please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A pub/bar of the Hampstead variety. Full of right thinking Guardian reading men who resemble Chris Martin from Coldplay and couples who tell themselves that they live in Queen's Park because it's edgy when in fact they've simply been priced out of Primrose Hill. £4.50 for a pint of Bitburger(think I saw a poster of Che Guevara on the wall...) they have some decent ales on tap.
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Once a shop conversion Irish bar now a place that is a bit up-it's-own-arse. Local hard drinkers sit outside in the smoking zone patronised by local pretentious folk who, although understanding, know they are so much better than them (and everyone else). Over priced second rate keg beer dominates the bar.
anonymous - 24 Dec 2011 13:13 |
Currently visiting a pub for every station on the London Overground. Visited this pub for Queens Park. Like the classic album covers on the walls and was playing some decent music. However the menu seemed extortionately priced which stopped us from eating here. Adnams beers available. Bit poncy.
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O.K pub but there is this guy always hanging around in there perving on the women, he's got black hair and is quite fat and goes by the name pasty (Don't know why). The beady eyes, sticky gaze, and unsettling feeling of being mentally undressed by a low life pervert is one of the worst experiences any person can have, so look out for this guy in there.
Other than that good boozer, check it out.
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The pub didn't make a good first impression: it was cold, smelt of detergent, and there weren't any menus in evidence, which is not great for what I would call a gastropub. However, things improved when the food arrived: whilst it was pricey, the roast beef we were served on a Sunday lunch was pretty fine and just about worth the cost. Ale-wise it was serving Adnams Bitter and Broadside, and the Bitter was served very well. It has an interesting u-shaped interior around another property as well. I'm not sure I'd return soon, but ultimately I quite liked this.
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Horrible place,cramped,uncomfortable and the staff resent having to serve you go to the Corrib or the Long Room if you want to have a drink in the area
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Indeed the Salusbury is still doing well, nice beers on draught, and a lovely Aspall cider on tap as well. Have been coming here quite often for the last 3 years, but found something new, they've got security on the front door. Not too sure why as all the banter in here in general is very good natured and have seen no trouble. Let me know if anything has changed.
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The Salusbury is going along nicely... i was in there after a gap of at least a year this weekend and the things that make it great are all still in evidence. I don't know when exactly it went gay but that would never affect my opinion on a place... vive la difference i say! great food, beer as excellent as it always was, and a great buzz around the bar area (yes I was chatted up!)
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Nice pub. Real fire on cold days, well-served beer, quality food (at price to match, but it is good). Full of kids on Sundays - fine by me, one's my son! Good resting place after Sunday farmers market in school opposite.
But yes, can get right smokey
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Hardly a fair comment to say if you don't like smoke don't go to the pub!? There's smoke and there's smoke. I agree with the earlier posts - The Sals is amongst the smokiest pubs I've ever entered. Puts you off having a drink there when it gets too bad. Agree that the Dining Room takes up too much room though. Food is generally good but too expensive.
anonymous - 6 Jun 2006 12:16 |
All I can say is bring on the anti-smoking ban. it can't happen soon enough. This place needs ventilation.
anonymous - 29 Mar 2006 12:51 |
I live & work locally good pub at lunch time, quality �5 lunch deals with a pint. In the evening it does get busy and yes smokey (everything stinks by the end) . I would rate this a general good pub as it has atmosphere and friendly people. A bit transtifarian for its own good but thats what makes it different form weatherspoons.
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getting served in here is a task akin to herding cats. give it a miss.
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This pub is very over-rated but there's not many other places to drink in the near vicinity and it is conveniently located. The people are a mix of trendies and old men with dogs and if you drink inside you come out stinking of fags. It is the least air-conditioned place I know. If you stand outside, you find yourself watching people as they walk up and down the road which ruins conversation. Loads of people think it is great though.
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I disagree with most of the comments already posted. I have lived in the area for over 30 years and by far this pub is one of the best. It can get very busy - standing room only some nights and there isn't a lot of that! No fights - well not when I have been in anyway- GREAT food -perhaps a little pricey - reasonable wine list - again a wee bit pricey - good selection of beers and lagers especially the Star and DECENT cider. You get what you pays for. If you are looking for somewhere to take your Mum/Dad for a wee snifter then this is a nice wee place. Frequented by some famous faces too so they can go back home and tell their friends who they spotted while visiting you. You can even manage to have a conversation with your friends thanks to the absence of LOUD thumping music - definitely a conversation killer - must be my age and lack of hearing as I used to live and work in the Cock Tavern on the High Road many moons ago when live bands were on there every single night - and they were LOUD - but great - sadly missed!!! Try being friendly to the staff and they will reciprocate - a smile goes a long long way - as do the words please and thank you! You never know the staff may start to use them too!
