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Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Tuesday, 10th May 2022
With picture contributions to 4577 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Magdala, NW3
NW3
NW3 2SB
Served areas
Reviews of The Magdala (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Magdala
The Magdala was probably the best of 11 new London pubs we visited yesterday. Located a stone's throw away from Hampstead Heath overground station and just off the busy South End Road, this place has almost certainly got the best beer range in Hampstead.
There is a 2-room interior, with the left-hand room being more suited for diners and the right-hand room for drinkers. There are separate entrances to each room and a passageway to the rear of the bar connects the two.
7 real ales were on. Big Smoke Solaris & Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter are regulars. Guests were Oakham Citra, Tiny Rebel Cwtch, Redemption New Zealand Pale, Anarchy Golden Star & Sambrook's Powerhouse Porter. In addition, there was also an impressive selection of craft beers. Amongst those on offer were Vault City Strawberry Sundae, Siren Lumina, Brew By Numbers #11 Session IPA, Belleville Thames Sur, Tiny Rebel Easy Livin', Big Smoke Electric Eye, Pressure Drop Fast Forward 500, Lost & Grounded Hop-Hand Fallacy, Hammerton Panama Creature & Camden Hells.
There is some traditional wood panelling in the bar area and some visually pleasing green stained glass windows at the rear of each room. Dogs are also welcome in the bar. There were certainly plenty of them.
Along with the Holly Bush, the Magdala lays claim to being the best pub in Hampstead.
On 24th June 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Magdala
I paid my first visit to this pub since its relatively recent reopening following five years' or so closure. Now with a connection to Big Smoke Brewery which is a very good thing indeed. They had on seven ales, but the handpumps are in the modernised room on the left, which seems to be seen as the dining room, as all tables were laid for diners. The ales were Hamerton N1; Harvey's Best, Thornbridge Jaipur; Big Smoke Solaris; Siren Breakfast Stout (6.5%); Five Points Best; and Southwark Brewery Routemaster Red. I had a top notch pint of the latter ale, costing £4.18 after the 10% CAMRA discount was applied. That's actually quite a reasonable price for Hampstead. I was in at early doors so didn't see a menu.
The smaller room on the right is the better room in my opinion, not least because tables weren't laid for diners, but also because of the original features like the excellent wood panelled walls, and counter with stone footings. It's been extended at the rear of this room with the toilets having been relocated downstairs.
In my view the largely authentic interior retaining its pub like atmosphere following the restoration and excellent ale choice make this a destination pub.
On 23rd November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Magdala Tavern
A report in the Camden New Journal states that the pub is due to reopen with the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, possibly as soon as 12 April, though initially only for takeaways, with indoor service to follow when it is allowed. The owner, who grew up locally, said: "I don’t want anyone thinking we’re building a restaurant, it’s going to be a pub with some decent food. You’ll be able to come in off the street and get a good pint."
On 8th March 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3724 recommendations about 3461 pubs]
View more reviews of The Magdala (9)
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- Official site of The Magdala - www.themagdala.co.uk
- Twitter - Magdala Pub
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Magdala - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 08 November 2013 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No - Much reduced side 'micro patio'. - last updated 28 August 2015 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Dog Friendly : Yes - Loud barking dogs welcome. - last updated 24 June 2023 by Blue Scrumpy
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 24 June 2023 by Blue Scrumpy
- Jukebox : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 13 June 2015 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 21 June 2021 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 24 June 2023 by Blue Scrumpy
- Wheelchair Access : No - WCs downstairs. - last updated 28 August 2015 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 22 July 2013 by Tris C
