please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
this is the intrepid Fox now
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Had never drunk here before but now I have moved back to the area and was meeting a friend for a meal in the Italian I thought i'd pop in here to have a swift half.
Really wished I hadn't!
Even entering the place was mildly intimidating as had to almost barge past a group of heavy looking Eastern Europeans standing smoking at the door.
Inside it was dead. And i mean DEAD. There was noone in the place atall, apart from the group of Eastern Europeans when they re-entered. I noticed the TVs appeared to be set to Eastern European channels too so get the impression the bar is now catering to a largely Polish (?) clientele.
From the paintings of guitars on the facade it looks like some sort of student union and I saw a live listing on the wall so can only surmise they hold concerts somehwere else in the building. There is what looks like a real Phoenix Nights type club round the back where I had parked my car. Dread to think what that is like.
Incidentally, my friend who I met for the meal told me that the building features on the cover of a Kinks LP, so prhaps that is why it seems to be 'rock' themed. Can't think why else. With only one ale on as opposed to the pumps of fizzy yellow and no pub grub that I could see. I can't think of anything to tempt me back either.
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Lots of screens. Good place for watching football on your own during the wk. It's got a local feel, a bit rough around the edge. At the weekend there's a few scrappy bands come through.
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This place benefits from the fact that it is significantly better than its neighbouring pubs, and attracts a much younger crowd then the nearby Lion or Whiitington Stone (not hard admittedly). When bands are playing at the weekend its worth a visit, but is best avoided when quieter during the week as the quality of beer is variable at best. Has always had potential, but as yet it remains mostly unfulfilled.
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Dump. End of.
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It's called the Dusk Till Dawn now and my boyfriend's band played there so I went along and I thought it was fine. The bar staff were friendly, and there was another room at the back which had some other music event on so there seemed to be a lot happening in there on a saturday night. I wouldn't go there for a drink unless there was a band playing but I've been in worse pubs.
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This place was a hole 20 years ago and has not changed in that time. This is the type of place that gives the Irish a bad name. Is it any wonder we are perceived to be a nation of ignorant savages?
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Have to agree with Tottenham Sean. What a vile place this is.
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This place has no real ale, but it does have 4 bog standard lagers, John Smiths, Strongbow and Guinness. I found the barmaid to be very friendly and I liked the fact that Sky Sports and Setanta could be seen on a plasma from anywhere in the pub. I was paying �2 a pint as I had wandered in between 5 and 8 which just happened to be happy hour.
It sounds pretty good so far, but alas it is a dump with some very unsavoury characters hanging around. It is certainly not somewhere I would recommend to anyone else.
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P*ss hole!!
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i agree with the last comment. It doesnt look like the Viper room but its got that feel. Its very LA, its a hybrid and its good to play and watch bands. Saw the Rifles down there. Also its so good to have a 'proper' pint of guiness and watch decent bands.
anonymous - 4 Jun 2007 17:37 |
What the ***k has happened. I have been in the music bar round the side to a tube club night here twice now and both times witnessed some of the best indie rock parties. The venue is dingy and a little grimy but it worked. I was shocked that there was such a good club in Archway. It really reminds me of the Viper room in LA.
anonymous - 1 Jun 2007 20:09 |
Could well be; the cover photo of their truly wonderful Muswell Hillbillies album was taken in the front bar.
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is this the place the kinks got signed?
anonymous - 6 Jun 2006 19:31 |
Hard to summarise this place on the basis of one visit, but since I'm not sure when I'll next be in that neck of the woods I'll give it a go nonetheless. Pros: the barmaid - a sweet and smiling demonstration of the art of good service - and the fact that the NUFC game was being shown on what appeared to be Algerian TV. Cons: the unavailability of the Gents due to the beginnings of a fight on the other side of the door. Perhaps that's unfair: it was no more than a heated debate I'm sure. Can't really comment on the music aspect. In fact, this is about as inconclusive a review as I could have mustered. I'll go back, i'll pay more attention.
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At last...someone has turned a wicked venue (archway tavern music bar) into a place that puts on top quality bands and indie music Thursdays and Saturdays as weekly clubs i think?. Its also had the best dj's there and will definately be back again. We went to see a band called Greyhound Green who are superb. Please keep it up!
anonymous - 13 Apr 2006 17:47 |
Was in the front bar-no music on at the back...mixed crowd of drunken scruffy locals & a sprinkling of spaniards watching Real Madrid on the screens...uninspiring
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We played here last night, a great little venue, look forward to coming back sometime soon. Service at the bar could've been more efficient mind. Bonus points for the toy train above the bar.
