please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I went in there a few days ago. Nice, friendly bar staff and nice beer. But they tolerate a few loudmouth yobs who pester the other customers, and they let a woman with a toddler in who takes over a quarter of the pub. A decent pub ruined by a minority of its oaf regulars.
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We’d intended visiting The Old Ale Emporium since it’s first appearance in the 2011 CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and since we were in the Green Lane’s area, finally had
the chance to give it a try. My first impression wasn’t promising since it has the look of a Wetherspoon pub but we weren’t put off and went inside. There were two pairs of hand pumps on the bar almost buried by the large range of keg fonts. Only two real ales seemed to be available this lunchtime – Courage Best and Wyncwood Hobgoblin – neither particular favourites. At this point, I think we decided we’d probably just have a quick drink before heading elsewhere and opted for two pints of Best which we were told was “off” as (I think?) was the Hobgoblin. The bar staff said they were in the process of pulling through two fresh un-named real ales, but at this point we decided life is too short to hang about and left for another pub (the fine Golden Fleece in Manor Park). For all I know, The Old Ale Emporium might be a good pub – but as the previous reviewer remarked – why it is still in The Good Beer Guide (2014) is a mystery only CAMRA could explain…
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In reference to the previous review, I used to like the Oakdale. But the Old Ale Emporium is another story. How on earth did this place get into last year's Good Beer Guide. 2 ales were on - Wychwood Hobgoblin & Caledonia Bitter Winter. The pub is small and has a fairly nice interior. But its size means that standing is generally the only option. Lots of so-called football fans shouting at TV screens didn't particularly help. If you want to shout, go to the game! Very disappointing. Much preferred the Salisbury.
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Just met Rob Murphy outside here, ex Oakdale, now the new boss here, Green Lanes now has a venue worth visiting, 2014 looks like being somewhat better...
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i have always found the staff to be nice, sometimes they play 1970's music which i love, black sabbath, deep purple etc. the guinness is bang on. a good pub.
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A great boozer on the busy stretch of Green Lanes. Staff were friendly and they do indeed keep a couple ales. Nice photos of the area in olden times combined with the odd bit of sports memrobilia make it a fairly traditonal atmosphere. I would go back.
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george, yet another one post poster, ignore
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I went there with a friend of mine in May 2012, they were showing a match on telly, was quite busy. We were standing up, my friend bought a pint, I didn't want to drink anything since I only went there for 5 mins cause I had a headache. A bald man who was sitting by the bar asked if I want a pint, I replied that this is very kind of him but I'm ok, as I'll go in a min and I have a headache. Then he asked me again, to have something. I repeated that I only came for a few mins to accompany my friend and I'll be leaving shortly, thank you. You see up to this point I was not aware of the rule that you have to have something if you want to stay there, which is fine. He told me that I have to have a pint or leave, while the man behind the bar waved at me showing me the door, if I don't want to drink anything. I said that I only came for a couple of minutes anyway because I have a headache. The bald man sitting by the bar replied "You can't stay here if you won�t have anything. You either have a pint or f*ck off". I replied to him �thank you very much Sir, you�re very polite!� to which he replied �yes, I am polite�. So i ask, give my one good reason why I would want to go there again...? Rude and demoralising staff, sorry guys your pub may look cool but you failed to show me that it can be fun too.
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The Old Ale has no need to copy the Garden Ladder on what ale it serves
the old ale is in the good beer guide and has been a camra pub of the season award
the garden ladder has neither of these for its directors bitter that is not sold in the old ale.
and if there was loud rock music playing it was pretty much certain that you were in on the last sat of the month which is rock night
maybe you should stay in the ladder which seems more suited to your tastes and enjoy your directors bitter and whatever ale they have copied from the OAE
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It's a footie boozer. What else can I say. it does what it says on the tin. It's not particularly friendly to strangers and they always seem to copy the ales that The Garden Ladder stock. When I was last in the landlord was playing very loud heavy metal and a few customers (including me),left and went to a more sedate bar.
