please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
One of London's great pubs and recently featured in Kentish Towner magazine. A good range of real ales, friendly service, excellent Thai food, cheese nights and the occasional beer festival. I once did the Quiz here and Andrew Lincoln of 'This Life' fame was on an opposing team and very drink. This pub manages a real community feel and is welcome to all comers.
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Very handsome back street pub - outside and especially inside, where the central bar is surrounded by a comfortable lounge and side alcoves. The lounge has some wonderful old Bass Mirrors.
There has obviously never been a wild west brawl in this pub.
A few real ales on and I went for a very decent Foundation Bitter.
Worth seeking out. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2wM3nj2
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Strong community focus and loyal regulars yet friendly to passers by who may have heard of their fight against greedy property developers. A chance to savour a rare victory in pub campaigning. Many period features and decorative mirrors behind the bar are stunning. Some pleasant nooks and snugs to have a quiet drink in or join a group round a table. Thai restaurant which I heard is good. Several ales. What's not to like?
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5 beers on here recently, all OK but the Redemption Trinity was excellent. Pub was wedged but not quite so much as the Assembly... Food looked good but didnt try it.
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Non-handlers, apply here.
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Everything a quality back street boozer should be - traditional handsome building, blackout curtain, good variety of ale, warm and cosy, friendly staff and a beer garden. Only live down the road so will be returning regularly.
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This pub is the current Camra pub of the year for North London and is in the Good Beer Guide 2013. They usally have ales from Adnams, Cottage , Kingstone, Redemption and Dark Star . It is a pub to visit if you are in the vicinity.
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Visited for the first time last night. Felt a bit like a speakeasy, pushing aside the curtains as soon as you get through the front door.
Large central bar with seating all around it - was pretty rammed with people seated and standing, but there is more seating further back. The only spare sofa was reserved so we ended up stood beside a stack of board games near the fire.
Group next to us was eating - food looked good and plentiful.
As for the beer, there were five ales on tap, from the generic Adnams to the more unusual. Lady behind the bar was happy to do tasters, so ended up having a surprisingly flavoursome golden ale I would have normally ignored. Can't remember exactly how much the beer was but recall it was pretty standard for the area.
Mixed clientele and other people seemed friendly, as did the bar staff, and with decent beer on tap, that's enough to make a decent boozer.
Worth making the short walk from Kentish Town station rather than settling for the Assembly House.
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Relaxed clientele, welcoming, wonderfully kept real ales, this characterful pub is a veritable haven from the trials and tribulations of London Life.
Really is worth tracking down. Wish it was my local.
The strange Torpor.
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Solid old pub. Decent well kept beer an Adnams (do people really like sulphuric crystal malt beers?), 3 Sharp's and one other.
Definitely worth checking out. Has that old not been decorated boozer feel. Not sure what it would be like when crowded but has that feel a modern pub cannot seem to obtain. This is likely due to central bar and people smeared round the outside. However does appear to have plenty of nooks and crannies.
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A really good pub this. Nothing not to like about it. On my recent visit a tour guide arrived unannounced to show a group of tourists what a traditional London pub was like (at least I think that was the idea). She waltzed in with a crocodile of students, showed them the bar and the bogs and waltzed out. Never a thought to buy a drink. The manager looked a bit gobsmacked but was uncomplaining. You wouldn't get away with that in many London pubs!
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Visited pre-Forum gig and for the first time in 10 years. This pub has not faded over the years, great atmostsphere, service, beer, decor and crowd not uber-trendy either though hardly 'ordinary'. Shame it's not my local.
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Visited yesterday when the beers left over from the festival were being knocked out at �2 a pint! 24 available when I arrived at 1430 - 3 remaining when we left at 1930!
Excellent pub - great front bar with extra seating upstairs, in the conservatory and the garden. Pretty busy all afternoon but service was great.
5 handpumps on the bar but only Doombar and Redemption Trinity being served -= this may be because of the weekends festival.
Certainly worth the 5 minute walk from Kentish Town station.
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Well the halloween beer festival is on right now , the beers are being served in the wonderful back yard , sadly the weather is not getting into it freezing cold and frequent showers but never mind the ales are superb . 26 ranging from mild at 3.4 to porter at 6.5 plus 3 ciders and 2 perries .It finishes tomorrow so get there now .
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There is a real cosy feel to this pub - you walk straight in to the bar, with friendly well-mannered, attentive staff, and you don�t have to wait too long and they always know who�s next.
It appears to be local�s pub, with many sitting on stools around that bar, or on some of the grouped tables. There is a real fireplace for those chilly winter evenings and it also has a heated beer garden at the back. Being in the back streets I found this a refreshing change from the usual annoying obnoxious �look at me� crowd.
