The Beaten Docket, Cricklewood

Generally a Spoons fan and my football team played their home games at Wembley for the season just gone. As I live on the Thameslink corridor, so getting to Cricklewood is easy, and this pub is near to Willesden Green station for the short hop on the Jubilee line, I decided to pay a visit.

Very standard across the board, wasn't busy at all on football days with glass glasses in use, good real ales on selection as per Spoons policy, food quick, app efficient if you're lazy like me. Usual punters. Some of the conversations you hear are fascinating. Needs a lick of paint but I supposes it disguises a good honest institution.

Now the season's over I guess I won't be back for a while - but next time we're at Wembley I know where to go.

17 May 2018 14:22

JJ Moon's, Kingsbury

Standard older member of the London Spoons stock and a solid pre-Wembley boozer, being only one stop up an often surprisingly efficient Jubilee line on matchday (yes, more efficient than the Met line). In the Good Beer Guide this year for the first time in over 20 years.

I was here between about 90 and 60 minutes before kick-off and although plastic glasses were in use and there were a fair few other football fans, anyone that's experienced the Torch will find this a dream.

24 Feb 2017 14:52

The Bull and Gate, Kentish Town

Am sad that NW5 lost such an iconic place, but glad in part that it has reopened as a pub. It looks very pleasant as you'd expect.

However, although I like the pseudo-craft stuff they sell and will happily pay a bit more on occasion, I couldn't help but internally sigh on being asked for another 35p when handing over a fiver for my Camden Hells. This is what is becoming of so many pubs in London. Soaring rents price out leaseholders on the old characterful places, they're forced to close and pubcos/big brewers steam in. Emphasis on fancy food and beer with prices to match. This was once a rough-around-the-edges London gem. Now it's like all the rest.

15 Jul 2016 16:34