Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Gospel Oak, London, United Kingdom

The Lord Stanley - Best pub grub in the area ! by Denise_Shields

Denise_Shields — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:10:10 +0000

Review by Denise_Shields

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7428 9488

Tags: beer garden, excellent pub food, gastro pub

The Lord Stanley is a saving grace in the area of Kentish Town/Holloway, which is desolation row when it comes to foodies !

The decor is 'lived in', with leather sofas scattered round one side of the bar. There is a pleasant little garden out the back, which provides a lovely oasis in the summer. The clientele are as laid back as the decor, and all in all it as a very relaxing atmosphere.

The food is where it comes into its own. It is cooked in front of you and the menu (on a large blackboard) is large and varied. Sunday roasts are a speciality.

Like the other reviews, if there is one niggle it would be the service. It can take an aged to get your food.

The service gripe aside, it comes highly recommended.The Lord Stanley is a saving grace in the area of Kentish Town/Holloway, which is desolation row when it comes to foodies !

The decor is 'lived in', with leather sofas scattered round one side of the bar. There is a pleasant little garden out the back, which provides a lovely oasis in the summer. The clientele are as laid back as the decor, and all in all it as a very relaxing atmosphere.

The food is where it comes into its own. It is cooked in front of you and the menu (on a large blackboard) is large and varied. Sunday roasts are a speciality.

Like the other reviews, if there is one niggle it would be the service. It can take an aged to get your food.

The service gripe aside, it comes highly recommended.

Barfly @ The Monarch - Ragedy fun by messydesk

messydesk — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:54:20 +0000

Review by messydesk

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7691 4244

Website: http://www.barflyclub.com

Tags: live music, cool, relaxed

The Barfly London is split into two venues during the week, the pub part downstairs and a music venue upstairs, so if you turn up on a weekday you can have a drink without paying to see the bands. On Friday and Saturdays however, it becomes one big venue with a cover charge for the whole place, so don't get caught out if you're just looking for a place to meet friends then move on.
The downstairs bar is basically a huge old pub with all the tables taken out, but other than the rather fancy branded windows it's worn and tatty, with scuffed black walls and posters for obscure bands blue tacked on every surface. It's got a lot of charm though and Matt and Greg, the managers are the type of publicans that make you want to come back time and again. The barstaff are friendly too, possibly due to aforementioned management and there's usually a healthy crowd of interesting looking alternative types hanging around. The upstairs room is less appealing, it's basically a large box of a room with nowhere to sit and nothing to look at, good if you're watching a band, but if you're looking for anything other than that, stay downstairs.
Obviously, it's not a place for the beer or food connoisseur, you'll get a fizzy pint and a box of Pringles and you'll like it, but it has a licence till 3am most nights, with various clubs and DJs throughout the week. If you're looking for a che-che, uptown sort of place forget it, if you're looking for the sort of grungy dive Camden is famous for, you won't go far wrong.The Barfly London is split into two venues during the week, the pub part downstairs and a music venue upstairs, so if you turn up on a weekday you can have a drink without paying to see the bands. On Friday and Saturdays however, it becomes one big venue with a cover charge for the whole place, so don't get caught out if you're just looking for a place to meet friends then move on.
The downstairs bar is basically a huge old pub with all the tables taken out, but other than the rather fancy branded windows it's worn and tatty, with scuffed black walls and posters for obscure bands blue tacked on every surface. It's got a lot of charm though and Matt and Greg, the managers are the type of publicans that make you want to come back time and again. The barstaff are friendly too, possibly due to aforementioned management and there's usually a healthy crowd of interesting looking alternative types hanging around. The upstairs room is less appealing, it's basically a large box of a room with nowhere to sit and nothing to look at, good if you're watching a band, but if you're looking for anything other than that, stay downstairs.
Obviously, it's not a place for the beer or food connoisseur, you'll get a fizzy pint and a box of Pringles and you'll like it, but it has a licence till 3am most nights, with various clubs and DJs throughout the week. If you're looking for a che-che, uptown sort of place forget it, if you're looking for the sort of grungy dive Camden is famous for, you won't go far wrong.

The Oxford - Friendly Local by KateD07

KateD07 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:00:26 +0000

Review by KateD07

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7485 3521

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

Tags: gastro pub, food, real ale

Great cosy local pub with a fab quiz on a Tuesday night. Food is the usual fare at average London prices. Staff are friendly and welcoming, and there's always a great atmosphere with the sense that people have come in to catch up with friends and wind down from their day at work.Great cosy local pub with a fab quiz on a Tuesday night. Food is the usual fare at average London prices. Staff are friendly and welcoming, and there's always a great atmosphere with the sense that people have come in to catch up with friends and wind down from their day at work.