Several beers on offer, and Thai food served daily � although I haven�t tried the food; I think it�s more of a drinker�s pub than being known for its culinary delights. They also have �cheese Thursday� where you can bring your own or buy some at the bar.
If I lived close enough to this place I�d be happy to become a regular.
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Several beers all well served. Good service. Interesting clientele. What's not to like?
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Woeful, insipid pint of Redemption Trinity, badly kept. Little atmosphere, permeated by the smell of generic, cheap 'Thai' food.
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The user below clearly cannot count as I went in last week and was charged �3.40 for a tidy pint of Redemption Trinity.
Cracking pub, loads of locals. Often go here when The Southampton Arms reaches it's capacity.
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this pub is apparently local camra pub of the year - i was charged �4.40, yes thats �4.40 for a pint of mild... nothing special, rather flat, infact the beer was removed soon afterwards when a local walked in and tried to order it... 5 ales on offer two of which were from Adnams and Youngs - hardly inspiring. Without sounding cynical i wonder what the criteria is to be an "award" winning pub when the stupendous Southampton Arms around the corner knocks out an endless cornucopia of ales and ciders fom �2.90 an pint.... very disappointing
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Too full [Friday evening]. Too many clientele. Too many yuppies.
No obvious price list for beers
Wine price list on far wall, not easy to interpret
Menu print face far too small to read, too dark.
About �29 for two meals with starters with 2 drinks [glass wine and beer].
Food not bad
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Excellent local's pub with a good choice of ales and good value Thai food (all �5.00 at lunchtimes). Highly recommended.
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Excellent.
A proper pub which is distinct from the local bar-gastros. Beer range interesting and the ones I had good.
Knowledgeable, friendly welcome in relaxed, back street boozer.
A gem.
The Thai lunch offer looked good.
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4 choice of beers and our group was allowed a little taster of each, very welcoming and charming staff, beer good, the food looked alright too.
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An oasis of calm tucked away in back street parallel to the busy Kentish Town main road. Popped in for swift one or two before gig at the Forum and found Redemption Porter, Cottage Triumph Spitfire, Sharps Red, Bass plus another I cannot recall. Tried first two named and in good order.
Cosy feel to the pub - you walk straight in to the bar. Friendly staff, well manned and womaned and clientele friendly (probably mostly locals). Has a real fire on right hand side of bar. Interesting very old Newgate clock minding the time over the bar too.
Would definitely return and maybe try the food next time.
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Was here on Sunday 14th August. There was a brilliant Vintage Market going on in the upstairs room. Totally mad but really very charming. brought myself some genuine Vintage Eighties Trainers, then had a lovely pint of Scrumdiggiddy! The staff said that the Market will hopefully become a fortnightly thing. (the bitter, you'll be pleased to know is on everyday...)
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Paid the Pineapple a brief visit yesterday after a session in the Southampton Arms. It's a fairly nice backstreet pub with seating around the bar and apparently further seating at the rear. A large Bass mirror can be seen at one side of the bar. I'm not sure about the eccentric wallpaper! Goddards Scrumdiggity Bitter, Oxfordshire Sunburnt, Sharps Special, Cottage VC-10 and Bass were the ales on offer. The cider is Aspalls. Nice pub to visit alongside the Southampton Arms and other local places such as the Junction Tavern and the Oxford Arms.
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Classic back street pub, received a friendly welcome on entry. Decent beer (4 reasonably well kept real ales), decent prices, lovely decor and patio at the back. The Thai food looked pretty good but "pub does Thai" seems a bit pass� these days and in this kind of environment I really hanker for some traditional solid pub fare.
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Visited on 28 May. Bass, Redemption Trinity and Fellowship Porter, Adnams Bitter and TT Landlord. Has the look of an historic pub. Discounts for CAMRA members but not not obvious.
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My first visit here today. Friendly and approachable staff, and the Camden Town Inner City Green went down very well - both of them!!
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this pub recently had a super festival featuring some fab ales .Until June 14 it is CAMRA pub of the year being replaced by a nearby pub the Southampton , on May 17 it's being visitied by the local branch so get along and join your fellow ale drinkers .
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Hidden Gem - one of my favourites when I'm in Kentish Town
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proper pub this one, back steet friendly pub with five real ales in which are served just about ok. Definetly worth popping into if you are on your way to the Southampton.
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Have been here a few times over the past couple of months or so.
One of the best "proper" pubs I have visited in recent years in London - quick and attentive service, ensuring I always get my 20p CAMRA discount on a very well kept but regularly changing range of interesting fine beer.