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Agree with Tanis5 and Firky1, quality boozer. Not the largest selection but enough to tempt us to stay for more than a couple (which is almost unheard of with us). Lovely/Friendly barmaid too, who spotted us and was already asking us what we'd like before we'd seen her. Toilets - clean enough, and noted a concerted effort/focus towards welcoming the disabled. Good music (at the right volume), bookshelf, darts and unobtrusive TV in case you need something to focus on while your mates are getting in the next round.
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I dont know what the last two posts are about as I have drunk in the old ale before and after its refurb
Its a lot cleaner than before the refurb and the ales are of excellent quality changing on a weekly basis
its busy all week round and the jukebox is amazing you can also watch sport if that takes you fancy
the drinks are very reasonably priced compared to the other places in greenlanes (the ladder and salisbury)
all in all its a good place to be on a weekend or even during the week
the staff are friendly and helpful
the smoking area out front affords a view of the world passing by and its covered against the rain
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This joint could certainly be cleaner and a bit more care looking after its old ale wouldn't go amiss.
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Have gone back to the old ale recently after been away for a couple of years. Pub aint the same as it used to be and shame Dave and Hazel are still running it to be honest. It smelt of raw sewage as the toliets had overflowed and the pub still remained open despite toilet contents been brought into the pub from people visiting the toilets.
Beers the same but seems most of the locals have deserted the place to one of the more desirable Harringay pubs.Quieter place than it used to be so if you want atmosphere then the Old Ale is worth a miss. Jukebox seems to drown out any intelligent conversation and the choice of music is not the most desirable unless you are into heavy head banging music. There also seems to be a rodent problem because the crisps packets have been chewed through, when mentioned i got a frosty response which is not on. Sorry to be so critical but this pub is definitely not worth visiting. Try the Salisbury for a better atmosphere or if the Ale is your choice of drink then the Garden Ladder a little further up has just as good a selection.
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Larger than average shop conversion (well it looks like a shop conversion) bar selling three ales on this visit - Pride, Deuchars Wit and Hannibal Ale. Tried the Hannibal which was reasonable enough pint. Not somewhere I'd hurry back to but if you're in the vicinity there is little esle around.
anonymous - 29 Mar 2011 22:31 |
How could I forget this place? came here for a works party and had a fantastic night. One of the guest ales was a "banana bread beer", which was one of the best things I've ever tasted. Also memorable was the excellent selection of 'old school' bar snacks (all types of nuts, bacon/scampi fries, twiglets, pork scratchings, posh crisps etc) which are becoming all too rare these days, and which I find preferable to forcing the humble drinker to order overpriced olives, 'posh crisps' flavoured with the wax of a Perigreen falcon's ear and the and other such nonsense.
The service was also so attentive that even on a crowded after work friday you could stand 5 rows back from the bar, wave a tenner in the air, and they will spot you and serve you as promptly as you could wish for. many of the bar staff in other bars around this city should be made to go to this place to see how it is done ie Professionally.
All in all a great pub and one I hope to return to at every opportunity I can find!
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I visited this pub a few times about ten years ago but didn't like it much at the time. I remember it being overcrowded, a bit rough, and offering poor beer selection, so since then have tended to stick to the Salisbury (or the Oakdale Arms until its closure) in this locality.
However, I decided to pay a visit to the Old Ale Emporium last night and was very pleasantly surprised. This is now a very friendly, characterful pub. It had the feeling about it of a pub in a town or city far from London, yet at the same time it was very London. Beerwise, I had Brains SA, which I have a soft spot for so was pleased to find it on sale. I believe there are normally four handpump ales available, although on this occasion two pumps appeared to be out of action, but this was fairly late in the evening.
I am not normally a fan of music in pubs but the music here comes via a juke box, which is always more interesting than purely piped music (it's interesting in that you are hearing what different people in the pub like, so it's social), and secondly the sound system is excellent. The music is loud enough to make an impression but not to drown out conversation, and the sound quality is crystal clear, unlike the awful sound system at the Salisbury.
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Great pub, great beer. Very friendly. Certainly would recomend.
tanky - 20 Sep 2010 14:51 |
This Pub is now my Official Local.
