please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Pretty poor on tonight's showing. The gastro half was empty. Ordered a pint of Wye Valley HPA which stuttered out of the pump - to be told "it's supposed to be like that" by a slip of a girl behind the bar who is unlikely to know the Wye Valley from San Fernando Valley. It isn't a bad building as a pub goes but the annoying drone they have as background music (which I found replicated elsewhere later on) and the poor ale quality make this a definite miss in an area with some reasonable pubs'
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if overpriced beer and flooded toilets are your thing this is the pub for you
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CAMRA GBG 2017 Entry. Looked through window and could only see dining tables but it is larger than expected, with bar, conservatory and nice garden around the back.
A surprising TT Boltmaker was offer. Genuinely rarely seen outside of Yorkshire.
In good nick.
A decent pub. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2wM3nj2
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I DO think that some of the black-or-white apraisials administered by tuffnutparka are, at least, prejudicial.
Is, for example, everyone of the clientele at one of his least favoured pubs a 'non-handler'? Are everyman and woman a 'handler' at one of his favoured pubs? Does he or I or anyone else know the meaning of these terms?
No,no, no, no and no I think are the answers to these questions.
I could be wrong but I don't think I am.
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Non-handlers heaven
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Have that the current owner is leaving in March, new owner might be an improvement on the stuck up attitude that pervades. It can only get better.
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Agree with the comments about it being very gastro, but they must be doing something right as it was standing room only when we visited on a Friday night. Camra discounts only apply to beer festivals so a pint of Twickenham Bitter was £3.80. Two other ales on with a clip for Wandle turned around.
Not the type of place I would rush back to but the beer was decent enough.
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I popped in yesterday for a pre-lunchtime pint after a long walk, and didn't find the gastro-pub atmosphere at all intimidating. Was pointed in the right direction to the bar by friendly landlady; enjoyed a bit of banter, and had a good pint of Wye Valley. Can't comment on lack of sofas - a table will do me fine; or the price of fish and chips - if I want that, will go to a fish bar. Get a life, burgerstall!
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So sad to see that this review site has degenerated into really nasty & untrue reviews and is not promoting real ale & good pubs. I logged on to put in details of the next Junction Tavern Beer Festival as it is being advertised now on the bar. All the things said by the previous person about the segregation and the pricing are totally untrue. Anyway, great pint of Windor & Eton Guardsman imbibed here last night. Next Festival (the 15th at this pub !!) is over the Royal Wedding weekend.
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Save your money.
This pub has gone so far down to pan in the last 5 years:
1) They got rid of sofas which gave the pub a sociable and 'local' feel
2) The food is over-priced (over �16 for fish and chips!!) and you get portions the size of kids meals
3) The pub is segregated so that in the summer only those who pay through the nose to eat get the benefit of sunlight whilst sitting in the pub.
4) The final straw is that recently reserved signs are on every table when you arrive even though the table is not reserved - if you don't believe me, ask the staff who can confirm this! how wrong is that.
Avoid at all costs.
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Nice place which is both pub and gastro at the same time, nicely decorated and very big.
Addlestones was good, didn't eat here but I guess the food would be good.
Pub was not busy at the time but had a nice feel to it.
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Bounded into the Junction Tavern on a crawl with three friends on 16/10/10. A simply exquisite half of Wandle was imbibed by yours truly. Top pub.
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I really like this pub/tardis. Great food and great ales. Why do so many ale drinkers on this site disparage great gastropubs? Don't they realise how much good this type of pub has done for the ale industry, promoting British produce, local sourcing and traditional food & drink. Or is it a case of snobbery?
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Saw the ad in the window for the next beer festival 15th - 17th October. Had a few good pints of Redemption here the other day. Glad to see they give bar space to the smaller, newer breweries too.
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An exemplary gastropub - it doesn't forget it's a pub but serves good food and beer quality was excellent. The food is slightly expensive but for once you get what you pay for.
The Cornish Mutiny was excellent as was the Wandle.
Well worth going some way for.
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A decent pint of Wandle and half of it does appear to be a pub but the rest is too gastro for my liking.
anonymous - 16 Aug 2010 19:17 |
I thought about it but decided it was overated.
anonymous - 23 Jul 2010 22:18 |
Visited saturday afternoon and tried a pint of Ringwood Boondogle,i must say i've had better,it was far to warm which seemed to be the case in most pubs visited yesterday. The pub itself was ok with one side for drinking the for eating, however i wouldnt go out of my way to visit again.
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Wandle Sambrook good value at �3 a pint - ESB, Twickenha, Naked Ladies and Nelso Spinnaker (?) on offer as well. Promp and efficient service. Full of yuppies though.
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Haven't had a bad meal here- infact they've all been spot on. Good range of beers, and the conservatory is great in winter- the beer garden in summer. My favourite pub round kentish town/ Tufnell Park, where we meet and tend to stay when catching up. Staff a great too-
drp76 - 29 Jun 2010 22:24 |
Visited on a Saturday afternoon and initially we though it was shut, we tried the door on Fortress rd, locked, then on the corner, locked, no one to be seen, luckily we persevered and tried the 3rd door, success, a note outside the pub would be helpful perhaps. Once inside there is a lovely feeling of space, with mirrors and a high bar. There were 4 Real Ales on, I tried a couple of Sambrooks, which were fine. Although it was cooler inside the pub, we ventured out to the patio where it was buzzing with drinkers and diners. A very pleasant area, although the conservatory was empty because it was roasting. All in all I recommend this pub, definitely worth a look.
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Really looking forward to the next may bank holiday beer festival. Have seen the list courtesy of camra north london & it looks very interesting, not too heavy on the milds, with a good selection of seasonal specials. Shame the cheeky aussie barman is leaving next week, but the other staff are always so friendly, even when under pressure. So pleased this is my local.
