BITE user comments - lookmother
Comments by lookmother
The Famous Royal Oak, Muswell Hill
Moved back to London after a year away and pleased to report this pub is just as wonderful as it used to be. Probably my favourite pub in the city. Great Guinness, lovely atmosphere, great surroundings and wonderful staff. What more could you want? Great.
8 Nov 2012 17:28
Have popped in here a few times recently to watch the football (TV sports seem very thin on the ground in Crouch End) and really enjoyed myself.
The beer is reasonably priced and very well kept and the bar staff are absolutely lovely. It's a shame it's not more crowded as they really deserve it.
It's nice to buy a pint in N8 and have someone smile at you when they hand it over. Such a little thing but it really does make a difference.
8 Nov 2012 17:25
The Harringay Arms, Crouch End
Have decided never to return after suffering a number of flat or watered down pints over the past few months. The Guinness is frequently awful and most of the lagers are warm and flat.
Add to this some of the rudest and most uninterested bar staff in London and there's really no good reason to frequent this pub any more. (Genuinely, how hard it is to say "hello," "please" and "thanks?")
I've wanted to pop in for a pint a few times over the last month, only to find myself stood on the doorstep and turning back, refusing to line the pockets of people who so clearly don't care about their customers.
I can only assume that the old guard who prop up the place continue to frequent it due to some misplaced loyalty to the building itself. If the beer and welcome are both poor, then what's the point?
6 Nov 2012 17:11
The Harringay Arms, Crouch End
Well said 'rougehayes.' Glad to hear that your plans don't extend to ripping the heart of the pub out. As a regular drinker, I think the additions are perfectly welcome. It's still a wonderfully peculiar little place and long may it stay that way. Just don't put in a wooden floor and Ikea furniture.
Joffle - I agree with some of your points, but you can still get a quiet pint in here - just not necessarily on a Saturday night. To be honest, even WITH the music, it's still a damn sight better than any other pub in Crouch End (the cloest comparison is the Famous Royal Oak, which also has a jukebox.)
7 Feb 2012 16:43
The Harringay Arms, Crouch End
I totally agree with Wiccaman777's 'IT'S NOT BROKE SO DON'T TRY AND FIX' comment above.
This is the ONLY pub left in Crouch End. The Queens, King's, Kiss the Sky, Railway, Maynard etc, have all turned into bars. Bars with expensive drinks and no atmosphere.
I hope the new owners realise that they have a unique (for Crouch End at least) watering hole here. It's always rammed - solely because it's remained a proper pub.
As a 33 year old fellow, I love drinking in here and am keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't change. Otherwise they'll lose my business and a LOT of other people's too.
I do worry the tide is turning though - I overheard 4 or 5 old fellas complaining about various beer price increases recently. If the cost of keeping the pub the way it is is an extra 10p on a pint then cool, but it might be worth informing the old guard of any upcoming changes so as not to alienate your core customers.
I'm giving a nervous '9.' Seriously - please don't rip the heart out of this one. Look at the comments and ratings on here - you've got a winner on your hands already.
11 Jan 2012 10:09
Well this is a weird one. I've always loved this pub, but went in for the first time in a while recently and it's turned into a teenage boy's bedroom.
Beer still good, jukebox still intact, but all of the rock and pop memorabilia had been replaced by framed photos of women in their underwear - seriously.
It's like walking through a copy of FHM and I'm not 100% sure why the landlord thinks it will attract customers.
I did notice the place was less crowded than it used to be and that actual real life women were pretty thin on the ground.
I don't mean to sound like an arse, but it's a pub, not a bachelor pad. Taking down a few of the photos would probably be sensible...
6 Jul 2011 12:29
Posted a review of this place a while back being vaguely positive. Not sure why. The place is horrible.
If the ludicrous prices and complete lack of atmosphere aren't enough to put you off, the surly, rude and dismissive staff (particularly the bar manager) should do it. Have stood at a nearly empty bar on a few occasions now being ignored by the bar manager who chooses to serve his cronies instead.