The Thai food on offer is of a very good standard and real value formoney
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Very pleasent pub in a quiet sidestreet. You walk in and are presented with the locals at the bar with their backs to you. This isn't a good first impression but the rest of the pub is a pleasure. It hasn't got the range of beer that the nearby Southampton Arms offers, but during the recent cold weather I re-discovered the joy of a comfy seat in a warm pub with a good pint of Bass (I'm getting old!). There were four or five ales on and I get the impression the staff are proud of the beer they serve. Talking of the staff, I can see why previous reviewers might be critical of them. They are rather vague young hipsters and a bit slow, but very friendly. Round the back there is a large room where Thai food is served BUT this feels totally seperate and doesn't create that frustrating pub-trying-to-be-restaurant-and-forgetting-it's-a-pub atmosphere.
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We had appalling service at the pub a couple of weeks ago. Tried to order food, as usual the many bar staff couldn�t handle more than one customer, had no idea who was there first, two people got served in front if us, when they eventually acknowledged us, they served the person next to us as he was not ordering food, and the barman said we would be ages anyway. Needless to say we walked out and have not been back. Dont bother.
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A welcoming pub with a nice atmosphere and good thai food. PLenty of nooks and crannies to grab a seat in. Yet to have a bad pint here, and I've had a few. No complaint about the varied customer base. A good pub, and these should be cherished!
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A very nice unpretentious back street pub catering for NW5's more affluent customers, indeed along with the Southampton Arms this is probably the best pub in the area.
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Popped in for a quick pint late on a Saturday afternoon, pub was packed but service was very quick.
Pint of Apsalls was very good and the ales looked good too. Bar staff and punters were very friendly and a good relaxed atmosphere in what is a traditional back street boozer.
Will certainly visit again when in the area.
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Nice atmosphere and friendly staff who are always on the look out for people waiting to get served. Quite difficult to get to the bar through the army of regulars propping it up though. Thai food is cheap and very nice. Was excellent on New Years Eve last year too. Great to get a seat by the fire in winter or in the conservatory in summer. Very nice.....
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First visit since the early 90s. Very nice pub, beer festival in full swing in the garden at the moment. Only had time for one pint and a ploughmans, both were very good. As mentioned in other reviews a very welcoming place, will be back with a little more time to enjoy the place.
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A great pub with fantastic interior. V ery friendly landlord and customers. A must visit on any crawl around NW5
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Probably the best pub in kentish town . Traditional victorian pub ,reasonable beer range although the bass wasnt at its best and the other beer sampled which i forget the name of, somthing dusk i think had good flavour but the temprature was luke warm. A pub i wouldnt mind returning to but given the quality or lack of it in the area i cant see me coming back soon.
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The 4th pub in our mini Kentish Town crawl and we had been looking forward to it. The Staff were friendly and helpful and the pub has a lived in, comfortable feel to it, unfortunately one of our beers was well past it's best. Now although it was changed with no issues, not everyone is comfortable about returning beer and asking for something better, this was in such a state it should have been picked up well before we got to it. Other than this the pub is fine and dandy, not the best in the area but one to re visit.
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The Pineapple is a real gem. A great, traditional pub hidden away in Kentish Town but actually only 2 mins from the tube station. The Thai menu is also extremely good andworks strangely well in the Victorian surroundings! Really friendly staff as well.
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Visited this pub with some friends on a pub crawl last Friday. Simon is a very welcoming Landlord and the pub is a real Victorian gem with outside seating at the back. 5 real ales were in tip top condition. I would happily visit this pub again when next in the area. Highly recommended!
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Agree with polypinmath and the other coherent reviewers. I visited this pub yesterday afternoon, there were 5 real ales on offer at reasonable (for London) prices, the interior was pleasantly stuck in a timewarp and there were a friendly group of regulars in evidence with their dogs. Well worth tracking down, two minutes away from Kentish Town High Street but it feels like you're in a different world.
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I'm surprised I failed to post a review when I last visited 2 years back as it's a pub worthy of note. Well, it hasn't changed much and, in my humble opinion, is well worth dropping into if you are in the area. My recent visit was following a heavy session at the nearby Southampton Arms so my recollection of The Pineapple is a little hazy but I do recall enjoying a couple of pints of decent cider. It was a busy night (certainly for a Monday) but I found the patrons and staff very friendly. Perhaps the patronage varies according to the day or time of day.
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Used to really like this pub back in the days when John Snow and other 'meejah' types would rub shoulders with the local bin men. But now....... To start with was served a cloudy pint of Adnams May Day which was changed without any quibble by the efficient and pleasant barstaff. But those poor barstaff have my deepest sympathies in having to work with what I found to be the most horrible cleintelle so far up their own colons that they are licking their tonsils. The refurb is a bit here & there, the beer was okay (eventually) but to quote Max Bygraves.... "Oi ! Do Me a Favour........." Fings Certainly AIN'T what they used to be - give me them there 'Mahnkeys Flyin' Rahnd the Moon..' any day. - never thought I'd give this place a zero but it's fahckin' awful.
anonymous - 3 May 2010 23:04 |
Recently attended the Easter beer festival , a great time was had by all present . The ale selection had something for all tastes with the Derventio Cleopatra being the most popular . Thanks must go to the superb manager who did an excellant job , the snacks were ace and the vibe was cool . The ladies in my company were impressed by the southern gentleman standing at the bar whose superb knowledge of English ales was astounding .
