please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Came here last Wednesday for drinks and food with a few American clients.
4 pumps but only 1 ale on which was Adnams Southwold Bitter & to be honest it wasn't great, there was also a Sambrooks Junction clip facing the punters but I was told it wasn't on. After a ropey pint of Southwold I went onto Camden Pale Ale on tap which was excellent and very drinkable.
Sat out in the garden under shelter from the rain with the heaters on, it has a hidden gardens of Babylon feel to it!
The 7 of us took advantage of the burger menu and all of the food was excellent and well worth the money.
Busy inside and in the garden, nice atmosphere and all in all a very decent place for drinks in the evening.
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Now look I wos coomininere lookin for a proper fight, But you Camdeners have gotten soft. I'm askin' Heres melookin for a kick off and you c***ts is tukin in to guacamoles andS**** I'm askin , weres the kickooff, Hammers is rockbottom an oim lookin for a rightKO. Camden Camden not wot it wonce wos im tellin oyus that I aint gotten over Spurs winnin that cop then. Bloody blloody Nlondon people.
Caaamden. Caaamden Not wot it wonce wos.
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a bit dark and dirty, the food looked very good, service with a scowl unfortunately
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Judging from some of the previous reviews perhaps I did well to go here on a cold and miserable Wednesday night. It was still fairly busy tho, at 8pm but a lot quieter on my second visit an hour or so later. Naturally, being in Camden, there was a distinct lack of lighting, i.e. it was gloomy, and although I’m not a great fan of trendy sofa seating it was still comfortable enough. The highlight, as it should be with any pub, was the beer. Four handpumps, one was off but the other three had Purity, Twickenham and Redemption. I had the latter which was very good (both times!). OK, £4 isn’t cheap but I’d rather pay the extra few pence if it means getting a decent pint – from a smaller brewery too. It has the added benefit of being near to the Barfly music venue too, near enough, in fact, to get a beer in after the support band but before the headline act! (And one thing you can be sure of, if you want to drink decent beer and not pay too much over the odds you would certainly choose the Lock Tavern over the Barfly!)
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If you are forced into drinking on the main drag in Camden or going to a gig at the Roundhouse this is a good place to go, but it still makes all the usual mistakes typical of this area. Downstairs always seems clogged up with grumpy North London loudmouths perched at the bar making it a pain in the arse to get served, and the main seating area is all big couches; it's amazing how much space they take up compared to how few people they can seat.
Walk through the pub into the beer garden and things get much better, and upstairs is another bar and terrace with a DJ. They serve food but I wouldn't bother. The barstaff are friendly but slow.
Beer! Maybe one ale on, otherwise Meantime Pale Ale or usual 'premium' lagers etc. Rubbishly expensive, especially since they admitted that they put the prices up at weekends ("standard thing in London"!?!).
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'Trendy Camden' is just as poor for customer service as a Basildon estate pub- this place asked us for a 'regulars' card- hahahahaaha- everything in Britain is so difficult isn't it? It must be really 'exclusive' inside eh? What if none of the regulars don't turn up- does the pub stay empty? British stupidity a lo maximo...kick this braindead boozer into the dustbin of British history along with the double decker bus, concorde and driving on the left.....
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Best beer garden in Camden, nice in winter and summer.
Good crowd. Free gigs upstairs sometimes.
Aura7 - 10 Oct 2011 17:04 |
I went to go on Saturday and got asked for a Regulars card. "A What?" Not bigging myself up, but I spend a lot of money in bars as me and my friends have a fair amount of disposable cash. The only thing I ask is to not have some bouncer give me grief about not having some rubbish card. I'll take my money elsewhere and go Gilgamesh a much nicer place than this.
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I stumbled across this website while looking for another pub in Camden, it seems the Lockside is receiving quite a bit of flak and in all honesty its nearly all entirely justified. Last time I popped into this joint I was served a pint of Guiness that was utterly woeful, I returned it to the bar and was met with a "what do you want me to do about it?", to which I responded "your job mate". No joke. I manage a bar and if one of my staff spoke to a customer like that they would be out the door with my foot up their arse. I'd been here a few times prior to this and had a fair idea whom the duty manager was so popped upstairs and told her just what had happened. Just out of pure coincidence while I was recounting my fascinating tale a guy at the end of the bar piped up and asked me who it was, I asked him who he was and it turns out he was the owner. He then asked what the member of staff looked like, I declined as I didn't want to get the kid sacked even if he was a complete mug. They replaced the drink, apologised, all good. However a mass rehiring of staff is most definitely in order here, gone are the days where you can treat a punter like an imbecile. Well, within reason that is.
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Good beer, with some unusual imported bottles (Goose Island IPA). They dicked us around with the food though, taking our money and then failing to deliver when they "ran out" of food.
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Exterior reminds me of " The endurance " in soho. No frills inside but ideal if you want a couple of pints and a chat in the afternoon 7/10
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IgorA,
Yep, you sound like exactly the type of person you'd find in there.