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My wife and I visited here for the first time yesterday evening. Very friendly and accommodating staff who refreshingly appreciate that its customers have come out to enjoy themselves. The menu was sensibly short with the good food served from an open kitchen. Four real ales on handpump including excellent well kept Wye Valley Hereford IPA (4%). Also tried a stronger real ale which was also very good. The dining room, conservatory and garden were all full - testament to them providing customers with the ingredient for success. We look forward to our next visit here.
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I have to agree with 'real_ale_mary', 'HTM69' has reviewing the Assembly House on Kentish Town Rd. Can't remember the last time the Junction had Abbott Ale and it's had more than 2 handpumps for years.
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I came here on Easter Bank holiday, for a couple of beers. The bar staff were rude and unfriendly, and we got the distinct impression that as we weren't eating, they'd rather we weren't there. If you want to be a restaurant be a restaurant, if you want to be a pub, be a pub, not some vague approximation of both. On a final note to the bar staff, I was there with my young brother-in-law, who had just turned 18 and was visiting from Sweden, he had ID, so if you want proof of age, just ask, don't stand behind the bar constantly staring at him, making him feel uncomfortable. I recommend going to the Southampton, 5 mins walk away, as we did. 1 star "pub".
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i have to agree with the last poster - i live across the road from this place and if you want to sit in here and have a drink on a sunday without eating you do not have a chance....
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Has tipped over the balance from Gastro pub to restaurant with a bar in my opinion.
Sambrook's Wandle �3.00 very enjoyable - two other beers on Black Sheep and London Pride.
Infrequent mini festivals.
Not enough magnetism for me to return.
I concur with the mighty Boozemaster !
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So disappointed that my two requests to have the review from HTM69 removed have been ignored. The reviewer has obviously got the wrong pub name - he's obviously talking about the Assembly House in Kentish Town Road. The facts are all wrong - do not heed this review - this is NOT about the Junction Tavern!!
PS - Jackie tells me they'll be doing a mini-fest on the bar at Easter - all London Breweries including Twickenham, Brodies, Meantime, Fullers & Sambrooks.
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Great beer, nice open fire, clean and well run. With The PIneapple the best place to have a drink in the area.
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Situated opposite Kentish Town tube station, The Junction Tavern is an adequate, purpose-serving hostelry geared towards those who wander in after a train journey and those looking for a pre-HMV Forum sup-or-two. Aside from its useful qualities just emphasised, I see little reason to return again.
A rather anonymous exterior � well, it was dark outside � leads into a dimly lit, almost open-plan bar area which is Spartan in set-up and appearance. There was very little to attract my wandering eye, other that the tables and chairs and giant Christmas tree sat in one corner. The pub, as expected, was bustling during my stay, with dinning couples and small groups scattered all around. Background music was sedate and almost unnoticeable. Choice at the bar is predictably mainstream, though two hand-pumps were spotted to supplement the run-of-the-mill keg beers: Abbott Ale and a seasonal offering. I tried neither and instead, opted for an expensive, though be it, refreshing, pint of Guinness Extra Cold. It was poured expertly by the polite and fantastically buxom and beautiful barmaid. So, to conclude: an OK meeting spot and not a lot else � well, other than the hotties behind the bar, of course.
HTM69 - 21 Dec 2009 15:17 |
Wandle from Battersea now seems to be a regular on the bar. According to the Australian barman they'll be serving only London ales next week for London Pubs Week.
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I haven't eaten in here but as far as the selection of beer is concerned, there is none better in the area.
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Not many gastro pubs manage to be great real ale pubs as well. This place is an exception. The food is excellent and the range and quality of the ales, matches the food. Trips to the Forum are made even better by this place being in striking distance - on Saturday - the pub was good, the food was good, the beer was good and so were the Gang of Four!
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Tuesday night have just been here and it was heaving !! Had a nice meal with good service from a slighty stressed but very friendly waitress. All the staff were friendly actually, and there was a great atmosphere. Considering how manic it was i'm surprised the staff had time to smile !
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By chance I have just arrived home from a visit to this pub. Wye Valley HPA consumed there. I can confirm that there will be a Spring Bank Holiday Festival starting on Friday 22 May and that they will apply a discount on festival beers to cardholding CAMRA members.
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Reasonable selection of beers (Rebellion Smuggler, Adnams East Green, Brakspeare Oxford Gold, Fullers London Pride) but this is really a restaurant with a public bar, and not that big a one. If you're coming here for beer, you might want go to the Pineapple instead.
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Always some nice beers available here and occasionally have the odd mini beer festival (the recent Cornish beer festival was a treat). The food is also excellent. Well worth a visit.
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The three Cornish Ales Month Woodenhand bitters (Buccaneer, Cornish Mutiny, and another one) are of the very highest quality and in tip-top condition. And a very fine pub interior. If you can find fault in this place, then you are spoilt indeed!
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This place has all the right elements - lovely victorian building, nice bar, decent beers, scrubbed floors, fireplace, good food served in the smarter front half - but I have always found it curiously clinical. I can't quite put my finger on why that should be. Still worth a visit if you're in the area though.
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Looking forward to the Cornish Ales month in March. Haven't seen the list yet but apparently there'll be a few from Woodenhand Brewery. Have recently enjoyed a pint or three of the Exmoor Gold.
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We booked a table for 7.30 on the last Saturday in January. In the morning we received a very perfunctory and slightly rude phone call telling us that we needed to reconfirm our booking. This was a definite first for both of us and should, in hindsight,have set off alarm bells. The phone call was so objectionable that we mentioned it, in perfectly acceptable language, to the waiter.