The Lock Tavern - Summertime frolicks in Camden Town. by papayoyo

papayoyo — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:20:59 +0000

Review by papayoyo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7482 7163

Website: http://www.lock-tavern.co.uk

Tags: beer garden, cool, friendly

Situated just opposite Camden Town's Stables Market, The Lock Tavern is a splendid place to while away a sunny summer's afternoon or evening with its luscious garden bar and terrace. Somewhat labyrinthian in layout it is decked out downstairs with comfy leather sofas and has a classy but cool atmosphere. Usually rammed with Camden's finest trendy young things, there are weekend gigs upstairs and the place exudes that "happening" Camden vibe. They also do reasonable pub grub and the usual british selection of beers. The main attractions are the locale, the foliage bedecked garden and the indie music oriented terrace. A fine place to sink a few ales with a few good mates and the scenery of the female kind (and male I've been told) is generally easy on the eyes. If the doormen like you they'll even give you a VIP card, whatever that's for.Situated just opposite Camden Town's Stables Market, The Lock Tavern is a splendid place to while away a sunny summer's afternoon or evening with its luscious garden bar and terrace. Somewhat labyrinthian in layout it is decked out downstairs with comfy leather sofas and has a classy but cool atmosphere. Usually rammed with Camden's finest trendy young things, there are weekend gigs upstairs and the place exudes that "happening" Camden vibe. They also do reasonable pub grub and the usual british selection of beers. The main attractions are the locale, the foliage bedecked garden and the indie music oriented terrace. A fine place to sink a few ales with a few good mates and the scenery of the female kind (and male I've been told) is generally easy on the eyes. If the doormen like you they'll even give you a VIP card, whatever that's for.

Marathon Kebab - Camden's Last Chance Saloon by papayoyo

papayoyo — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:05:34 +0000

Review by papayoyo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7485 3814

Tags: lively, turkish, crowded

Ever found yourself stumbling down Camden High Street after being turfed out of every pub at closing time but still with the will to party driving you on into the night? Welcome to the Marathon Bar, Camden's hazy crazy last chance saloon! Is it a kebab shop, is it a bar, or is it the final resting place for Camden Town's die hard alcoholics and desperados? Herein you will find all manner of drunken cheerfulness and legendary French rock n roller Daniel strumming his geetar and skwawking his glorious way through Chuck Berry songs. They dance, they sing, they drink, they eat kebabs, they flirt until the wee small hours when it really is the end, unless you catch word of the evening's house party where a trip to the nearest offy in Kentish Town for a bottle of cheap vodka will gain you entrance and the debauchery will continue till god knows when.Ever found yourself stumbling down Camden High Street after being turfed out of every pub at closing time but still with the will to party driving you on into the night? Welcome to the Marathon Bar, Camden's hazy crazy last chance saloon! Is it a kebab shop, is it a bar, or is it the final resting place for Camden Town's die hard alcoholics and desperados? Herein you will find all manner of drunken cheerfulness and legendary French rock n roller Daniel strumming his geetar and skwawking his glorious way through Chuck Berry songs. They dance, they sing, they drink, they eat kebabs, they flirt until the wee small hours when it really is the end, unless you catch word of the evening's house party where a trip to the nearest offy in Kentish Town for a bottle of cheap vodka will gain you entrance and the debauchery will continue till god knows when.

Annies - LUSH BAR BUT WITH KAREOKE BINGO CROWD by LOVEANDKATE

LOVEANDKATE — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:49:26 +0000

Review by LOVEANDKATE

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7485 3237

Tags: food, tv for sporting events, mature

Having just moved to the area, I'm trying out everywhere and was told that Annies had had a refurb. On wandering in on a rainy British summers night my first impressions were 'fab', the decor was over the top royal red and golds, with flocked wallpaper - garish but i liked it. I had a coiuple of glasses of wine with a friends and relaxed in the comfy throne like chairs quite happily.

I intended to take my mum the next week as the crowd seemed more mature.

However on passing last Friday there appeared to be a caberet singer!!!!!!

the clientele all had blue rinses and clip on earrings and however nice the bar fit was - the pub now appeared in a time warp.

I had thought that the old crowd that used to reside in Annies before the refit had continued to drink there creating an amalgamation of new, old, benny hil, camp, bank turned wine bar with extensive drinks list that no one is trained to create vibe. However, after the cabaret glimpse maybe their intentions were to capture and market the already existing crowd that reside there and that Annies has been saved from another skinny jean, magners drinking venue of which we have many?????