Facts were right thanks.... cocktails can be very simple. There's a nice one made from Vodka, Kalhua and coke....
I'm pleased you like it and you go there, it means the rest of us will be spared your 'trendy' and 'edgy' manner.
Sigh.
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Basically everything the person below has said! Was there last night for a mate's 30th and the few things that struck out were the extremely small and smelly toilets, but it's tempered by the heated garden, roof terrace, sofas, homemade pub grub and good music. Try to get outta here before it gets busy because it can take forever to get served. And don't bother reserving tables, people just take over them like they own the place! I still think there are better options in the area.
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Lovely pub with heated garden, roof terrace (overlooking market), 2 bars with sofa's and lamps etc. Really cozy with good homemade pub grub (burgers and pies etc). Toilets are small and smelly but it looks like an old building with little room for any improvements. Loads of free live music nights with top notch bands and DJ's. Weekends are silly busy so mid week is the best. Bar staff a touch unfriendly but much better service here compared to other pubs in the area. Ale's were all on when I went last week! Have a look for yourself......
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this used to be one of my favourites, but not a single ale on the other week - sadly in common with most Camden pubs, it seems!
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I've been going to the Lock for a few years now and I know for a fact they don't serve cocktails. Never have.
If you're going to make up a terrible 'review' (like that of Rand below) you might as well get your facts right first.
It's a great pub. Yeah it's trendy. Yeah you won't get in if your wearing a suit on a Friday night. Yeah the barstaff are hot. Yeah the music is edgy and you probably won't recognise it. So it won't be for everyone. Good.
I love it.
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Went in on a weekday evening - no door staff and no 'regulars card' required. Inside, busy but not packed at pre-gig time. Customers appeared to be relatively normal, but the staff didn't seem particular attentive (and what was the lady hovering around behind the 'team' - presumably the duty manager- actually adding to proceedings?). Two handpumps, but only one on - an OK pint of Old Speckled Hen. In the unlikely event that I return, I will probably buy my pint and then head upstairs the other bar behind the rooftop terrace which had a more comfortable atmosphere but a restricted drinks range.
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Wouldn't go back in if I was dying of thirst....
Pretentious, snobby, overrated and unfriendly place. The bar staff are so firmly shoved up their own back passages, they're circular.... and it's not as if they have anything to be proud of. They spend half the time looking in the mirrors and chatting and only get round to serving when they have finished a conversation. Ordered a couple of cocktails in there a while ago, easy ones too, and they were awful! When I asked if they could possible add more to them to make them drinking, I was told by a particularly rude young mod, that.... 'Y'ull af to wait mate...', even though he had just pocketed my couple of quid tip from thirty seconds ago.
The doormen are rude too, and seem intent on finding anybody that looks at them wrong so they can pick a fight.
Save your money guys and DO NOT bother... there are far nicer pubs in the area where they would be happy to have your hard earned cash.
All in all, this is not a good pub and the sooner someone who knows what they're doing takes it over the better....
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Awful yuppie pub, went in once , not returning. Full of posh 20 something girls and their boy friends and hangers on from Primrose Hill and Hampstead who don't look at anyone they don't already know and tunr their noses up at punters who aren't good looking and well to do or both.
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We greatly value customer feedback and would like to respond to all the user reviews below who have criticised our use of regulars cards at the door. Our aim with the cards is not to be exclusive or turn away good custom, it is to ensure that our regulars who visit us 2 or 3 times a week are not refused entry or made to queue on busy nights. Lots of people have these cards and in reality very few people are turned away unless we have reached capacity or have a specially promoted night happening.
We have a large walled garden at the back of the venue and a roof terrace upstairs which both get filled up on warm nights and we quickly reach capacity, so it may look like we are not busy from the outside when in fact everyone is in the garden or upstairs. At 10.30pm our license requires us to close both spaces at which point everyone then crams into the bar areas.
We have to manage the space we have and ensure we do not exceed the capacity, which is why we are forced to refuse entry and operate a one in one out policy.
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I have been asked for a regulars card before but they alway let me in if I sweet talk them. If you want to avoid the hoards of youngsters then head there on a week night when you can actually grab a table or even better head out to the roof terrace. On a Sunday with their roasts it is one of my favourite places in Camden.
Toilets definately need some work though as none of the seats actually stay on.
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I've been here before loads of times and although it's usually full of teenagers I didn't really have much bad to say about it. Until Saturday. I was having a drink, waiting for a friend to arrive. After a half hour or so I get a call from him saying he's outside and that the bouncers are asking for a "local's card" and they won't let him in. I got in with no problem and the pub isn't even particularly busy so refusing entry seems pretty stupid. And he had just come from work so hadn't had a drink all day. Anyway I go and try talking to the bouncers, explaining that the pub really isn;'t very busy and that I've been waiting for said friend for quite a while and what the problem is. What I got was a rude, aggressive and idotic response about it being full to capacity and that he didn't like "the way I was acting" - I left and went elsewhere. Also there's signs saying something along the lines of "This isn't a Weatherspoons so please treat out staff with respect" - this snobbery is ridiculous and the staff appeared disinterested and were very slow. Never again.
