please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Didn't heed my own advice and ordered the Young's Winter Ale which was a struggle to drink.
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In a sea of dross I can see how this place comes across as characterful but it used to have decent ale too and it now hasn't for a while. I don't risk the ale here anymore and went for the lager instead this time.
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Despite the last few reviews, I quite liked this pub. It's a Youngs pub tucked away off the main road. The ale range was the worst of the day - Youngs Ordinary & Special. But the barmaid appeared friendly enough and the pub has a nice feel, with its collection of salt and pepper pots and model boats. Only 3 or 4 other solitary figures were in. A comedy moment occurred when the barmaid asked these regulars if the flat cap behind the bar was theirs. One punter took one look at the flat cap in his possession and decided he had the wrong one and that the one behind the bar was his. Cue an exchange of flat caps. Either some kind of Ann Summers party for flat caps goes on here or the locals are in such a state when they leave each evening that they take the wrong caps. Not being a connoisseur, they all looked the same to me! Not sure about the purple frontage. But this was certainly an interesting place.
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Arkleysquire is lucky. This is my local and I still haven't seen the new landlords. They seem to think you can run a pub without making contact with the customers, some of whom will go elsewhere and, no doubt, Youngs will again try to close it down as they did a few years ago.
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Visited this pub on Saturday, new management team popped in for 5 minutes, apparently to check takings. Tired pub, no improvements from last time I visited about 5 years ago! One barmaid serving from 2000 till I left at 2200. As my school report used to say, "must try harder"
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Would alter the description from 'quirky' to cliquey and dismal. Another poor pint (in the form of Bath Golden Hare) and had to dodge some locals' dogs 'playfighting ' on the way out. It's not really worth leaving the main road for - six people in on a Friday night. With the new revitalsied Black Horse nearer the bus stop doubt I will bother with here now.
anonymous - 18 May 2013 14:28 |
Had an excellent pint of Youngs Christmas Cracker.
Large, quiet and old fashioned with a clientele to match. Quaint and friendly.
Worth popping in.
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Each visit has me knock this place down a notch - the guest ale was awful and I had to have it changed and the Youngs Special was only just about drinkable. The quirky clientelle seemed more narky on this visit - refugees from the two nearby establishments that have closed maybe ?
anonymous - 3 Sep 2012 19:44 |
What a pub should be, full of character, excellent beer and a warm welcome from the staff.
add to that a cat sleeping on the bar and you have perfection
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Pub is hidden away done a side street. Very much a regulars pub, with a bit of a 70s feel to it with the dated furniture. Not surprisingly, there is ship/nautical stuff about (well it is called The Lord Nelson !). The pub puss is obviously too young to get served & she/he seems to be more interested in dozing than boozing !
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A little quirky and beer not as palatable on this visit (Young's Special). Still okay if you are in the vicinity, especially as it seems the Alexandra is closed.
anonymous - 18 Dec 2011 21:14 |
A quaint little pub, with interesting locals and an interesting if '1960's hippy-sh' landlady. Lots of tales to tell about her past !! She should write a book. Different type of quiz on Thursdays, you dont win money for youself but for a charity of your choice, so no-one worrys too much if a little cheating goes on. A couple of cats and 'Bonny' the dog have free range of the place, but beware if Bonny farts, I've seen pubs on fire empty more slowly !!.
I must admit I like the place.
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Hidden away, rather eccentric, definitely a local pub for local people. Nautical themed oddities, a pub cat (or two, and a dog I think), plus a collection of salt and pepper shakers. Not your average boozer then but worth a visit just to have a look at the place. Food smelt a bit school dinnery but seemed to be going down well with the regulars. Ale was alright.
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Perhaps my companion and I should take a share of the blame for the underwhelming experience we had here last night, as we went to a Young's pub and instead of drinking Young's beers we had pints of Heineken and Tribute instead. However a good pub should maintain quality standards across its entire range of beers, rather than serve an absolutely rank pint of "on the turn" lager and a lifeless and too cloudy guest ale.
That major drawback aside, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a return at a future date as the building (down an anonymous side street) is very pleasant and the quirky decor with a vaguely nautical theme, the bar staff are welcoming and efficient and the food men u looked pretty decent. I'll just remember to stick to Young's beers exclusively.
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Quirky old fashioned local populated mainly with older folk some of whom are self confessed 'nutters' (I should be at home then). Plenty of ornaments and ship associated things adorn the walls. The Young's Special was a decent pint and the locals were quite friendly (if a tad eccentric).
anonymous - 23 May 2010 12:00 |
A brilliant pub. Always feel welcome and all the locals are friendly. Perfectly kept ale and great food.
