes were served in front of her, and she only got service when the (v friendly) barman eventually returned to serving.

Some peope, eh?

The Horseshoe - Wetherspoons reborn by iamroninator

iamroninator — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:30:01 +0000

Review by iamroninator

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7431 7206

Tags: gastro pub, lively, food

Replacing the Wetherspoons' 3 Horseshoes which was here prob a good idea? But where will all the old codgers and underage kids go to drink?

Ah well, had cheap lunchtime special - 7.50 for a stew and an orange juice - nice, though a little school dinner-esque.

The ale was average. When I went downstairs for a slash, the door to the kitchen was open, and an almighty smell of not-so-fresh fish was around.

Glad I didn't have the fish dish. Phew...Replacing the Wetherspoons' 3 Horseshoes which was here prob a good idea? But where will all the old codgers and underage kids go to drink?

Ah well, had cheap lunchtime special - 7.50 for a stew and an orange juice - nice, though a little school dinner-esque.

The ale was average. When I went downstairs for a slash, the door to the kitchen was open, and an almighty smell of not-so-fresh fish was around.

Glad I didn't have the fish dish. Phew...

King William IV - Cozy gay-friendly pub by Sami

Sami — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:08:13 +0000

Review by Sami

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7435 5747

Website: http://www.kw4.co.uk/

Tags: food, hampstead, pub

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a native Londoner and do not know much of the insider's knowledge regarding this city. So when my native Londoner friend took me to this pub this past week-end, I was curious as to why there was a gay pub smack in the middle of Northwest London's bastion of uptight, WASP-y, middle-class existence - until she informed me that Hampstead Heath has long been a gay cruising ground - and the KW4 is at the foot of the Heath.

Recently renovated, KW4 is cozy, with a large patio at the back of the bar and hosts a variety of gay nights, from gay pub quiz to drag queen nights. I was absolutely taken by it and have since enlisted my friend to take me here on a regular basis. The service was good, the crepes are supposed to be good, and it was friendly. I'm a fan. But as with the majority of gay bars, the pints were on the expensive side :(

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a native Londoner and do not know much of the insider's knowledge regarding this city. So when my native Londoner friend took me to this pub this past week-end, I was curious as to why there was a gay pub smack in the middle of Northwest London's bastion of uptight, WASP-y, middle-class existence - until she informed me that Hampstead Heath has long been a gay cruising ground - and the KW4 is at the foot of the Heath.

Recently renovated, KW4 is cozy, with a large patio at the back of the bar and hosts a variety of gay nights, from gay pub quiz to drag queen nights. I was absolutely taken by it and have since enlisted my friend to take me here on a regular basis. The service was good, the crepes are supposed to be good, and it was friendly. I'm a fan. But as with the majority of gay bars, the pints were on the expensive side :(

The Roebuck - Two thumbs up by mif

mif — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:51:10 +0000

Review by mif

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7433 6871

Tags: independent pub, standard pub food, beer garden

Been here at least a handful of times (when in the neighbourhood) and it has never disappointed. Terrific grub - the cottage pie is my favourite and I've heard their Sunday roast is to drool for. Service is pretty good. The place is eclectically decorated, managing to look very cool and comfortable at the same time. At the back, there is an outdoors area where it's lovely to sit when the sun is shining and also a conservatory for when the sun isn't shining. Basically it's a lovely laid-back pub that will please everyone.Been here at least a handful of times (when in the neighbourhood) and it has never disappointed. Terrific grub - the cottage pie is my favourite and I've heard their Sunday roast is to drool for. Service is pretty good. The place is eclectically decorated, managing to look very cool and comfortable at the same time. At the back, there is an outdoors area where it's lovely to sit when the sun is shining and also a conservatory for when the sun isn't shining. Basically it's a lovely laid-back pub that will please everyone.

Bar Room - by TrustedBot

TrustedBot — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:20:15 +0000

Review by TrustedBot

Rating: 0.00

Phone: 0207 431 8802

Website: www.barroombar.com

Tags: smoking, party, cocktails

When brb began in 1998 with the original ´bar room bar´ in Hampstead, North London the idea was simple: great stone baked pizza, inspiring cocktails and an interesting range of beers, wines and spirits.

The immense glass frontage that looks in on this, the original Bar Room Bar in Hampstead, gives a classy first impression. Once inside, the bar does not disappoint. A large, rectangular green bar serves a pub selection of beers, whilst contemporary artwork hangs on the clean, cream walls. A unique glass chandelier is a focus feature if you´re not watching the world go by through the window.

Taste London diners can choose from the fabulous choice on offer on brb Hampstead´s Pizza menu from Sunday to Thursday. When brb began in 1998 with the original ´bar room bar´ in Hampstead, North London the idea was simple: great stone baked pizza, inspiring cocktails and an interesting range of beers, wines and spirits.

Taste London diners can choose from the fabulous choice on offer on brb Hampstead´s Pizza menu from Sunday to Thursday.