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This used to be a creat Camden pub - which would cater for the locals with a decent pint and some food and also have good mix of the visitors to Camdem: Goth, Hippie and tourist alike (to name but a few who may've wandered over from the stables).
Unfortunately the current owners seem to have had a 'change of use' policy and have turned it into a youth club for the posh teens from up the road in Belsize Park, Haverstock Hill etc. - absolutely ghastly.
The bar staff are more concerned wih preening themselves than actually taking any money behind the bar, and it is literally just full of kids. Managed to get in under the wire before the 'locals card' (what a joke) comes into barring all from entry - and upstairs there was a balcony full of 16yr olds having a birthday party. Even some of their parents were there, which really was quite wierd. All plastered, naturally.
Meanwhile, bald, eastern-european muscle on the door resolutely and agressively refuses entry to all, unless you happen to be a pubescent teen.
I can't think of a single thing to recommend this pub.
And the excuse 'well, it is camden', doesn't really wash - if you're not letting the locals in as they haven't got a 'locals' card - or anyone else because they're, er, not local, then I can't quite figure it out...perhaps they're happy to make their money solely from pocket money of the local rich kids?
hufty - 27 Jul 2009 15:15 |
Went in there before the Ultravox gig at the Roundhouse. They ran out of real ale as I got there (I blame my friends who were already in there...). It was ok despite this although surely the owners must have got an idea of how much beer will be needed without running out early in the evening. Quite likely there was nobody there who knew how to change a barrel.
Went by later though and they had this wretched Regulars Card policy which as someone else said makes it a private members club really. Nowhere else seemed to be being like this including the Hawley.
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Spot on munky_boy_77 and daveyfern. If a pub demands membership cards it should be treated the same way as a private members' club and be removed from this site.
What other business would turn away customers at any time, never mind during a recession.
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While I have myself been asked for a regulars card in the past, it normally isn't an issue as long as you're polite and know what's going on upstairs. I went to see Andrew Weatherall in there many moons ago, and had the time of my life. There aren't many 'pubs' where you can get up that close to a legend like Weathers!!
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"regulars card?, what that?"
Went down to Camden last night for a few drinks and to meet up with some old friends that we're up in London for the weekend. popped into the Lock Tavern around 6ish had a few pints of flat warm student bar lager! the only thing missing were the plastic pint glasses.
waited for some more friends to turn up, they arrived just after 7 and were greeted by some idiot doorman demanding a regulars card! the place wasn't busy and he still refused to let them in. Given today's economic climate turning away customers when your not busy is tantamount to business suicide! and its pubs like this which have no respect for its customers which are the ones closing everyday! I hope the owners of this pub wake up to the fact you can't treat decent money spending folk in this way! just because we don't live around the corner!
RIP The Lock Tavern
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good_pubs_are_rare
Mate, obviously the pubs you go to are rare! I don't know of a decen pub I have EVER been to that have a bleeding 'membership card' policy!! If it does, don't you dare call it a pub.
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I feel sorry for the poor old boy from Bedford but it hasnt changed my mind about this place... Ive been drinking in the Lock for a couple of years now and I always find all of the staff really friendly. Its pretty much always a good time had by all and is not as poncy as lots of the other places in Camden. Long Live The Lock!
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I cant see the problem with the Lock.. But I do live in Camden and probably know what to expect in terms of cliental! It is full of "cool kids" but isnt that what Camden is all about? People forget that its also got one of the best music policies and holds some of the best FREE music nights... It serves decent booze and the foods good for a sunday knees up - I really cant complain! Im sure it wont suit everyone but what pub does?
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Good old comfy local - Nice folk, good ale and a playlist thats not half bad... Get a thumbs up from me!
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I love this place. Okay, the toilets leave a bit to be desired, but apart from that it's a great pub. I've been drinking in here for years and have always found the staff really friendly. Maybe if some of the less satisfied reviewers were to try and be a little patient, maybe even friendly themselves, they might just enjoy themselves.
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Listen CharlyF, pubs in London get busy. There are loads of pubs/bars/clubs that operate gustlist or membership cards - BIG DEAL. Go somewhere else! If you like the enterprise then you won't like the Lock = the Enterprise is shit and full of chav pikey's with their fading tatoo's and their pet dogs that feed on young children. Oh and the Lock doesn't sell super tennants so your better off down the off licence mate. Do us all a favour and stay in bedford, cheers
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I sent the landlord of this pub the following e-mail. I have not had a reply. I would suggest you give this once good pub a miss!