We then ordered our meal. As we intended to have pudding we ordered a light STARTER of olive oil bread and olives plus a bottle of wine. The idea was to enjoy the meal at a leisurely pace, we had two hours, and maybe even order some more of the same before our main course.
Barely half an hour after arriving the manager turned up at our table plonked down our main, course even though we hadn`t finished our starter, and waltzed off before we could say anything. It was obvious that we were expected to, sit down, shut up, eat up, drink up and get out in short order. Our table was obviously needed, probably by some favoured locals, and we were the patsies.
What followed was bizarre. After finishing the main course l asked the manager why he had served us the main course before we had finished the starter? The conversation was as follows:
Customer: "Why were we served our main course before our starter".
Manager: "They aren`t starters they`re nibbles".
Customer: "The menu clearly states that they are starters".
Manager: "If you had wanted them as a starter you should have ordered them as a starter"
Manager then flounces off in an almighty strop leaving the two of us staring at each other incredulously.
Which begs the question. When is a starter not a starter? Obviously when the outstandingly rude and arrogant manager decides that he needs your table and, as he`s never seen you before, you are going to have to go.
If you enjoy the status of favoured local then l`m sure this is the place for you. The food was perfectly ok and the decor is stylish and welcoming. However, if like us, you are coming as a first timer, I wouldn`t bother.
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I used to frequent this pub when I lived in London. On the whole I found the actual bar staff to be friendly and reasonable. The ales are pretty good and the food decent. It is in a part of North London where you will get a percentage of slightly self satisfied boorish clientele and the woman that owns the place looks like an uptight Tory in Exile. On several occasions I found myself on the end of her filthy looks, which I always found strange as I was spending money, polite and quietly reading my newspaper. Maybe she didn�t like my sort. But other than that it�s an OK place with reasonable ale. If you�re looking to escape the smugness and enjoy better beer up sticks and move to rural Yorkshire. That's what I did.
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Actually I'm glad you're all positing incorrectly negative reviews - means there'll be mor chance of a table. Have been going since it got tarted up a few years ago and have never had a bad meal. Great wine list, apparently decent beers - no one I've taken there has ever had a bad word to say about the place.
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Lilysaurus et al don't you work in the Oxford
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Fancy being insulted by rude bar staff and paying well over the odds for a barely edible meal? You've come to the right place.
And I have to agree with J0gger - real_ale_mary blatantly works at this pub!
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This place is a mixed bag - recently visited with friends and the staff were friendly enough early in the evening, but then got really stressed when things got a little lively. I used to run a pub myself and know what's acceptable - no one in our group was offensive, just enjoying a Xmas do - 12 people are naturally going to make more noise than two. It's one of those occasions where they shouldn't take your cash if they don't want you to get into the Xmas spirit. I'm sure this pub is great if you want to play dominoes, they just shouldn't take xmas bookings if they want people to stay below a certain level. Plus the food wasn't that great.
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No, not a member of staff, nor a friend of the owner, just a regular customer who pays good money for very good food & excellent beer - and why not - I'm really lucky to have such a great local pub practically on my doorstep.
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I visited this pub with friends last weekend and I've got to agree with many of the posts that this place just isn't that friendly. There was no more than five or six of us having a laugh as we would in any pub, and had to put up with grumpy bar service and one member of staff shushing us like naughty children. Certainly didn't make for a relaxing atmosphere. And in response to the post below, I think it's clear from your 20+ posts on the Junction Tavern that you're either the manager or a staff member. Anyone looking for a real review by a real member of the public should ignore the post below and read this one - you can get a better pint and a better atmosphere in plenty of cheaper places.
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Have always been very pleased with the attitude of the management towards large groups of braying imbeciles - i.e. zero tolerance. The Junction is a busy, buzzy, noisy pub, always full of people chattering & laughing - really glad those who try & spoil the atmosphere are asked to pipe down!
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I can not tell you how disappointed I am with this pub. Actually, it shouldn't be called a pub, it should be called a library. If you want to talk to have fun, this is not the place! They clearly have a problem with groups and people drinking alcohol which is rather strange considering! Very very disappointing....
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This is a gastro pub with decent staff and an affluent clientele.
One whole side of the pub is geared towards dining with every table set with table cloths and cutlery. The other side, which consists of a smaller bar area, conservatory and beer garden is very relaxed and a good setting for a few beers. Everards Sleigh Bell, Cornish Buccaneer, Deuchars, Whippet Clause?, Addlestone cider and standard/premium lagers were all available on my visit.
The pub had a good crowd in and I would enjoy visiting here again.
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Interesting selection of Christmas Ales & Winter Warmers this week. Enjoyed the Batemans Rosey Nosey and the Christmas Cracker from Somerset. Looking forward to trying the next ones on the list, including a couple of seasonal ales from Tring.
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Was in again on Friday night. Food great, beer great, service great, atmosphere great. One quibble though. They seemed to stop serving at 11.00pm on the dot and if there was any bells or calling of time I missed them. Never a nice end to a night wandering up to the bar looking for a pint, being turned away unceremoniously without even knowing time had been called. Small issue and if I missed the bells I'll take my moan back!
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A fair food led pub that caters for families so expect young kids if you visit during the day.
We popped in mid afternoon on saturday 22nd before jumping on the tube into town. Good selection of ales on although the price seemed a bit higher than normal for the area.
We sat by the window watching the drivers trying to get through the width restiction outside without hitting the kerb.
Its an OK pub but would probably not visit again unless in the area.
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This is a pretty decent, though not superb, pub. They had Sharp�s IPA; Bombardier; Deuchar�s IPA; and Adnam�s Broadside on when I was in there. The Sharp�s IPA was rather good.