It has three or four very well kept Real Ales (depending on rate of consumption) on the handpumps and a good number of foreign and domestic lagers for people of that persuasion.
It has three TVs, a jukebox and a DARTBOARD. Out front is a covered veranda with tables and chairs just to sit or sit and smoke.
The friendly hosts, Dave and Hazel are very welcoming as are the bar staff and the beer is very well kept.
No food but Green Lanes isn't a place you can go hungry.
A dog friendly Pub after a walk.
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This pub keeps getting better , the other night they had Adnams Gunhill , Brains SA and Wadworth Bishops Tipple alongside the London Pride . I witnessed the man from Camra putting them into the next edition of the Good Beer Guide . Congratulations to Dave and Hazel on this achievement as well as having the Cask Marque. Keep on chooglin .
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Rexrattus am sorry you didnt see the other two pumps with ale on as there are two either end of the bar .
the Old Ale has normally four ales on at any one time but if two were off that was because they were finished and awaiting the next two guest ales .
Am sure if you return you wil find that you wil enjoy the ales on offer
Tanis - 28 Dec 2009 19:19 |
I think that you were very unlucky RexRattus the OLd Ale is always changing its real ales and very rarely doesn't have one on. Try again!
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Unfortunately there was no real ale on when I popped in there at the weekend. But there were two handpumps not in use, so maybe at some point real ale was available. Judging from some previous posts, it has been known for its ale, especially as it�s received a CAMRA accolade. But an �Old Ale Emporium�, should really always have some real ale on. Maybe I was just unlucky.
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Charming little pub on Green Lanes. Has passed by many a time without ever venturing in and was pleasantly suprised when I finally did.
This pub's biggest strength and oddly equally its weakness is its size. This is a tiny little place that can barely hold more than about 20 customers with any degree of comfort. The small scale allows for a very cosy and friendly environment and the necessary intimacy means that you never have to queue for long for a drink and that the barstaff normally remember your order and have time to chat with you, making you feel more at home than you have any right to on your first visit.
The exterior has been changed pretty drastically since the photo at the top of this page was taken and as a consequence of the much maligned smoking ban, this now has a very nice terrace type area at the front where in summer months, I'd imagine it's a lovely place to sip a pint in the evening shade and is a better place than most for the smokers in your party to feed their craving.
Inside there is lots of light wood and the lighting is fairly bright which does at least partially succeed in giving the illusion that the pub is a little bigger than it really is. Furniture is not cushioned but comfortable nonetheless. There are a couple of tellies to watch the sport on, but I can't imagine people piling in to watch the football in here. There is a nice little section to the right and rear of the pub which would be ideal for the more private amongst you that prefer to keep yourself to yourself.
Choice of drinks isn't the widest but what they do they do well and the prices are favourable in comparison to any of the others nearby.
All in all very good, and I particularly liked some little quirky touches that show that this place has an identity all its own, such as the chalk boards above the bar advertising a Hot Toddy at a very reasonable �1.80 a throw, and some special horse racing betting related bargains. From the look of the clientele when we were in there (a very mellow, slightly older crowd) I can't imagine there is much uptake on the latter as it certainly isn't the kind of pub populated only by hardcore daytime drinkers that pop out to the bookies every half hour (unlike some that I have unfortunately endured at times). A very nice little place that's worth a drop-in if you happen to be passing.
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Great pub. Really friendly owners and top notch guest ales!
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Been dropping in to this pub every now and again for a lot of years now. Its been good for a number of those years, but at the moment the landlord and landlady really do seem to be getting it all right. The real ale range was great last night with cragrat from Jennings and Sunchaser from Everards that were very nice, with two other choices. It has a mix of regulars and a very decent atmosphere. Nice to be told about the ales by the ladlady when ordering my first pint. Bar staff always efficient and freindly. Glad that CMRA have recognised this place - they deserve it!
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This is a great pub and I�m disappointed that it is so far away from my local as I would easily be able to relocate my mates into here to become regulars. The reasons for this are the very friendly staff, the plasma screens showing Sky Sports, the decent jukebox which is free on a Friday night and most importantly the well kept dartboard with a competition every Friday night which awards ten pints to the winner and five pints to the runner up. Maybe we�ll get a cab down there next Friday!