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Classic unspoilt London corner boozer. Loved the Double diamond sticker on the window. Original Bar counter and brewery mirror. Amiable staff.
3 of 4 handpumps on .Ubu Purity �3.00 .In very good condition. Bass and Adnams being the others
Very friendly locals, in this nicely hidden away gem. Easter Beer festival imminent.
Worth making the effort to find
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Back in after a a few years and this place is even better than I remember. The beer selection is adventurous. (There was even a stout). The locals are real value for money and I found the staff, far from being snooty, to be friendly and fun. The even had personalities!
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A classic English backstreet boozer, the decor unchanged since the early 50's. A joy to behold
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Nice pub, good thai food.
Tough to get served over the locals sitting around the bar in the early evening though (guess they have been there all day) and when you are sometimes the female staff have been a bit snooty.
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The Pineapple is an enjoyable place for a pint. The interior is lovely, the beer decent and reasonably varied and the atmosphere excellent. Thai food is on offer, but I've never tried it.
The earlier comment about a League of Gentlemen "local pub for local people" is simply false. The pub provides a pretty representative snapshot of the people who live in Kentish Town; so you get skinny jeans wearing trendy sorts, to youngish professionals to older men and women. Not the inbred caricature suggested below.
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Completely untrue about the bar staff at this place. Visted here regularly. Friday is Pineapple day. Favourite haunt in Kentish Town and definitely would not consider myself local
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Great pub
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Like stepping into 1956 - love it.
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Small traditional street corner local in a quiet residential street within easy walking distance of Kentish Town Tube Station.
There's some original Victorian features such as a fine bar back with etched glass, mirrors and wood pannelling. There's also several impressive old Bass mirrors. Double Diamond -lettering in the windows would suggest that this was formerly an Ind Coope pub. The pub appears to have been opened out from its original layout, but there's enough remaining to warrant inclusion in CAMRA's Regional Inventory of Unspoilt Interiors.
It's a smallish semi-circular bar with several alcoves at the side and a small outside garden and conservatory. In the corridor leading to the garden is a framed paper cutting recording a successful petitioning to save the pub from being converted to flats in 1992/93.
On my recent Saturday afternoon visit, there were 5 real ales on - Sharps Doom Bar, Bass, Adnams Regatta, Bombardier and , unusually for London, J W Lees Bitter from Oldham. The Doom Bar was on good form.
There's a Thai food menu offered.
Try and seek this one out if you can - just don't let the exterior colour scheme put you off
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Have to agree, nice pub shame about the people. Felt like i had walked into a scene from The league of gentlemen (this is a local pub for local people) Weird.
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Quite a nice boozer, but strange atmosphere, bar staff are not nice.
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I can't believe I haven't been to this place, just a couple of mins from the Forum. Big brewery mirrors, nooks and crannies, small garden, conservatory. A great mix of punters, work boots, cravates, gig goers and geezers. The regulars take the front stools at the bar just inside the front door, so a bit cramped when you enter, although there is a side door. What about the beer, I think there was five on, including Sharps Doombar, Adnmas Regatta and Kingstone Humpty's rumpty (that puts hairs on your chest). Another few visits and this could be in the running for one of my favourites. They also have a Thai food menu.
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Enjoyed a pint of Tewdric's on Friday 8th May along with delectable two-course Thai evening meal. I sat in the conservatory (image 5) which was spacious and still warm from the unbroken sunshine of the day.
The beer range has definitely become more adventurous since I last had a drink here and the pub was trading briskly. Definitely up for more visits in the future.
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@zabadak: Good for a pre-Forum pint or two also.
On pull last Wed were Tewdric's Tipple and Kingstone Gold from Kingstone Brewery, Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Bass. Small pub at the front , bigger at the back but a gem all over.
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Yep, good out-of-the-way pub for a post-Forum-gig pint of Kingstone Brewery�s Kingstons Gold, whic I'd never had before. Got a seat, too!
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I walked through the door to this place and slipped through the curtain behind the door that is used to keep the heat in and was confronted by the backs of people�s heads sitting at the bar a foot in front of me. Surprisingly a local moved out of my way so that I could get to the bar and the friendly barman came straight over even though it was busy. Kingstone Brewery�s Kingstons Gold and Tewdric�s Tipple were available alongside Old Cannon Best Bitter and a selection of premium and standard lagers.