This looked to me to be more of a restaurant than a pub, but still a decent pub nonetheless. It had an attractive bar-top, with a now rarely seen footrest. It�s an alright pub, but the staff were rushing about, and it seemed that drinkers were being served in between other more important duties revolving around the diners. I may be wrong, but that�s how it felt. Nonetheless, definitely worth a visit if you�re in the vicinity.
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Handsome Victorian pub with reasonable choice of well kept beers on handpump. Gastropubs really aren't my cup of tea though - there's usually a weird feel about them and this one was no exception. Would liked to have been fonder of this pub but it didn't really do it for me.
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Was in for the first time last night. Tried three of the real ales, all very good and the food was excellent. Add to that the very pleasant and efficient service and you've got a great pub cum restaurant.
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Luckily a few festival ales left, so these will be on the pumps as guest ales this week. The list is available on the bar. The beer festival at the weekend was packed, pleased for them that it went so well, but annoying not to get a seat in my own "local". Seemed to be a lot of Yorkshire ales, and most brewed in October, so a good time was had by all.
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I checked this place out en route to The Forum & a Calexico Gig and was very impressed, especially lucking in with The Beer Festival in full swing. Lovely decor and great outdoor facility.
My only criticism was that the staff were a bit dour and lo-fi for my tastes especially the guy serving the guest ales who looked @ me as if I'd been beemed down from yonder when I asked for his advice about the beers in an attempt to choose one to my liking!
Menu looked good with prices about par for the course when you consider the overheads of running a pub these days!
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Popped in today just before the Ting Tings gig at the Forum. Great pub. The beer festival was on - good selection of beers, and a good crowd, but not too packed. We managed to get a seat out in the beer garden.
The gastropub at the front looked quite chic, but not really my thing. I had checked the prices before hand, but felt they were just a tad high for a pub meal. The pub part at the back is more my thing. Good atmosphere - with a genuine feel for cask ale. The conservatory and beer garden are very attractive.
This is well worth seeking out if in the area. And I'm pleased there's more and more pubs in London offering a good range of cask ales.
Rating 8.
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The tasting notes for the festival next weekend are now on the bar. Looks great. Lots and lots of "October Brews & Seasonal Specials". I love the way this pub really thinks about the ales they choose to put on.
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A good pub with good food and good beer. Only real let down ever has been the roast beef we had last Sunday, which wasn't great, but was taken off the bill immediately and without fuss when pointed out. Had about 6 other dishes between us, all of which were good or better.
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Well young Nick has gone back to frogland i am sure all the regulars wish him well. The Tring beers are super, just eight days now to the next festival .
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real_ale_mary, it's time you got out a bit more. Have you never been anywhere else? Stand by me, I can take you to many other better pubs. You married?
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Great to see that the next Beer Festival will be in October (weekend of 10th to 12th), when they hope to have some autumn ales.
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I have been here several times in recent months and never seem to leave disappointed. From the main road, only the restaurant is apparent and one can be forgiven for passing by without realizing that it is indeed a very fine pub. The interior is suitably dim despite there being large picture windows at the front. The main bar is all bare wood with paneled walls with sections of wood carvings, an ornate fireplace with a large surround / display unit and mirror. To the rear are large mirrors making the bar appear much bigger than it really is and a doorway to one side leads to an extention with more seating. Down a few steps and you will find yourself in a large glazed conservatory and this in turn leads to a delightful paved beer garden with plenty of benches and cover when necessary.
On the beer front, there are 5 hand pumps with Deuchars seemingly ever present. The rest offer a selection of 2 or 3 guset beers, often from Cornish Breweries as well as a more mainstream ale such as Adnams or Pride. The quality is alwys very good although the prices are higher than average with nothing under the �3 barrier (all the Real Ales are currently �3 regardless of their strength). The regular beer festivals also appear to be quite popular and successful.
Despite being a mere 5 minute walk from the Forum, the pub manages to escape the crowds that gather in Kentish Town prior to shows. It took me a long time to discover this place but I�m sure glad I did.
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Well the beer festival is over , we will have to wait three months for the next one . Last weekend was good , i liked the Old Moor Porter, the Polar Eclipse, the Lakeland Gold and the Lincolnshire Imp. Congratulations to Jackie and Chris for a great festival. Last night was the presentation of the North London CAMRA pub of the year award given to chris by John Cryne the chairman of the branch . Some 25 members and numerous drinkers greatly enjoyed themselves drinking Hopscotch with BOB and the Village Idiot while avoiding the Summer Lightning eating olives. The rain came after 11 with great ferocity.
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Came here for the beer festival on Friday night. Fenland Rabbit Poacher was very nice as were the Acorn Old Moor Porter and the B & T Black Dragon Mild. Had been here before in winter and thought it was a bit cramped, much better with the beer garden out the back.
I think they normally have Sharp's beers and about three ales available. Have eaten in here before and it was good from what I remember although on the expensive side.
Worth a visit.
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The Beer Festival started today - some very good Scottish ales I haven't tried before - including a couple from Arran Brewery, which Jackie says has just gone bust, so maybe it's the last chance for a while to drink these ales? Also liked the Lakeland Gold & the Rabbit Poacher. I'll be back tomorrow to try a few more.
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Enjoyed an impromptu couple of pints of Deuchars IPA here this evening. Pleasant enough, staff were fine tonight and I couldn't smell the drains mentioned in previous reviews.
Three other beers from regional (as opposed to micro) breweries. Did not eat on this occasion but food appeared to be served in decent portion sizes.
Will visit again and not leave it so long next time.
