BITE user comments - uptoeleven
Comments by uptoeleven
The Princess of Wales, Primrose Hill
This is an anti-Camden / anti-Primrose Hill pub. Back in the day most pubs used to be like this and the Princess of Wales would have been nothing out of the ordinary. Nowadays it is a tiny island between the of gastropubs in Primrose Hill and the oceans of dj bars / venues / clubs / pubs that want to be one of the other 3.
The Princess is quiet and laid back and a great place to wind down gently after work. If you're of the "work hard play hard" persuasion don't bother. If you're looking for a quiet place near Camden to caress your worn soul on a Saturday night - this is it. Pub gold.
16 Oct 2008 17:42
Very, very chilled out. Diverse jukebox, really good guinness, simple but well prepared and served food. None of the pseudiness of the Lock Tavern, none of the gothic metal nonsense of the Caernarvon Arms, a real oasis. Some of the soft drinks are v. cheap which is good if you're driving. A favourite among market stall holders having been assaulted by millions of people in Camden who want whatever it is for less, don't speak English, want stuff for free, ignore you completely, can get this stuff for half the price in (insert place here) whatever - after a day of aggravation the Hawley Arms is the perfect antidote. Was closed for 10 weeks but opened bigger and much better. Nice work fellas.
Hang on - that means loads of people will pile down there & we won't get a seat... no it's rubbish - don't go, it's terrible :) (it's not working is it)
a hidden gem in the heart of Camden.
22 May 2006 17:34
Absolutely disgusted. Went to the Caernarvon with a native american friend who runs a shop in the market to watch Metal Works. He popped out briefly and not only was he denied re-entry but was assaulted by the doorman. Apparently the flute he carries was not allowed (he's Cherokee and apparently it's part of his belief - I have no idea but it's hardly a weapon, he's carried it for the last 14 years and he's been drinking there for the last 5 years which hasn't been a problem... and he wasn't playing it there). Now I have no idea what the problem was and ended up drinking elsewhere. Given that the pub are happy to have glass bottles, glass drinking glasses, loud, boisterous, aggressive punters and general mayhem I have no idea what their problem is with a hippy-looking american indian. Maybe they don't like people with dark skin in there...
22 May 2006 17:26
Great beer, great food, great food garden, Tattoo John but awful PA - watching live music there is excruciating, playing it even more so.
31 Dec 2004 19:44
Getting better and better with new manager since September. New music policy with interesting bands he's trying to turn it into an arts venue (without the pretentiousness that an arts venue might have) - a sort of arts pub if you like. Accoustics not great but good PA and excellent engineer. Food is going to change to Italian (pasta and stuff) - should be interesting, friendly staff, nice beer, interesting locals. And it's a music venue which is an increasingly rare thing in Stoke Newington.
31 Dec 2004 19:42
The Monarch, Chalk Farm
no the photo is correct if old. This was the Man In The Moon. It is now The Monarch. Same dreary interior but with mega-PA and loud bands. Incongruous but good :)
16 Oct 2008 17:46