please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub is a real find. Cool vibe and crowd but also completely unpretentious. Friendly bar staff and well run pub. Great music but mercifully the volume is kept fairly low so you can actually talk, unlike many other places in Camden. Really pleasant beer garden at the back is a bonus. I've also stopped here for the lunchtime fiver menu Thai menu which was really good! Will have to try the food in the evening next time.
Love it!
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I was recommended this pub by a mate when I was meeting up with someone in Camden and I am so glad he did! This is a brilliant little pub off the beaten track but all the better for it.
I had a a great pint, some good thai food and more often than not a seat. Bar staff were friendly and have recognised me since I have been back.
This is a little gem of a pub - personable staff, chilled out and a great place to sit and have a pint. And you can't ask for more than that!
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Like pinkbambi, I was surprised by the comments of Aintdatertrute.
I'm a regular at the pub and always find it a chilled out and relaxing alternative from the usual camden scene.
I had my 30th there and it was brilliantly organised by Ed and his lovely wife and I couldn't have asked for a better venue.
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I hate going to Camden. Too many wannabees, pikeys and alternative types for my liking. (There really not very alternative when there's hundreds on them)....but when I do come up for a gig at Koko or Electric ballroom I head straight for The Camden Arms as it is off the beaten track, is chilled but still has life in it. I've never really tried much food there but drinks wise it's all good, with decent beer and a pretty fancy range of spirits for pre gig warm up.
Staff always seem cool and service is generally with a smile...although Ed told me off once for smoking in the door way. I'll let him off though.
9/10
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In response to aintdatdertrute: I am the manager at The Camden Arms. I am sorry that you did not enjoy your experience at our pub. I am afraid there seems to be some misunderstanding over several issues regarding your party ... firstly, the DJ equipment was only requested at midday on the day of the party, so it was very last minute for us to hire this in for you. However, although there was an issue with the CD deck (which was not compatible with your burnt CDs) the vinyl decks were certainly in good working order (the hire company even came out to check that night).
We do keep a good track of the amount parties spend on drinks if they are on a minimum spend, and we did reach a compromise over the amount you actually paid in the end. Also, you paid a reduced amount for the hire of the DJ equipment, and we took the hit on the rest. We did not charge any extra money to your credit card beyond the deposit which had been prepaid.
Again, I am very sorry that you feel this way, but I hope you might give us a second chance again sometime. Please feel free to contact me on 02072679829. Ed.
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I was pretty surprised to read the review below & glad I didn't come on here before I had my party at the camden arms or it may of put me off & wouldn't have had such a great 30th!
I chose to do my party there cos I went to a mates party there earlier in the year and the people were really helpful to her (word of mouth is the best reccomendation I reckon).
I just had a 30th bash there and thought it was great. I am not very technical so got them to sort the sound system and karaoke system to keep the singers in my group happy. The sound was great for us all the way trough for karaoke and danicng music after and we got nice nibbles & snacks too. I didn't think it was expensive or anything, I drink spirits (and lots of 'em! lol) and thought the prices were so good that we even bought lots of cocktails to have on tables for our guests. I would also say that the people there really helped me out with decorating and stuff cos I am so not good at that stuff so they gave me some ideas and helped me do the balloons and stuff.
Thanks again, a great night was had by all of us, seen you next month at my sisters engagement party!
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The Hobgoblin was tired, as seemed the pub. Could do a lot better.
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DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT, BOOK A PARTY AT THE CAMDEN ARMS!!
Or drink there for that matter .......... they do not provide what they say they will, offering rubbish equipment - no proper decks for mixing records, few staff (and poor ones at that) serving from a single bar tap upstairs .... and to cap it all they will steal your deposit and try and extort more from you on top of that.
Myself and several friends were massively disappointed by the way we were treated and the 'party' they provided.
After packing the whole pub out upstairs and downstairs for over 7 hours the bar manager had the temerity to suggest we had not spent enough and kept our deposit and charged us more on top of that. The fact that we had clearly been spending masses of money in both bars all night was swept under the carpet and we were robbed of our initial down payment and more besides. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR CREDIT CARD!
Bear in mind people arrived at 8 pm and left after 3 am and we must have had well over 100 people attending - I saw people spending upwards of £50 on single rounds alone - pints, cocktails, shots, food, the works - and yet according to the manager, the highway man of Camden Town, failed to order the requisite amount of drinks by the end of the evening. BOLLOCKS. At least Dick Turpin paid you the courtesy of wearing a mask when he robbed you.
Not to mention that we could have no proper music in the 'party room' so two of our friends trekked across the whole of London in an expensive taxi with tonnes of vinyl for no reason whatsoever. And then had to take it all back - and pay for the privilege.
Boycott this place and whatever you do don't let them ruin your birthday - go hire a venue elsewhere.