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Very much looking forward to the Bank Holiday Beer Festival at the end of May. Apparently CAMRA will be presenting the award on the Tuesday following. Well deserved it is too. The beer garden is a godsend during this hot weather. Best pub in the area!!
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This is my local, and has been for years. The restaurant is still good, good value for money, good quality food, good service.
The drinking area is small with tables being used by people eating who haven't booked for the restaurant.
The only areas you can escape the smell of drains and toilets are in the restaurant and in the conservatory. The seating area either side of the toilets is almost unbearable and has been for at least a year - haven't the owners noticed yet?
Staff tend to ignore it and change the subject when you ask them about it...
Have stopped going.
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Very wide selection of real ales to choose from, many from smaller, lesser known breweries. There is a patina of old world charm on a very warm and human scale, emanating from the sensitive use of traditional materials, which balance and harmonise with the inflow of natural light. The Junction is the first 'watering hole' I head for once the plane has landed from my home in Australia. I am fortunate to have a very learned friend living nearby in Tufnell Park. Perhaps you will recognise him by his thinning hairline, his laxity in shaving,his ponytail and very sharp wit. Finally the staff are so friendly and always good for a laugh.
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I'm with you there. Great pub but it does pong of piss. Bring back smoking I say... covers a multitude of sins.
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Been drinking in the Junction for about three years and feel it is going downhill as a pub.
The restaurant remains good, but almost every part of the pub side has been marred by the stench of drains for the last three months.
The place continues to have pretensions - it's only a pub!
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i had the last half of the Nelson Loose Cannon on Tuesday and it was brilliant , it was replaced in five minutes by the Trafalgar bitter which was also great . The brewery is actually the old Flagship brewery with a new name . After all the good Cornish beers it's nice to have some Kentish beers . Looking forward to the end of the month when they have the beer festival . It is much closer to Tuffnell Park tube than Kentish Town about five mins walk. If you are not in a hurry and like me prefer the bus to the subway than the 134 {northbound} stops right outside the pub. Dont forget after the festival finishes on Tuesday May 27 the pub is receiving it's pub of the year award from CAMRA. It's gonna be a great week and a fitting reward for the excellant lanlords , management and staff for making it such a superb pub.
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Worth a scoot up the Northen Line (closer to Tuffnel Park than Kentish Town). Enjoyed good pints of Eden and Knocker as well as Deuchars which I don't normally reckon to like. Nice looking pub - seems quite heavy on the food side but a good bar area too.
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I first moved into the Tufnell Park area 2 years ago, where I had lived in the midlands for the 26 years previous, as a big fan of the local pub, I did not think I would get the same in London as I did in the midlands but I was wrong, on my first visit I was impressed with the quality of the Beer and food on offer and how good it all tasted. the beer Garden in the summer is a Gem but It has to be said that what makes this Pub is the staff that work there, friendly, chatty and all professional. This pub has all the right ingredients for a good local, with the quality of beer, food and Service on top.
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Noticed quite a few Nelson's beers coming up on this week's list, looking forward to trying them, I like the way they always have ales from different breweries.
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Sharps Eden, Skinners Cornish Knocker, Deuchers, Nelson Loose Cannon, good quality except the Nelson which wasn�t 100%, glad I had a taster before I�d committed to a pint (all �3). Was a little worried on entry as I headed left and found a �modern bistro�(?)/ coffee shop style with all tables taken & nowhere to stand but presumably that is predominently for the food side of things and, as I backtracked, to my relief, I found the bar; nice wood panelled walls, decorative ceiling, old wood floor, large windows, large mirrors to rear, & what I consider to be proper pub furniture � wooden tables & chairs. Until I used the loo I hadn�t realised that this style continues around the corner, then gives on to a very pleasant conservatory area and, beyond this, beer garden with picnic sets. Newspapers available on bar.
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Agreed. The Old Growler was spot on. And the background music was Champion Jack Dupree! Bonus that.
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Cornish Beer on offer. Superbly kept. Can see why it made North London Pub of the Year. Keep it up.
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Next Beer Festival May Spring Bank Holiday (last bank holiday in May) will have 40+ real ales, including some of the SIBA 2008 award winners. Junction has just won CAMRA North London Pub of the Year 2008.
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The pub has just been voted pub of the year by the north london branch of the campaign for real ale, it beat four other strong competitors .
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Usually visit on a Monday or Tuesday evening for a pint or two in the evening on my way home from work. Four very well kept ales always on, with Caledonian's Deuchars being a regular. A relaxed enough atmosphere so you can sit there and read for a couple of hours.
Regular beer festivals in May and August are well worth visiting, but get there early as they usually run out quite quickly!
Highly recommended.
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Next Beer Festival will be the second Bank Holiday weekend in May 23rd - 26th May. I'm told there will be over 40 different ales this festival. I think it's their 9th festival, which is great.
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The Cornish ales are superb - well kept as always. The Junction has just been nominated for North London Pub of the Year by the local CAMRA branch. Had a lovely Sunday lunch here last week, too.
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they are having a cornish month at this moment in time, featuring beers from Skinners, Sharps , St Austell and Wooden Hand . If you have not already done so try the Wooden Hand they are great .
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Have been away for a while but on my return I was glad to see Jackie & staff still serving great ale.
Ales on the list this week: Deuchars IPA / Old Growler / Eden Pure Ale / Betty Stogs / Landlord / Smuggler / Doom Bar / Old Charlie / Headless Pedlar / Explorer / Young's Special / Tanglefoot / Side Pocket for Toad.
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Charles Dance confirms the post about the beef in today's Telegraph. So can't be bad!