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have to say, this place is going through a good transition. Finally they have a wicked indie scene going on in the music bar (round the back) Live bands and dj's on thursdays (with dj's)+ club night till 2am on Sats run by the tube club...by the way my band will be playing there soon
anonymous - 19 Mar 2006 14:54 |
I have never been here sober. It is always a case of wake up the next morning and say was I in Cheekos last night - how did that happen. Well it is one of those good idea at the time places. Could do with a bt of a clean up - place reminded me of Diceys another hmm good at the time ideas. Cheekos could be good in the right hands - staff were not very good bouncers could be more friendly..see why everyone walks down the road to the quays.
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seriously only worth going for the "so bad its good/ funny" factor.
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apaprantly cheekos is over 21s now. what the hell is the management thinking? there was about 10 people in it the other saturday night. when most of the people going to your club are under the age of 21 it seems a stupid idea to ban them all.
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This was once a fantastic venue to go to, however over the past few years it has been run into the ground. Barstaff have no personality and are constantly changing, The new doorstaff are CRAP, unwelcoming and generally rude. The toilets have been having a new transformation for the past 2 years and are still not finished. Bring back the old friendly barmaids and bouncers. Cheeko's needs a new makeover, get rid of the carpet and miserable faces working there and this could once again be one of the best venues in North London. Where has Ray's burger van gone?
anonymous - 19 Sep 2005 16:20 |
New night coming soon. The Archway Music Bar will host the Tube Club (from 6th October). Live bands & Indie Rockin' Dj's...EVERY THURSDAY.
anonymous - 11 Sep 2005 21:38 |
Can't believe Charlie has left!! gutted!! still love cheekos though and may replace charlie with a certain monday night bouncer!!
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i asked for a jd and coke and a southern comfort and lemonade last weekend. i got a jd and lemonade and a southern comfort and coke.
mistakes happen i suppose.
whats with the guy in the toilets harrassing me to buy perfume?
(i mean cheekos not the archway tavern).
still love it though.
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he pulls a good pint aswell ha ha ill give him your love angels lol
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I love the front bar too, but its still not as good as upstairs or charlie!!
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its all about the front bar! aint it anonymous
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Great upstairs at the weekend, used to be very cute bouncers but theyve gone now.
anonymous - 19 Apr 2005 15:54 |
great pint of carling thats why i cant leave the place someone call the AA ha ha
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As one of the new generation of Irish emigrants, I was a bit disappointed with this place. Didn't at all live up to it's billing as thee Irish pub in London - my pal who reminisced about watching World Cup '94 in there was equally gutted. Barman was dead on, clientelle a bit chav, beer OK.
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what's cheekos/the archway tavern and the tardis both got in common?..
they both look the same after 20 years!! well tell a lie at least the tardis has had an enterior refit!
If the management want to attract more than 50 people to their club at weekends they have improve their sound system,lighting, dj's, interior, staff, beer, and about a 100 other things. say didn't the quays in holloway rd do that and and now the pub is packed at weekends
anonymous - 12 Apr 2005 10:28 |
Love Archway and cheekos, has to be said the best bit about cheekos is possibly Charlie, the cutest barman in london!!
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is the archway back. Easter monday had a great night with a great band the lifeoriley, great atmosphere, pub full and steamy
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i love cheekos! i even went there on saturday night. they ran out of cider though.
of course im not from the old irish community that used to frequent the place. but neither are any of the rest of the scumbags in there. u have to face facts, its full of scum.
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The Archway was once a wonderful meeting place of the Irish comunity. True Cheekos has always been a little tacky but at one time had a wonderful community spirit. Snobby comments about those who frequent it, by third class honours university graduates who think they are oh so much better than the rest of us, arise from the fact that they're not part of the once strong Irish community which unfortunately is slowly disapearing round the holloway road.
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the archway is shit but i like the club on the side of it called cheekos.
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The Life O'Riley came along to do a gig here, in an attempt to try and get some life back into the venue. It was a shame that the event was so poorly attended as it does appear that genuine efforts are being made to turn the venue around. The gigging room has been redecorated and features a nice open fire, the bar side is nice and well furnished and the bar staff were enthusiastic and polite. Maybe it is need of some local support and a second chance??
