The Abbey, Kentish Town

This pub has improved recently - the staff are getting better at noticing the people the other side of the bar who aren't their mates, and are getting round to serving them too.
The Sagres on draught is an OK pint, as is the Heineken, nothing special though - and no ales last I looked.
OK for a pint after work to read the paper.
Gets very busy with the Camden overspill late on a Friday and Saturday, but that's to be expected.
The 'Caribbean' menu has been consistently disappointing every time I or friends have tried eating there - can't undertand how they keep getting it wrong - perhaps me and my chums are being too polite - so the chef has no idea...
Nice decked area out the back.
7/10

27 Jul 2009 16:09

Annies Bar, Kentish Town

I'd have to agree with Steve - the interior of this place is shocking.
There were 3 young bar staff working there when I last visited and they seemed miffed every time we ordered a round of draught pints - instead of their (overpriced) cocktails.
Was a mixed group of about 8 of us - everyone seemed to get the same attitude whether you were getting a wine, G&T or pint.
Eventually they seemed to tire of us and put on a CD of high-energy techno, and turned it up so that no-one in the pub could talk without shouting.
This made our group leave - and similarly 2 other groups of mixed/middle aged people who'd been having a pint and a chat. Evidently they preferred their own company to our cash.
It's such a shame, because in it's previous incarnation as Auntie Annie's this was, without doubt, the best pub in Kentish Town.

27 Jul 2009 16:01

The Lock Tavern, Camden

This used to be a creat Camden pub - which would cater for the locals with a decent pint and some food and also have good mix of the visitors to Camdem: Goth, Hippie and tourist alike (to name but a few who may've wandered over from the stables).

Unfortunately the current owners seem to have had a 'change of use' policy and have turned it into a youth club for the posh teens from up the road in Belsize Park, Haverstock Hill etc. - absolutely ghastly.

The bar staff are more concerned wih preening themselves than actually taking any money behind the bar, and it is literally just full of kids. Managed to get in under the wire before the 'locals card' (what a joke) comes into barring all from entry - and upstairs there was a balcony full of 16yr olds having a birthday party. Even some of their parents were there, which really was quite wierd. All plastered, naturally.

Meanwhile, bald, eastern-european muscle on the door resolutely and agressively refuses entry to all, unless you happen to be a pubescent teen.

I can't think of a single thing to recommend this pub.

And the excuse 'well, it is camden', doesn't really wash - if you're not letting the locals in as they haven't got a 'locals' card - or anyone else because they're, er, not local, then I can't quite figure it out...perhaps they're happy to make their money solely from pocket money of the local rich kids?

27 Jul 2009 15:15