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Went here the other night. Twas a joy! Friendly staff, nice garden and lovely food. Had a nice bottle of Rioja whilst my friend had a pint of Eden which he said was perfect, having just moved to the area I am pretty chuffed to have such a good boozer on my doorstep.Don't know how it could be criticised really.Shall be trying Sunday lunch at the weekend. Lovely barmaid called Sinead said it's the best you can get !!!
anonymous - 25 Sep 2007 20:02 |
Popped in last Sunday for the quite possible the best beef roast I have tasted, the service was great too, however when I went to the gents I almost lost my stomach with the overwhelming smell of urine, the walls were filthy too, a real shame as it detracted from the whole experience
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Dont have a clue what the last contributor is saying, the bosses have been the same for more than two years, the managers are all very nice and good at the job ,have never found any of them brusque or impolite. I can only presume that mr matthews is the owner or manager of a rival bar and wants to turn people off of going to the junction,ignore him .
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I live in Camden but have always made the trip up the road to this pub. However, since the new management took over it has gone completely downhill. Where it used to be clean and friendly it is now grubby and the staff (particularly the brusque manager) impolite. One is not made to feel comfortable by the senior staff and perhaps even the opposite. The fine selection of beers is now a wasted opportunity as they clearly have let their cellars go to the dogs. New management maybe the answer as this could be a great pub again.
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"Pretentious. Qui Moi". Lovely pub, great selection of real beer & continental stuff, but come off it.
Let me get served quickly, in a COLD glass & I'm happy. If you insist on keeping me waiting for a beer, at least put a couple of bar stools around, so I can loiter in comfort.
But I can't knock too much. What can I do, walk down to the Bull & Gate or up to the Boston? That's some sandwich filling if they are the bread slices!
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great pub, interesting everchanging guest beers, eating here would be tempting - though i noted the policy of an automatic service charge which quite frankly is a bloody cheek ! Who isnt going to tip good food and service after all !
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Fine gastro. The leek spinach and watercress risotto was exquisite. Grand Union Gold was great; only fly in the ointment was not being allowed to order at the bar and being forced to pay a service charge.
Beware, that despite the good range of ales (best in the area - I hasten to add) the Junction Tavern is first and foremost a restaurant, and a pub second. Priority is afforded to diners with half the "pub" fully booked when we visited.
Staff are friendly enough, but beware of hidden charges.
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What a fantastic bank holiday beer festival that was. Sampled about 30-odd ales. Sadly not a lot left now, although Jackie says she's got more in the cellar ready to go on - looking forward to trying them, this week's guest beers are not to be missed!
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sadly tom has left the pub , however jess, sinead and stuart are very competent and i'm sure we all look forward to the 4th of may. at this moment in time beers from cornwall are on, sharps and skinners , yeah.
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JUNCTION TAVERN 7TH BEER FESTIVAL MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY FRIDAY 4th - MONDAY 7th MAY. TOM TELLS ME THE BEER LIST FOR THE FESTIVAL WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE BAR & ON THE WEBSITE BY NEXT WEEK.
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Real Ales this week commencing Monday 2nd April:
Caledonian Deuchar's IPA
Hopback GFB
Cottage Brewery, Somerset: Goldrush / Western Glory / Broadgauge Bitter
Wooden Hand Brewery, Cornwall: Black Pearl / Cornish Mutiny
Grand Union, Middx: Special / Gold / Bitter
Ringwood, Hampshire: Fortyniner
Wye Valley: Hereford Pale Ale
Theakstons, Yorkshire: Black Bull
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Cask ales this w/c 26 March:
Caledonian Deuchar's IPA
Skinner's Cornish Knocker & Betty Stogs & Doom Bar Bitter
Hook Norton Old Hooky
Wooden Hand Black Pearl
Tring Royal Poacher
Sharp's Atlantic IPA
Harvey's Sussex Best
Badger's Tanglefoot
Hop Back's GFB
Ringwood 49-er
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What a fantastic selection of Guest Ales this week at the Junction:
Deuchar's IPA not on today, but the new ale from Caledonian "XPA" is featured. Worth a quick quaff.
Cottage Brewery, Somerset: Windsor Castle, Jack and the Dragon, Clifton Ale
Tring Brwery, Herts: Georgie Boy & Colley's Dog
St. Austell Brewery, Cornwall: Tribute
Tim Taylor: Landlord
Black Sheep from Black Sheep Brewery in Yorkshire
Sharp's Brewery, Cornwall: Eden Pure Ale
Skinner's Brewery, Truro: Cornish Knocker
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Real ales this week:
Deuchars IPA as always....
Daleside Brewery Yorkshire: Bitter, Special Bitter & Blonde
Cottage Brewery in Somerset: Wessex Spring & Cactus Jack
Wooden Hand Brewery in Cornwall: Cornish Mutiny
Tring Brewery in Herts: Old Lal's Winter Ale
Marlow Brewery in Bucks: Smuggler
Plus Adnams Explorer / Shepherd Neame Spitfire / Fullers London Pride / Harveys Sussex Best Bitter
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The next Junction Tavern Beer Festival will be the first Bank Holiday in May (over 40 different ales!!!). Meanwhile, ales coming on w/c 5th March:
Deuchars IPA (always on)
Itchen Valley Brewery: Pure Gold.
Red Sqirrel Brewery: Conservation Bitter.
Grand Union Brewery: G.U. Bitter; G.U. Gold; G.U. Special.
Marlow Brewery: Smuggler; Rebellion IPA; Mutiny.
Fuller's London Pride; Adnams Explorer; Shepherd Neame Spitfire; Harvey's Sussex Best; Charles Wells Bombadier.
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hmmm, thats funny, Mary. If you look at Nethergates website, you will see that they list the Junction as a pub that "always stocks Nethergate beers". Hows that for choice?