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Cheeko's: I would strongly recommend not going here unless you like socialising in a giro queue! Simple one of the worse nightspots in north london. Not as bad however as lovely diceys in not so lovely neasden!
However there is a 'chill-out' area where you can sit with fellow cheekoites and reminise about long hot summer days of yester year! (Like tan tans in tenerife yes yes!) The restrooms are also of a high quality.
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cheekos is north londons premier nightspot.
you cant get any classier than burberry baseball caps, tracksuit bottoms and sean paul music. I LOVE IT!
i love it so much i went to central london last weekend and came all the way back to holloway road in a black cab just so i could go.
thought the fact that they ran out of pint glasses behind the bar was really classy.
also having to explain to a barman what a snakebite and black was made me feel that i had made the right choice of venue for my saturday night socialising.
top quality birds in there as well. when they speak to you its like the letters "h" and "t" and "g" dont exist in the english lanuage.
cheap women dressed in wares from top shop? dont be rediculous! they wouldnt shop in top shop, their giros and child support money cant stretch that far!
truely a wonderful night out (from a sociological experimental view).
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This pub a few years ago was the heart and soul of the irish community owned by John Sweeney but due to the tragic loss of his daughter had to sell , its a awful pity to see this once profoud music venue being run into the ground by what can only be described as a clueless mamgement team
SEAN MURPHY - 18 Nov 2004 15:18 |
we used to go to cheekos every weekend 6 months ago the djs were excellent playing current chart music & interacting with the crowd playing to a packed club. we went last weekend different djs! crap music! no new chart tunes! no requests!empty club! i wonder why? we won't be going back!!.
jennifer & alison - 2 Nov 2004 10:31 |
Used to go to this pub 18 years ago to see the bands, anyone remember the band called "The Treat" with the Eric Bell on guitar. Just been back on a nostalga trip, I wish I had not!!
gerry - 26 Oct 2004 16:51 |
I used to go a couple of years ago to find out the best fun venue (cheekos) I've ever been to in London. But recently some policies changed and was not allowed in anymore. I was told I need a membership card. So I phoned to ask for a registration form. I was told instead that I must come in and see the manager. Ok. I did come in but the manager told me he's busy and asked for my address. And everything stopped here. I wonder why.
Marius Baciu - 9 Oct 2004 07:16 |
Great dj on Sundays, playing cheese and involving crowd. Felt safe as a group of women and always great for a good boogie.
liz - 29 Aug 2004 22:00 |
Went on Friday - looks brillant from the outside (although out of place next to the towerblocks). Does Thai food in there and average beer. Worth a visit although I doubt whather Ray goes these days.
PJB - 14 Jun 2004 11:15 |
Havent been but want to go asap as discovered this is the pub used on the cover of the Kinks Muswell Hillbilles LP
PJB - 25 May 2004 13:50 |
Great on sunday night's in the club upstairs (cheekos), the pubs for old men and the music bar's nearly always dead. Great for afters!
Quayley - 28 Jan 2004 23:37 |
Went there on Friday. It was dead downstairs. Went back to Cheekos after 1 am and wished I had not bothered. Used to go years ago and it was always a bit chessy but good craic now full of scummy slapper types and pikeys who are all out of their heads. Quite disturbing!! Avoid this place unless you like to hang out with the dregs of society.
Stella Head - 29 Dec 2003 14:01 |
Smokey? Hmmmm....I've never noticed. Have only been here a few times. Used to be quite good...but was virtually empty last time I went, probably cos of the recently imposed entry charge to hear/watch/boogie to the bands. The club upstairs (Cheeko's?) was empty too...very dissapointing. I guess this place has been abandoned now for Upper Street....
Debs - 14 Aug 2003 12:42 |
yes, maybe smokey but a good atmosphere for the live bands on a sunday night. Worth a call.
simon evans - 5 Aug 2003 19:34 |
Beretta are playing on sat so its worth a look
girly - 28 Jul 2003 11:21 |
Definately smokey, maybe dodgy, but some good live bands on there
Liam - 10 Jun 2003 12:35 |
very smokey and slightly dodgy in my experience.
matt - 14 Apr 2003 15:16 |
