please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Well this is a weird one. I've always loved this pub, but went in for the first time in a while recently and it's turned into a teenage boy's bedroom.
Beer still good, jukebox still intact, but all of the rock and pop memorabilia had been replaced by framed photos of women in their underwear - seriously.
It's like walking through a copy of FHM and I'm not 100% sure why the landlord thinks it will attract customers.
I did notice the place was less crowded than it used to be and that actual real life women were pretty thin on the ground.
I don't mean to sound like an arse, but it's a pub, not a bachelor pad. Taking down a few of the photos would probably be sensible...
|
My favourite pub. Good music, good beer (wouldn't object to seeing a Czech lager on tap though ;-) ), good staff, none of the screaming kids one finds so frequently in other north London pubs...and the games are a bonus.
|
Updated Review.
As this is the nearest Pub to my house I often pop in here on the way back home after work or Shopping. Its a nice relaxed Pub thats not been wreaked modernised or taken over by the foodie brigade theres lots of old sixty's memorabilia on the walls & theres also a Dart Board that gets well used. Also theres Table Football yes the very Old type where the players are on metal rods excellent. Now theres also a old school Pinball machine as well as a good Jukebox with loads of good 60s Rock. I often have a Pint of St Austell Tribute or Abbot or sometimes one of the other Ales that are on tap. Staff are always very welcoming friendly as are the other Customers. Its well worth a visit if you like drinking in a real Pub rather than a Licenced Restaurant like most Pubs are sadly around Muswell Hill are these days I will certainly be back in here again when passing.
|
Abbot, Youngs and Tribute were available on the ale front. Tried the Tribute which was served up by a barmaid there for her looks as opposed to her bar skills. Was just about a drinkable (if short measure) pint. It 's a one roomed roadside pub with an old style feel and tables outside primarily for smokers. Probably the best pub for miles though that isn't saying a lot.
anonymous - 3 Jun 2010 20:34 |
This pub is, by some margin, the best in East Finchley/Fortis Green/Muswell Hill. Theo, the landlord, is a genuine lovely bloke and always provides a warm welcome.
It does not take it self seriously and that is so refreshing in an age of gastro (spit) and corporate identikit pubs. The Alexandra has character, charm, a kick ass jukebox (only nineties and earlier), good booze and Monster Munch.
A very mixed crowd, often there are 18 year olds on tables next ot sixty year olds, and the atmosphere is great. There is a dartboard, which in other pubs would be foresaken to squeeze in some extra tables. There is a good collection of board games too, and a life size cardboard stormtrooper. The walls are adorned with loads of music memorabilia, check out the Elvis vs Ali picture!
Theo is shortly getting some food in so you'll never have to leave. Pies, hot dogs and toasted sandwiches, not pretentious and no doubt reasonably priced.
In an ocean of middle class mediocirity, this is an oasis of honest fun and good beer. (Tribute my pick at the time of writing)
Thank you so much Alexandra, if it wasn't for you there would not be a decent pub for miles.
|
Love this pub, love the jukebox, love the decor, love the bar staff, love the beer, love the posters, love the lighting and most definaitly love the word voluptuousness! only thing this place could use is a slot car track!
|
I went in here last night on my way home from a Drink up with a few CAMRA Lads as I only live just down the Road.
I tried Two Pints of ST Austell Tribute which was in Excellent condition very enjoyable. The Pub itself is in good order apart from those Pink walls make it look strange but its much better than other Pubs locally I found the Staff friendly and welcoming.
I Must try too get in more for a drink as its the nearest good Pub too my house.
|
Every time I go to this place, I like it more. Good music, the guys behind the bar & other drinkers are always friendly, and the board games generally have enough pieces to be playable.
The lack of food is a positive too - means no children.
Only minor improvement I would suggest would be to clean the pipes slightly more frequently to make the okay beer really good.
|
Slightly worried about this place going downhill. Staff used to be lovely and accomodating, but the recent hires seem more interested in looking surly and cool than actually serving people.
Also, seems to be going more 'laddy' - both in clientele and attitude.
North London already has one overpriced, poseur filled pub in The Hawley Arms - we don't need another one.
|
I like this place, always a warm friendly welcome, funky kitsch decor, and the jukebox is fantastic - it beats Boogaloo hands down.
It's a shame that the beer garden can't be used, (apparently due to complaints of noise from neighbours). They also don't serve food here anymore but may be bringing that back.
|
lookmother - I hesitate to disagree with a hiddenprofileperson of your previously indicated sound judgement - but - the Alex does indeed have air conditioning - it's a method as old as the hills and still remarkably effective - it's the candles in the windows - they circulate the stale air - thrust it firmly but tenderly across the cold and dewily beaded glass panes - and then ejaculate it triumphantly chilled against the ceiling. Whence it descends in its own good time to cool the ardour of the thonged throng at the bar. Or whoever else may be available.
All this and Gram Parsons on the Jukebox. Plus Roxy in her blonde (or whatever), black and gently lacy voluptuousness - the only Woman I have encountered in forty-odd years of drinking who can effortlessly pull you a pint of ale that looks like Andrews yet when you get it back to your table has a meniscus above the rim of the glass.
Of course - Summer Lightning and Andrews do share certain defining characteristics but I shall not dwell on them here. Suffice it to say that they both sparkle.
Actually - I had meant to comment about something else entirely but I seem to have somewhat lost my thread - Still - Isn't voluptuousness a wonderful word to roll around your tongue? Or someone else's ?
|
pbarney - you must have caught the bar staff on a bad day, as they are usually the most helpful, smiley group of people in Muswell Hill.
