please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Waited ages for a drink after being ignored by the bar staff and decided not to bother. Renowned for terrbile service from unhelpful bar staff and now I know why! Have been told that food is over priced and poor and the crowd are rich young posers who seem to be relatovely new to the area.
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The queens could be a typical gastro but actually its not. The dining room at the back is very lovely, good food and nice friendly service and the pub at the front seems to remain just that! A pub! And a good one at that. Seems to me its a good local at the front and a nice place for food at the back. Will definitely be going back.
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Although the architecture has survived, the spirit of the pub has been murdered by the New-Labouring of the place; good for noveau Crouch-Enders, horrible for anyone else.
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This is a gorgeous-looking place and if you're in Crouch End a bit of a must, really (and if I lived here, I'd come in here pretty regularly), but on the whole I think it's architectural twin down the road in Haringey, the Salisbury, has slightly more going for it.
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Typical Gastropub, they can't wait to get rid of you unless you go into the resturaunt and order vastly overpriced offal. The only real redeeming feature of this place is the architecture which is truly breathtaking and only bettered by the Salisbury Hotel and The Great Northern Railway Tavern, unless the the Gastrosnobs that populate it drive you out before you can appreciate it.
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This use to be one of my favourite pubs in London.
Went in here Sunday last.Its ok, but not the pub it was.The satge area is now a kitchen for the thai restaurant.Still good choice of beers,and the Guinness was good and contary to previous posts the service was ok and with a smile,but not the pub it was back in 93/94.
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Like many pubs with �hotel� tagged on the end of them this place is far too big for my liking, making it lack any sort of atmosphere. I thought that the staff were like robots showing no emotion and I had to wait longer than should have been required.
Wells Eagle and Bombardier were available alongside Doom Bar which was a good pint.
The pub consists of a huge island bar in the middle with three portioned drinking areas and a large restaurant with open kitchen to the side. There is also a small paved area out the handy for smoking, but I wouldn�t want to sit out there all night.
It�s a grand building, but unfortunately not the greatest pub so I won�t be returning.
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I'll just add my voice to the chorus of disapproval at the bloody atrocious service. Rude, surly, unhelpful.
Shame....
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Two years on from the last post ... what has happened ... last visits have been completely underwhelming, went in on a Sunday night - as usual restaurant empty, bar less than half full but for some reason the staff wouldn't serve on one side. Very, very disappointing and to be honest only reason we tried on Saturday was the Railway Tavern was mobbed!
celt7 - 27 May 2009 14:23 |
Never again! Worst bar staff I have ever encountered in my life. We waited over 15 mins to get served on a really quiet night, eventually we had to leave as the three surly, incompetent members of staff seemed more interested in chatting amongst themselves than serving customers. This pub needs a decent manager and new bar staff otherwise it will continue to lose customers.
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although i agree with most of these reviewers, i can't help but like the place. the new manager is really nice - i've spoken to her a couple of times and we've talked a lot about the reputation it has at the moment. some of the beers are a bit weird (they have a cross between a bitter and a lager on draught which is just wrong!), the wine list is good and the food (i've only had lunch) is very tasty. haven't been down at weekends or when its been busy, but they're doind their best to turn things around so i'll definatley return!!
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I have lived in Crouch End for 5 years and have many amazing memories drinking in this pub. Unfortunately they were all formed over 2 years ago, and this place has turned into a magnet for rude wannabe posh idiots with misspent ego�s. Once upon a time the staff here were friendly and there was a really great atmosphere. It was a proper boozer. Now the staff are rude, up themselves and unhelpful, half the pub is reserved only for food (and typically lays dormant), and despite the Beautiful building and legendary past it holds this place is unbearable. Expect no eye contact when being served, overly expensive drinks, stupidly overpriced bar snacks and horrible pretentious vibes. Such a shame.
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Have you ever been to The Salisbury in Green Lanes, Harringey? If so, this pub will seem instantly familiar.
Like The Salisbury, this is a nice building in a pretty good location that has an impressive bar, dark wood panneling and is generally very, very good.
Unlike The Salisbury, the range of beers seems to be good rather than exceptional, but all are in good order, served by friendly and prompt staff and the prices are less out-of-step with neighbouring pubs.
