The Edinboro Castle, Camden

Such a shame that this pub isn't more smoothly run. Once again what should be a pleasant lunchtime drink is ruined by the one thing this pub really should excel at - the beer!
Huge array of taps and the promise of selected bottled ales so why, oh why is there never anything available (today it was either Amstel or Addlestones)? If the lunchtime trade means so little then please just stay closed.
Similarly I am fed up with returning pints which are either stale/off tasting or just fizzy water - 3 in a month is unacceptable. To be fair the staff are always friendly and apologise and indeed change the pint, but why does this happen all the time?
Lastly please decide whether you are aiming to run this as a pub or restaurant - waiting 25 minutes to order a drink as I did a couple of weeks ago is ridiculous. Either train the barstaff more effectively (other large pubs such as the Porterhouse seem able to cope with large volumes of custom) or simply open a separate food till.
Sad really when such effort has been made to make both the interior and the garden look so pleasant - will never be the oasis of calm it could and should be until its main purpose is resolved - drinks!

1 Jun 2009 14:53

The Hawley Arms, Camden

Yup Travis you got me dead to rights, I do have an interest in this pub - I like drinking in it!!!
Express your opinion mate, but don't call me pathetic for expressing mine. Working in Camden for the last four years I think I can safely say that I've drunk in every over-priced poncy lounge bar and flea bitten pit it's got - I've found this place a breath of fresh air since it reopened.
When your used to some of the dodgy boozers in SE London (where I live) you long to have somewhere like this on your doorstep - unpretentious with decent music and nice people.
Give it anothe try - you might find you like it!

17 Feb 2005 17:40

The Hawley Arms, Camden

Drinking in Camden can be a chore (something I'm not often known to say when booze is involved) what with surly regulars, moody staff and dubious jukeboxes. The Hawley however, since the new management has taken over, has become something of an oasis. The staff make nipping in for a pint a pleasure, and an evening session feels more akin to chilling in a mate's living room than visiting a public house. With an excellent menu, a cracking jukebox - with a little of something for everybody- and decent selection of drinks this really has become the place to go for a night, or indeed a lunchtime, out. Sla�nt�!

7 Feb 2005 12:23