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After finding my way slightly off the beaten track to meet a friend here, I was initially very wary as this is the kind of pub that has a DJ and some (hopefully) ironic bits of kitsch wallpaper in an otherwise spartan layout. However, it has to be said that this was actually pretty decent. Clientele were more of a mixture than you might have imagined and not as self-satisfied as those that populate the vast majority of pubs of this style, so definitely some plus marks there. The music from the DJ was quite eclectic and actually pretty good and crucially played at a volume which still allowed conversation. Bar staff were quick and friendly (and in the case of the barmaid - unbelieveably beautiful), the large square bar itself was very stylish and allowed ease of access, the range of drinks very good indeed and the prices surprisingly low (that's not to say cheap as such, but merely a lot cheaper than similar wannabee bar type pubs) and quality was high. Food looked to be tasty and good value for money. Furniture was tasteful and comfortable and there is a lot of space between various seated areas which makes the place seem more spacious and airy than any building of this size should.
The dim lighting served to be a little soporific, but I think that this would be a nice place to go if you fancied a relaxing, quiet couple of drinks away from the hurly burly of Camden Town.
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Nice pub but can be a bit big and empty for a quiet weekday night.
has 2 open fires and decent enough beer/food (thai and good chips)
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This place has a big island bar with a very open layout and plenty of seats and standing room. It was quiet on the Friday evening that I visited, but it sounded like there was a party going on upstairs.
I spotted six lagers, Guinness, Addlestones and Hobgoblin all available from the bar.
This is not really my sort of place, but if you’re into The Cure and dyeing your hair black and purple you should give it a go.
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nice pub had a great lunch there the other day will be back
anonymous - 16 Apr 2007 13:34 |
Great location and a real warm welcome are the key to this super place.
I don't get up to Camden often enough, but when I do I always pop in here for a few bevvies. It's tucked away from the the craziness of the main streets yet still transcends that Camden cool.
Top pub and nice food 'n' beer.
I'll give it an eight!
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I was in here last week and I think it's a nice pub, which will probably turn into a great pub.
The new guv'nor Ed is a nice bloke and sounds like he knows his apples....with a little T.L.C. and a patient Camden set he could well have a super little boozer here. Current 6/10 potentially a 9/10.
Nice one peeps.
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Nice new food menu for lunch and platters to share in the evening! Well done guys!
anonymous - 10 Oct 2006 16:08 |
I was there last Thursday, lovely, had a nice glass of chilled white wine in the beautifull sunny beergarden at the back of the pub. Feels like holiday! I'll most definitely be back here soon!
anonymous - 7 May 2006 22:55 |
I have to agree with the more recent review below - I went to a friends birthday drinks there on friday night and had a wicked time. The music was fun and all the staff were really friendly and quick which was the best thing. Will definately being going back!
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Can't say I agree with these comments! Found the staff friendly and helpful, outside beer garden was private and really pretty. Good beer selection, but cocktails were most impressive. Food reasonably priced and totally unpretentious - two enthusiastic thumbs up!
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Apalling. Barmaid was incredibly slow and had one very manky piece of paper that was allegedly a menu. Food was very expensive and very poor - cold, tasteless. Never again.
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Worth a visit just to see the short, good-looking guy behind the bar. He's hot. Ouch!
anonymous - 28 Nov 2005 11:19 |
Totally agree with other comments, used to be much nicer as the Camden Brewery, seems to have got lot more pretentious. Nice for the occasional drink, but way expensive. Beer garden is nice, quiet and gets quite a bit of sun.
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Least it's an improvement on the original Camden Arms when an Old Bill car seemed to have a permanent parking spot outside at 11pm. (often accompanied by an ambulance, smashing bunch of punters used to use it).
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A lot more pretentious than when it was the Camden Brewery. Agree with the comments about the bar staff - you can lose the will to live waiting for a drink. And far too expensive.
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VERY expensive, which is poor considering it's a bit of a journey from anywhere. The garden's nice in summer, and gets the sun until late, also you can sit out front by the road. Service can be absolutely shocking - barmaids never seem to have any idea who's been there for how long. Done up in a much more up-its-own-arse way than it used to be, and seems to have carpet on the walls.
anonymous - 22 May 2005 13:31 |
Good refurbishment although a little dark now that it's getting light and Summery. Usually provides a very enjoyable night out.
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Pleasingly refurbished, good atmosphere and well-presented drinks. However, BLOODY EXPENSIVE! Hasn't been warm enough to sit in the beer garden yet but hope it's as nice as it used to be.
jossv - 31 Mar 2005 11:31 |
Had the most chilled Friday night here. Was bustling with cool people and the DJ's played the coolest rare groove/soul.
anonymous - 25 Feb 2005 14:04 |