My other half has also had rude comments thrown at her by the manager - 'why are you having a drink on your own? No mates?' 'why are you buying your boyfriend a drink? That's his job' etc etc.
If the place was packed to the rafters every night then the arrogance might be understandable but the place is near on empty most nights.
It's not hard to see why.
12 Jan 2011 23:20
I'm really torn about whether or not to post this, because The Portland Arms is (at heart) a great little pub with a lovely fire, great beer and (from what I've heard) good food.
Sadly, I'll be avoiding it until there's a staffing change/change in attitude from staff.
Although newcomers are supposedly welcome, there's one member of staff for whom it seems like having a full pub is more trouble than it's worth.
On two occasions I've supped up and left immediately after hearing her complain that her customers are "pissing her off" while scowling at anyone who approaches the bar.
It's such a shame as it's such a great pub in many other respects.
3 Dec 2010 15:05
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
It's more like drinking in Comet than a pub in here. TV screens all over the walls, generally with Sky Sports News on a loop.
I understand putting sports on, but only when there's actually sports on. How's about keeping the TVs off when there's no reason for them to be on? Ruins atmosphere and conversations.
Also, the food is uniformally shocking. Microwaved at best.
Shame as they've got a really really good beer selection.
22 Nov 2010 13:20
Lots of bad reviews below this one - not 100% sure why.
Sure it's not really a pub, but you should go to The Lower Red Lion or The White Lion if you want a proper pub.
The bottom end of the high street is bereft of decent pubs. This one is the best of a bad bunch.
22 Nov 2010 13:18
It SEEMS like this place has reopened...joyfully.
It serves one purpose - keeping Smirnoff Ice drinking teens out of other pubs.
So thank you.
22 Nov 2010 13:16
It's alright in here I suppose. Staff are very attentive and the food is very good, but's just, well, a bit bland. The beer choice is pretty poor too (and a bottle of Leffe will set you back around �453)
Bascially, apart from weekend evenings, it's always a bit quiet with no real atmosphere to speak of. The acoustics are shocking, meaning you often struggle to hear what someone opposite you is saying if there's a larger group nearby.
They should look at somewhere like The Alexandra in Muswell Hill in terms of how to improve the atmosphere. Chuck a decent jukebox in there (northern soul, garage rock etc), scruff it up around the edges and you're away.
22 Nov 2010 13:15
The Volunteer Inn, Chipping Campden
Stayed here for one night last month and it's grand. Room was functional but cheap and the beer/clientele were lovely.
Make sure you have a curry in the attached restaurant. I was a bit dubious, but man alive it was nice.
18 Sep 2009 15:35
The Volunteer Inn, Chipping Campden
Stayed here for one night last month and it's grand. Room was functional but cheap and the beer/clientele were lovely.
Make sure you have a curry in the attached restaurant. I was a bit dubious, but man alive it was nice.
18 Sep 2009 15:35
Stayed here a few times now and really not sure what to make of it. Clientele and service seem to veer wildly from kind and helpful to uninterested and aggressive.
There seems to be a new owner every year, so maybe it's that, but my last visit left a lot to be desired. Offensively rude bar staff and 16-year-old "locals" mouthing off left right and centre.
You can't really go wrong with the location, but it'll be a while before I risk drinking there after 9pm.
18 Sep 2009 15:34
Slightly worried about this place going downhill. Staff used to be lovely and accomodating, but the recent hires seem more interested in looking surly and cool than actually serving people.
Also, seems to be going more 'laddy' - both in clientele and attitude.
North London already has one overpriced, poseur filled pub in The Hawley Arms - we don't need another one.
27 Jul 2009 12:53
The two problems about this pub has always been the staff....
...and nothing's changed since it re-opened.
Again, popped in there for a friend's birthday and the bar staff are so uniterested and surly it's untrue. Unless I'm very much mistaken, they're working behind a bar, not starring in a critically acclaimed indie film or playing the 02 arena.
