please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This old warhorse of a pub is in good form at present. It has as ever that beautiful exterior which makes it a local landmark, and inside whilst it doesn't have quite the old world charm of its facade, it is a very nice comfortable and clean environment to enjoy a few beers. Standard lagers and Guinness for the most part but of good quality, served politely and at a reasonable price. All kinds of silly shots available as well. A fair few TVs for watching the sport if you so choose. At its best as a bastion of live music in the area with bands every Friday and Saturday night as standard with occasional additional performances on other days (such as the acoustic band last Sunday).Gets some very good standard cover bands in and a healthy crowd with no aggro, which is a welcome thing in an area where such things seem to be rarer than before.
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Made my first visit in about ten years and I believe there have been countless staff and management changes since then. It's only the live music which has ever tempted me to make the trip over from Barnet, but I found quite a few other faces familiar from the Barnet scene who had also ventured to Enfield for the same reason as me - a good live band. I think the Hop Poles has only recently started putting bands on again - filling the gap left by the nearby Old Bell which now appears to have closed for good. Like the Old Bell, there doesn't seem to be much to attract the ale drinker here - I searched the long bar and it's many pumps for the real ale pumps - there were none at all in use! In desperation I had a pint of Wrongbow at £3.50. I spent the rest of the night drinking bottled Newcastle Brown - at least it didn't run out like it often did at the Old Bell - if they had any at all. At £3.80 I have no complaints about the price - happy to stay there all night. Newcastle Brown isn't the tasty and distinctive drink it used to be though - it's never been as good as when it was still brewed there. As for the pub itself: It's large and makes an excellent venue for live music with the band in a large function room with a stage at one end of the pub, and another room with two pool tables at the other end of the pub. A spacious bar area in between so there is somewhere for everyone. The usual TV screens are in place to keep the footy fans happy when there is a match on. The bar staff seemed efficient and I always got served quickly, although the place wasn't exactly full even though it was a Friday night and there was a band playing. Apart from the lack of any real ale I thought it was a good and fairly traditional pub and if I lived locally I would probably be a regular customer. It's a good place to see bands and could be a successful music venue with better promotion.
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I have now ventured in a few times since the re-opening and it's uncannily similar to how it was before the brief period of closure. Pleasant enough, with perfectly acceptable beer available at a not-cheap but yet not-too-dear price. Decor is as you were. The function room area seems to be open less frequently now, making it fairly cosy, and there is an increase in the frequency of live music in the smaller space in the front, rather than the occasional band in the function room which used to be the main reason to visit here.
Nice enough particularly if you want to watch the football, but presently lacking anything the would specifically make you come here in preference to any other half-dozen perfectly serviceable pubs in the area.
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Re-opened now under new management. Haven't had the opportunity to have a drink in here since, but a cursory look in the window when passing indicates that very little has changed. That another pub has survived in the current harsh climate of closures and redevelopments (see the Holly Bush or rather what used to be The Holly Bush just up the road for details) is a cause for celebration. So find time to raise a glass to this treasure of a local boozer in a lovely building in such a prime location for many Enfield pub goers! Cheers!
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It's now closed.
Now idea if there are any plans to reopen or, as ever increasingly popular, simply knock down yet another pub and build flats/houses...
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I still like this pub. Just a lot more than I used to.
A change of management 6 months or so ago has been of great benefit to the pub. The overwhelming feeling you get from the new Publicans is that they actually care about their pub. Though you may think that would be a pre-requisite, anyone having visited pubs in Enfield over any prolonged period of time will know that’s the exception rather than the rule.
They now have a food menu and the drinks menu is much the same as it’s always been. Although with the variety of deals on offer, you may find you get more value for money than over previous years. Live bands every weekend, two pool tables and dart board along with the six or seven 40” televisions, showing Sky Sports all day every day, means you’ll always be kept entertained. But if that isn’t enough, the staff are approachable, helpful and genuinely fun to be around.
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Quite busy at lunchtime when I popped in for a pint, doing a decent range of food for the suits working nearby.
Only one ale and the clip (Bombadier) was turned round, so had to settle for a pint of Smiths. Tasted nice enough and would have hoped so at �3.40 a pint.
Big pub with a bar in the centre, pool tables up some steps to the right and a barnlike area towards the left with seating down one side. Presumably that's where the live music (advertised every Friday and Saturday) takes place.
By the listings, obviously shows plenty of televised sport. And by the memorabilia on the wall, obviously a place for Spurs fans.
Friendly enough guy behind the bar although service took ages considering it wasn't busy.
No kids after 6pm too, said a piece of paper above the bar.
As the from about three years back inferred, you'd go for the odd beer if you lived locally, but as a transitory drinker, not enough on the ale front to drag me back.
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hole - avoid
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I like this place.
