The Lock Tavern, Camden

Basically everything the person below has said! Was there last night for a mate's 30th and the few things that struck out were the extremely small and smelly toilets, but it's tempered by the heated garden, roof terrace, sofas, homemade pub grub and good music. Try to get outta here before it gets busy because it can take forever to get served. And don't bother reserving tables, people just take over them like they own the place! I still think there are better options in the area.

2 Apr 2010 16:56

The Rising Sun, Smithfield

I've been a fairly regular customer the past coupla years, as I used to work around the corner. It's a cosy place with a wonderful fireplace upstairs. Being a Sam Smith's pub, there are lagers, cider and stout on offer. It's decently priced though thanks to Budget duty increases, they've gone up a bit since I first started going there.

Unfortunately the owner decided to cancel Sunday roasts which used to be good there, but the food is still quite nice.

The place can get quite busy on Friday evenings when the nearby City slickers get off work but it tends to clear out by the time they move on to other pubs and clubs by 9-9:30pm. Thanks to no restrictions being placed on drinking outside, the punters overspill onto the entrance alley in fairly large numbers on Friday evenings.

The barman is a friendly, good-natured Kiwi. The location is fantastic, juxtaposed between the oldest surviving house from the Great Fire, the second-oldest church in the City and a former home of the Poet Laureate, John Betjeman that is now a restaurant.

25 Mar 2010 05:06

The Old Wheatsheaf, Enfield

I've only been here a couple times, both times to finish off watching a sporting event (Wimbledon Final 2008, yeh that one! and a footie game). Both times I enjoyed the ales on offer. The girl serving me the second time was really polite. Nice interior and interesting selection of books that has convinced me to return again soon.

Good transport links, less than two minute walk from Enfield Chase station, five-minute walk to Enfield Town station, and next to a bus stop with connections to Southbury station and Oakwood station (Piccadilly Line on the Tube).

1 Feb 2010 23:13

The Hemingford Arms, Barnsbury

I love this pub but it's been a while since I last went there. I used to go for their Pub Quiz on Thursday's which is just one of the great things about this place. It's in a nice location, less than a ten-minute walk from both Caledonian Road station (Piccadilly Line on the Tube) and Highbury & Islington station (London Overground and Victoria Line on the Tube). It's also right next to the London Overground Caledonian & Barnsbury station.

They have a Thai kitchen which is reasonably priced and quite tasty. Usual selection of lagers. Lovely fireplace during the winter. Delightful memorablia on the walls. Screens downstairs to watch the footie. Perfect setting for drinking outside during the summer.

What more could you want?

1 Feb 2010 23:08

Cricketers, Enfield

I used to walk past this pub everyday and indeed I continue to walk past this pub everyday but I'm afraid it's not as good inside as it looks on the outside.

It was recently refurbished, giving more prominence to all things cricket which is quite delightful, but the service is extremely slow and like someone said below, they tend to serve regular patrons better.

It has such great potential and it's saying something when you'd almost rather go to the Moon instead. It's one of the three nearest pubs to where I live (others are Moon and Crown/Horseshoes) and they're all a massive disappointment.

1 Feb 2010 22:39

The Butcher's Hook and Cleaver, Smithfield

Been here a couple times. The staff are nice, the atmosphere is relaxed and the drinks are decent. They sometimes play cheesy music but it's always been a good time. Wish it was open on weekends because I work in the area, sometimes on the weekend.

23 Dec 2007 00:24