I�m not the sort to read a book in pub, but this place has some literature in a bookcase at the back that I�m sure some will appreciate � it�s nice to see a bit of effort from the management to accommodate all, whether it is afternoon or night.
During my visit there was one ale off but Pride, Summer Lightening and Honey Bee were available alongside a standard draught selection and Staropramen with Bulmers being the cider option.
There is some covered seating out the front facing the high street, but I personally preferred it in the pub.
I loved this place and will make a point of visiting again very soon.
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Well finally this great pub has been recognised , CAMRA north london have voted it as the Autumn Pub of the Season , the presentation will take place on the 1st Tuesday in October .
The pub will be pub of the season for Autumn 2009 and Winter 2010 , being replaced the 1st Tuesday in March by the spring /summer pub of the season . Congratulations are due to Dave and Hazel for all their hard work , the selection of real ale has been excellant this year , the bar is roomy and airy with one of the best outside smoking areas, the music selection is fantastic and the whole thing is rounded off with the presence of the lovely Becky and Emma two of the nicest girls behind the bar in North London . If you have not already visitied this fine establishment then do so while the weather is good, you won't be disappointed .
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This is the best pub on green lanes without a doubt , totally unpretenious warm and inviting. the real ale selection is good in fact it is on the short list for autumn pub of the season . The full pint and london drinker are always available , the landlord and staff are excellant i shall be visiting again very soon .
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Nice boozer with very friendly bar staff and very friendly locals. Jukebox actually has a decent variety of songs for a pub. The doubles are very cheap in price and the barman Dave even ordered me a bottle of Campari in when they had none available, will be back next time I visit the Big Smoke when I travel down from Scotland.
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This is my nearest pub but I tend to steer clear. I was actually quite looking forward to visiting this place, but was sadly disappointed by my two visits. I don�t mind pubs that aren�t fancy but this place just wasn�t very nice. The Guinness was one of the worst I have had in London, though they did have a few real ales as you would expect from the name.
It had a slightly intimidating atmosphere, a pretty consistent stare from someone sat at the bar made my first visit a little uncomfortable. I thought I would give it another try but the welcome wasn�t much better then. I had a look at the interior and was impressed by the old leather chairs and naval memorabilia, when I actually sat down on the seats they were nothing but bare springs I had to sit on the wooden edge which was one of the more uncomfortable pints I have had.
The new smoking terrace outside adds something as you can soak up the nice atmosphere of Green Lanes, it does look a little cheap though, and the minority of gruff looking locals means I keep on walking to other more enjoyable locations.
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By far the best pub on Green Lanes, prices still affordable unlike the Salisbury! and a very friendly, eclectic bunch of regular punters. A cracking selection of beers. A great atmosphere when a big game is on and a good juke box.
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Went in on Saturday night for the first time in ages. Very pleasant bar maid insisted on us trying the various real ales on offer - Camerons Nimos XXXX and Caledonian Raspberry were very good. Nice atmosphere, good service an all round decent boozer.
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The Emporium has had a bit of a lick of paint since I was last in, and looks like it'll be nice on sunny days (even if your view is just of the 29 crawling by) - and was pleasantly surprised to find Deuchars IPA and Harvieston's Bitter and Twisted on the pumps alongside London Pride. But I couldn't stay beyond my first pint, because the music from the jukebox was just too loud to be able to hold a conversation. Turn it down a bit, and I might just be back...
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Great traditional local pub serving a selection of good real ales which change on a weekly basis. Has Sky and Setanta on for games but not on constantly. Great smoking terrace out front where you can watch the hustle and bustle of Harringay (not Harringey Rich!)
If your into your four pound pints then best try the Salisbury, Crouch End or the West End. The Middle Class professionals turn there noses up at this place - thankfully! A true gem in Harringay.