The front of the pub is small with the bar taking up most of the space, but it does have an open fire. There is more seating around the sides and in the conservatory out the back. There is also a beer garden, but I did not check it out as it was raining.
I enjoyed my visit here and would recommend it to others.
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Small pub in a housing area. Not my sort of pub and not a lot of ale choice unless you like Bass which I dont. Bar staff and locals very friendly.
If your short like me then the loos are way too high and you may need to stand on a milk crate to get you over the lip.
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This is a little gem of a pub, tucked away down a leafy street fairly near to Kentish Town station. They had Old Cannon Brewery�s Bitter on, plus one of the Adnam�s beers, when I was in there at lunchtime yesterday. The OCB Bitter was absolutely superb. They had had a beer festival going a few days ago and still had some of the ales from that on offer. They may still be selling them off during the evening � at �2 a pint! The food is Thai, and was pretty good for �5 a meal. But there was nothing other than Thai food, which is fine as long as you like Thai food.
There is a well-preserved stunning mid-Victorian bar-back in place. It�s one of the best I have seen, and is a really attractive feature to have in a pub like this. This is a comfortable pub with very friendly service, excellent beer, decent food and some superb Victoriana. Definitely worth seeking out if you find yourself in Kentish Town.
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The beer festival on Saturday was excellent. All beers listed were available and in great condition. A good mix of strengths and styles too. The pub itself looks good - the conservatory is a nice touch. I'll come back and see if it's as good in 'normal' circumstances.
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nice clean friendly pub. good food good value and good real ales.
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A cracking pub has got even better lately with the addition of Timothy Taylor's Landlord to the draught beer selection. Music's often too loud, though.
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I am new to the area and have found both the locals and the staff to be very pleasant and very accomodating. The food and the drink is very good and the atmosphere is superb!!
Although the barmaid (Roxy) doesn't like to talk about it, I'd like to wish her well on her journey to the USA!!
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Have not visited this pub in over a year, purely down to the previous ownerships lack of interest, but decided to give it another go......and
WOW WHAT A TRANSFORMATION!!
It really has changed for the better. Excellent beers and price (bass �2.60)A complete tastful refurbishment and great food.
All the staff were friendly and welcoming, glad to see the same manager too-very friendly polite and He went out of his way to find us a table!
Will certainly visit again
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Went to this pub for the first time about a week ago. The real ale is limited, (only three on offer) but of an excellent standard. The young bar staff were charming and helpful and the locals were freindly and inclusive. Was made to feel very welcome and I will definately be revisiting the Pineapple. Great place.
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Tried this pub yesterday for the first time, on the recommendation of a neighbour. First impression was a bit cliquey because of the large group of obvious regulars sitting all around the bar, however the place was friendly enough with plenty of choice of seating.
Can echo previous comments about the rather disinterested service, and one of our group was blatantly ignored for several minutes whilst other customers who arrived later were served.
Very surprised that a pub that serves food doesn't also serve coffee. Never mind, mother-in-law went on the Pernod instead!
On balance will definitely revisit.
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Very nicely decorated. Beer was good. Shame that they insist on piped music here, too loud, totally detracts from the surroundings. Get rid of that noise and it's a great pub, nobody will ask for music.
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great little back street pub, recently under new management and seems to be back on form. thai food is reasonably priced and very authentic. always had great service from bar staff, they make a real effort to make everyone welcome.... oh, and good background music too. A big thumbs up!
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First visit last week for an away fixture in our quiz league. Nice pub, great decor, really nice job done on the decor. Understand the point about the bar staff, they weren't friendly or unfriendly, just a little uninterested.
A minor point though when the Adnam's was in such great condition and a reasonable price (for London)
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A local's pub in some very pleasant back streets near Kentish Town station. It's been very well restored/conserved/renovated inside and looks lovely. Three real ales including some decent Adnam's Explorer. Somewhat disappointingly the only food in evidence was bog-standard Thai food: I'd have thought they could aim a bit higher than that. The trendy clientele that AleRider alludes to was in evidence on quiz night, it must be said, and I could see that it might grate on established locals. But generally, an above-average place.
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I understand there is a new management at The Pineapple again. Hopefully this means they will clean up, get rid of the surly teenage bar staff and get the place back on track again.
anonymous - 27 Aug 2007 20:30 |
Quiet little local with Thai food. I had Phat King (sounds like it ought to be deep fried peanut butter sandwich but wasn't) and some Shep Neame beer to go with it. I am no 'would be media kid'either.
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Couldn't really agree more with AleRider. The bar staff are wannabe Big Brother contestants and generally inept, the old atmosphere of the pub has been lost, the smug regulars think that hanging round a pub all day long is a badge of honour of some kind, the food is shite and overpriced and the beer isn't up to much. Local pubs like The Oxford or The Junction Tavern have better food and beer and a better atmosphere.