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If you are interested in the history of this pub then let me tell you that when this opened in 1988 it soon became one of the best pubs I had ever been to. I never liked the governer, sullen Irish guy who didn't like the fact that lots of people in the pub made it the local watching England pub of choice but he was out of sync with the other Irish people and staff in there who were super friendly and the atmosphere was so good that it done wonders for race relations if you ask me. It was populated by lots of local teens, and 20/30 somethings, Aussies who worked at Moves, Danish girls from the nearby hostels and some new Queens Park residents who didn't mind mixing with the proletariat.
Alas in about 1994 it went properly downhill like so many boozers do and it was actually a relief when it was taken over by its current owners.
Five years later I have to say they have done an ok job, its obviously successful, but no longer is it a pub with a welcome glow. You occasionally get a good member of staff, the baldie Brazilian lad is ok and the range of beers is admittedly very good but it is populated by the kind of people who would be scared of going to Kilburn High Road (give it a go, in twos if you must) and are more into the area for their rising property prices than any sense of community. As for the music..well everyone knows reggae has got to be played with a bit of bass. It is basically a pub for people who are scared of meeting people who are not like them.
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Some spot on comments here,...dispicable souless dump,..Although if your after some hot of the press gossip,...Whilst waiting at the bar for a hour or so the other night,..I overheard Tabatha, Rupert, Piers and Rocket chatting over a chablis,...and it seems like The Swanster proposed to Samatha at the Rugger last week,....and The Willmeister wrote of the boxter in Cheltenham,...If anyones bothered?!
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My local to work. I find it has good nights and bad nights. The majority of the bar staff are pretty friendly, but I think that's cos they know me now. I have had some fabulous nights here (try out the dining section - amazing food) and some really awful nights. A bit too trendy for its own good at times and slightly incestuous in there. I also think it's very expensive, but they do serve Star which is one of my favs. Just wish there weren't so many media/fashion types being up-there-own-arsey.
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How strange. I don't go here often as its not in my neck of the woods, but when i do i've always been impressed and have found the staff and patrons to be amongst the friendliest in London. Maybe I've just been lucky.....!
robin - 11 Nov 2004 16:25 |
Cannot agree at all with the people saying the beer is bad. It simply isn't, they have a great range and a proper cider rather than your Strongbow rubbish favoured by most pubs.
However, all that said this pub is obnoxiousness personified. Every single person I know has had issues with the bar staff about rudeness, grabbing their drinks before they are finished etc. If you are not of a certain type they don't want you, simple as that. A sorry take on what a lot of London pubs have become I am afraid.
John - 30 Oct 2004 11:39 |
Don't know why, but a few years ago I quite liked this pub. Maybe I was just blinded by the fact it's one of the few places in the Kilburn area with ales, and that it attracts more than its fair share of women.
Anyway, I've since woken up to the surly staff, the pretentious patrons, the sheer rudeness once the bell strikes 11, the difficulty in getting a seat, the zero space to stand, the pointless beat in the background which counts as music, the absurd price of food, the poor layout, the way people travel for miles to get here, and the way the place empties for cold feet or whatever nonsense middle-class sitcom is doing the rounds.
Other than that, it's OK.
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went there a few times...rude staff, very slow service, beer average, abyssmal music, very pretentious people who think theyre something special, always too busy. Cant see the attraction and will not be going there again....ever!
tony - 20 Jun 2004 02:22 |
Miserable and rude bar staff, appalling music and truly the worst pint of beer in London. Full of pretentious media luvees who think the place is "cool"...bless 'em!
Phil - 7 Jun 2004 07:44 |
Overpriced, over-crowded and overrated.
cris - 12 May 2004 11:20 |
This place is always heaving, but for the life of me, I can't understand why. Possibly because there's no real competition within the immediate vicinity...? I agree wholehearted with the comment about disinterested bar staff - when my bag was stolen, the manager only shrugged when we brought it to his attention. And that was after waiting for 5 minutes for him to finish chatting to his colleague. Smokey, crowded, poor service, overpriced - the good beer selection is a barely adequate redeeming feature.
Cameron - 10 May 2004 12:19 |
Good food but smoky crowded bar
Claire - 2 Apr 2004 15:53 |
Without doubt the worst bar service in London. A collection of posh types with Hoxton haircuts who spend more time chatting to each other than having to serve beer. Yesterday three of us waited at the bar while four barstaff chatted amongst themselves. Shame because it's ruining what would otherwise be a nice pub.
anonymous - 23 Feb 2004 12:37 |
nice decor, not too smoky, seperate eating room. Crowded but a bit of space if you look around. Carries Asfall Sussex Cyder, which will sneak up on you. I had a good experience even if I didn't meet the people I went there to find.
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Pretty busy place most of the time. Good Sunday lunches (little pricey) and restaurant food next door. Nice!
MrB - 27 Nov 2003 16:22 |
Nice place, food a bit pricey, czexh beer. Overall good.
Phil - 7 Jul 2003 23:38 |
