The Toll Gate, Turnpike Lane, N8

Cobbled together from a couple of buildings,this 'spoons conversion does have some charm,with lots of wood panelling and two skylights at the rear which makes the area open and inviting.There is also a darts board to one side,elsewhere the furniture is standard issue with a few high tables opposite the bar and infront of a small library.Outside at the front there is a paved terrace,and the overall affect gives this branch a proper pub atmosphere. There are three ranks of handpumps,with the 5 nearest the entrance serving Doom Bar,GK IPA and Abbott with 2 real ciders.The next three repeat the trio of doom,while the 6 at the far end of the bar carry the guest ales.I was impressed that there were no available soon signs and the choice on my trip was Burton Bridge Festival Ale,Prescott Hill Climb,Sambrooks Session,Truman Runner,Portobello Carnival Pale and a very decent Saltaire Cascadian Black. One of the better 'spoons and just about the only place in Turnpike Lane where you will get a decent pint.

The Toll Gate looks like a typical early Wetherspoons but looks quite nice outside with lots of flowers in hanging baskets and the like. Once inside there is a single room with the bar on the right side,the seating is tall tables and chairs to the front and normal tables and chairs to the rear where the room is wider than the front area. There was a decent choice of guest beers on the bar,i had a drink of Dark Star Hop Head which went down well,the other beers noted were Redemption Hotspur,Windsor & Eton Conquerer,Salopian Oracol,By the Horns Mayor of Garrat,DBC Yatchmans and the usual Spoons regulars Doom Bar,GK IPA and Abbot. Dont be put of by the beer selection on the front set of pumps,there is a much better selection to the rear. Sadly it was almost empty on my Thursday dinner visit with only 8 customers in and 5 staff on. I quite liked this Spoons. Pub visited 4/8/2016

We have been going in here now a few times over the past few months for our regular staff drink ups as most our staff now prefer this one to the crown at southgate which has gone down hill badly. Its a nice old style spoons as its not too foodie like some are now. Yes its a bit worn around the edges but nice with it. We tried a few of festival Ales all were in good condition as was a pint of Abbot. I like the central bar as there's plenty of space to get served around it. We had no getting served or problems with service staff were very quick & polite not like in some spoons where you don't even get a please or thank you. Might try to visit this one more until they open the one at Muswell Hill.

One of the more pub-like 'spoons - it even has a proper pub sign and quite a lot of seating out front. Inside, it is larger than you might expect, with an island bar and a wide range of seating (including some booths). 14 handpumps, with a pretty good selection from the real ale fesival, and the beer keenly priced at £1.85. Helpful and happy staff - rather different to the awful Spouter's Corner up the road at Wood Green.

When in here last night on my way home from Southgate. Its not a bad Wetherspoons and is Much better than the other one near Wood Green Station in my opinion. They had a reasonable selection of guest Ales on of which I tried Three all were in good condition and the service was prompt and quick. Place was reasonably clean and Tables cleared of old food which makes a change going by previous reviews. Mind it was Monday evening.

This place is pretty much what you'd expect from a Spoons, massive pub with cheap booze. It has more than its fair share of crazies and it's impossible to get comfortable. A guy on the table next to me was fast asleep and snoring, but a staff member just breezed past him. I spotted 4 real ales and there is plenty of lager. There was one member of staff on and I had to wait for the manager to appear before I was served. He was polite enough though. There are 2 plasma screens and a designated no children area, which I thought was a good touch. There is also some seating outside, but it is next to the main road.