The Good Mixer, Camden Town, NW1

Best known for being one of Camden’s centerpiece pubs during the Britpop years, the Good Mixer is for the most part trading on former glories when rubbing shoulders with the indie stars of the day meant more than the merits of the place as a pub. Housed in the ground floor of a drab 1950’s corner block, the pub doesn’t promise too much from the outside. The unusual pub name is apparently derived from a cement mixer that the builders could not get out of the building and is now buried in the cellar. The interior is divided into 2 roughly equal sized fairly tatty bars, one of which has a divided “private” section. Neither bar is particularly spacious especially as they both house a pool table and seating is limited when the pub is busy. There is a narrow strip of pavement seating out the front. The décor is quite basic with stone flooring in the main bar and mainly bare wood in the other. Despite its musical heritage, there isn’t an abundant collection of musical related memorabilia but there are a few odds and sods dotted about. A signed guitar is mounted in one corner of the main bar and various posters and stickers compete for wallspace with old road signs, cartoons and New York skyscraper prints. TV’s in both bars show mainly sporting events and loud indie music is still part and parcel of the Good Mixer experience with copious Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs replacing the Blur and Oasis of old. I was initially surprised on my first vist a few years ago to see any Real Ales available but they usually have 2 available, more often than not London Pride and Sharps Special but on my half dozen or so visits over the past couple of years I don’t think I have ever had a decent pint. Prices are surprisingly reasonable (Sharps is currently £3.20) if you can stomach the inconsistant quality. It is a place that I suppose is worth popping in simply for the “been there and done it” factor but I would imagine that most punters will leave disappointed.

Now two ales (Sharps Special and GK Abbott - both warm, stuck in pipes too long). Punters were rough and skanky and perfectly matched the interior. The lustre of this place has long gone, it's living on memories. Time for a thick coat of paint, some maintenance and a rethink. Barring the weirdos from the adjoining hostel would be a start. June 2006 Went here for a Britpop pilgrimage, having missed out in my formative years. Wasn't expecting much, but was surprised by finding an ale (Sharps) and a decent atmosphere. Two rooms with a pool table in each, meaning space is at a premium. It was more smoky than Buncefield, and I guess this'll be a place that will be hit hard by the ban. Populated by wannabie art school trendies it's not a pub for everyone but worth it for the blue plaque value if you like your Indie with ice. Sadly there was no Menswear on the speakers.

This place has a couple of pool tables, which I think is the only plus point. The barman was ruse and the pub stank of body odour and stale beer. The bar was soaking wet and the lager was flat – This is at 18:30 on a Friday. I spotted Old Speckled Hen and Pride, but never went anywhere near it. This is a very poor pub.