please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Toolans has generally got a nice, homely vibe with a decent selection of brews at a great rate with a few local ale offerings thrown in the modestly sized mix. There's a sick poker tournament and quiz once a week. Some serious old-school players but are welcoming to relative newbies like me. True it still gets packed with the local youts on fridays and saturdays but they behave cause theres always elders about and generally everyone just ends up dancing, singing and drinking just like a nice atmosphere you'd expect at a wedding or any other small, family minded pub i guess, ha. If you're a a nice, relaxed person come and enjoy if you want more hype and energy go to a nightclub in Liverpool or something.
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Went here on a Thursday night with my friends for the quiz and was an amazing atmosphere with really nice, friendly staff - the jackpot was �500, which unfortunately we didn't win, but will definately be back next week to try again!
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As the below reviews indicate, this is a superior north London shopfront boozer. The name indicates it's an Irish bar although I didn't get a particularly strong sense of Irishness - instead this seemed like a pretty welcoming and friendly local pub. We were there for the enjoyable Thursday night quiz, which kicks off at about 9ish, and was well attended with an entertaining host. The interior of the pub is modern but with some interesting nick-nacks - we spotted a zither and an old Singer sewing machine! Like most pubs of this kind, there was no real ale (I spied some bottles of light ale in the fridge), but apart from that this was a decent enough place - I'd return for the quiz in future.
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As shop-conversion pubs go this is a good one and like many it is a lot bigger inside than the fa�ade would suggest. It is well decked out with a nice sized bar with the usual selection of draught available that you will find in most Irish pubs. I counted three plasma screens and spotted various signs dotted about the pub advertising Sky Sports and Setanta. There are two or three tables under an awning on the high street outside and there is also a small decked L-shaped area at the rear that backs onto the alley. It is covered for those rainy days and it also has a couple of heaters for the colder months. There is a sign by the entrance stating that there is no admission or readmission after 11pm and there are also blackout blinds on the windows suggesting that this can be a very late bar. I was wondering the usefulness of the Victorian screen with some scantily clad woman painted on it that was placed in the middle of the pub, anything goes I suppose. Along with the jukebox and some pictures there are also some frames with the words to the old Irish songs like Danny Boy etc. which I thought was a good touch.
I found the barmaid to be extremely friendly and the locals, although engrossed in the racing, seemed like a nice enough bunch. To top off my visit I found the toilets to be modern and clean.
I will definitely visit here again and I may pop in on Thursday for the weekly quiz.
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Yeah, a gr8 little boozer with a gr8 friendly atmousphere
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Fantastic atmosphere, St Patricks day was incredible!!!! must have been the busiest day in north finchley, free lunch was a welcome touch, because of the crowd the bar staff struggled a bit but given the amount of people there this was understandable - would highly recommend it to anyone
anonymous - 25 Mar 2007 18:34 |
Very similar to the nearby Madden's in East Finchley after its refurbishment - at least from the outside. The atmosphere on the weekends is hectic to say the least and sometimes gets too much! However, a top pub to watch the football or just start your night off with a couple. I would highly reccomend the Fosters - best i've EVER had! Bar staff are very friendly and efficient - all in all a very sound place.
anonymous - 20 Apr 2006 16:28 |
rammed with youngsters on a friday. much nicer on a saturday, no boozed up kids and more relaxed
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Fantastic atmosphere! especially at the weekends,something for all ages. Friday nights are lengendary, but could still come in for a chilled drink during the week.
Oh and the bar maids are fit!!!!!!!!!
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Might as well be a teenybopper! (on a friday)
anonymous - 26 Jun 2005 17:46 |
Am a regular in toolans. Always a great atmosphere - something for everyone. Especially good on the weekends, but also nice for a chilled drink in the week. Definitely recommend it. Oh and fit bar staff!
anonymous - 5 Mar 2005 16:57 |
seems to be out of favour with alot of people lately. too many kids at the weekend.
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fridays are really hectic in there. barely have room to breathe. not very relaxing for a friday night but then again most of the kids in there on friday dont want a relaxing night.
i prefer saturday nights, bit more room and a more relaxed atmosphere (no dj). but maybe im just getting old.
anthony - 18 Nov 2004 19:16 |
much better now than it used to be (when it was Olivers). good atmosphere, interesting folk.
Simon - 7 Sep 2004 16:10 |
Really good, fun atmosphere on friday nights. Nice drinks and equally nice staff. Good music and a good mix of nice friendly locals, young and old.
Joanne - 22 Jul 2004 20:07 |
near sainsburys in noarth finchley.
lovely pub, good atmosphere, good beer, nice staff and locals (me being one myself).
comes into its own on friday and sat nights where there is a good mix of young and old and there is usually either a decent dj or a live band.
anthony - 20 May 2004 22:45 |