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This is definetly one of the best real ale pubs in london, camra rated in the good beer guide for 4 years. jacky is one of the best real ale landladies in london, so someone dosent like nethergate ales ,personal ale choice should not be a reason to critisize a pub. Tom and Sinead are doing a great job, there are 3 wooden hand ales at the moment all good, plus deuchars as the house beer so get down and rock, Richard Hawley as background was superb.
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Oh stop moaning. I drink a lot of the ales at the Junction, including the Nethergate. In fact had a great pint of the Nethergate "Old Growler" today. In the last few weeks they've had ales from all over the place: Grand Union, Tring, Moorhouses, Itchen Valley, Marlow Brewery, Daleside, Shepherd Neame, Wooden Hand - AND THESE ARE JUST THE ONES I CAN REMEMBER!!! The Landlady Jackie told me that next week the ales will be from Red Squirrel, Cottage Brewery (Somerset)and White Star (Southampton). How's that for choice??
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I have had to reevaluate my favorite pub. For one thing, they now seem to only serve nethergate beers. Come on, these beers are horrible and I know its not the fault of bad cellarmanship. What kind of deal are you getting on them? There are many great breweries out there whose beers I would like to drink. Enough of the nethergate! Then I went there sunday and there was no one behind the bar! Waited 5 minutes then went home. Whats that all about?
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Went for Sunday lunch - great pint of London Pride and roast beef. Good size portions and nothing too fiddly.
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Superb beer quality as always, Tom is one of the best real ale barmen in london ,always serves a perfect pint. Visit here very soon for a truly great ale experiance.
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Very classy, and standing apart from the string of gastros in the area. Beer choice intersting (rare for the area) and very good. You really want to eat there as well.
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This is my favorite pub in London. The management really care about keeping the beer properly, and normally keep three guest ales plus Deuchars IPA. The staff is friendly and efficient. The gastro-part of the pub is separate from the drinking part although you can eat anywhere in the pub. Its an extremely comfortable pub and they also have a beer garden that I use throughout the summer. I have eaten here several times and it has been, with only one exception, outstanding. Often I find myself drinking elsewhere wishing I was here. This is my "10".
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Beers due this week (30th Oct to 4th Nov 2006)
Today (Tuesday 31st) Cottage Brewery, Somerset: Somerset & Dorset Ale, Champflower, Southern Bitter and Grand Union Brewery: Bitter.
To follow:
From Grand Union Brewery: Special, Gold.
From Moorhouse�s Brewery, Burnley: Black Cat, Premier Bitter, Pendle Witches Brew, Blond Witch, Pride of Pendle.
From Marlow Brewery, Bucks: Smuggler.
And finally the regular "guest beer" Caledonian Brewery: Deuchar's IPA.
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The phrase gastro pub makes me think of gastroenteritis. It certainly doesn't make me hungry. The Black Cat was excellent though.
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Beers due this week (23rd Oct to 29th Oct 2006)
Today (Monday 23rd) Wooden Hand Brewery, Truro: Cornish Mutiny, Cornish Buccaneer & Black Pearl.
To follow:
From Grand Union Brewery, Middx: Gold, Bitter & Special.
From Red Squirrel Brewery, Hertford: Conservation Bitter, Organic Blonde & American IPA.
From Cottage Brewery, Somerset: Champflower, Golden Arrow & Norman�s Conquest MM.
And finally the regular "guest beer" Caledonian Brewery: Deuchar's IPA.
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Beers due this week (16th Oct to 22nd Oct 2006)
Today (Monday 16th) Nethergate IPA, Fuller's London Pride, Charles Wells Bombadier.
To follow.
From Shepherd Neame Brewery: Spitfire.
From Wychwood Brewery: Hobgoblin.
From Moorhouse's Brewery: Black Cat, Premier Bitter, Pendle Witches Brew, Blond Witch & Pride of Pendle.
From Wooden Hand Brewery, Truro: Cornish Mutiny, Cornish Bccaneer & Black Pearl.
And finally the regular "guest beer" Caledonian Brewery: Deuchar's IPA.
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Beers due this week (9th Oct to 15th Oct 2006)
Today (Monday 9th) Daleside Bitter, Fuller's London Pride, Young's Special.
To follow.
From Grand Union Brewery: Bitter, Special & Gold.
From Nethergate Brewery: Umbel Ale, Old Growler, Augustinian, IPA & Suffolk County.
And finally Daleside Blonde.
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Can't add much to whats already been said apart from the staff are very friendly and the garden is great in the summer. Try it out if you're going to be in the area.
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This is a pleasant enough place, but it lacks a bit of character for me. Very much a gastro pub, I'm sure it's a splendid place to sit on a Sunday afternoon with all the colour supplements and a nice glass of wine. Doesn't really fit the bill for a few pints though.
Clean, friendly and utterly nice.
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Great place, really nice staff, friendly customers, won a camra award so the beer must be good. Missing a bit of soul which stops it being perfect, but I think that about everywhere these days. Great place to go with the missus or in a mixed group - not grimy enough to go with the boys on a serious drinking session :-)
anonymous - 9 Apr 2006 10:04 |
nice pub with good food, but can never get a table and the food is expensive. the new menu at Progress Bar up the road is better value.
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A nice pub, beer's mostly well kept and well priced (guest ales �2.50/pint) + bi-annual beer festival. Garden is great!
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This is my favourite pub in London due to the consistently good food, friendly bar staff and a European-quality, professional Maitre D', rather than the disinterested person that you usually get in pub restaurants.
I'm a bit sad that my favourite place for the last 3 years is becoming so massively popular as it's now almost impossible to get enough elbow space on a Friday and Saturday night, but then again the management deserve this success. I will admit to finding the ever increasing throngs of crowing city types annoying though.