I urge you to try again - apart the lack of air con, it's a great pub.
|
It's the brusque, brooding, unfriendly barmaid that puts me off this pub- I think if this was my only local I'd also be tempted to drop an atom bomb out of my arse - as a sort of critique of the service.
|
I finally got in here this weekend and I thought that it was a decent enough place. The barmaid was very friendly although I wasn�t that keen on the Summer Lightening that she served me, but it looked ok and I�ve never had it before so it was probably me rather than the pint.
I went to the toilet and was followed in by one of the locals. He apologised to me and then dropped an atom bomb out of his arse. He made sure that he took his time out of the bog so that I could fully appreciate his work. Thankfully I�m rather lowbrow!
It was good to see a dart board in the corner and if I lived nearer I�d probably make this one of my locals.
|
I went in last Monday evening for the first time and found it an hilarious experience. It seems to consist of a circus of oddities playing caricatures of themselves presided over by a New Zealand Brunhilde. Highly recommended its better than most telly.
|
I was a little disappointed last Friday afternoon as I had read the glowing reviews on here and was looking forward to my first visit, but it was closed at 15:15.
Does this place only open in the evening as there were no opening times displayed anywhere?
|
okay so the old man corner is a wee bit stuffy and deep-heat smelling at times...... but if you are a decerning customer like a good pint of ale or a decent glass of wine ....this is the place!! wait for the old men to wheel themselves back to the home at 6ish then go and hang out with possibly the friendliest and happiest( seriously always smiling) rocket....mad kiwi chick who runs the gaff...
There are board games a serios jukebox with everything from ryan adams,the kinks to your modern day indie gods.... some rel thought was put into the jukie!
Great place to go with a few of the girlies and only a stones throw to musser-hill so top banana!!
Well done 'rocket' you've made me a believer... xx
|
Popped in here last night on my way home. This is the first time I have been in this Pub for about 5 Years even though Its just up the road from where I live and is the nearest Pub to my house. It is much better than it used to be since being refurbished a while back. Seems to be very nice small Pub few decent Ales on Tap & friendly locals will go in here again when I get a chance. Only thing I did not like was the Pink coloured walls or was that my beer Eyes after too many Pints of country in the Windsor Castle and a Few Pints of Pride in Maddens.
|
Another good female friendly Pub. It�s not full of hooligans & Drunks and Lager louts except maybe when there�s sport on TV. But other times it�s a very nice pub too meet up and have a chat. Good selection of wine & beers as well.
|
To start off, I feel really embarrased about my review of Sept 2006 - especially as it's been pinned up on the wall next to the bar!
I hope that Roxy and co. took it in the manner in which it was written - with an angry finger pointed towards grumpy old folks and NOT the bar and/or staff itself!
I love the Alexandra. It's a welcoming, sweet and, above all, wonderfully different pub. After Liverpool won the European cup they handed out free pints; on the last night of the smoking ban they gave out free cigars; and this new year they gave out party poppers and made everyone feel welcome.
It's very rare that you get that kind of considerate, personal treatment nowdays and it's something to be celebrated. It's little things, but it all counts.
Oh, and the new jukebox is the best in London (and I include the Boogaloo in that). Now if only some f**ker would stop putting on Chas n' Dave...
|
This pub is superb. Just shows what you can achieve with three handpumps, lots of candles, and some solid but restless furniture. In the past year I have never had an ale here that was less than competently kept and sympathetically pulled. Tonight the Summer Lightning was taking a rare smoke break but the cup was filled to overflowing with a truly voluptuous Cornish Knocker. All this and Gram Parsons too, plus Roxy presiding in a little black dress.
|
This has become a local of ours and a great favourite. The best pub in the area - great ales, great staff and a really pleasant atmosphere. love it.
maren - 18 Jun 2007 13:21 |
I would agree those chelsea pensioners are very annoying................BUT most important the real ale is great and a good selection for a small pub it always seems to change (maybe if they took courage best away it would get rid of the chelsea pensioners) Staff are great, nice and friendly and the food is good quality pub food, and its not frozen crap like others..................Good local pleased i gave it a try
anonymous - 22 Apr 2007 15:22 |
May be forced to reconsider this one. Always been great, but the last couple of times I've been in, my friends and I have fallen foul of the 'old guard'- the Chelsea pensioners propping up the bar.
They may have wandered across from the Clissold Arms, but they're angry and they don't like you trying to get to the bar. They also don't like football, anyone who doesn't drink bitter or anyone under 60.
I think that they might just appear on a Sunday (and are probably home in time for Last of the Summer Wine), so leave them to it and try popping in on a week day.
Bar staff are great though!
|
What more? Well, perhaps only that the ale is not in fact cold but served at a decent temperature, which indeed it is, refreshingly novel for a place with leather sofas. Must admit that Roxy appears to pull a good pint. A minor drawback is that the bar tends to get blocked by stoolies and the only place to get served is at the hatch. Currently a rather good little pub, and roomier than it looks.
|
WOW! - WENT OUT FOR A BEER AND SOME HOW ENDED UP HERE!
THE STAFF WERE FANTASTIC!!! ESPECIALLY "ROCKET!" THE BLOND AUSSIE BIRD BEHIND THE COUNTER, THE FOOD WAS TGI QUALITY AND THE BEER WAS COLD! AND THE ATMOSPHERE RELAXED - WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR!
|
Recently refurbuished throughout and under new management stylish and modern decor, comfortable leather sofas, Quality homecooked meals avaliable recomend the meatballs or veg lasagne or if your really hungry 8oz homemade beef burger, All major sporting events shown
Roxy - 12 Apr 2005 18:01 |
