The Rocket, NW1

This pub is no doubt named after George Stephenson’s famous steam engine, and was originally called “The Rising Sun” as well as at one time being an Ind Coope house. The external architecture is very impressive and an excellent example of the late Victorian art of extravagant pub design. I’m not sure which pubco owns it now, but they’ve turned it into, or perhaps allowed it to remain, one of the grottiest station pub/bars that I’ve encountered. It’s a shame that such an impressive exterior should be coupled with such a characterless interior. There’s no real ale on offer, but they clearly do food as it smelled of fast food and there were ketchup bottles on all the tables. It’s not one that I’ll return to, but I accept that it serves a purpose in providing food for rail travellers.