Surely you should hire someone because they're good at their job, rather than because they wear skinny jeans and flannel shirts or tights with no skirts?
Has no-one in there seen Nathan Barley?!
26 Jan 2009 13:11
All of the atmosphere of an Ikea showroom in here, but with POUNDING music.
Usually not too bad, but it was like an eastern European club in there on Saturday with an over-eager barman thinking he was DJ Scooter.
Hint: when your pub is half empty, maybe it's time to look at the music choices?
6 Oct 2008 15:47
After mistreating its regulars in pursuit of the fleeting 'in-crowd' it looks like this pub has fallen on bad times.
It WAS a great pub for a number of years, but all it took was a couple of appearances from Pete Doherty and Kate Moss before the beer prices went through the roof, tables were reserved for the management's mates and surly bouncers appeared on the door.
After one too many evenings being shunted from table to table to accomodate trilby wearing f**kwits I vowed never to return. However, my mate lives just round the corner and it's his local so I ventured back in with trepidation.
I was worried about getting a seat as it was such a popular place. Not any more. It was like the Marie Celeste in there. It looks like the 'in-crowd' found a trendier watering hole, and they f**ked off leaving you with an empty pub with no atmosphere.
I don't want to see a great pub go under but, if the takings are down, hopefully they'll realise that you can't treat your regulars like dirt.
11 Aug 2008 12:32
pbarney - you must have caught the bar staff on a bad day, as they are usually the most helpful, smiley group of people in Muswell Hill.
I urge you to try again - apart the lack of air con, it's a great pub.
11 Aug 2008 12:19
The Clissold Arms, East Finchley
Oh dear. It's EXACTLY what you'd expect from a gastro-pub. Wooden flooring throughout, inoffensive colourings and bland bland music. It has all the charm and atmosphere of an aircraft hanger.
Good selection of beers and the menu looked ok, but it's like 1001 other soulless bars in London.
Unless you love pints that cost an arm and a leg with a soundtrack of David Gray and the Stereophonics steer well clear.
Another traditional, lovely boozer bites the dust.
25 Feb 2008 12:51
The Clissold Arms, East Finchley
Any news on the re-opening? It's been shut for a long long time now.
18 Feb 2008 17:22
The Famous Royal Oak, Muswell Hill
What a great little pub. I avoided it for years due to a general fear of what might lie within. Frosted windows, weird '60s exterior, punters spilling out onto the street - it had all of the hallmarks of a rough locals pub.
How wrong was I?! It's absolutely wonderful. Cosy, welcoming with a great landlord and his wonderful family staffing the bar, best pint of Guinness in London...the list goes on.
In The Alexandra and the Famous Royal Oak, Muswell Hill has two pubs to be proud of...now if only someone would shut down The Village.
4 Jan 2008 12:39
To start off, I feel really embarrased about my review of Sept 2006 - especially as it's been pinned up on the wall next to the bar!
I hope that Roxy and co. took it in the manner in which it was written - with an angry finger pointed towards grumpy old folks and NOT the bar and/or staff itself!
I love the Alexandra. It's a welcoming, sweet and, above all, wonderfully different pub. After Liverpool won the European cup they handed out free pints; on the last night of the smoking ban they gave out free cigars; and this new year they gave out party poppers and made everyone feel welcome.
It's very rare that you get that kind of considerate, personal treatment nowdays and it's something to be celebrated. It's little things, but it all counts.
Oh, and the new jukebox is the best in London (and I include the Boogaloo in that). Now if only some f**ker would stop putting on Chas n' Dave...
4 Jan 2008 11:59
The Red Lion and Sun, Highgate Village
Another wonderful local pub with loads of character transformed into a soulless laminated nightmare. I have no idea what the owner/brewery/landlord was thinking.
True its previous incarnation was a bit tatty around the edges, but it was nothing that new carpets and a fresh lick of paint wouldn't have solved. Instead it's been turned into an Ikea showroom.
Dreadful.
26 Oct 2007 16:49
Popped in for a friend's birthday last week and, although I didn't think it was possible, it's even worse than it was six months ago.
