George IV, Kentish Townback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
In an area of boarded up shops and endless graffiti, the first sight of the George IV is like coming across an oasis in the desert. The first thing you notice is the jungle of plants, ivy, palms and creepers that would keep an horticulturalist happy for hours. Beneath this excess foliage lies a typical Victorian corner pub however the interior is every bit as fascinating as the exterior. Floor to ceiling is plastered with pictures and painting of all sizes and subjects. The high ceiling is home to a couple of fans and is propped up by a couple of thin pillars in front of the bar. A rack of wines sits atop the bar frame. As one would expect, there is not a lot of natural light due the jungle outside and the grand but heavy curtains but the internal lighting is subdued and tasteful. The presence of a small table lamp on each table is a nice touch and the carpeted bar is very sedate and comfortable. There are 2 TV’s and a couple of fruit machines / games machines. Perfect? Not quite. The big downer here is the lack of Real Ales. There are 2 redundant hand pumps at the rear of the bar so they obviously did sell it at some point. The food is also rather basic food, mainly sandwiches. And finally, as a previous reviewer has pointed out, the gents do need some serious attention. A lot of care and effort has gone into turning what would be a mundane ordinary boozer into something a bit special and it is worth making the detour to visit even though the locality is fairly run down. With a bit of attention to the food, drink and toilets, this place would be hard to fault.
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Nice quiet pub run by an Irsih man, the gents do smell, but not because they are dirty but because of 100 years of urine! Would recommend it for a quiet few pints.
anonymous - 6 Jul 2005 16:29 |
After my comment on this pub from 23/01/04 I have now visited this delightful and not-so-easy-to-find (10 mins from Kentish Town tube via various sidestreets) pub about a dozen times. It's comfortable, serves good beer and is never too crowded to watch the football (in contrast to the Assembly Rooms near Kentish Town tube). It has excellent outdoor seating on a summer's day but I dare say that the toilets haven't been cleaned since the 60s. Possibly part of the charm. In short, a great place to kick back with a mate for a comfortable and undisturbed session.
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I've just moved away from Kentish Town where the George was my local for 2 years and I bloody miss it!! I've moved to Brixton where you just can't find a decent local. The George has a fantastic manager in the name of Dan, keeps up appearances shows the sport discretionarily ie if you want it its on but if no-ones watching its on mute, traditional and friendly... I could wax lyrical forever, but if ever I could transport a pub to Brixton it would be the George 10 out of 10!!!
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This was a very friendly pub indeed back in 1983 when, during blistering hot July I paid a visit for a coke (I was 17!!) played a few impromptu pieces on the piano, and got my drink free plus a quid as well.
Doubtless the staff and customers must have changed since then, and I will have to pay another visit soon - watch this space.
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I have only just discovered it while passing in a taxi and am yet to go inside. But from the outside it is a beautiful, ivy-covered (must be unusual for north london) pub and if the outside is any indication, then it could very well be a gem. I can't wait to visit it and hopefully read what others have to say about it too.
Paladino - 23 Jan 2004 21:40 |
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