The only major gripe with this pub is that a good third of it seems to have been completely given over to food to the extent that the area in question more closely resembles a restaurant than a pub, which leads to the rest of the pub being very crowded even when this area is quite empty.
All in all, very good and the background music and level of conversational buzz ensure that the place has a good atmosphere even though there isn't much in the way of entertainment. Some of the customers are a little "up themselves" but are generally harmless nonetheless. Worth a visit, but perhaps not a "destination pub" unless you want to go somewhere private for a chat over a few jars.
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Went Into here yesterday afternoon around 15:30 was nice and quiet but it just don't seem to feel as good as it used to be seems to restauranty. I had a few decent Pints of Real ale all in good condition seems a very nice old Building with character but its lost that originality of before.
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Large corner pub on the Broadway in Crouch End, retaining many original features. Note particularly the Art Nouveau glass work and the splendid entrances - rather similar to the Salisbury in Green Lanes in that respect.
This pub is listed in CAMRA's Inventory of Unspoilt Interiors
Beers on were Wells Bombardier and Eagle IPA ( A rare sighting ) , but this is not really a drinkers pub. You might prefer the Harringay nearby in this respect
Worth visiting if you're in to old relatively unspoilt pubs, though
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Unfortunately I have visited this pub several times recently and on each occasion experienced the most appalling service and so have decided never to go there again. The staff are slow, rude and downright incompetent and seem to regard it as a personal insult if you have the temerity to ask them for a drink, their attitude would be laughable if it were not so annoying, avoid this place like the plague.
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This pub is horrible. I had the misfortune to need to wait for someone in Crouch End so thought I would wait in here. The barman was downright rude and refused to make eye contact - I think someone else mentioned this below. He only spoke once and was sullen and miserable. Also the place was full of media types and wannabes who can't really afford to live in Crouch End so sit in the pub for hours nursing a small glass of Leffe. The place was full of t*ssers and I was very glad to leave. Another person who won't be returning.
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This use to be one of the best pubs in north London, sadly not anymore.
Its certainly not the worse, but has definatly lost that something that made it so special
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Went to the Queens for lunch with a couple of friends and our babies because it promotes itself as 'family friendly'. We were the only customers in the pub when we arrived. The staff were sullen - refusing to make eye contact. The bar food when it arrived was a complete rip-off because the portions were so minute. The final straw was when we were asked by the staff to stop the babies making so much noise because it was 'carrying'through the pub. There was just one other customer in the pub by then. Very disappointing experience and ensures I won't be returning any time soon.
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Been in a couple of times daytime on Saturdays ... seems a really nice pub ... not eaten there but the portions looked good and everyone seemed to tuck in. Great to see the original features and bar too.
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I'm yet to eat in the dining room, but have had the bar food a few times. It's mostly good, but I was disappointed with a 'chicken caesar salad' that featured two shreds of chicken and some leaves, but no parmesan, croutons or dressing. Won't order that again. The staff are great though, and the pub itself is lovely.
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This pub is beautiful. Takes a while to get served though due to the huge bar. It could do with a bit more heating too.
bee26 - 17 Jan 2007 15:50 |
I always have a good night here, whether it's for a quick drink propped up at the bar, on a summer's night in the garden, or for a slap-up three course meal.
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Good but not great.
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Went in here for the first time yesterday lunchtime (Saturday). Fantastic to see all the orginal features, staff were pleasaant and service was quick ... tables were constantly being cleaned and empty glasses removed as tables became free. Food looked decent enough and seemed reasonably priced. Restaurant side was busy and overall liked the place. However suffered from that perennial problem ... bloody kids running around .. if your brats can't sit still on a seat for the duration of a meal don't take them into what is principally an adult environment. I have no problem with kids being taken out if they can behave if not take them to Pizza Hut, McDonalds or some such establishment ... there's nothing worse for the rest of us than having to put up with the shrieks of little Tabitha and Josh. Rant over.