I will try Annies again but i'm confused as to whether I fit in there.

Wine was, though a rather tasty red [miles better than a previous glass that I had in teh Oxford!!]

Try Annies yourself and we'll see who it is really for!Having just moved to the area, I'm trying out everywhere and was told that Annies had had a refurb. On wandering in on a rainy British summers night my first impressions were 'fab', the decor was over the top royal red and golds, with flocked wallpaper - garish but i liked it. I had a coiuple of glasses of wine with a friends and relaxed in the comfy throne like chairs quite happily.

I intended to take my mum the next week as the crowd seemed more mature.

However on passing last Friday there appeared to be a caberet singer!!!!!!

the clientele all had blue rinses and clip on earrings and however nice the bar fit was - the pub now appeared in a time warp.

I had thought that the old crowd that used to reside in Annies before the refit had continued to drink there creating an amalgamation of new, old, benny hil, camp, bank turned wine bar with extensive drinks list that no one is trained to create vibe. However, after the cabaret glimpse maybe their intentions were to capture and market the already existing crowd that reside there and that Annies has been saved from another skinny jean, magners drinking venue of which we have many?????

I will try Annies again but i'm confused as to whether I fit in there.

Wine was, though a rather tasty red [miles better than a previous glass that I had in teh Oxford!!]

Try Annies yourself and we'll see who it is really for!

The Pineapple - POSSIBLY MY FAVOURITE PUB IN LONDON by LOVEANDKATE

LOVEANDKATE — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:25:13 +0000

Review by LOVEANDKATE

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7485 6422

Tags: independent pub, traditional pub, beer garden

I LOVE THE PINEAPPLE!!

I LOVE THE WALK UP LEVERTON STREET PASSED THE MULTI COLOURED HOUSES, I LOVE THE TRANSITION FROM HAVING A DRINK ON THE BENCHES OUTSIDE AND WATCHING LOCAL KIDS RIDE ROUND ON BIKES LIKE A DAVID MCKEE PICTURE BOOK, TO THE WARM WELCOME OF THE FRONT BAR WHERE THE LOCALS SIT AND LAUGH.

PERHAPS SNUGGLING UP IN ONE OF THE CORNERS OF THE BACK BAR WHERE YOU CAN PLAY TRADITIONAL GAMES? OR BRINGING ALL YOUR MATES ON A FRIDAY FOR A THAI BEFORE YOU GO OUT TO TOWN. CIGGIE IN THE GARDEN?

THIS PLACE HAS A SECTION FOR EVERYONE.

I'VE HEARD THAT THEY DO CHEESE PARTIES TOO.

THEY DO PIMMS WITH THE OPTION OF GINGER BEER OR LEMONADE AND THE BAR STAFF ARE FAB TOO.

THE BEST THING ABOUT IT IS THERE ARE PINEAPPLES EVERYWHERE.

LOVE IT!!!I LOVE THE PINEAPPLE!!

I LOVE THE WALK UP LEVERTON STREET PASSED THE MULTI COLOURED HOUSES, I LOVE THE TRANSITION FROM HAVING A DRINK ON THE BENCHES OUTSIDE AND WATCHING LOCAL KIDS RIDE ROUND ON BIKES LIKE A DAVID MCKEE PICTURE BOOK, TO THE WARM WELCOME OF THE FRONT BAR WHERE THE LOCALS SIT AND LAUGH.

PERHAPS SNUGGLING UP IN ONE OF THE CORNERS OF THE BACK BAR WHERE YOU CAN PLAY TRADITIONAL GAMES? OR BRINGING ALL YOUR MATES ON A FRIDAY FOR A THAI BEFORE YOU GO OUT TO TOWN. CIGGIE IN THE GARDEN?

THIS PLACE HAS A SECTION FOR EVERYONE.

I'VE HEARD THAT THEY DO CHEESE PARTIES TOO.

THEY DO PIMMS WITH THE OPTION OF GINGER BEER OR LEMONADE AND THE BAR STAFF ARE FAB TOO.

THE BEST THING ABOUT IT IS THERE ARE PINEAPPLES EVERYWHERE.

LOVE IT!!!

