BITE user comments - StatusBaby
Comments by StatusBaby
Winchester Pub Hotel, Highgate
Amazing interior - needs to be seen. Recently upped the amount of real ales. Gets absolutely packed when the football is on (this is Arsenal territory). Ales fairly unadventurous but well presented - staff friendly - good local.
3 Jun 2012 23:36
Avoid the draught beer here - it is always awful. The selection of bottled beers is good but expensive, and the aged Mr & Mrs Quinn are legendary. However, I often cringe at the way Mrs Quinn speaks to her staff. I chatted briefly with one barmaid a few weeks back - asking where she was from, only to be interupted by Mrs Quinn who told her in no uncertain terms that she was paid to serve not chat! Quinn junior is just plain obnoxious. This pub survives on it's location, late licence and bottled beer.
3 Jun 2012 23:29
The Craft Beer Co, City of London
Been to this pub several times now and am always amazed - not just by th erange and quality of the beer, but by the knowledgeable and friendly staff. Can get very busy, but this is only to be expected when the beer is this good
3 Jun 2012 23:19
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
I echo everyone elses comments about the quality of the ale - and let's not forget the cider. The only downside of this pub is that it is always so damn busy - however if you hang around often enough you can usually grab a seat, and you inevitably end up making new friends as you perch on the end of someone elses table.
3 Jun 2012 23:14
Have tried this pub again on a couple of occasions and am pleased to see that the ale has improved - they've reduced the range to one (usually Adnams or Pride) but keep it well. Less really is more!
3 Jun 2012 23:05
Yes - the beer has suffered over the past couple of months - a change in the cellar man and the new guy is not up to scratch - hopefully he will learn. As regards being served a flat beer by the owner - I assume you mean the manager - he is teetotal - so he really wouldn't know. The cellar man should though. Another recent gripe with this pub is shutting early - calling last orders 15 minutes before the published time is very frustrating when you have made a special effort to get there after work.
3 Jun 2012 23:03
This pub used to be a regular haunt of mine in the early noughties. Went in with a group of friends on a quiet Tuesday night to find the place hasn't changed much. The staff have - and they are slow and surly to the point of being rude. Despite having 4 handpumps on, when questioned about the beer we were advised to go over the road to the Wetherspoons if we were interested in real ale, as they (i.e. the King's Head) are mainly interested in food. I sincerely hope we caught the staff on a bad night - maybe the pub dog has just died - but I won't be going back to find out.
30 May 2012 11:21
Has been doing real ale for about a year now - nothing exciting London Pride and Doom Bar but both have been in good nick in recent visits. The Irish branding is just that - a brand - this is Mitchells and Butlers (Harvester, Toby, All Bar One etc). Food cheap and of the Harvester variety. Too large to be anything other than a bit anonymous and soul-less. Bit of a meat market at the weekends, with bouncers on the door. Once you've forced yourself past the smokers who clutter up and litter the front entrance, you are in a wonderful building as others have mentioned - but it should be noted that it was the Firkin chain who originally converted this disused church - not Mitchells and Butlers as someone else stated.
@brianbrain if you like Sky Sports you want to reconsider the John Baird - numerous screens and the big games tend to take over the pub - and I've never found it unfriendly.
14 Apr 2012 00:11
This pub was always the bad boy of N10 and altercations and bar-wide punch-ups were not uncommon. Part of the responsibility for this lies with Greene King who have used this pub as a training ground rather than install a manager with a vested interest in the pub.
Rather than tackle the anti-social elements, the pub has removed the pool table and does not show Sky Sports in the hope that the unsavoury element will go elsewhere. It has worked - the unruly crowd has left - but one wonders how long this relatively large premises will survive on the very small number of punters left.
They've tried to go upmarket - low level lighting - a chips with everything menu - but they have a bad reputation to live down and that takes some time. I'm not sure Greene King will have the patience.
Ale wise they haven't got the foresight to install more than IPA which is served through some fancy sort of pump designed to make it look more akin to the tasteless lagers. Staff wise it is all eastern european - unfriendly, ill-informed and just damn cold.
If Greene King had the nous they'd relaunch this pub as the foremost pub for decent beer at the arse end of Muswell Hill - and they would follow that up with some serious local marketing (how much would it cost to leaflet the surrounding neighbourhood ?). As it is - they've made a half-hearted effort and the majority of the locale still know if as a pub for a punch-up.
29 Mar 2012 22:39
The Slug and Lettuce, Muswell Hill
Brianbrain obviously doesn't get out much - this pub closed because not enough people went there - the reason being that there are far better alternatives in Muswell Hill - try the John Baird or the Royal Oak for a start
29 Mar 2012 22:22
The Maid of Muswell, Muswell Hill
A lovely little pub with a couple of decent real ales on most of the time. The locals in these parts tend to be a bit poncy - and the pub reflects this - the staff can be a snobby of you turn up in your working gear.
But I've never had a bad (or for that matter a cheap) pint here - just beware the twats who drink Erdinger with a slice of orange!
29 Mar 2012 22:17
If you're into real ale and in N10 this is the only place to be. Regular themed beer festivals e.g. Welsh Ale festival or Yorkshire Ale festival add variation to what is always an interesting pub for beer. Coupled with a real cider or 2 and a perry this is a pub for the discerning drinker.
Can't understand Alesonly's complaint about the food - and suggests he head to Harley Street for attention to his hooter - the food is great and the aroma of other drinkers eating only ever makes me feel hungry!
However - the pub has several large screen TVs and does get very busy with the lager crowd on football nights.
29 Mar 2012 22:11
This shop conversion has gone under several different names - you may have known it as The Black Rose, Rosies Ale House, Old Rosies and no doubt a few other names as well.
