Crown & Goose, Camden Town, NW1

Randomness Guide to London - Crown And Goose entry

Randomness Guide to London - Crown And Goose entry

This back street corner pub is probably lucky to still be around having survived at least two attempts in recent yeras to have it demolished as part of a redevelopment programme. It is hardly the most welcoming of front doors as it always makes you wonder whether the pub is open and usually leads to a glance through the window to check if anyone is inside. The interior is bare, basic and quite shabby in an appealing sort of way. Paint peels from the ceilings, furnishings are battered and the nicotine stain coloured walls look like they haven’t met a decorator for decades. There is a quirky face sculpture (for want of a better description) above the old fireplace, Cromwell light fittings and several fading paintings, that do give the place a real sense of character and you almost sense that you are in a pub from 100 years ago. Ouside is a row of benches on what is a fairly quiet street. Just the 2 ales, Adnams Bitter and Adnams Gunhill (£3.30 a pint – about par for the area) but you need to keep an eye on short measures. The far side of the bar is set aside for diners and for such a dingy looking place, you do not expect it to be as food orientated as it is but the menu looks very good albeit quite pricey although the £7.50 lunchtime specials look quite reasonable for what you get. It is a quirky sort of place where modern pub standards clash with dated surroundings but it all seems to fit together nicely and it is becoming one of my favourite Camden pubs.

Official site of the Crown & Goose, contains menus - www.crownandgoose.co.uk

They had Pride and Landlord on; the Pride was distinctly average. I did not find anything really worth mentioning about this pub – it seemed pretty run-of-the-mill to me, but is possibly better than some other pubs in this area. The only seating is high stools (no normal tables and chairs) that I do not like. Not worth going out of your way to visit, but you could do worse.

This is a small horseshoe shaped pub that is dimly lit and has a slightly grotty feel that doesn’t really sit with a pub that advertises a full a la carte menu. I’ve been in here a few times on a weekend night and it is always busy with Camdenites as the day trippers don’t usually stumble across it as it is down a side road off the high street. Although there are usually some oddballs present there has always been a good atmosphere on my visits and the bar staff are always friendly and efficient. Some picnic tables line the outside wall on the path outside and some tables and chairs can be found in a small room upstairs which is available for hire. Last night the two hand pumps were serving up Adnams Bitter and Stout and there was also a limited selection of standard and premium draught products. I plumped for the Guinness which is always well served. I’m not sure that this place is worth making a special trip for, but there is a late license until 2am at the weekend and the selection of music is varied and will suit most tastes.

Official site of the Crown & Goose, contains menus - www.crownandgoose.co.uk