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The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town, NW5
NW5
NW5 2TJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Bull & Gate
A pub that serves a dual function as a down-to-earth boozer and an acclaimed music venue. A startling exterior is enough to stop a lot of people in their tracks – and it’s worth venturing inside. The attractive (although tatty) interior presents a bar is horseshoe shaped and it retains a number of original features. Apparently this is a CAMRA heritage pub and the back bar has some nice etched glass and mirrors, whilst the top of the curving wooden bar structure advertises such delights as ‘Traditional Bass Ales’ and so on – presumably an original (or fairly ancient) feature. Two ales usually available last night – Bass and Pride – both of which are usually decidedly average.
The gig venue is round the back of the pub, down an alleyway to the left hand side (or through the main bar’s toilet corridor for the knowing). There’s a small bar before you enter the main room, essentially just the end of the main bar separated by a wall. I've been charged two different prices for my Pride in the different bars (£3.20 and £3.30) – whether this was a mistake or a deliberate pricing policy, I couldn’t fathom. Saying that, prices in general are quite reasonable given what I’ve been charged at other music venues for some watered-down nonsense in a plastic cup and the service was quite prompt – the queue at the bar was never more than two deep. The venue itself is a small hot room, but the sound, visuals and lighting are, as RogerB states below, very good indeed.
Overall, as a pub it’s worth a quick stop to admire the architecture. As a music venue, it’s a winner.
On 29th July 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Bull & Gate
Wow! Talk about gaudy - or should that be Gaudi? The designer of this pub had a whale of a time, and it's definitely worth a visit even if you're not normally a connoisseur of original pub features. Other reviewers have gone into a lot of detail, so I'll just mention a few which struck me.
As well as the old pub mirror (Lynskeys Free House) over a fireplace in the corner (why is the fireplace in a corner?), there were some fantastic stained glass roses in the windows and great cut glass mirrors in the bar back.
An eccentric touch was that the bench seats (not really settles, more like church pews) were provided with throw cushions - every cushion cover unique, as far as I could see.
Only Bass and London Pride available, which is a shame but don't let lack of choice put you off. (Plenty of choice at the Southampton Arms just along the road.)
On 24th November 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3746 recommendations about 3483 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Bull & Gate
This pub is on the CAMRA inventory of heritage London pubs because it retains a fair amount of its magnificent Victorian interior decor. I particularly appreciate the cut glass panels in the bar back. The leaded light windows are worth a glance as well. From the outside it looks a bit garish with its penchant for royal blue, and there is a bit more inside as well. There is an ornate archway (the lower portion also royal blue) separating two drinking areas that must surely be a bit of original Victoriana, but the bar gantry, with its Charrington signage, is clearly a more modern addition. The furnishings are traditional banquettes, normal chairs, stools and metal framed tables. This pub also had some brewery mirrors on the walls, which always look good in a pub. The upholstery on some of the chairs has seen much better days, but the overall impression that I got is of a traditional boozer in some erstwhile elegant surroundings, with a tattiness that somehow doesn’t detract from its intrinsic “pub” character.
There was just the one ale on – the rarely see Bass – with another handpump unused, plus the usual array of lagers. I would be happy to drop in again, if only it had a better ale selection.
On 20th May 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Bull & Gate
This is one of the better boozers in Kentish Town. A very average selection from behind the bar, but the 2 experienced barmen/govs did a sterling job serving the rush of punters as I walked in. The pool table was out of use and covered up as the pub was busy and the TV isn't the greatest, but the pub has some charm. The Bass was on during my visit, but I opted for the £3.05 Fosters.
Kentish Town isn't a place that I actively seek out for a drink, but I wouldn't mind going here again.
On 27th November 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Bull & Gate
One of London's (and indeed the UK's) most acclaimed music venue pubs and fully justifying its reputation. The bright blue exterior with its ornate lettering is a relic from the days when pubs were designed to impress and whilst the interior is, shall we say, stylishly tatty, it retains plenty of interesting features; decorative columns, coloured glass, bar frame, patterned mirrors etc. A couple of well placed plasma screens often show sport and there is a pool table although the logistics of playing it during the busier periods are not good. On the beer front, there is Bass on hand pump but, and this appears to be a recurring problem, it was not available on my recent trip. The rest is of the standard keg and lager selections although prices are very reasonable given the usually inflated prices whenever live music is a feature.
The music venue itself is completely separate from the main body of the pub and has hosted many a famous upcoming band over the years. It is accessed through the Venue door to the left of the pub or via the toilets from the inside. A corridor leads to a sort of anti room with a skylight and access to an extension of the main pub bar. The venue itself is through the battered and sticker laden doors and is a typically dark, dingy and often stiflingly hot room. The stage is a decent size and sightlines very good, as is the sound and lighting.
The popular Forum music venue is a barely a drum roll away and the B&G naturally gets packed to the rafters prior to gigs. Sadly, the future of the pub is in some doubt so if you want to get to one of London's must visit pubs, pick a gig and go for it before it's too late.
On 27th June 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]