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This once was a really nice little local boozer that i used to frequent on a regular basis. Nowadays, however, i avoid it like the plague.
Since a highly-publicised campaign a couple of years back to stop the pub being turned into flats, the place has been taken over by a bunch of trendy would-be media kids who stand around braying at each other while paying customers are waiting to be served, or simply serve their mates as soon as they walk through the door while the rest of us stand at the bar growing increasingly irate.
The interior is more or less the same as it always was (nicely eccentric) but the students' union atmosphere just leaves me cold.
A terrible shame.
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Excellent pub. Good quiz on a Monday night. Definitely an odd mix of people but it works well. Food not so great but it is more of a drinking pub.
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Everyone raves about this pub but I thought it was arrogant and over rated.
anonymous - 22 Apr 2007 19:16 |
A smallish side street pub that retains a bit of a community feel to it - an increasing rarity in London. Has a very impressive bar back and 2 large Bass mirrors. Worth visiting, just don't let the external colour scheme put you off.
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The bar area is full of media types talking very loudly to each other about how important they are.
The bar staff need to realise they are there to serve - they are not customers.
Pretty arrogant approach I thought - can be a good pub but I can't be arsed with it anymore. Much better pubs in the area.
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We hired the conservatory the other night and the service was superb. Great bar snacks especially the chilli dip. Beer range is average but for an area where the nearest pubs serve bass and greene king the selection is perfect. Sandwiched between the junction and the oxford on a not easy to find back st it is good enough.
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went in friday afternoon on one of its good days seemed ok, like the little corridors and back room.
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so i thought I'd give this place one more try - and what greets me when I rock-up at the bar? A blatantly stoned barman wearing massive sunglasses who proceeded to get my (2 drink) order completely wrong & clearly didn't know what planet he was currently on. This was all highly amusing to the "regulars" who sit at the bar & act like they own the place (though to be fair, they probably do). If it wasn't for the "regulars" and the muppet bar-staff this place would be lovely.
anonymous - 18 Aug 2006 10:31 |
This is one of the most Jekyll and Hyde pubs you will ever visit. Go one time, and you will be greeted by warm and chatty bar staff, sit down in the old front bar and enjoy a leisurely pint in a quaint and characterful little pub. Go another time, and you'll be greeted by sullen staff, a crazy seating plan and bad beer. There is a touch of arrogance about the Pineapple - it is (fortunately or unfortunately depending on your point of view) starting to attract actors / comedians etc, and the ethos of the place is somewhat "in your face" but it is redeemed by bbeing such an unusual and generally well kept pub in an interesting little corner of London.
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Great little place, but the beer is crap.
Really really crap... If only they had heard of cellermanship then it might be OK.
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I visited this pub for a quiet pint Sunday afternoon ago, and the staff couldn't have been friendlier. We felt welcomed, people squashed up so we could sit down, and happily chatted with us. As a man in his 20's this doesn't often happen when one enters a proper olde style pub. Will definitely be returning.
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Wow. A pub which really polarises opinion. People either hate it (for arrogant bar staff, slow service, or scruffiness) or love it (for its "local" feel, its appealing looks and its traditional decor). I would have to say that on my brief visit, I observed few of the bad traits and all of the good ones. Really good looking little corner boozer, deceptively spacious at back, with a very traditional (though small) bar area and a collection of local characters hanging around. The one negative I did observe was a slightly cliquey attitude on the part of some of the clientele. But that was a small niggle. All in all, this is great if you want a local boozer. If you want fast "professional" service and strict observance of health and safety standards, go to All Bar One.
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Great pub but why oh why is the barstaff always pissed? Its amusing at first but gets increasingly annoying as the evening goes on.
anonymous - 6 Dec 2005 10:58 |
best (and probably most popular) quiz night going on a monday night. noticed that it had been copied by the Torriano up the road! Food OK (not amazing) downstairs, haven't tried upstairs. One particularly mardy bar maid but atmosphere generally good.
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This pub is one for the books! We went there at 6.30pm on a Saturday night and there were drunk patrons (probably off duty staff) behind the bar. That�s OK, but the thing that got me was the guy sorting out the cutlery for the restaurant whilst indulging his ciggy habit. I doubt I�ll become a regular.
anonymous - 22 Oct 2005 20:07 |
I first went to this pub about 3 years ago (soon after the current management saved it from demolition) and I loved it as I felt like I'd gone back in time to a traditional London boozer. The decor appeared unchanged since it was built and it's such a cosy place to visit, with open fires on cold nights.
I feel that the bar could do with a permanent, maybe older, bar manager to suit the style of the pub itself, as I feel the bar staff are often left to their own devices resulting in the majority of customers being sidelined in favour of the handful of regulars. It's not ideal to feel like you're crashing a private party in your local. Otherwise, definitely worth a visit.