The female clientele is now made up ENTIRELY of Lily Allen/Kate Nash a-likes, with the male clientele favouring the skinny-jeaned Kooks/Razorlight look.
Add inefficient, posturing bar staff, stupidly high beer prices and and you've got one of the most ludicriously over-rated pubs in the UK.
Birthday or no birthday, I will not be returning.
17 Sep 2007 16:13
Decent place, completely let down by the staff. There's about two or three bar staff who are very attentive and good at their jobs.
The rest are either painfully slow, uninterested or both. Expect waits of between 5-10 minutes before anyone even catches your eye and then anotehr 10 mins before they deign you worthy of being served.
Oh and don't ask for house wine unless you want a look of complete disgust.
If it wasn't for the beer garden this place would have no customers left.
15 Jun 2007 12:41
The Clissold Arms, East Finchley
So pleased to hear the addition of a much needed gastro-pub to the local scene.
What with the Victoria Stakes, the Maid of Muswell, The Queens and St Johns nearby there'll soon be no traditional pubs left at all!
Viva la revolution!
22 May 2007 17:28
Decent enough place. It's a bit like drinking in an aircraft hanger, but the pizzas are pretty good and it's a nice enough place during the day/just after work.
But be warned - on Friday and Saturday nights its like the last days of Sodom and Gomorrah in there.
22 May 2007 17:23
Best pub in Highgate without a doubt. Great place for a pint with the paper or a night out with your friends.
There's a lot of history within the four walls of this place and you can't help but be taken by the surroundings - all dark wood and candles.
Being Highgate way it often gets packed with braying chino wearing public schoolboys, but that's a small price to pay for such a great drinking hole.
22 May 2007 17:18
So nice to find somewhere with connections back to the wonderful (and much missed) Dive Bar.
It's miles away in terms of background music (more chart based stuff than the wonderful soundtrack of Ella Fitzgerald and co that used to make the Dive so special), but the general atmosphere remains.
Amazingly friendly bar staff and a rough and ready (bordering on grotty according to my friend!) feel make it a stand out in central London.
Oh and the Sunday jazz is a nice touch too.
22 May 2007 17:06
The Hill Restaurant and Bar, Muswell Hill
Totally agree with Strongers - what the hell is going on with this place? It seems to open and close at will with no regular opening hours.
I don't know why anyone go out of their way to drink there, but it'd be pretty annoying to travel to this place just to find out that the landlord can't be bothered to open up.
Maybe they're short staffed, but you're never going to get locals or regulars if you change opening hours as often as the weather.
22 May 2007 17:04
The Princess Alexandra, Crouch End
Great pub in many, many ways. The staff are very very friendly and the pub grub is great (especially the steak and mushroom pie).
BUT there's two big downsides to the place:
1. Music volume - I'm pretty sure that about half of the pub doesn't have any speakers - as a result the music is hideously loud in some parts of the pub to make up for the lack of speakers elsewhere. I've had many an evening ruined by having to scream at people sat two yards away from me. Also, when a pub is near on empty, having German showtunes blaring out at 1000 decibels is just going to force out the people already in there - not attract passerbys!
2. Nowt they can really do about this, but the place often turns into a creche on Saturday and Sundays. Personally, I can think of better places to hold a 3 year old's birthday party than a smoky pub but there you go...
Apart from that it's grand. I suppose you should go on a weeknight and WATCH OUT FOR SPEAKER!
22 May 2007 17:00
Well, I wrote last year that it was teetering on the brink and sadly it's fallen off the wrong side.
What was once a great, welcoming pub with a cool jukebox and wonderful staff is now populated by Kooks and Razorlight look-a-likes...who might actually be the real thing.
Impossible to get a seat, snooty barstaff and skinny jeaned scenesters have ruined this one for anyone who used to drink there pre 2006.
Not that the owners will care - they're probably raking it in!
22 Feb 2007 15:47
Ah what a great bar. Wonderful jukebox, wonderful staff, wonderful atmosphere.