Reasonable prices for Enfield, friendly enough bar staff, big flat screens showing more games than pretty much any other pub in the area and a couple pool tables.
It doesnt really get busy anymore unless Spurs are playing, but that's fine with me if you're looking for a few drinks somewhere before heading into town.
Strange though, the place should be busy all the time cos it's got everything you'd need. I think people have just fogotten about it.
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It was packed in here last Saturday and there was a disco in full swing in the large back room of the pub. There are plasma screens throughout and to the right of the bar there is a separate pool room housing two tables.
The staff seemed to be nice enough, but some of the other customers left a lot to be desired. One such 60�s wide boy throw back made a point of pushing past me to get to the bar, but he was left a little confused when I still managed to get served first whilst standing behind him - hats off to the barman!
I spotted a standard draught range and Greene King IPA, but this may not be exhaustive as it was very busy at the bar making it difficult to see.
I�d imagine this place being great fun if you�re a local, but I think that there are better pubs in the area for thirsty travellers like myself who are just passing through.
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Always had a soft spot for this place, a great football pub and friendly staff but not quite enough charm to be a proper local. However, that's all changed as it's just had a really good makeover, we'll be coming back much more regularly.
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Its changed hands once again. Some of the riff raff spurs fans are drinking elsewhere but more morons have shown up. The staff actually speak English these days and the beer tastes so much better. The guvnor will bow to your comand and put on whatever sport you might want to watch. The food is ok, they now have a geordie cook who actually knows how to serve food up instead of some of the old lot who threw it on a plate. Sad to see the end of the Aussie girls though. A decent jukebox and the guvnor always tries to put a live band on so this place may just be in the right hands now.
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Of course they show Spurs! This is Enfield, not Plumstead. COYS!
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I really try to hate this place but i cant. The Thai food ahs started again, and hopfully the service is better. The manager is adecent bloke, the staff are really friendly and the waiting time to get served is not bad. Now this is over 21's it much better, although it always seems to show spurs on the tv's and main screen. the food is usual pub menu's but its served up well. The prices are not too bad, but then someone had to pay for the refit. Karaoke and jam night on alternate fridays, although its the usual faces doing poor spice girls karaoke.
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Very confused.
Went to watch football Saturday afternoon and it was very full and Very expensive There must have been something wrong with the Stella as all the kids drinking it were queuing up to use the cubicles instead of using the urinals!!!!!!.
anonymous - 21 Mar 2006 19:11 |
Well first time I have been here for 5 years and they have made the place nice opened up the back so good size you can see the football from anywere inside I was happy till...... I paid almost �18 for a round that in the Izzak I would pay about �12 for nice decore but not that nice will not be back here again
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had not been here for 6 years thats a long time to wait for a drink, but went with mr monkfish and am happy to say that it a very good pub for all the resons mr m has given. The great seletion of beer is the plus, BUT there is always a but. The price. do not be put off by me go have fun, cos thats the point of your evening!
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They've stopped serving Thai at all, which is a shame as a Pad Thai while watching footy on one of the multitude of screens was beeyootiful
anonymous - 31 Mar 2005 16:31 |
Amendment to previous comment! I think I'm right in saying that it is no longer a Thai restaurant but now has a more varied menu !
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A pub that makes an effort is always to be applauded and this is no different. A nice friendly welcoming pub with a decent selection of drinks, helpful bar staff and a good atmosephere. Looks very nice as a result of it's recent rennovation and suits all different types of drinker. The restaurant/dining area;raised up to the right as you enter is cosy without being cramped and serves a good range of food. If you just fancy a quiet drink then this area is good as is the area immediately surrounding the main door. There is a pool table and jukebox in the central section, where as the back area has a big screen for sport and hosts live music on weekends. It also has it's own bar that opens only when it's busy. The building itself is lovely and something of a landmark in the local area. Only downside is that drinks are a little bit dear. However, a pub that serves decent food, caters for the quiet drink or a more lively evening out, is well decorated and maintained, offers good entertainment and a nice selection of well kept drinks is to be celebrated and enjoyed. Also is rumoured to have the added attraction of a Poltergeist named "George" that periodically re-arranges things in the cellar and the bar, that is alleged to be the ghost of a former employee that was killed in an accident nearby! Spooky, isn't it?
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This pub has recently undergone a facelift and a much needed change of landlord. The new landlord Ken is a breath of fresh air! Not only is he aware of the needs of a good pub and getting the punters through the doors on a regular basis but he is also aware that this pub is situated within a residential area and reguarly consults with local residents on coming events to ensure that no body will be inconvenienced. The staff are friendly. There is also a Thai restaurant within the pub serving well cooked and enjoyable food in a friendly atmosphere! For those who want it there's a pool table and Sky sports! It manages to cater for most needs. It is always busy without being rowdy!
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