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Went here on the off-chance for Sunday lunch and enjoyed it. Seems to have a good balance between eating and drinking. Good range of decent beers. Friendly efficient staff. Nice relaxed atmosphere. Food was good though not great and maybe a bit pricey. I'd go back.
anonymous - 29 Aug 2006 11:07 |
They must have had their reasons for turning this place into a gastropub - because we so desperately need another one in North London, son't we? This move has stripped the Queens of any remaining fun or enjoyment it might once have had. Sure, it's a lovely building and interior, and sure, the staff are friendly and competent, but would you move a council estate into the Louvre Aert Gallery? because that's what The Queens has done. A bloody shame.
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What's happened to this place? A silk purse has become a sow's ear. Used to be great, now it's shit.
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Visited on a Wednesday night for a swift one. Good selection of ale - Greene King IPA tasted ok. The Fuller's Pride I had was the last from the barrel. The barmaid showed some genuine concern about the quality of it, holding it up to the light and ensuring it cleared properly. She even then offered to replace it if I wasn't satisfied. Full marks for service!
The music they were piping didn't particularly suit the ornate surroundings but at least it wasn't too loud.
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Now principally a pub - restaurant, but still highly recommended just for the ornate glasswork and screens. Listed in the CAMRA Regional Inventory of outstanding pub interiors
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Not a bad boozer, has some real ales and live football and food.
The ponced up tarts of Crosh Arnd wouldn't frequent this even if you offered free canop�s and fois gras, thats why it's quite a reasonable pub.
They do still have live music!
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Went in there last week. It was full of the dregs of society. I thought the idea of increasing the prices of drinks and turning it into a bistro was to get rid of these undesirables, but their still all there.
Except now you get the privledge of paying �3 a pint while stood next to someone who smells of his own piss.
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Used to be a regular haunt of mine,when its was a live music venue.Quite a nice atmosphere, but its now becoming a pub restaurant, and its unlikely that I will dropping in the near future.Shame I met a lot of nice people there.
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This pub is now closed for refurbishment, so maybe its going to get better...
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used to be a great pub when it had live music - sadly no more - it's just a big dump now :o(
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When Pat was the landlord a few years back this was the social hub of Crouch End and a pleasure to drink in. Since his departure the pub has plummetted downhill at a rate of notes. tables aren't cleaned, toilets are revolting, even the beer is poor. The staff selection criteria is well balanced though. They all seem to have a chip on both shoulders. Surly, uninterested and plain rude sums up the majority. If you like a pub to be a pub with good service and good beer then try the Harringay Arms around the corner. The sooner the planning application for the Queen's is accepted the better. Sure it will be a gastro pub but at least the service is guaranteed to improve. To all pub chains: this is a stark reminder the difference a good landlord can make.
anonymous - 21 Sep 2005 10:29 |
As a traffic warden, i can confidently say that this pub used to be better,...it is still large though,..occupying, as it does,....the same space. The Friday night "Craporama" is worth avoiding.....
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used to be great place with lots of entertainments, Karaoke, live bands, discos,quiz nites,jam sessions you name it, it had it.
but since it had a face lift a few years back, it lost its spark, turned into an all bar one, a poncy yappy place, too expensive and dry with no atmosphere, run by low class managers that have no idea in fun or running a pub.
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Beautiful interior, but it lacks atmosphere.
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Sound pub, went in here for a few vodka's one Wednesday evening. Live jazz band who were very good, local yokel customers, friendly barmaid and decent priced drink. Grand job.
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Architecturally, this rates an 11. In fact, the architecture (and interior woodwork) is so awesome, nothing else matters.
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They've spoiled it a bit by moving the pool table!
I used to go in there a lot, but seldom do now as it's lost its edge.
It's gone a bit pretentious and the food's dropped in quality.
Oh, and it's too expensive!
I would have rated it an 8/10 a year ago, but it gets a 3 now.
I'm guessing it's under new management. If so, they need to undo the changes they've made....
Peter - 30 Oct 2004 14:01 |
very nice but expensive!
anonymous - 29 Jul 2004 14:37 |
nice atomosphere , live music,
simon - 14 May 2004 18:16 |
Good food, good beer, nice females behind the bar, gets packed when the footie is on
anonymous - 14 Oct 2003 15:31 |
Been nicely refurbed-as befitting a listed pub. Large and welcoming and definately the best place to drink in the area.
anonymous - 9 Apr 2003 20:17 |
