The Monarch, Chalk Farm

Initially went to meet an old friend there recently, as we used to frequent it back in it's wetherspoons days when Camden was our local drinking hole.
Although I was a little disappointed they hadn't kept the range of ales, their guinness was clearly well taken care of which is a big tick when you compare it to standards generally these days.
We left to see what else had changed around Camden, but can't say we were too impressed with the cooler-than-thou attitude you get from the average bartender around town, so returned to the Monarch and they let us come back in for free because we'd been in earlier, even though the bands had started.
I'm not sure what the last guy was talking about, the food was well above par, clearly not microwaved brakes brothers food which seems to be what most places push. And I found the toilets to be quite clean especially considering how busy it was. There was soap, even though they'd just bought the cheapest stuff from what I presume was the nearest supermarket.
I don't get back to Camden very often, no doubt it will have changed hands again by the time I do, but if it hasn't, there's a high probability I'll give it a look in.

8 Apr 2011 15:40