BITE user comments - joffle
Comments by joffle
Checked this place out on Friday night after work and was very impressed. Interesting beers, good service and above all not absoloutely rammed. Good alternative to the Jerusalem Tavern. I'd give it a solid 8/10.
16 Jan 2014 14:21
Saw a bloke get bottled in here on Saturday afternoon. A massive fight followed, with full pints glasses being thrown. Still ok if you keep yourself to yourself, but I will think twice before I go back.
30 Jul 2012 10:16
Dirty Gerties! Great community pub. I've never had a problem with the staff, in fact they have always been patient as they watch me count out change in an inebriated state.
1 Jun 2012 10:19
I quite like it in here for a quiet pint. It can look intimidating, but inside you will find a cross section of the local area, from students and professionals to your drunk local old man. As will all spoons beer can be hit and miss, but there are usually at least 5 ales on so something will be good. You will also get change from a fiver for two beers which can't be bad.
Having said this, my last visit was spoilt slightly by a presumably BNP leaning local getting annoyed that a black and white couple were on a date.
1 Jun 2012 10:10
@beerman It's not a freehold pub like the Southampton arms so they are limited in what they can choose to serve.
1 Jun 2012 10:00
The Railway Tavern, Crouch End
I used to like it here as somewhere a bit more lively in Crouch End before heading into town, but on my most recent visit it was �4 for a pint of Doombar. I probably won't be going back again.
29 May 2012 15:07
The Great Northern Railway Tavern, Hornsey
Finally got in here for a beer last week. The sun was out and the quiz was on, so it was busy, but service was friendly and the beer was good. Unfortunately I got there too late to get a place in the garden, but the fact it has a garden when the Salisbury doesn't will definitely be drawing me back over the summer months. Once there is a few more ales on offer this will be a great pub.
28 May 2012 12:54
Went in here yesterday afternoon after playing at the "Rugby Rocks" festival over at Old Deer Park. Staff were really friendly, service was prompt and the food was good. Portions were huge, which is something I rarely say as I am a fat git! If it's no nonsense pub grub you want I recommend this place.
28 May 2012 12:45
This is a really nice pub, but it annoys me that they serve their ale in oversize pint glasses!
5 Mar 2012 12:36
The Great Northern Railway Tavern, Hornsey
I hope that is true! This place could be brilliant if it serves the right beer.
5 Mar 2012 12:33
Best pub in Harringay by a country mile. Decent beer, nice food, friendly staff and a cool building. It is quite expensive for outer London though, I pay the same for a pint after work in Central.
5 Mar 2012 12:30
A group of us came here after the Goring 10k race and it was just what we were after. Good beer, good food, open fire and friendly landlord. Highly recommended.
5 Mar 2012 12:22
The Harringay Arms, Crouch End
I think I'm just annoyed that others have discovered my best kept Crouch End secret. Obviously I drink in a variety of pubs/bars, but which one I choose depends on my mood or what I have planned that evening. If I am going to get on it before heading into town then I would choose the railway or wetherspoons etc, however when I fancied a quiet one I would come here. It has now become popular and personally that distresses me! Fair play to the management for making a business of it, but this is no longer a place for chilling with a pint.
Oh and Slavinka, when I find a library that serves Broadside I'm there!
10 Feb 2012 11:34
The Harringay Arms, Crouch End
On relfection, I think my previous review was slightly childish. Thank you to the management for their response. I appreciate you are running a new business and I do not wish to cause you problems early on by being a dick on the internet! I will then, review it slightly differently:
The Harringay arms is now under new management. The previous incarnation of this place was my favourite boozer in London. It has now been spruced up and a juke box added, which has changed the atmosphere slightly. No longer can you sit and read a book in complete silence and a saturday night, but I doubt it was much of a money maker like that. In short, this place is no longer my favourite, but I am sure many crouch enders will love it and I will doubtless return anyway!
4 Feb 2012 18:34
The Harringay Arms, Crouch End
I'm quite disappointed with the new management here. This was my favourite pub in crouch end because it was unique, but the revamp has ruined it in my opinion.
The three times I have been here since the takeover the bar staff have been completely useless. The girl always seems to be struggling on her own while some gormless bearded trendy walks around behind her doing low priority jobs. I waited around 15 minutes to be served on my last occassion. Many waiting at the bar began to talk about the "gold old days" of Jim and Sheila where you would wait approx 30 seconds for your pint. They also keep running out of pound coins for some reason?!
The jukebox is annoying too. The music is decent, but I liked the Harringay arms because it was quiet. I could go to 100 other pubs if I wanted to have music playing the background. It's right in front of the gents as well.
Finally, the decor has been replaced by loads of signed records and 80s toys, which has killed the village pub vibe.
I am really quite upset with the changes at this place. I guess you can't stop progress, but it feels to me like the new managers have realised that the place is cool for being kitsch and it has almost become a parody of itself. Shame.
Oh and I am 26, not an old man. Although on re reading this I sure sound like one!
2 Feb 2012 19:14
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
Great pub which serves as the tap for St. Peter's brewery. Never had any problem with the staff, in fact all have been happy to answer questions about the beer and offer tastings before buying.
Food is reasonably pricey at £5 for a burgers, but this kind of "pop-up-burger-shop-in-a-pub-thing" are everywhere nowadays and you a fiver is par for the course. I had one and it was pretty good.
My only gripe is where the bar is placed. The Queue blocks the walkway and you end up having to knock people to get by. Maybe a reconfiguration of the space would open up the pub a bit?
16 Jan 2014 14:42