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Well the renovation is now complete , the pub looks fantastic very open and wellcoming, the outdoor smoking area is one of the best in north london . The beer range is Deuchars IPA and London Pride with 2 guests from the cellarman's reserve .Lagers include Becks Vier and Staropramen with Erdinger in bottles.Both the Full Pint and the London Drinker were available for discerning readers . Definetly the place to go on Green Lanes.
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I love this pub! It looks great now the front smoking section is open and the inside is being revamped. It's going to be fantastic when it's all complete and the new floor and furniture are in place. It's brilliant that Dave, Hazel and the girls are staying...the place wouldn't be the same without them.
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Was pleased to hear Dave and Hazel are not going anywhere , they have 3 wonderful real ales and the lovely barmaids are so sweet . It is now up to the local Camra members to give them more support as both are themselves members .
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We will all be very sad to see Dave and Hazel going, they created a very friendly and welcoming pub, if you bought a beer! Good Luck.
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Hallelujah! The front 'al-fresco' smokers area is now open. Onwards and upwards!
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Dave and Hazel have now got bottled Erdinger, and only �3.30 a bottle, a bargain. There is also Becks and 'Star' on tap. A great, friendly place to relax and watch Liverpool beat Man U (Hallelujah!!) When the refurb is finished it will be one of the best pubs in the area.
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have sadly watched it going ,more and more downhill over the last few years although if you are a sports fanatic its probably not too bad, as they show non-stop sport in it
glad to see they are in the process of a much needed re furbishment as the place, as the place has lots of potential
tigha - 10 Sep 2008 21:06 |
The pub is currently being renovated to include an outside covered smoking area . It is still open during the renovation with no disruption to drinkers , the Landlord was in superb condition last night and well worth drinking . Dave and his lovely barmaids are to be congratulated for managing under these circumstances.
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This is a great little pub with an interesting array of clientele. The bar staff are friendly and helpful and the locals are fun to be around.
Great variety of beverages and a fantastic jukebox.
Thoroughly recommended.
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A great little pub with a friendly landlord , a pleasant jukebox , attractive barmaids and real ale , the Adnams Broadside was superb .
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Maybe Rich should stay in the Garden ladder or Palmers Green.
This is a no frills pub with memorabilia all over the ceilings and walls old wooden casks above the bar ,
there are three lovely ladies serving behind the bar
occasionally you will find the landlord behind the bar.
Not once have I ever felt threatened in there by eyes or scotsman fighting with their lady friends.
maybe Rich it was you staring at people that you felt threatened or maybe just your own paranoia.
I feel the Garden Ladder must feel really threatened when they have to recruit "punters" to rubbish the competition.
The Old Ale has a great atmoshere on most nights I have been in there, even though its it in the middle of a refurbishment.
The Ales are good, changing more often as its now become a freehouse.
Still no plans to serve food there yet.
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Maybe Rich should stay in the Garden ladder or Palmers Green.
This is a no frills pub with memorabilia all over the ceilings and walls old wooden casks above the bar ,
there are three lovely ladies serving behind the bar
occasionally you will find the landlord behind the bar.
Not once have I ever felt threatened in there by eyes or scotsman fighting with their lady friends.
maybe Rich it was you staring at people that you felt threatened or maybe just your own paranoia.
I feel the Garden Ladder must feel really threatened when they have to recruit "punters" to rubbish the competition.
The Old Ale has a great atmoshere on most nights I have been in there, even though its it in the middle of a refurbishment.
The Ales are good, changing more often as its now become a freehouse.
Still no plans to serve food there yet.
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Maybe Rich should stay in the Garden ladder or Palmers Green.
This is a no frills pub with memorabilia all over the ceilings and walls old wooden casks above the bar ,
there are three lovely ladies serving behind the bar
occasionally you will find the landlord behind the bar.
Not once have I ever felt threatened in there by eyes or scotsman fighting with their lady friends.
maybe Rich it was you staring at people that you felt threatened or maybe just your own paranoia.
I feel the Garden Ladder must feel really threatened when they have to recruit "punters" to rubbish the competition.
The Old Ale has a great atmoshere on most nights I have been in there, even though its it in the middle of a refurbishment.
The Ales are good, changing more often as its now become a freehouse.
Still no plans to serve food there yet.