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This pub is a hidden gem. The beer is excellent - Youngs and Bombardier. The landlord and landlady are very friendly and serve proper home cooked food and not the "ding ding" stuff served in the big chains. Its unpretentious, simple, filling, well cooked and very reasonably priced. The decor is amazing with large collections of all sorts of nick nacks and memorabilia. The atmosphere is very welcoming and relaxed, with friendly and rather ancient dogs and cats to greet you. If there was any justice in this world it would be heaving every night cos its head and shoulders above anything else in the area. The awards and plaudits elsewhere are correct - this really is an excellent pub.
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Although there is not much wrong with this pub I was expecting something extra due to the high rating. I felt like I had walked into a private �rock around the clock� party for fifty year olds and the barmaid seemed to serve me begrudgingly with a smile. I also spotted the landlady giving me a funny look a couple of times so I�ve come to the conclusion that outsiders under the age of forty are not so welcome. I ended up sitting on one of the benches outside and finishing my pint with a cigarette before moving on to friendlier pastures.
There was a selection of Young�s ale available along with some standard lagers. The pub has some strange d�cor that can be best described as �interesting� and there is a TV up in the corner, but I saw no sport advertised.
The ale was good, but I think I�ll drink elsewhere in future.
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Run by a dishevelled old couple. No greeting or farewell from the male of the duo. No thank you upon ordering a pint. A mangy old dog roaming in and out from behind the bar - how do they get away with that as a food pub? Was a fantastic pub when the Irishman used to run it. Great pity.
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Following a bust-up with the missus in the Black Horse one night, I meandered home feeling sorry for myself when I stumbled across this place. Had lived in Barnet for over a decade and never knew it existed! My dark mood lighten at first sight, and brightened completly upon stepping inside. A gem! Long may it continue to bring such unexpected joy to the wandering, commitment-shy curmudgeons of North London such as myself.
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Good one! Nice pub dog, good decoration and a bunch of friendly locals.
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this was my favourite pub when i lived in barnet but havent been here since oct 2005. remember it for its nice homely atmosphere and friendly locals. backstreet location adds to its appeal, especially on summer days sitting outside on the benches.
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This place is great, good beer good food and a nice atmosphere!
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I like this pub. I was sorry to see recently that the outside is not in it's full glory though! Where are the stunning hanging baskets? And there were weeds everywhere.
anonymous - 17 May 2006 17:39 |
Jimsonofmo - on behalf of four regulars, we like what your mum is doing, long may it continue!
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My Mum has just taken over this pubafter being in the Grove Tavern @ Walthemstow for about a year and before that it was the Parkwood in Maidstone for 6 yrs.(I won't go further back!...)We all think this is a beautiful pub(honestly)Nice and homely.There are still a few 'normal' pubs around and this one almost has a counrtry pub kind of feel about it,it is situated off the beaten track which probably adds to that.Hurah!The Food has now returned!I have yet to meet the chef,though I am told he is a star in his own right!So why not come down and give us a try?Hope to see you there,don't be shy..James son of Mo
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Tony has had a right result out of Youngs. On the downgrade now this one.
anonymous - 10 Dec 2004 02:30 |
Think it was sold as the landlord wanted to cash in his chips whilst trade was only just holding up. Cant see it being a pub in a two years time.
general - 16 Sep 2004 00:50 |
now youngs and looking up again
pleased
anonymous - 6 Aug 2004 12:21 |
UPDATE
This pub is soon to be sold to Young's .
dan - 28 May 2004 12:32 |
UPDATE . The pub is at a point where it could go either way . The pub itself is still great, a real old-school local boozer, but the beer quality has taken a suddeen and dramatic tumble . The Tribute cornish ale is no longer on . This was a real selling-point for the pub as it was a definate non-usual-suspects beer, nor McMullen's which dominates Chipping Barnet . Now it is just plain and simply Greene King Company plc. beers (the non- greeene King beers are Greene King-owned Tradenames- Ruddles and Morland so are Greene King, and have the unmistakable trademark Greene King chemical tang in the after-taste, the IPA actually had no taste, not even a bland taste, which is some achievement). Greene King can be quite shall we say persuasive in getting you to go for their beers, so I don't think that this is the fault of the publican, who is a proven good landlord. The pub needs support as it is a great pub and this beer issue could just be a resovable blip.
dan - 4 Mar 2004 12:12 |
A good pub. I visited with a mate last night, and the beer was in very good condition. The pub is very plush inside and welcoming. Food is usually served but not between 7th and 14th January 2004.
Recommended.
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local back-street boozer, very good . CAMRA barnet pub of the year. a proper landlord pub, keeps the beers excellently, keeps the place excellently. traditional decor. you'd feel perfectly comfortable sat in here on your own, even if you're young . just a damn good pub .
daniel meers - 20 Oct 2003 15:48 |