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A very good little pub, food excellent (especially the summertime barbeque). Some members of staff quicker than others but that's to be expected I guess. All in all a good place to waste an evening.
anonymous - 15 Sep 2005 08:26 |
I have lived in Kentish Town for the last 30 years and have drunk in the Pineapple on and off for 25.
I have seen 4 lots of licencee's come and go and changes to the pub for better and worse.
The latest changes to the bar have (in my opinion) made a vast improvement to what was a dark pub in need of an uplift. I agree with previous postings that the service is slow but this is a "real" pub where the barstaff are not only interested in taking your money but talk to you as well, they also have the added task of having to leave the bar to colect food from the upstairs kitchen to serve in the Garden and conservetory. Overall this is a very nice local pub with pleasant bar staff and a very varied cliental who are friendly and willing to talk to whoever walks through the door.
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This pub has gone seriously down hill over the last few years. It's still a pretty little place with a cool atsmosphere but the service and the general running of the place is abysmal.
anonymous - 4 Sep 2005 16:58 |
Lovely-looking pub, both inside and out, but arrogant aloof staff and regulars who sit at the bar making it impossible for you to get served, and the staff don't help things by taking their bloody time.
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The pub is not too bad. The food menu looks good but I havent eaten there. I have nevertheless drunk Adnams and Pedigree in the pub, which aren't bad but the glasses could be a lot cleaner than they are.
I am giving 4/10, but if they clean the glasses I'll change it to 7 - watch this space.
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I found staff ok but pub has turned a little cliquey. A word of warning, be very careful about leaving your bike outside the pub. The problem lies with the area, not the pub, but my cycle was knocked over during an attempt to pinch someone else's.
Also, ice is handled into drinks sometimes, but the beer (London Pride) remains good.
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My girlfriend and I lived opposite this place for over a year and never got the feeling that we were particularly welcome. The staff are arrogant, not at all friendly and wouldn't even say hello if they passed you in the street. They really don't seem to be running it for the right reasons and don't seem to derive any pleasure from it. I'm glad to hear that it's not just us and that other people have had similar experiences.
A waste of a potentially good pub.
dearl - 26 May 2005 13:23 |
Bar staff bit arrogant and some customers far too self-aware
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I have lived in Kentish Town for almost two years now and pop into the Pineapple several times a year. On the surface it seems to have a lot going for it: Great interior, cosy and so on, but there's something about it that rubs me up the wrong way. The bar staff rate themselves too highly in the attitude stakes and it doesn't truly feel like 'my' neighbourhood boozer but I'll try to make more appearances this year and perhaps try the pub quiz and see if I warm to the place. I definitely recommend it to people to pop in for a quick 'arf if they're in the area.
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Visited the establishment with mr kelly on the eve of the 27th (?) December last year and found this to be one of the most enjoyable public house experiences of recent years. Having finally bitten the bullet and moved from my home of 6 years in east London to an N7 postcode, I was terrified of not finding a decent 'tidy', respectable boozer, and I am glad Greg recommended this one! I'll be back, again and again and again....!
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Visited this pub on the 28th Dec 04 on the recommendation of a friend of a friend. Fantastic. Super cosy, great interior, great beer (Adnams, Pedigree, Pride) and nice loos (don't get that over in Hackney). I would be a regular if I lived locally but I don't so...bugger.
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Very nice corner pub,but run in a very amateur fashion. Used to be permanently in "The Good Beer Guide" -not any more. Mankie (is that "manque"?) beer, slow staff, long waits to be served, but still a good place, with the best Quiz in London on Mondays.
anonymous - 19 Dec 2004 13:11 |
Nice pub, hidden away from the masses, even on busy nights with gigs at the Forum. Friendly staff, good 'old-fashioned' atmosphere, and the food was great
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I'm glad that The Pineapple was saved, especially in its original form but the expensive and not always quality Real Ales and the somewhat snotty bar staff don't provide the same welcome as you usually used to get pre-change of ownership. Great garden, somewhat soulless conservatory, but still the best place in Kentish Town for a quiet winter's afternoon.
Mark - 5 Nov 2004 09:53 |
As much as I love this pub, it's only recently that i've noticed just how long an average wait time at the bar can be. Expect to wait 5 to 10 mins. Be it a fairly quiet sunday afternoon or a busy Saturday night. The main problem is that the place has been expanded but there is only one small bar and one till.
Great pub, though.
Hyper D - 15 Sep 2004 12:16 |
This is a great little boozer hidden in the street of kentish town. Good crowd, pints, tunes & food. Got a garden and conservatory. Top Pub
Rubber - 2 Sep 2004 15:20 |
It is my local too, it is a fine pub, welcoming to all which is one of its strengths.