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I've only been in here twice as I more regularly use pubs in Palmer's Green or the Garden Ladder.
However, the two times I've been in I have to say I was dissapointed. I was told by a friend that this pub was a traditional "no frills" London boozer, not much to it but a good atmosphere.
Oh, I was to be disappointed. Every where I looked there seemed to be threatening eyes looking at me. The Man behind the bar seemed in a bad mood and seemed to be upset at me when I asked for his attention to get a drink. Imagine that, a punter asking to get served in a bar!
Then, an angry, drunken, Scotsman sitting at the bar had a loud bust up with his lady friend. I made the mistake of looking over when this happend, and he starts shouting "what am I looking at?".
I could understand that. When drink is taken and after an argument it's easy to blow up at someone. Forgive him, I told myself. However, later on in the week when I was in, he sat at the bar staring at me. He then proceeded to start shouting at some other guy in the bar and offering him outside for a fight. I fixed my eyes upon the TV again, quickly finished my drink and left, never to return again. This guy seems to be the pub bully.
If you want bad service and an angry Scotch man threatening you, this is the place to be!
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Proper pub, no fancy dancy! Becks Vier on tap, Celtic and Liverpool on the telly, good laugh with the regulars, especially the Scottish lads!!
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The Last two saturday nights I have visited this pub it has been filled with people and music
The lagers are clean and crisp, the ales of which there are four again including just lately, crop circle, Landlord, London Pride and Broadside are clean and clear.
The addition of 8 tables with chairs outside are a welcome view on Greenlanes it gives a European look and feeling to the place.
people congregate outside forming little groups who chat and drink
The staff are excellent and keep it a relaxed place to drink
Compared to the other pubs in greenlanes it seems to be the place to be with regular customers and a mix of others
The only problem is it closes at 11pm which I am assured will be changing shortly
The pub needs no gimmicks to attract people, it is what it is a traditional local pub
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So this might not be the most antiseptic pub in London. BUT - the beer is always good, Pride, Pedigree and Adnams Broadside on Sunday, always a friendly laid back atmosphere and the bar staff are cheerful and effecient. Nothing wrong with this place at all.
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i give my vote to this bar for the most disgusting bar in London......big fat 0/10....
anonymous - 6 Aug 2007 21:51 |
Best pub along Green Lanes. Bar staff are friendly and helpful, the owners are very nice. Prices are very reasonable. Great laugh when you get to know the regulars.
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best pub around good drink three great real ales landlady and landlord very nice pleople could do with more pleople in,staff very nice do anything for you highly recommended
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MAD bar staff? Have they changed then? I visited once having read the comments on here. Yes it's old, yes it's grotty, the bar staff looked like they couldn't give a monkey's and the customers were nothing out of the ordinary - groups of friends getting pissed - not noticeably friendly to anyone outside their group. It's ok for a pint on the way past I suppose. We went there for the evening and left after a second pint *yawn*
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come all you unicyclists and jugglers! put it like this -- they have a sign in there, saying ``beware, mad bar staff!'` crazy.
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Grotty. Grand Parade lacks a decent boozer still.
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i like the old ale it is a really friendly pub. It is really good when there is karaoke in there the place is buzzin then
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Arguably the best pub name i can think of. It has no old ales. It has lots of empty casks on display; but no full full ones behind the bar - just the usual brand crap. Decors great locations spot on. It has no old ales. Feels very much like it was destined for greater things.
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Quite small and can get very crowded, but a very frendly place and people, plus they show the rugby which is very unusual around here
Bleach - 23 Jun 2004 21:17 |
Bit of a let down. This was my local for a bit and it has the potential to be a great old-school ale pub, it looks great inside and out and the people are friendly enough, but the big screen football sessions and the hordes that they sometimes attract just don't go with the environment and in at least 70% of cases, don't seem to go with the customers either.
Mel - 2 Feb 2004 00:52 |
This is a small, and hence very smoky pub that I have been in a few times to catch some football. They seem to have their share of regulars and are usually busy, but I can't understand why.
Mike - 14 Jan 2004 16:43 |