Now run by friendly Irishman Dennis, it is clean, tidy and welcoming. A locals pub that welcomes new visitors, with a great selection of whiskies and a singular real ale that is always very presentable.
I've visited this pub on various days/times expecting to catch them out - but it hasn't happened - whatever beer is on sale has been in good condition.
IMO a far better and more intimate alternative to the nearby Woodmans.
29 Mar 2012 22:02
An excellent pub - 6 ales all from micros on a Monday night.
Barman very knoweledgable about all of the beers on offer - samples freely offered, a real beer paradise.
6 Oct 2010 11:28
The Charlotte Despard, Archway
Have popped in a couple of times, but Tues 4th Oct was first session in there. Delighted to see 4 ales on - all in excellent condition, and all local London brews.
The bar staff were friendly and welcoming, the quiz night was in full swing and was competative without being OTT as these things can sometimes be.
There was a very mixed crowd across a wide age range, and the groups mixed well.
A relaxed and friendly atmosphere - I will definately be back.
6 Oct 2010 11:19
Visited 31-Aug-10
Bombadier was in awful condition, pub was almost empty.
This has been a fall from grace since my last visit a few years back when the beer was pretty good.
Staff friendly and service quick - about the only good points.
4 Sep 2010 15:42
The Ferryboat Inn, Tottenham Hale
Visited 31/08/10 and was disappointed. Very busy with diners enjoying the standard Brake Brothers fare, although I did notice they had lobster on the menu, I was there for beer which was poor. Three handpumps displayed London Pride, Greene King IPA and a honey beer (forgotten which one). The Pride and IPA was off - the bar staff did not seem to understand the concept of turning the clips round when a beer runs out.
The honey beer that was on was pretty indifferent - so much so that I've forgotten which one it was.
Bar service slow and ponderous - left after one pint.
4 Sep 2010 15:37
Visited on 31-Aug 2010. Service friendly and bar quiet (suspect it get's busy on match days). Bombadier only Real Ale offering - but was in excellent form. I suspect this remains a quiet local except when Tottenham are playing at home.
4 Sep 2010 15:32
Popped in about 1pm today - remarkably it was not busy or swamped with tourist - just a few well heeled ladies on a break from their shopping.
Full range of Fullers beers - but not Gales Mild - bar staff attentive and welcoming.
Sampled the ESB which was OK (not the best I've ever had it) and the seasonal Mr Harry which was in excellent form.
28 Aug 2010 22:16
If you're in N10 and you want real ale this really is your only option - and a very good one it is too. Recently added to the Good Beer Guide, the staff are always friendly and even when busy service is prompt and professional.
The Thai food is excellent, the beer garden great in the summer - and there is a heater for the smokers in the winter.
Runs irregular beer Festivals - usually themed (e.g. Welsh beer).
26 Aug 2010 23:41
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
Great pub - does get very cramped - but if you can get a seat you will see a wide variety of people pass through. You need to have the 'tube' seat mentality and pounce as soon as you see someone shuffling with their coat.
Beer usually top notch and busy bar staff reasonably well informed about the St Peters range.
26 Aug 2010 23:30
Excellent pub - in here for a session about 3 weeks ago and between two of us sampled all of the ales - all were in good condition - many were excellent, apart from one which was changed by the friendly bar staff immediately.
A nice friendly mixed crowd - let's hope it continues.
26 Aug 2010 23:21
This was a favourite of mine a decade or so ago when it's alternative edge made a refreshing change from the Islington set. Now it's changed sides - and is part of the Islington set with prices to match.
Beer good but limited, staff friendly, food pricey. If you like ale - go around the corner to the mecca that is the Wenlock while it lasts
26 Aug 2010 23:12
The Fox and Anchor, Smithfield
I visited this pub in late July - the beer Pure Goose was excellent, the staff friendly. Beer served in pewter tankards if requested - which was great for our Swedish visitors. Also has a well stocked humidor for those who appreciate a fine Cuban. As others have said - this is not a cheap option, and seating is at a premium, but was my regular for a two week period in 2009 when working around the corner in St Johns St, and is my favourite pub in the area.
26 Aug 2010 23:08
Went in today - sampled the Kent's Best which was really quite bad. Didn't sample the Spitfire. Bar staff friendly and the place was quiet mid-afternoon.
26 Aug 2010 23:01
The Famous Royal Oak, Muswell Hill
Popped in the other lunchtime for a swift half - good beer and friendly staff
26 Aug 2010 22:53
Went in a couple of weeks back - they started doing London Pride a couple of years back - now they do Youngs Gold as well. Both beers in pretty poor condition - especially the Pride which was only fit for chips. Would be better if they just did one cask ale as they obviously don't have the turnover to support two.
26 Aug 2010 22:51
The Slug and Lettuce, Muswell Hill
Brianbrain - I don't want to get into a slanging match with you - but we appear to want different things from our pubs. I want decent beer - and by that I mean real ale. You obviously have other priorities like being welcome in workgear for example. I'm not knocking you for that - and in an ideal world there would be somewhere in the heart of Muswell Hill that doesn't mind if you have mud on your boots (as I too often have after work). However, I have never experienced the cold shoulder at the John Baird when in work gear, and I always get excellent beer there unlike the Minstrel Boy and Keenans - although I agree that Keenans is friendly and sometimes lively (although it can also be very very quiet). I never have a problem with the locals in the Royal Oak and the hill is far easier to manage after a skinful than Colney Hatch Lane which takes you to the Minstrel Boy and Keenans. Highgate Inn is also a good pub - but again beer selection is limited which makes it fairly low on my list. I never said there was a lack of DECENT pubs in Muswell Hill - after all you can never have to many - but the Slug was not a decent pub. PLEASE CAN THE MODERATORS MARK THIS PUB AS CLOSED ?
14 Jan 2013 16:58