AtProud - Pride of Camden by Niamheen

Niamheen — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:14:34 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7482 3867

Tags: cool, live, jazz

Proud doesn't give a good first impression. When you enter, you go through a large, usually empty room (unless you get there late), and wonder if you have come to a bar, or what?! Then you turn the corner, and with relief see a bar with lots of people in, in the old Camden stables. It's really nice, I like the decor, I like the music, and the live music can be quite good. The staff have been really friendly anytime I have been there. It's become a firm favourite and semi-regular haunt.Proud doesn't give a good first impression. When you enter, you go through a large, usually empty room (unless you get there late), and wonder if you have come to a bar, or what?! Then you turn the corner, and with relief see a bar with lots of people in, in the old Camden stables. It's really nice, I like the decor, I like the music, and the live music can be quite good. The staff have been really friendly anytime I have been there. It's become a firm favourite and semi-regular haunt.

Abbey Tavern - bad management by niknix58

niknix58 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:51:02 +0000

Review by niknix58

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7485 2131

Tags: tv for sporting events, dart board

This pub is now a supposed gastro pub. I booked my birthday party here months ago, paying a deposit. The weekend before the party, my daughter & friend went and paid for the food that we'd ordered. Three days later, whilst sitting in a cafe in The Vatican in Rome, my daughter was called and told that our booking had been cancelled due to an electrical fault. Later we were told by another person that our slot had been filled by a wedding party. We were given our money back and told by the manager, Caine, by way of compensation, that maybe he could have a meal at one of the companies other pubs. I have not heard from them since.
We did find another venue. The Vine on Highgate Road. The manager was so accommodating when we told him what had happened. The room was free (The abbey charges Â£100) and the food absolutely amazing. So if you need a decent venue for a special day/event, don't go to the abbey in kentish town.This pub is now a supposed gastro pub. I booked my birthday party here months ago, paying a deposit. The weekend before the party, my daughter & friend went and paid for the food that we'd ordered. Three days later, whilst sitting in a cafe in The Vatican in Rome, my daughter was called and told that our booking had been cancelled due to an electrical fault. Later we were told by another person that our slot had been filled by a wedding party. We were given our money back and told by the manager, Caine, by way of compensation, that maybe he could have a meal at one of the companies other pubs. I have not heard from them since.
We did find another venue. The Vine on Highgate Road. The manager was so accommodating when we told him what had happened. The room was free (The abbey charges Â£100) and the food absolutely amazing. So if you need a decent venue for a special day/event, don't go to the abbey in kentish town.

The Vine - Extremely disappointing by BillyB

BillyB — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:05:24 +0000

Review by BillyB

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7209 0038

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

Tags: food, conservatory, pub lunch

This place used to have a good reputation for its food, but my last two visits have been simply awful. This time, we failed to book anywhere for a birthday lunch for my mother-in-law, so called in on the Vine.

I had the mixed grilled fish - all of which was cold as well as severely overcooked. The tuna steak was a cold grey slab, the squid like rubber.

My girlfriend and her mother had the roast beef. This was a poor cut of meat, greasy, and cold. And they attempted to serve this rare to start with - we not given an option on how we would like it. The accompanying vegetables had all life cooked out of them, and the 'yorkshire pudding' was just a slab of stodge, with no lightness whatsoever.

I complained to the manager, as one would, and we received a refund on one of the dishes, as we had managed to force the other two down. However, to add insult to injury, the manager's attitude was confrontational and wouldn't accept that there was anything wrong with the food, based on the fact that we had eaten most of it. True, this is legally correct, but there was no explanation or understanding of the customer's position.

Avoid this place like the plague - there are three other pubs - The Junction Tavern, The Lord Palmerston, and the Bull and Last - nearby that are far superior.This place used to have a good reputation for its food, but my last two visits have been simply awful. This time, we failed to book anywhere for a birthday lunch for my mother-in-law, so called in on the Vine.

I had the mixed grilled fish - all of which was cold as well as severely overcooked. The tuna steak was a cold grey slab, the squid like rubber.

My girlfriend and her mother had the roast beef. This was a poor cut of meat, greasy, and cold. And they attempted to serve this rare to start with - we not given an option on how we would like it. The accompanying vegetables had all life cooked out of them, and the 'yorkshire pudding' was just a slab of stodge, with no lightness whatsoever.

I complained to the manager, as one would, and we received a refund on one of the dishes, as we had managed to force the other two down. However, to add insult to injury, the manager's attitude was confrontational and wouldn't accept that there was anything wrong with the food, based on the fact that we had eaten most of it. True, this is legally correct, but there was no explanation or understanding of the customer's position.

Avoid this place like the plague - there are three other pubs - The Junction Tavern, The Lord Palmerston, and the Bull and Last - nearby that are far superior.