"Dear Sirs
I live near Bedford but on Saturday 6th September I was in London for a gig at the Roundhouse. I had arranged to meet friends at The Enterprise but because I was early decided to go for a drink and something to eat at The Lock Tavern. I had been there before on several occasions but not recently. However, I remember it as being a very good pub with good food. So I walked down there. I was greeted on the door by a surly gentleman who asked me if I was meeting friends there. I replied that I was not to which he said that if I did not have a "regulars card" I would not be able to enter! I thought for a moment that this was a joke but apparently not. Well I am not some larger lout but a respectable 54 year old! I felt totally humiliated and it damn near ruined my evening. How dare you operate such a policy? Not that I would have checked but I can't see any mention of this on your website either. I can assure you that you have lost me a customer and I expect a full apology. I would also hope that you speak to your door staff about his complete lack of manners."
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One of the worst experiences we've ever had in a pub. Came in with my girlfriend about 4pm intending to buy a Sunday roast and saw a load of half eaten plates on the tables. Against our better judgement ordered 2 beef roasts which turned out to be nothing more than expensive gloopy stodge. Went to the toilet then one of the bar staff took my drink which was half full while my girlfriend was on the phone. Tried to complain and a certain member of bar staff tried to suggest I was pulling one. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!
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dear lord....just under a tenner for two drinks ..bar staff that can't stop gawping in the mirror ..and to top it all ...the womens' loo stank so bad I had to keep a tissue over my mouth ...and I ain't squeamish ..I've been to Glastonbury 5 times ..these were BAD!!!
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nice pub, great atmosphere - pleasnat all round
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I was in the Lock Tavern with friends on Sunday. It didn't look too busy from the outside so I wasn't too impressed at having to line up at six o'clock.
However, it didn't take long and once we saw how rammed the garden and upstairs were we were not surprised.
I don't know how andy, ken and rob can complain about the staff, when its busy at any pub you have to wait for a drink.
It's not too hard either when you're waiting in a great atmosphere with free live music!
Nice touch with the balloons also!
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bag nicked, staff no use.
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We have mixed feelings on this pub.
It has a great back garden and it is fairly well heated in the winter (a plus for us smokers), the music is really GOOD (indie/electronic), several draft beers (no ales that I recall), and sometimes the clientele is good (mix between funky and indie rock), although sometimes it can get some cheesy people as well (think jeans and high-heels... on the same person!).
The downside is whilst some of the staff are nice, they are really slow (lazy). Having lived in NYC and San Fran (where pub/bartenders actually know how to tend bar), it can be really frustrating just ordering two pints. Do keep an eye out for people arriving at the bar after you because the bartenders will just shout out "who's next" as they have no idea. It's up to the customers to say "who's next" as no one seems to have manners when ordering.
I guess they have gotten too busy as recently the doorman asked us if we had a "locals card". We've been going to this pub for years, but I guess with them having decent djs upstairs now and again, it's gotten too popular.
Like a previous review, probably best for mid-week and avoid on the weekends (including Sundays when we were asked for a "locals card") unless you get in there early.
We'll give this pub a 6 out of 10 (would have given it a 7 but the new door policy is crap and the staff seem to be more apathetic every visit).
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No ale, but altogether not a bad pub at all. I've walked past on Fridays and Saturdays and it's heaving, but during the week it's quite pleasant. The garden at the back is pleasant and I like the slightly random staircase going to the top bar. Staff were friendly. As I say, I wouldn't go when it's busy, but during the week it's rather nice.
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This place was nice last time I went, but found some rude bouncers and a one in, one out policy when I turned up the other night. Getting told off for wanting to find my mates in a pub isn't my idea of fun on Friday. Neither is queing, so we all went elsewhere. Shame it's got so popular, I'd avoid it on a Friday.
swizz - 27 Feb 2008 16:13 |
true the lock does get well busy but it was well worth it when we saw Erol Alkan dj in the upstairs bar. Banger.
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People queue to get in here! Really! It somewhat boggles the mind. Still, if your idea of a good night out is to spend an hour and a half in the rain so that you can then spend a fortune crushed together with the posers who inhabit this hole, then far be it from me to dissuade you. Good luck!
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Went here for a friends birthday a while ago, the weather was nice so we had a table booked outside. Evening was ok, beer was good, even had a couple of decent bitters though it was mainly lager. Two main critiscms first, that despite being in Camden it feels like a bar in any number of places in London (notting Hill in particular) and second at 10pm the bouncers uncerimoniously herded us inside despite there not being enough room for everyone. so we left. sharpish.
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Good place to go in camden, but the beers need to be better, plus bottles and has the BEST person working in that place called Jennifer. Great person, made me and my mates welcomed, funny, nice lady and she's the reason we go in the lock.
anonymous - 8 Oct 2007 16:22 |
Great place to go if you want to get started on by bar staff and get a trilby shoved in your face. Full of Russel Glands, Pete Cockertys and other assorted pretentious t@ss-pots. poor show.
