The Elephants Head, Camden Town, NW1

Official site of The Elephants Head - www.elephantsheadcamden.com

This is a Georgian pub, dating from 1832 when it was built as the brewery tap for the Elephant's Head brewery across the road, which still displays its old livery. The once illuminated Courage sign to the side of the pub hints at past ownership and although it's around 25 years since I was last in here its a definite improvement on its old self and seems to have been improved relative to some of the earlier reviews, below. There's an attractive tiled floor and Wurlitzer-style jukebox to the rear where once a pool table held court. Furniture is traditional with peripheral wooden settles. Overall it's quite pubby, though the music is a little loud. Clients are mainly locals and tourists - the Camden Weird Brigade are conspicuous by their absence. Ales: Fuller's London Pride and Elephant's Head at £2.20 a half and fine. I'd return if in the area but wouldn't go out of my way to actually be in this area.

This prominent pub on Camden High Street must attract a fair amount of passing tourist trade thanks to its striking tiled exterior, which means that like other pubs in the vicinity, it probably doesn't feel it needs to do much to keep people coming back. The pub has a simple, single room location befitting its street corner location, with a narrow rectangular, tile floored room extending some way to the rear beyond the servery which runs down the right hand wall. There is a slightly raised seating area to the front offering limited tables and low stools, before a more cramped space opposite the bar provides high stools along drinking ledges. The walls are half panelled throughout and the servery has a nice dark wood counter and bar back, which gives the pub a more traditional feel than the likes of the Oxford Arms over the road. Much of the seating is under large windows, providing the opportunity for some top people watching. Further to the rear there are high tables and stools and a couple of pews on the right hand side beyond the end of the bar. Décor includes lots of blackboards listing events and promotions, a few elephant themed pictures, a fair bit of Guinness memorabilia and all sorts of posters for local gigs. A large TV screen to the rear right was turned off and there are some nice mirrors back here including a cut glass mirror with a martini glass motif. A Wurlitzer juke box takes pride of place to the rear under a large clock and a reggae soundtrack played throughout most of my visit. Two ales were available on this visit - Fullers London Pride and Elephant's Head Ale, which is apparently rebadged Caledonian 80/-. I gave the latter a try at £4.00 a pint, and thought it was probably a bit past its best, but still drinkable. The staff seemed friendly enough, which isn't always a given in the touristy pubs of Camden, and despite being only half full, there was a good vibe on my midweek visit. This pub certainly has its limitations and probably suits the needs of a small band of locals and an endless supply of passing tourists much better than it does the discerning drinker in search of a good pint and comfortable surroundings. There are certainly much worse pubs in the neighbourhood and whilst I won't be making regular visits, I wouldn't entirely rule out a return at some point.

Narrow pub serving 2 real ales and food. Nice tiled exterior.

Traditional narrow, rectangular bar in a style that reminded me of certain Dublin pubs, but thankfully without most of the tat. Small seating area up one step also looks like it may act as a stage. Decent jukebox. Two pairs of handpumps on the bar counter, both offering Pride and Courage Best (£3.75). Overall, hardly brilliant, but one of the better places on this part of Camden Hill Street.

A street corner boozer with no pretensions, unless you count the £2 I was charged for a half of Courage Best. The other option was Fullers London Pride. I quite liked the pub, with its somewhat distressed furniture and fittings, the no-nonsense bar and the typical Camden Town mix of locals and foreigners, plus The Only Ones on the loudspeakers: I don't know when I last heard Another Girl, Another Planet in a pub. The beer was truly awful. Maybe it was the weather, but it was warm and totally devoid of condition and taste. I could have complained, but couldn't be bothered. Other customers were drinking lager, which looked cool and bubbly, so it looks like they just don't know how to keep and serve real ales. Not one I'll be in a hurry to revisit.