Hampstead pubs
| The Flask, 77 Highgate West Hill, N6 6BU |
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From the outside this place resembles a fine Georgian country pub fronted by an extensive terrace. The wooden tables are interspersed with gas heaters for those chilly nights. Beyond lies a canvas covered area which is decorated with fairy lights. Being Highgate, the scent of money wafts effortlessly through the parasols and the majority of drinkers sitting here looked like they could grace the pages of Hello magazine; most seemed to be discussing the size of their Mitsubishi Shoguns or their last skiing holiday. The interior of the pub has been decorated by Barney the Dinosaur: all the walls are purple. This is an unnecessary attempt to bring the pub up to the 21st century and to create a cool ambiance for one of their regular Jazz nights. To compensate, the pub is sectioned off into a number of intimate drinking havens where you can enjoy any one of an excellent variety of beers and wines.
Reviewed by Paul Melton, Jun 2005
Telephone: 020 8348 7346
Nearest station: Highgate, Zone 3 (850 metres)
| The Flask, 14 Flask Walk, Hampstead, NW3 1HE |
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This used to be full of men with huge beards, but the introduction of rather large new clear glass windows has made them vanish in a puff of pipe smoke. Like a disturbing number of Young's pubs, this has reinvented itself somewhat to try to appeal to the Slug and Lettuce market. There is still, however, a tinge of the old casual conviviality about it, a lingering whiff of the old Hampstead which is probably worth experiencing
Reviewed by Fred Flange
Telephone: 020 7435 4580
Nearest station: Hampstead, Zone 2 (80 metres)
| Freemasons Arms, 32 Downshire Hill, NW3 1NT |
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Despite the name, there is no requirement to role up your left trouser leg and show off one of your nipples before you can get served, just being over eighteen will suffice here.
The main draw is its proximity to the southern end of the heath; its other attractions are the gastro food, eclectic beer and a beer garden that is as enormous as most of the clientele’s salaries. We chose to review the place on an idyllic sunny autumn day when most people were sitting out on the front terrace soaking up the last rays of weak sunshine before the onset of winter. Our vantage point was perfect for people watching and surveying the traffic chaos caused by a woman parking her ‘Chelsea tractor’. The smug and ill-mannered wealthy clientele can be a bit of a turn-off.
Reviewed by Paul Melton, Oct 2006
Telephone: 020 7433 6811
Nearest station: Hampstead Heath, Zone 3 (370 metres)
| The Garden Gate, 14 South End Road, Hampstead, NW3 2QE |
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Spacious gastro-pub situated just below Hampstead Village. Good food and a fair selection of beers does make it feel exactly the same as every other good pub in the area but with the added attraction of a pleasant, lively garden area for those beautiful summer days. Often such days are accompnied by BBQ lunches cooked in the courtyard. Friendly staff and comfortable surroundings make for a relaxed night/afternoon/day out. Again often frequented by hospital types. Good access to nearby bus, and overland trains to get you home again. Quality nice!
Reviewed by Max and Nick, Jan 2006
Telephone: 020 7433 6891
Nearest station: Hampstead Heath, Zone 3 (90 metres)
| The George, 250 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AE |
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Nothing special compared to other local drinking holes. An average range of beer and standard food to accompany. One of the few pubs to have theme nights, if you like that sort of thing and if you work at the hospital you sometimes can get discounts off the food. Often busy, sometimes slightly rowdy; it hasn't really recovered from being a Rat and Parrot for a while. A bit characterless but friendly staff. Can take a while to be served however... Television available for the football, if that is your bag.
Reviewed by Max and Nick, Jan 2006
Telephone: 020 7431 0889
Nearest station: Belsize Park, Zone 2 (220 metres)
| The Holly Bush, 22 Holly Mount, Hampstead, NW3 6SG |
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On the downside: it is in Hampstead; half the clientele look like they have just wandered out of a Gap advert; it can get very, very smoky. On the upside: it always looks like it's closed, even when it isn't (somehow this is an upside); it is dark, dingy and untouched by the hand of pine; no television or shiny things with flashing lights to disturb from the important business of drink and conversation; it's on a hill, so getting back is always easier than getting there; the atmosphere urbane wealth, which should be annoying, is actually just friendly; it's got interesting rooms. It also does good food
Reviewed by Fred Flange
Telephone: 020 7435 2892
Nearest station: Hampstead, Zone 2 (140 metres)
| The Old Bull & Bush, Northend Road, Golders Green, NW3 7HE |
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Not reviewed yet.
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Telephone: 020 8905 5456
Nearest station: Golders Green, Zone 3 (920 metres)
| The Railway, 100 West End Lane, NW6 2LU |
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As you may have guessed from the name, this one is conveniently close to the station. It's a restored Victorian pub that seems to have avoided the pitfalls of the “dodgy refurb”. They have wisely avoided the stripped pine and there is nothing in there that sticks out like a thrashed baboon’s arse. The main feature is the long bar hugs the right hand side of the room, other than that it's all rather run of the mill stuff. Despite the lack of excitement it serves a decent range of food and drink and attracts a mixed clientele. OK for a quick pint before heading off on a night out.
Reviewed by Paul Melton, Nov 2006
Telephone: 020 7624 7611
Nearest station: West Hampstead, Zone 2 (70 metres)
| The Roebuck, 15 Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3 2PN |
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Formally the haunt of near-degenerates and down-at-heel hospital porters The Roebuck has now been re-vamped into a chic, contemporary gastro-pub frequented by near celebrities and hospital porters with their wife’s credit cards...Excellent food and an eclectic range of beer. Often swamped by hospital staff relaxing on trendy furniture. Friendly staff and atmosphere all round. Has an exterior garden terrace with an "urban" concrete feel. Recommended.
Reviewed by Max and Nick, Dec 2005
Telephone: 020 7433 6871
Nearest station: Hampstead Heath, Zone 3 (240 metres)
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