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My friend and I were so sad on Monday.. After a boring day's work, we decided to have a drink at The Lock Tavern but it was closed (Ohh Monday Bloody Monday) so we went to the Barfly, but it was too noisy (Monday bloody monday again)... So we took our drinks and went to the Entreprise, but it was nothing special...For us The Lock Tavern is definitely the best place at Chalk Farm, so see you tonight!...
Maudie
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I had a pretty dismal experience in here last night. I was at the bar waiting for a few minutes (it was ridiculously busy, as always) when one of the barmen - a studenty, trendy, skinny, stubbly guy with long greasy dark hair - raised his eyebrows at me in a decidedly hostile manner. I took this as a signal that he was ready to serve me and went ahead and ordered 4 drinks, which he nonchalantly poured/pulled for me.
I handed over �15 in cash. He then muttered that this wasn't enough, so I asked him how much it was. He grunted, rather more aggressively this time, that he didn't know. He then barely-coherently reeled off the prices off the four (different) drinks and expected me to perform the mental arithmetic. As I hadn't even heard him properly, I was unable to do so.
Again, I asked him politely how much I owed him. To this he even more aggressively said "Just give me twenty". I didn't actually have twenty pounds with me, which I explained. He then muttered some expletive and sauntered off to the cash register to perform the calculation electronically. Whilst doing so he turned to me and shouted something at me in an extremely nasty manner whilst pointing his finger in my direction.
He then came back over and told me that I owed him twenty pence, which I handed over whilst he eyeballed me. I walked away from the bar, and whilst doing so turned round and noticed that he was still staring at me.
Quite what I'd done wrong and how I'd managed to offend this person so much I've no idea. I certainly shan't be spending hard-earned cash to be treated like excrement in this over-rated sweat-box ever again.
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just thought i'd like to bung in my four quids worth but i thought last sunday at the lock was brilliant...
clearly a lot thought and planning had gone into it, even had a costermonger type gentleman caught in a timewarp selling clothes in the front section!
food was great (it is a pub not some egon ronay rated restaurant) and the and the service seemed fine to me.. can't believe people keep banging on about the trendy staff... this is camden, not Craggy Island, what do they expect!
great stuff
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Its a fairly nice looking place, and to be fair the roast dinners are tasty, albeit two thirds the size they should be though. The staff aren't warm and welcoming, but neither are they rude. They seem similar to a number of people in there, "trendy" and a bit too up their own ar-ses. Still, its not a terrible place, just got slightly more than its fair share of w*nkers. Would certainly go for a beer there again, but wouldn't stay for long.
anonymous - 13 May 2007 19:49 |
Nice decor and great food. Gets very crowded though and I've been in twice and been kept waiting for over 10 minutes to get served. Fair enough, it gets really busy, but there are places just as good around the corner where I'd rather spend my time and money. Overhyped in my opinion.
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I find it hard to knock this place. Only slight downsides would be it can get a bit crammed and yes the staff aren't always that helpful but there only really qiubbels. Generally though it's a first class 'tarted up boozer on the Chalk Farm Road' as they like to say. Decent selection of drinks, really good music if you're in the mood for a bit of down tempo house and good Sunday roasts. Sure it might not be everyones cup of tea but then they can go drinking down the Misty Moon.
anonymous - 4 Feb 2007 14:11 |
I find that the staff here are really friendly and willing to chat. The pub looks great too. No complaints...
bee26 - 17 Jan 2007 15:39 |
i've been coming to the lock tavern for a couple of years now and am impressed by the new decor. however, i'm getting on a bit so the upstairs lighting makes me a bit sleepy!
I was a fan of the barbeques in the summer, hope they'll be making a return.
must comment on the bar staff, they seem to get a bit of a bashing on here- i have noticed that the lock tavern has a very slow turnover of staff, that is to say, unlike other pubs these lot stay quite a while, which would seem to suggest they like being at work. In my experience, that says something about an establishment. i find them a very chatty friendly bunch - though i wouldn't try on a weekend night- those of you having a moan about them- have you seen how busy that place gets?! i couldn't work one of their friday nights and still be smiling. i prefer to avoid the lock when its that busy (that'll be the age thing again)as i know i WILL have to wait longer at the bar.
anway in all, a good looking drinking hole with hearty food and friendly (if a little run off their feet) staff.
Moreover, i might ask some of you who have already posted, does anyone else think it a little bizarre/obvious/pointless to comment on peoples apperences when in camden? go to the devonshire arms for a right shocker mate, that would keep you busy all day. back to clapham you!
anonymous - 15 Jan 2007 16:09 |
I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the pub, i went early in the evening and stayed far later than i should due to the ambient lighting and interestingly diverse playlist. I was very impressed with the staff as well, despite what i have heard. The manager type was particularly efficient and helpful despite being rushed off his feet.
The toilets left a little to be desired but all in all a trendy, comfortable place to be!
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heard alot about this pub as well and it almost lived up to it, atmosphere wise its right up there with he best ive seen in london, with plenty of different areas, staff ok, happy anyway!, pies werent as good as i hoped and it was very very busy...will be on my Camden crawl circuit. have they really had those guests in that little room upstairs listed, Justice ? LCD Soundsystem ?
