please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Uncertain.Trumpet's review is stellar, and apt as every five years on. I couldn't possibly describe it better, thought it is worth mentioning that the guinness is surprisingly £3.60. Don't be excited though, as the beers are up around the £5 mark.
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Perfectly decent, civilised place for a quick pint if in the area. Good range of ales and pleasant service.
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Go there every now and then after gigs at the Academy. Perfectly acceptable: friendly staff and good mix of clientele.
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It has more downsides these days, but it's certainly not that bad a pub - people aren't scared to mix in here, which is very important in these paranoid times... sure there's 'rizla-rustlers' in back, but that should be legal and available in a coffeeshop anyway, and if you don't like such people, I suggest you are too fussy! Potheads never hurt anyone, the worst they'll do is bore you!
I don't like some places due to drug users: like the place under the arches next to the railway station in Brixton that after 2am is full of coke-heads queueing 6-deep to use the horizontal surfaces in the toilets, refusing to look anyone in the eye and generally creating a thick, aggressive, paranoid vibe, enabled by the bouncers using favouritism and sub-criminal behaviour on the door... not fun - even for the coke-heads themselves, the lost fools! But sure now, criticise the potheads first, they're one of the worst things about the insane prohibition laws, surely?!
This place makes me feel fairly relaxed (not perfectly, as it has its own undercurrents depending on who's in) and one can approach the DJs without being seen as an annoyance - unlike the Hootenanny (which otherwise is pretty decent for the size). The bar staff will talk to you like a human being, and uncivilised behaviour IS seen as a disgrace and not encouraged. All this without the need for a heavy security presence is quite impressive for the times and place, really.
Free live music instead of money-grubbing like the Dogstar (�5, for a DJ to play me music whilst I pay expensive prices for drinks and have very little friendliness unless I'm blonde/female and the other person is black and male, for example - not my stereotype BTW, don't shoot the messenger). No thanks, the Albert is better.
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The Prince Albert is bang in the centre of Brixton by the market on Coldharbour Lane and is very handy for a couple of modest quenchers while shopping there. There is a leafy �beer garden / smoking area� at the back which has a shelter and heating which can be quiet and relaxing when if is not busy - which it often is as it is a favourite haunt with secret rizla-rustlers.
The atmosphere can be amiable, but there is a pervading pretentiousness that is unmistakable and which can amuse and irritate in equal measure. The first and most immediate clue to this sillyness is being confronted by the lyrics of the Clash song �Guns of Brixton� which are displayed above the bar as if it is the pub�s anthem � which it may well be. Whatever, this sets alarm bells ringing. The bar staff are friendly and helpful enough, green spikey hair and pierced boat races notwithstanding. Pictures, (or should that be �studies�?) by local art students decorate the walls and comfy chairs and sofas are dotted around the place. Fashionably tatty. Hmmm.
The pub�s ardent defenders would insist that the Prince Albert is one of the few traditional Brixton pubs that has resisted the urge to transform into a trendy style bar and has a mixed clientele, actually. The irony is that the pub has become to all intents and purposes precisely that which it has sought not to. It�s style is �alternative�,� radical rebelliousness� and �cool�. It has become unconsciously trendy by trying sooo hard not to be trendy in the way same that Student Grant and his friends are pilloried in Viz. You can tell that you are in the heart of �vibrant multicultural Brixton� when you are in the Prince Albert because there are so many white people sporting dreadlocks, actually.
The truth is that the clientele is not really all that mixed, they are made up of mostly young, professional, white and middle class nouveau arrivistes to the area who were attracted to Brixton because it was / is perceived as being a �vibrant area� (see fawning Guardian-type articles ad nauseum et ad infinitum). These are the sort of people who passionately bemoan the gentrification of Brixton � a process in large part caused by them. Does that matter? No not really if you just fancy a couple of swift swallies.
And the beer is satisfactory enough. Not cheap, (but then bear in mind that this is zone 2 in London) and nothing to sing about, but yeah it�ll do. I don�t think they serve any food there, probably not as there are already plenty of cafes in the market. The best time to visit the Prince Albert is perhaps in the afternoon in between shopping in the market. Evenings, especially at the weekends, are likely to be raucous times as punters gear themselves up to go clubbing and speed their pilled-up titties off till the small hours. Essentially the Prince Albert is a pretentious and slightly absurd venue, albeit harmless enough. Chilled out man, etc! Cheers.
