please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Phoenix is now the Alexandra Palace Bar & Kitchen. They do have a couple of ales on - Deuchars & Directors. But you'd probably only want to come here if you were here for an event at the palace. Good views of London and a nice setting in the Palm Court.
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Go for the views not for the service.
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As afore mentioned by the other reviews, this could be a really great pub, its curse however is its brilient views and prime location because it means that the management dosent have to work for the money but with the size of the interior and exterior of this location you cant help but wonder why they dont do a few simple things like introduce some acoustic nights, guest beers and customer service. I understand that durring the day this is a standard tourist support but in the evening, with the lights twinkling on the horrizon, this could be so much more.
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Could this be the worst pub in London? Probably not - but considering its location and potential it must get pretty high on the list.
Avoid - unless you feel like walking into some kind of training school for insolent zombies and have both cauterised taste buds and a liver with infinite capacity for processing toxicity.
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The last few reviews are spot on - one of the worst pubs in London ironically in one of the best locations. 2 out of 10 (and that's being generous). It's not just the pub iself either - whilst the park is lovely and the views are stunning the whole Alexandra Palace complex could do with smartening up considerably, and I'm sure a canny developer will do just that before long and make a killing here. Extremely disappointing.
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Can only reinforce what the a-n-f said. The banner should read "With views like this - why should we bother!" ...and they don't, they really don't.
Visit Ally Pally and the park, but bring a picnic, your own booze and avoid this disgraceful shithole at all costs.
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We called in advance to reserve tables and to ensure they were serving food, as there were 20 of us. When we arrived, we were told that no food was available. When we complained to the manager and said that we'd called to confirm this in advance, we were told that it was our fault as we should have checked again after asking the first time. (This was particularly irritating as it was my wife's leaving do.) I ordered a pint of Deuchars EPA (as opposed to the usual IPA) which had a strong taste of vinegar, so I sent it back. I later ordered a round of drinks (all ok this time), handed over my money and was told that I had not paid enough. On closer inspection I had indeed paid more than enough and asked for my change which I was begrudgingly given. I also expected an apology but received nothing but a hard stare from the bartender. Having seen poor reviews for this pub before, we decided to risk it as it was near to my wife's place of work, and has stunning views across all of London. What a mistake we made. It's clear that the management and staff of the Phoenix think that they will always be guaranteed punters due to the beautiful surroundings, and so they needn't bother caring about their customers or their beer. It would appear that they don't care much about their business either, as their refusal to serve us food even when arranged in advance (and in spite of their banner proclaiming "great food") cost them at least 150 pounds in lost trade that evening. I can only hope that such an attidude during these tough times will lead to a change in ownership. I'm quite sure The Phoenix could be an outstanding and highly profitable pub if run by the right people.
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Great views, truly awful service. Went yesterday, only one cask conditioned beer on, Deuchars IPA which tasted awful (I normally like that beer) Ordered food and told the barmaid and was told she couldn't bring the food outside but that I should come back in in ''about'' 15 minutes Must admit the food was eventually brought to us minus cutlery and we were told that there was only one sachet of ketchup left.
tanky - 29 Sep 2008 13:50 |
Bring back the old management team from the 1990's. Wow, the Phoenix was special in those days - I used to visit every night at dusk for a lovely pint or three of Fullers ESB. COME BACK WHEREVER YOU ARE - ALLY PALLY NEEDS YOU!
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It has a captive audience so you shouldn't expect much, and by and large you would be right. London Pride on, yes, but coffee in paper cups? This marks it well down. You are taking the p*ss surely. It's ok if you happen to be at Ally Pally but it could be a whole lot better.
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Great place to go in the summer. Many great afternoons spent here with the wife and kids. Beer garden overlooks london, what more can be said.
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Only saving grace was that the Strongbow (yes I know....) was icy cold - much needed after a hike up from Wood Green.
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Went here for the first time on yesterday because my wife was going to a exibition in Alexandra Palace had heard some awful tales about the Phoenix but having a pint was more appealing than the exibition and I have to say I was pleasently suprised had a pint of London Pride mainstream I know but it was well kept staff were friendly and efficent had a roast that was very good for just over 6 quid I was told that they've recently had a change of manager so perhaps that explains the good fortune I had! I have to say I will definitely use this place again if Im in the area
anonymous - 23 Oct 2006 12:40 |
Dear oh dear oh dear. I don't often write negative reviews, but this place is awful. I was warned not to expect much, but after a walk up on the old railway line from Finsbury Park, I felt like having a pint.
Walking in I was presented with the sight of a pump clip for Timothy Taylor's Golden Best (a rare sight in London) so I duly ordered a pint. The barmaid attempted to pour it, but after consulting with her collegue she told us that it had gone off the night before. Minus points for not turning round the pump clip. My second choice of an interesting looking Italian draught lager was minging, and the barmaid didn't seem to have heard of it, even after I'd said "the one in the big funny looking pump on the bar" - I had to physically point to it.
Drinking outside with the fantastic view suggested to me that it could be run as a destination pub, to which people would be willing to travel to for the view, good atmosphere, drinks and food. Transferring inside to the glasshouse area got my hopes dashed again when the "licking-their-own-ear", muttering nutbar punters rather spoilt the atmosphere.
In summary, a bit like the dregs of the Wetherspoon empire without the range of beers and cheap prices. If they can't improve it, then it should be closed and put out of its misery.
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expensive and odd.
the beer is poor and there is little selection.
as previous commenters have said its ok if you are already in alexandra palace but i wouldnt bother otherwise.
it feels a bit like a railway cafe from the victorian times. doesnt feel like a pub at all.
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Beware of the Mekon.
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A pub run by Haringey Council - say no more!
Great habitat for woodpeckers in the adjacent park
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This pub is in "Londons Historic Pubs" Historic it may be, but it's not actually that good.
I didn't think the service was that bad actually, but the choice of beers was poor, and the was an odd atmosphere in there - An odd mix with a few dodgy punters. It was a bit tatty as well.
All in all, it is worth visiting if you are going to see Ally Pally, which is impressive, and the views are impressive, but don't go out of your way just to visit this pub - It's not worth it.
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The only thing going for this pub is it's amazing views over north London. The pub itself is mediocre and the service can be poor.
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Yes, this pub has so much potential, but never seems likely to realise it. A good start would be to lock the car park gates.
Jon - 15 Oct 2004 15:02 |
Upside: Stunning views, some interesting beers, cracking local parks and location.
Downside: Sometimes appallingly slow service.
Beware: Very dodgy characters (drug dealers) been known to hang around the car park area.
Owen - 7 Oct 2004 15:54 |
Great in the summer but only because of the outside seating. Wasn't overly impressed with the bar or the staff. You wouldn't go out of your way to visit the pub it's just the fantastic views that make people stay there for as long as they do. It's a shame as with the right management / decor, it could be brilliant.
Daisy - 1 Jun 2004 14:50 |
Love the views from up here, you can see for miles. Great selection of lagers and some unusual Ciders.
Aaron - 17 May 2004 04:34 |
Fantastic location, great building, terrible bar service and a number of undesirables from Wood Green and Tottenham hanging around the car park (I'm talking adults, not kids). Muswell crew don't use it.
Dan - 14 May 2004 11:36 |
Great view, bad service
anonymous - 10 Feb 2004 11:39 |