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good place, lots of Swedish tourists go here and are always good to chat up....(remember Andy)
beer is good, and food is also up to scratch...a nice place to kick out at in the summer.....
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They recently decorated the place and it certainly feels a lot fresher and cleaner as it was really starting to get tatty. Where the place still falls down (as it always has), is the staff. Sure they all stand there, adding to the quirky ambience with their funny haircuts, odd facial hair and "i'm not trying, honest" dress sense. But how about serving the customer stood in front of you before finishing your conversation? How about getting the food orders right first time?
Strikes me that the management pull any old stoner off the street and let them work there. Shame really as the food has got pretty good recently and it's a cracking pub in the evenings.
anonymous - 1 Nov 2006 13:05 |
Bit strange this one, like the place, nice drinks and nice bar staff, got odd looks from the clientele, maybe its because i'm not a local haha.
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What a shame. Was always a favourite with various working locals, traders, market folk (myself included) and a general laid back chilled, trendy crowd. That was until last Sat. With the pub only half full the 'doormen' introduce their 'telephone your friends and bring them down' policy?'. Being the first to knock off work at 7pm obviously I was the sole punter untill the others arrived, hence, no entry. By the time I'd plotted myself up in the Enterprise my two colleagues had been denied entry to to the Lock also and experienced likewise. Perfect example of when an establishment gets security completely and utterly wrong and consequently looses near on ten market regulars.
anonymous - 30 Sep 2006 03:29 |
bit confusing to walk through and can get very busy but all the hottest girls in camden converge on this joint. great selection of booze as well.
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Loving it!!! i love the roof garden and i didnt feel weird taking my dad in here for a drink.
The management team are one of the best in Camden -this place is ace
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Didn't eat here, just had a pint with some mates on a pub crawl. It was very busy on a saturday afternoon, in a good way. The back beer garden is an attraction, as it the terrace.
Beer selection is disappointing though - no fancy german or belgian stuff, which I expected when I saw the exterior. Two real ales (Pride and Greene King IPA). The barman wins points for serving me up a Pride, taking one look at it and saying he can't serve me that because the cask must have gone bad. Good fella.
Will try it again in summer I think.
anonymous - 14 Mar 2006 10:57 |
Ive tried a few roasts in my time round london and Ive always been looking for one better than the lock taverns so I dont have to go there because going for a nice Sunday dinner opposite Camden market is just wrong. But yeah, Ive just come to the conclusion that it is the best. Now to figure out a way to empty out camden on a sunday....
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My favourite pub in the area, lots of variety in the layout. Love the lights in the garden, and the layout and seating there. Gets silly crammed upstairs, and usually more spacious downstairs on a Saturday night. Not the best place to come unless you're part of a group.
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This placed seems diferent to the last time i was there, cant quite put my finger on what, it just felt a bit smarter. Either way, loved it all the same. Went with my fella and a load of freinds, befriended the bar staff, got some decent food and had a great laugh out in the beer garden. This place is definatly somewhere to go and have a giggle and be looked after. Will be back next week for more of the same please!!!!
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Used to be one of my favourites - unfortunately seems to have got rather too hip (and popular) for its own good. Still pleasant enough if you catch it when it's quieter though.
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This seems to be where the beautiful people hang out (including the bar staff). My girlfriend complimented the barmaid on her hair who then though she was hitting on her (she must get hit-on a lot)!
Don't go here if you are insecure about your looks. Think scuzzy Hoxton. Great beer Garden and roof terrace.
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You're right, sundays rock! DJ Vadim was wicked yesterday too. A mate works there though and during the week it's the staff rather than bouncers on the door and the bag checks are for bombs, in light of things in London just now, they're just being security conscious, rubbish to take away the water though, they dont usually do that.
anonymous - 8 Aug 2005 16:30 |
I do normally like this pub, the terrace upstairs is quite nice in the summer, and I like a pint of Star. But I went on the weekend, for the first time and was disapointed by the arsey bouncers they have on the door. They were treating the place like it was Ha�ienda not a tatty pub in Camden. First everyone had the undignified bag search, followed by the confiscation of water bottles if you had any stowed away. I just saw this as a complete insult to anyone entering the pub, basically they were saying 'you are a load of scumbags who will try to sneak in vodka into our drinking establishment' without considering that hey, it might just be water.
Avoid on Saturdays, anyway. But that could be said of pretty much anywhere in London. Sundays are much better.
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A nice pub to spend an evening in early week, nice food, decent wine, wicked music but low enough to still chat, always nice atmosphere - and cute bar staff! Comes into its own at weekends ... went to their Glastonbury Garden party and was amazed ... ate bbq, drank pear cider that I thought you could only buy at Glasto, bumped into old friends, met an amazing guy and enjoyed the fantastic dj sets from the likes of Mylo (no less!) ... every town needs one of these please!
anonymous - 5 Aug 2005 13:12 |
very nice bar, good music, like the staropramen, but it's just a bit up itself... last time i was in, i saw someone with a t-shirt saying, i wasn't born in camden but i got there as soon as i could. says it all really
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The staff are friendly but this pub is always too packed for me to really enjoy being in it - it's one of those places where you always feel in the way!