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I lived in Brixton for 11 years and used to go here regularly, when Pat was still alive. It was always a warm, lively place full of people. I moved away from the area 4 years ago and don't go to Brixton very often now.
We went there last night for the first time in a couple of years and what a massive difference for the worse.
The place is now dark (and I mean no natural daylight as the window is covered by a blackout curtain and the lights were switched off), dingy and run down and in dire need of redecorating and a clean. The beer garden was a grim place to spend any time, particularly as we were surrounded by the smell of the joints several people were smoking. There were only 3 people inside the bar and about 8 people in the garden.
Absolutely grim. Never going back. The only saving feature was the painting of Pat which still hangs by the front door. She was a friendly but formidable landlady who must surely be spinning in her grave.
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This place is not full of drunk Brixtonians, but some people just get confused, its full of people who actually have a good time. Its frequented by regulars who don't seem to get hammered every time, they just like the atmosphere and enjoy themselves. That is, after all, what pubs are all about really. This pub does seem to be getting bad press from rival boozers so please don't take whats being said as gospel - i am not biased to this pub - I sing here with my band and used to drink here when i was local. Just telling it how it is. Fantastic barstaff, great little venue for music and friendly regulars. What more can i say... they do a lot of live music, bands or djs every weekend. Great atmosphere and great beer (Rocking Rudolph - my winner). If you have not been to, your best bet is to go down, visit and make your own decision.
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A real horror, especially the morbid staff (miserable 'jam rolls' and psycotic neo fascist in Union Jack t-shirt). Some very interesting customers though. Beer: dire. Decor: tatty Music: Eastern European Plastic Punk. Best avoided
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my favourite pub in brixton. well, london.
pjt (16 Jan 2007) - it's my alternate sitting room too. get out the way of the telly with yer newspapers.
ta.
everyone else.. well, it's "vibrant", "eclectic".. all that.
top music policy, excellent staff, good foods, fairly priced and decent range of drinks..
yup you get the odd nutcase in there, but you do just about everywhere (that's worth going to).
the good'uns outnumber the wrong'uns by miles.
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This used to be the standard stopping off point before a gig at the Academy or after a film at the Ritzy, but has become frayed around the edges. Its varied clientele intent on the business of drinking was always a strong plus point, but too little care is now taken over detail like the drinks and decor.
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Great atmosphere, opens late, good friendly crowd and decent ales. A winner.
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Horrific pub. Popped in for a quick pint before heading to club 414 next door and wished I hadn't bothered. Moody, agressive customers, abrupt barstaff, drunks leering at my girlfriend, random club volume reggae music with about 2 people dancing.
Had planned to spend longer here after seeing previous half decent reviews but stopped off at the Falcon by Clapham Junction station first instead and so glad we did as that pub was first class. The thought of spending longer than one drink in the Prince Albert would have been terrifying. Avoid like the plague
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Good ales, one seasonal, but it has a lyric from 'Guns of Brixton' by the Clash above the bar which seems incongrious since the pub appears gentrified. But that might say moer about me than the pub. Good service, good price, good ale. Better than the Dogstar.
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Adnams was nice and the polish (for a change) barmaid was pleasant. Only 2 people in and it was one pm. Never been in at night so presume it livens up a bit as per the previous reviews.
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Really like this place, currently my favourite pub in Brixton.
Staff have always been lovely, beer has always been fine, prices are actually pretty competitive and the music policy is top.
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Does what is says on the tin. Chilled out and comfortable. Few undesirables in and the smelliest toilets in the world!
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Really relaxed pub. Good Guinness. Pat the landlady is a star even tho she nearly beat me with a stick one night I fell asleep in the toilets and woke up after closing time! Best pub in Brixton by a long way.
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This pub really doesnt seem to have anything going for it and I havent noticed any friendly staff when ive been in. Compared with the other Prince up the road its a total pauper!!!
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On the face of it the Albert has nothing to recommend it - it's not smart, it doesn't (at the moment) serve food and it doen't do the widest selection of drinks. Don't understimate it though. It is easily the friendliest pub in Brixton, with great staff, fantastic atmosphere, inspired music and keen prices. It's become my alternate sitting room
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Despite this pub being in a part of London you certainly don't wanna be in alone, this place is fantastic!
Went with a few friends earlier in the year and had a great time, showing that you can't judge a book by it's cover.