Given the efforts local people made to keep it open a couple of years back, it deserves all the publicity and good custom it can get; long may it prosper, as it is probably better than any of the other pubs in the immediate vicinity.
The food is recommended as well as the beer.
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It's my local and so would prefer it remain a well-kept secret, especially as the beer patio gets v crowded in the summer!
Simon - 6 Jul 2004 17:52 |
Lovely pub, they've recently added a large conservatory which has solved some of the space problems. The staff are real bartenders who know what they're doing. Some of the wealthy middle aged customers can be a little snobbish but they're the people who apparently saved it from redevelopment a few years ago so fair enough. Certainly the best pub in the Kentish Town area, and by a long way.
Rob - 3 Jun 2004 10:47 |
What can you say about a pub thats every piece of paraphernalia is a pineapple? Top place. Look out for the Pineapple made out of Lottery ticket forms. Genius.
James - 27 Feb 2004 09:53 |
I love the pineapple, i only went in there once before it was re opened but now you can't get me out of the place! Great mix of new regulars and people who have been drinking there forever. Staff are super friendly, atmosphere's great and it's been done up beautifully, keeping all the best features and getting rid of all the horrible 70's additions! long live the pineapple.
matilda - 7 Feb 2004 17:15 |
a hidden gem off the beaten track. has always had character but used to be a dodgily-carpeted old bloke's pub without much light and a haze of rothmans, embassy's and regals. it was taken over in 2002 by a mid-twenties landlady and is now staffed by a bevy of beautiful barmaids. now there's light, good music, a lively atmosphere and a great quiz night on mondays.
Ollie - 3 Feb 2004 18:03 |
A huge, modern conservatory has been built behind the pub. However the front area is thankfully unchanged. One big improvement is the new toilets.
I visited the pub with a friend last night and enjoyed the Adnams, the best of the three ales on handpump. The other two were Pride and Pedigree. Good food advertised, but my friend and I were alas too late in the evening to order any.
The pub remains well worth a visit.
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Friendly patrons and convivial atmosphere. May have lost a bit of the cozy atmosphere after refurbishment but still miles better than any other pub in Kentish Town (though competition isn't too stiff).
Anonymous Steve - 20 Jan 2004 11:34 |
I only ventured in there relatively recently and was presently surprised. It's got soul.
Joe - 2 Oct 2003 15:31 |
Wonderful sense of character, lovely to see such a strong local community in this very anonymous city. Love the monday night quiz and wednesday live music..always welcoming, friendly and has a fun atmosphere...its my second living room!!!
B.W. - 19 Aug 2003 13:50 |
very jolly pub. nicely chilled out till 10pm when everyone comes in from outside - then you get this wonderful melee of people all together for an hour of final drinking. lovely
william - 13 Aug 2003 16:05 |
Well, it is still a nice pub, I agree it would be desirable if ALL pubs offered disabled access, but sometimes there's difficulties with structurally altering the building/planning etc. Secondly you cannot always blame a pub for the dirt outside in the street which is often beyond the control of the pub itself.
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Noisy, dirty outside, and not interested in access for disabled people. Give this a miss.
Andrew - 8 Jul 2003 12:23 |
An excellent place. Friendly and laid back with a nice garden out back.
bob hope - 2 Jul 2003 17:13 |
Nice place. Wold hav been a scandal of Profumo proportions to have let it go.
noel - 22 Jun 2003 23:07 |
Yes the Pineapple is lucky not to be turned into flats and is an ok pub but was nicer before.
All the locals that used to go there dont anymore as its turned into a more modern pub, its bright (halogen spotlights)the bar is a flat modern one not the decorative ornate one they used to have, and the oldies and boys that like to watch the football dont go there. I never go there anymore, its had the heart stripped out of it.
Heather - 28 May 2003 18:00 |
I just read recently about this pub's close call. I learned about it from something written about Rufus Sewell and wondered if it had in fact been saved. Glad to hear that it has! Congrats to all. I would love to visit it someday! It sounds like an extremely friendly place.
Karen - 28 May 2003 05:37 |
An absolute Gem! The regulars are so friendly that after a second visit your almost considered one yourself!...A rarity in this city..or any other for that matter.
anonymous - 14 May 2003 15:56 |
One of very few pubs in London that keep a GOOD pint of Marstons Pedigree. It's worth a visit even if just on that count. Friendly staff and a convivial atmosphere. Medium level background music allows conversation at a comfortable pitch. A great example of a pub being rescued from oblivion - everyone's efforts in doing so were worth it.
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Top pub.
Good beers, great chilled out atmosphere with a slightly bohemian feel.
anonymous - 7 Nov 2002 15:21 |
Small local pub recently re-opened after being saved from closure by a local family. John Snow, Trigger and Ken Livingston all joined the 'Save the Pineapple' campaign.
ri - 28 May 2002 15:46 |