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Just somehow, just somehow, everytime i visit this pub, it seems to be amazing. The sunday best party was brilliant, so we decided to have a look at this beetroot malarky.....an it was well worth it! So good on thursday that we went back saturday and for sunday roast. We could'nt fault the music, people (mmmmmmmm..)or the atmosphere. Its been the best easter weekend ever all based around being in this pub. Thanks.
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the sunday best best party was amazing, mylo rocked and the whole pub was heaving, and they didn't charge a penny to get in!
anonymous - 14 Dec 2004 10:28 |
Fantastic traditional old boozer.No chain dross just
independant cool.Excellent food at great prices.Great
atmosphere with a choice of heated terrace or outside garden,all made to look old original.Well worth the frequent visits from south of the thames.The sunday
Roast is the best value and well worth trying .
anonymous - 3 Dec 2004 09:19 |
wow in a city thats full of so many bland pubs to have 27 people post comments, good or bad at least its interesting! it is always so packed and full of cool but friendly people when i have been there...yes food looks a bit shoddy when delievered wow that roast makes up for it....
anonymous - 30 Nov 2004 16:35 |
I love this Pub, it�s an nice place to be with your friends or even by your own. The staff isn�t as bad as the people on this site saying, that�s silly complaining about things you don�t like, just stop going there. The staff is just proper friendly and not as false as the most waitress who are just up to get lots of tips. My compliments to you Lock Tavern
anonym - 16 Nov 2004 13:37 |
the service in this place can be a nightmare! Surly staff who seem to think a smile is going to crack their faces. Managed to screw up an order for 3 roast chicken lunches and couldn't be bothered to apologise. Great for drinks, but don't expect service with a smile.
Helen - 24 Sep 2004 14:41 |
The Lock Tavern is my local and love most things about it - comfortable surroundings, good food BUT extremely rude and ignorant staff - couldnt believe that when we complained as half our food order had been given to someone else and when ours eventually turned up it was stone cold and we dared to send it back - the bar maid simply said it cant be as it had just been served and walked off - that and a number of other bad experiences has put me off completely - shame really as everything else is spot on - Sara and Jon - sort your staff out and get some people who actually act like they want to work in a bar rather than the morose and stuck up people you have now.
Aimee - 24 Sep 2004 14:34 |
I like this pub and have done for many years. I like the people who go there, the staff are good, I like drinking Staropramen, it plays good music, the roof terrace is great in Summer and the food isn't too bad either. Pretentious, who cares, I prefer to see it as stylish and interesting. People who don't like that sort of thing should not go there. THe reason I like it is precisely because most people wouldn't and therefore it is devoid of geezers with too much hair gel and football shirts.
Tim - 2 Sep 2004 15:01 |
I'm on Carol's side here. The people here are unbelievable. It's one of those horrible trendy pubs which hates football until the Euros/World Cup comes around and when they go football-loopy with posters and inflatable footballs on the wall.
Not that I'm even much of a fan of football in pubs, but the hypocrisy is hilarious.
And yes, they do have London Pride. Well, they've had it once out of the five times I've been here. Forget it. Go to hell Lock Tavern. You hear me? GO TO HELL.
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Duncan, it's my local and I had a pint of Pride here just the other week. 'The outside places are pleasant... it's overcrowded'? How old are you? 50?
Whalerider - 7 Jul 2004 11:11 |
Yes it's busy on a weekend, Yes it has "some" people who like to look at themselves so what so does the Spread Eagle at a weekend, that's really quite standard. Being a resident of Camden and having been a local for the past 2 years and before. Lock Tavern is a nice place to go for a drink, with friendly staff, decent music and comfy sofas. If you don't like things too crowded avoid at all costs on a Friday and Saturday. Sundays good, and Summer the terrace and the beer garden one of the best places in Camden to be, plus they have a quality bbq and good pies to munch in the chillier months.
Alice - 4 May 2004 05:39 |
The most pretentious place i have ever been in my life. Its full of w@nkers who are too busy chceking out their hair and clothes to enjoy themselves. Its dark, dull, cramped and overpriced full of D list celebs and like Edith Bowman, and its in Camden...avoid at all costs
Carol - 30 Mar 2004 18:02 |
This pub is a perfect example of marketing succeeding where substance does not. People think it's cool because they're told it is. It's not. It's dingy and overcrowded. They don't even serve real ale. That said, the outside spaces are pleasant. Aargh. I'm not sure why I hate this place so much, but I do. Go to the Spread Eagle instead.
Duncan - 23 Mar 2004 16:18 |
Great pub in the summer.