Monkey Chews - nice local bar by gilka

gilka — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:16:31 +0000

Review by gilka

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7267 6406

Website: http://www.monkeychews.com

Tags: live music, dark, cool

Went there on one of the first sunny day of May 2008...
It was nice to sit outside for a change! We ordered chicken which was very tasty. There was no connection between the name and the place... I wonder why it is called Monkey Chews...It was Wednesday evening and there weren't many people around.
Went there on one of the first sunny day of May 2008...
It was nice to sit outside for a change! We ordered chicken which was very tasty. There was no connection between the name and the place... I wonder why it is called Monkey Chews...It was Wednesday evening and there weren't many people around.

The Assembly House - One of the best in the area by pgt38

pgt38 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:40:45 +0000

Review by pgt38

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7485 2031

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

Tags: food, vegetarian dishes

The Assembly House is a deceptively large and spacious pub on Chalk Farm Road. Behind the front well lit front bar is a second much larger area at the rear.

Due to its close proximity to the Kentish Town Forum (formerly the Town and Country Club) every time I have been there it has been very busy. Despite this the bar staff have always done an excellent job of ensuring everyone is served as quickly as possible.
Itâ¬"s a shame it not local to me a I am sure that it would be an excellent venue at other times.

Worth a visit if you are in the area.
The Assembly House is a deceptively large and spacious pub on Chalk Farm Road. Behind the front well lit front bar is a second much larger area at the rear.

Due to its close proximity to the Kentish Town Forum (formerly the Town and Country Club) every time I have been there it has been very busy. Despite this the bar staff have always done an excellent job of ensuring everyone is served as quickly as possible.
Itâ¬"s a shame it not local to me a I am sure that it would be an excellent venue at other times.

Worth a visit if you are in the area.

The Gloucester Arms - Shite by sully

sully — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:19:08 +0000

Review by sully

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7485 3227

Tags: live music, pool tables

What a shite hole of a bar! Staff very unfriendly and rude and as for that barmaid she was suppin' cider all night as she served. I'd give this place a skip if I were you!!! What a shite hole of a bar! Staff very unfriendly and rude and as for that barmaid she was suppin' cider all night as she served. I'd give this place a skip if I were you!!!

The Cuban - Havana Good Time In Camden by inkognitoh

inkognitoh — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:18:18 +0000

Review by inkognitoh

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7424 0692

Tags: live music, lively, cool

Absolutely wonderful and generous tapas portions although I can't tell you what the mains are like because when I visited they were renevating and only serving tapas.

The atmosphere is about ten steps above 'lively' and would wander into 'rowdy' territory as the restaurant/bar hosts a sort of open mike night for bands of all descriptions. If you are after a quiet night of gazing into your loved ones eyes over a mohito, this is not the place for you.

If you like something different and enjoy up and coming live bands and don't mind noise and chaos while you dine then definitely check it out. Absolutely wonderful and generous tapas portions although I can't tell you what the mains are like because when I visited they were renevating and only serving tapas.

The atmosphere is about ten steps above 'lively' and would wander into 'rowdy' territory as the restaurant/bar hosts a sort of open mike night for bands of all descriptions. If you are after a quiet night of gazing into your loved ones eyes over a mohito, this is not the place for you.

If you like something different and enjoy up and coming live bands and don't mind noise and chaos while you dine then definitely check it out.

The Dartmouth Arms - Well, I kinda agree by sokratis

sokratis — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:34:29 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7485 3267

Tags: food, dosy, chilled

Buraco is kinda right. The manager can be a bit arrogant in Dartmouth Arms, but it's only one particular guy. The regular landlord is a great guy.
The chicken Sunday roast I had was also fantastic. And the organic ale that followed a perfect refresher.Buraco is kinda right. The manager can be a bit arrogant in Dartmouth Arms, but it's only one particular guy. The regular landlord is a great guy.
The chicken Sunday roast I had was also fantastic. And the organic ale that followed a perfect refresher.

Bar Tok - Tik Tok Not by sokratis

sokratis — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:02:07 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 3.00

Tags: mature, cheesy music, toilet

And now for instalment 4. Bar Tok seems like a nice bar usually. It's got a late license for Friday, but I would not recommend it after 1am. If you're into 40+ year old women, cheesy music and crowded atmosphere go if not, don't.

That's how it was when I went there. During normal time it seems like a pretty nice bar, so I'm willing to give it a second chance and update this review. Or if anyone has another view please stick it in here.
And now for instalment 4. Bar Tok seems like a nice bar usually. It's got a late license for Friday, but I would not recommend it after 1am. If you're into 40+ year old women, cheesy music and crowded atmosphere go if not, don't.

That's how it was when I went there. During normal time it seems like a pretty nice bar, so I'm willing to give it a second chance and update this review. Or if anyone has another view please stick it in here.