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Not a bad pub at all - the garden's nice, chilled-out, and the food's can be good. Can be a bit hit and miss sometimes if its too busy or the staff are in a particualry lazy mood. Can't stay in here all night, but a few to begin with is fine.
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I have to commend this pub(restaurant) on 2 counts. I had my lunch there yesterday (07/07/05). The salmon was just perfect, perhaps the best dish on the present menu. Bitburger "DRIVE" alcohol-free beer went down nicely.
And, WHO was that gorgeous blond waiter with the open-toed sandals who dropped my cutlery & knocked over the peppermill? You can serve me anytime!
10/10
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What a god awfull place this is, well overpriced, only saving grace is the garden.
anonymous - 25 May 2005 09:47 |
The Junction is quite local to me and I have always had great experiences taking friends there for an outdoor meal. It's easy to be swept up by it all that I find that the bill at the end of the night is higher than most places I would eat and drink at. But what the hell, it's a great experience. I haven't been when it's really busy but I am sure you have got to choose your times carefully.
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What an odd set of people review this Pub. I have always found the staff to be exceptional. As for expense, it is below the average for this area, so I don�t see the gripe. As a local resident I also don�t mind the fact that they do clear the garden just before closing time and move people into the main drinking area (The restraint part reserved for diner only).
An excellent pub with very nice people.
Yes the Pineapple used to be good but if you want to be served in less than 20 minutes don�t bother (and have you even looked at the price of their menu) Panine moi? Err no
mark c - 3 Nov 2004 16:09 |
The Junction Tavern is one of the best "locals" I know. Staff are always friendly; the food is good (although a greater choice would be appreciated); there is a decent selection of beers/lagers/wines on offer and you'll be hard-pressed to beat the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
John Ramchandani - 3 Nov 2004 13:40 |
A pub full of pretentious people, well over priced. Give it a wide birth if you are not one of the chattering classes
gerry - 26 Oct 2004 16:19 |
amazing food just wonderfull
would defintly go there again
isaac - 31 Aug 2004 10:16 |
Any pub selling Deuchars IPA must be a good find, especially when the sell it at only �2.50. While it is more of a gastro pub, the conservatory out the back provides more of a drinking area, even in winter. Friendly atmosphere and good (if a little pricey) food should you decide to eat.
Simon - 6 Jul 2004 17:57 |
I rather object to being called a liar (see Ludovica-4 Nov 2003). We did ask for the house wine and were charged (and I assume, given) the most expensive wine. We could, indeed see the blackboard with wine prices on them - nearly having a heart attack at them we asked for the house expecting, I think reasonably, to get the cheapest. But we didn't. And noticing post-paying we didn't feel argumentative to complain. We just don't go there.
While I cannot discount this as being a freaky one off I really can't recommend this pub to anyone. Unless perhaps they're terribly well off and work in media or PR. Or are just a tosser for some other reason (HR possibly?).
Stuart - aka bob hope - 8 Apr 2004 17:12 |
Visited on 16/2/04.
The beer is reasonably well kept. The menus suggest the food is good and interesting, but was too late to try any out. The staff behind the bar are reasonably friendly.
However this is not a "conversational" pub, it is aimed mainly at diners and wine-drinkers. It is a restaurant that serves beer, rather than a pub serving food. At 10pm everyone is forced to move across the pub from the "restaurant" area (no signs) so you are not garanteed relaxation or comfort.
For a relaxing pint I would recommend the Pineapple nearby which has a great atmosphere as well as good food.
My general rating on this pub is 5/10.
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The chef,nick fraser-stansbie produces a really interesting menu, the food is always a delicious and satisfying fare. Staff are great and really helpful.
william - 20 Jan 2004 19:44 |
Not bad. Haven't tried the food yet but a fairly convivial pub all the same. Gripes: pricey drinks, hard to get a table and seems to lack atmosphere.
Steve B - 16 Jan 2004 13:35 |
This is pub - Great Sunday lunches and friendly staff. The guest beers tend to be good as well. Well worth a small walk to get to.
David Bowie - 26 Nov 2003 11:26 |
Methinks the people who claim that they were given the most expensive wine instead of house wine are lying...the wine blackboard is huge & right next to the bar for all to see. Also the staff are very friendly & sweet - this is my local & I really can't see this happening. Good food, nice vibe.
Ludovica - 4 Nov 2003 16:33 |
This is a great addition to the 'Gastro' pubs in the area. Well kept ale, interesting wine and excellent food. Staff can be a little distant sometimes.
Jonathan - 7 Sep 2003 12:47 |
Chilled atmosphere, really really good food. Staff are very down to earth & friendly.
Alan Lorrimer - 28 Aug 2003 19:01 |
This is an excellent gastropub. The food is fantastic and it has a great selection of wines. Nice beer garden and conservatory for the summer evenings. Well worth a visit.
Jonathan - 15 Aug 2003 14:16 |
very very good
william - 13 Aug 2003 16:02 |
A very nice pub - wonderful food and a jolly garden. not a great selection of beer though - but very very happy friendly staff and waiters.
william - 13 Aug 2003 15:59 |
This is indded a nice place! The only thing that lets it down is the a couple of very unfriendly rogue staff who should never ever be allowed near the customers!
Patrick - 13 Aug 2003 15:27 |
Excellent food well served. A real find in this part of the metropolis.
Noel Reeve - 22 Jun 2003 23:03 |
A great pub just new last summer.
Beautiful old bar and wood panelling.
Great food a conservatory and outside drinking area.Nominated for best gastropub in the Time Out eating & drinking awards.
Heather - 28 May 2003 18:08 |