Perhaps it is a bit too Hoxditch, but that doesn't bother me too much since the beer garden and roof terrace are lovely.
Steve - 5 Mar 2004 11:38 |
ups: the place, the music, the people
downs: a bit crowded, guinness sold out on sundays!!
Nico - 19 Feb 2004 21:47 |
It has to be the best pub in London, I thought the bar staff were excellent, good looking maybe but not arrogant. Djs play excellent music every time I have been there - Sundsya rock
polly anna - 26 Jan 2004 17:28 |
with winter almost upon us, this pub provides on of the finest stoned drinking experiences going. get a good mate, have a fattyboombatty, sit in the two armchairs upstairs either side of the fire and amuse yerselves with the numerous, but harmless, posers. it really is worth it.
ed - 1 Dec 2003 13:53 |
out of work models with their trousers falling down...sounds alright to me girls! If the lock is too cool for craig ( angry fry up guy who should not be up so early on a saturday anyway...) maybe one would feel more at home a few doors up at the weatherspoons? as for the bar staff discussing haircuts- shocking behaviour surley they should be debating the pros and cons of the new bottle openers..!? Sundays at the Lock Tavern are fantastic, roasts, DJs and sambucca. See you there !
mystic mouse - 15 Oct 2003 00:22 |
Got barred from here for throwing a baked potato at the landlord after nearly breaking my tooth on it. (Remember me?) Shit beer, shit service, full of tossers who look like their rich parents fund their sitting in poncy pubs all day. Avoid.
Paul - 3 Oct 2003 03:42 |
hell yes, nice pub, good garden and terrace, should be the best pub around. However, the out of work models behind the bar are arrogant and slow and ruin the whole place... few too many pilot shades and camden mullets aswell.
Bill P - 22 Sep 2003 13:49 |
Ferg could not be more spot on when describing the bar staff at The Lock Tavern. Found them more concerned about theirs and their colleague�s appearance than serving customers. It almost seems as though you are infringing on a private party at times as they slouch over the back of the bar discussing one anthers hair cuts. When you finally attract the attention of a member of staff they move at a snails pace so as not to disturb their barnets or the jeans just balancing on the point of being round their ankles. And this was at 12o�clock on a Saturday afternoon with about 15 people in the whole pub! The food when it arrived after about 1/2 an hour and at �5.95 for an English Breakfast, was 1/2 cold and by far not the best breakfast in Camden. That honour belongs to Bar Solo.
I�m sure Sara Cox is an incredibly hard worker. Pity her staff don�t follow her example
though you are infringing on a private party at times and when you finally attract the attention of a member of staff behind the bar they move at a snails pace so as not to desterbe their barnets or the jeans just balancing on the point of being round their ankles.
Craig - 20 Sep 2003 16:37 |
Agreed about the Bar Staff and the "coolness", but you get a nice pint in there and it has a beer garden and a roof terrace and is an interesting place for celeb spotting at times.
Pauly - 20 Sep 2003 11:56 |
the bar staff are hired purely on their ability to wear their trousers round their arse and haircut complication quotient. the punters seem to lap this sort of thing up, unconcerned it seems for the possibility of getting a drink this side of christmas. i REALLY hate it. the pies however are pure genius
ferg - 18 Aug 2003 12:36 |
Yeah, Chocolate and black leather brigade � You will see this term come up often during these reviews as it seems to be the way following in the realms of d�cor for 2002. Sara Cox�s boyfriend owns this pub or so they say � It should be assuming he is cool and maybe people go there on the strength of that. The chef hails from The Cantaloupe in Shorditch and creates a menu named �Little bits of Britain�. The bar is set on two floors and is bustling, even outside on the extended veranda, people mingle and chat. Some would say this is quite pretentious but it is what you like. It has some very nice touches if you are the arty type
Doofer - 6 Aug 2003 13:02 |
I understand this pub is owned by Sara Cox and that pretty much says it all. It's quite nice but it's like totally cool!
Wow that's a really cool haircut you have there!
Thanks my Slovakian hair technician modelled it on the struggle of humanity in the post 911 era!
Wow that's like totally cool. Yeah I know.
One too many complicated haircuts and more than a few too many Hoxton tw@ts.
Joe - 17 Jul 2003 15:34 |
Really good reasonably priced food from the Square Pie company and a really great laid back atmosphere.
Nicola - 27 Jun 2003 15:46 |
lovely bar, well managed, cool DJ nights too
Matt - 23 Jun 2003 11:09 |
cool vibes ... like it
anonymous - 26 Feb 2003 12:46 |
nice and cosy upstairs in front of the fire on a saturday night. pretty laid back, no posers, good food, music too.
ginny - 6 Jan 2003 14:02 |
not too intellectual tho!
Clare - 6 Jan 2003 13:16 |
An ideal spot for a Sunday chill out and paper read with your like minded interlectual friends.
Techno - 6 Jan 2003 12:07 |
