The Alexandra, Barnet

A great pub, seemingly incongruous in its setting amongst dreary new town houses and the maze of dual carriageways, roundabouts and underpasses. Eight pumps dispense a good and unusual range of ales, note the pumps are split between the front bar and the lounge to the rear. Earl Soham Albert Ale, Tring Jack O Legs, Clarks Classic Blonde, Shepherd Neame Canterbury Jack, Everards Tiger, Northumberland Brewery Legends of the Tyne on, another being pulled through but not considered ready by the enthusiastic barman. The picture in the back bar titled "The Stranger" evokes bad memories of poor pubs once visited, and is well observed. Thankfully though this one wasn't one of those.. Excellent. Very close to Stevenage Borough FC, so a good spot for a pre-match pint or four.

I revisited here last week after a 2 ½ year absence and have to admit that I wasn’t as impressed. The governor was still very friendly and the one local in attendance seemed nice enough, but the Abbot was off leaving only Greene King IPA alongside a standard draught selection. My Guinness was well served, but the screens that would usually be showing Sky Sports were tuned into Deal or No Deal which I find exceedingly depressing. A little maintenance is always required in pubs, but it seems that they have been done on the cheap in here so although the pub is kept clean it does seem like it is in decline. The large beer garden out the back needs some TLC as at the moment the only thing enjoying it is a large dog that was roaming around its territory. Granted it is cold and windy outside at the moment so maybe it is cleared up for the summer months as it was certainly open last time I visited. For a friendly welcome this place is hard to beat, but I think that they are missing a trick as the Arkley up the road is always full of the hospital crowd and this place seems to be always empty during the daytime. Maybe it is more of an evening pub that exists for the football and the weekly Monday jazz nights.

A largely inoffensive smallish single bar pub on the main Wood Street road into Barnet. A couple of window alcoves and then a collection of assorted wooden tables and chairs throughout the rest of the bar. Also a decent size garden out the back and a couple of tele's for watching the sport. Its a GK house with Abbott and IPA on the last time I was in.