Bar staff were efficient and there was a really friendly vibe in there.
I actually think Brixton is the place to go on a London night out if you want a great time!
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Went to opening night on Friday. The refurbishment is to be congratulated. They haven't changed the place too radically @ all-given a place a good make over. Clean. Nice touches to front rear doors-widening the place; the pub looks much more spacious. Well designed as it goes. Garden is a gem. Even the raised patio @ the front is OK too. All in all-well done The Albert! Full marks!! Good to see the regulars back-a right motley mix across the age/class/race boundaries. Nice barmaids too. Many beers consumed by yours truly. Ended up there again for live music/rapping on Sat 'til v late. Bladdered again. Need a break from the place already! I might be wrong-the price of the ale is unchanged! Amazing!
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Tonight is opening night ; it will be interesting to see how The Albert has changed. Hopefully they haven't go too mad. Free drinks? We'll see! Best boozer in Brixton by some distance. Q. Who are these cool people drinking in the Railway @ Tulse Hill? Have you been there lately? Should be called 'The Can You Buy us a Pint Please'. We've all been skint but COME ON! The Albert has a charm all of it's own that other bars/pubs could match let alone understand. It's the area/regulars. Nuff said. Having said that though The Railway is OK when it's sunny or Fri nights.
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regular, normal pub.
To be appreciated in an area sadly lacking them. Being refurbished at the mo. Do hope it's staying similar
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still quite a good pub amongst a lot of mediocre ikea flat pack pubs, but its not the same since most of the cooler customers started drinking in the railway in tulse hill
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Still a nice pub to drink in although it's a pity they got rid of the Hoegaarden. Never had a problem with thieves in this place so if you are stolen from both times you go in there, I'd suggest you start taking better care of your things! It's hardly the fault of the pub!
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I have been going to the Albert on/off for the last 6 years. Excellent pub for a few drinks or as a pre-clubbing venue. Cheap prices and very friendly (normal) bar staff. But can have a strange mix of people from poets, care in the community, trendy wendys and custy's. But that's what you should expect from a night out in Brixton. And don't let the Coldharbour Lane crack dealers put you off !!!!!
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Been in here twice and been robbed of purse both times.
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Nice enough... does sell Newcastle Brown Ale for about 2.50 which almost makes up for lack of real ale. went there before babyshambles at the Academy and it wasn't too busy, which suggests it is a decent alternative to the Backstage or one of the other traditional pre-gig pubs.
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If the beer wasn't selling it's probably because many of the clientele are more fond of themselves than they are of beer. A pub to avoid if you don't like people who think they're It.
Still, rather here than the Dogstar.
Justin - 9 Jun 2004 23:24 |
All poets can meet there on saturday evening, or sunday during a long weekend, and give example of their work in the garden. Good fun.
Bertrand - 31 May 2004 10:00 |
fantastic music at all times, v friendly bar staff and general feeling to the place. wide choice of lagers, and the best place in brixton for a weekend lunchtime pint over the paper.
andy - 19 May 2004 16:26 |
i accept that there is not a quality real ale in house.. this is due to the fact that due to poor sales of cask conditioned ales i was throwing away more than i was selling.. no pool table any more but appreciate any critisism and take it as constructive.
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Only been there once, but it was pretty cool, and relaxed. Don't remember there being any proper beer, but good atmosphere all the same.
Andy - 16 Feb 2004 16:31 |
Good place to meet up in Brixton. Lovely hoegaarden on tap and friendly staff. Also has a garden.
Chris - 24 Oct 2003 13:14 |
Good pub, great crowd. Loses marks for bad choice of drinks and getting so smokey when busy.
Gary - 21 Aug 2003 13:21 |
sweet ex goth punk and anythig goes pub nice place to start the night off from
Elk - 24 May 2003 23:15 |
This would be a good pub if it possessed any beer worthy of the name.
Justin - 28 Apr 2003 21:46 |
The place to go if you want to spot members of Alabama 3. Very cheap as well and has a nice little beer garden in the summer.
Markt - 13 Jan 2003 14:04 |
This is a great all round pub. It is not a trendy pub, but has a buzz and a nice little beer garden out the back. Always worth considering as a meeting place before heading out to more fired up venues in Brixton.
Mango - 5 Jul 2002 12:29 |
It's not the same now Pat is dead.
anonymous - 4 Jul 2002 10:10 |
