The After Office Hours, Barnet

This place closed a year ago

11 Feb 2013 21:35

Fitzroy Tavern, Fitzrovia

I love Sam Smiths pubs and I rarely find they disappoint. The Fitzroy is clearly the exception that proves the rule. For newbys to an SS pub you can expect really competitive prices and, in London especially, great locations. This has both but it's after this that things go badly awry. Disappointingly there is no cask ale on offer here and the service is the worst I've experienced. Faced with a queue I was informed that the barman 'wasn't serving just at the moment' and his colleague demanded I go to the other side tof the bar to be served (presumably so he didn't have to move more than a foot). The condition of the place was a disgrace (all four urinals out of action for instance). The highlight was the grafiti'd notice in the Gents. Under the ubiquitous sign saying the 'These toilets are checked regularly' some wag had written 'wot each millenium'! Sums it up really.

11 Feb 2013 21:31

The Crown and Mitre, Kings Lynn

My first visit to the centre of Kings Lynn and, from what I could tell, the only pub worth visiting. The last 'water-side' pub left, very warm (a log-fuelled range is part of the back bar), low ceilings, great 'clutter', an excellent range of local (ish) cask ales and an engaging (albeit a touch morose -imagine Sid James without the laughs!) landlord who cares deeply about running the pub properly. Highly recommended.

9 Dec 2009 15:11