Thank goodness it's more than two yards away from a tube station or you'd never get a seat.
7 Nov 2006 12:25
Man alive the music in here is shocking. A quiet Monday night drink turned into a shouting match with someone sat two yards away from me.
The bar was near on empty but the bar staff kept turning their sh*te house music up until it reached ear-splittingly loud volume.
I don't want Corinne Bailey Rae and Sade in the background, but a happy medium would be nice.
Oh, and it's �4.00 a pint. Enjoy!
7 Nov 2006 12:19
May be forced to reconsider this one. Always been great, but the last couple of times I've been in, my friends and I have fallen foul of the 'old guard'- the Chelsea pensioners propping up the bar.
They may have wandered across from the Clissold Arms, but they're angry and they don't like you trying to get to the bar. They also don't like football, anyone who doesn't drink bitter or anyone under 60.
I think that they might just appear on a Sunday (and are probably home in time for Last of the Summer Wine), so leave them to it and try popping in on a week day.
Bar staff are great though!
20 Sep 2006 16:14
May be forced to reconsider this one. Always been great, but the last couple of times I've been in, my friends and I have fallen foul of the 'old guard'- the Chelsea pensioners propping up the bar.
They may have wandered across from the Clissold Arms, but they're angry and they don't like you trying to get to the bar. They also don't like football, anyone who doesn't drink bitter or anyone under 60.
I think that they might just appear on a Sunday (and are probably home in time for Last of the Summer Wine), so leave them to it and try popping in on a week day.
15 Sep 2006 15:34
Teetering on the brink this one. It�s just had a refit, adding a roof terrace which is great, and the jukebox and beer standard is still second to none.
Sadly the new bar staff are a mixture of complete incompetents and try hard poseurs. The friendly welcome and cosy feel of the place was what made it great, so let's hope it�s just having a few teething problems at the moment. Studied cool and detached indifference may be en vogue at the Lock Tavern, but let�s hope it�s not spreading.
Also, if everyone would stop singing The Hawley�s praises on here, perhaps I'd get a seat! Selfish sods.
15 Aug 2006 17:30
Beer horribly overpriced (even by Highgate standards), always rammed, always full of 'Rupert' and 'Tristan' horsey yah yahs.
If you want somewhere a bit cheaper with less attitude try the Red Lion and Sun or even The Wrestlers which, although expensive, at least has more than three seats.
5 May 2006 16:24
Great little pub that remains (thankfully) quite quiet. A godsend when confronted by the hell of Muswell Hill drinking. They've always got the Stones playing, the food is pretty good and you can always get a seat.
One downside is the shocking lack of choice beer wise. It's a small bar, but surely they could fit another couple of pumps in?
5 May 2006 16:05
Great pub, free jukebox, lovely friendly staff.
BUT when the hell will they sort out the beer on tap - it's all either:
a. flat
b. warm
c. both of the above
Surely in 2006, this isn't that hard to sort out?!
One downside of an otherwise great pub.
5 May 2006 16:01
This pub has vanished so far up its backside it's untrue. About two years ago it used to be the best pub in London (in my opinion) with a great jukebox, decently priced beer, friendly bar staff and a great buzz.
As soon as it started getting press coverage up went the beer prices, in came the bouncers and surly bar staff and out went what made it great - a welcoming atmosphere and decent people.
I haven't been in about six months after being told to move tables three times to accomodate the manager's cronies.
Unless you want to be treated like a piece of cr*p steer well clear. I'd rather drink in the souless Muswell Hill pubs than line the pockets of people who only care about which celebrities walk through their doors.
5 May 2006 15:54
The Maynard Arms, Crouch End
I'm not sure who was behind the refurb of this place, but they've somehow turned it into a cacophonous echo chamber. I assume all of the wood and tiling means the acoustics have been affected during the revamp. Sadly it means it's a struggle to hear anyone around you on a busy night as a result. Shame as it does LOOK pretty grand!
8 Nov 2012 17:36