The Old Eagle, NW1

I hadn't been to this former Hoare's house for around 25 years when they had a pool table so a return visit was long overdue. A conventional interior with an eclectic mix of furniture and knick-knacks with a slight Irish flavour as evinced from the name in Gaelic script and lilt to the senior staffs' accents. Inside there's a myriad musical instruments hanging in the front window and to the rear dangles a plethora of shoe lasts, under which you pass on the way to the rear patio. To the walls are some amateur oil paintings and there's an attractive mirrored bar back. Lighting is pleasant, with candles to the tables. Muted Ella Fitzgerald wafted at an agreeable volume over the gramophone and one TV was spotted, off. There's an attractive mosaic floor to each entrance, one with the pub name, the other with an eagle motif. There's a mixed generally older (but not old) crowd in here and as mentioned, it's satisfactorily far enough from the massed ranks of Camden's barbarian hordes. The barman was very friendly and ales on offer constituted two unused pumps, Greene King's IPA, Okell's Bitter at a decent £2.00 a half and fine, as well as Woodforde's Nelson's Revenge at an agreeable £4.00 a pint which was fine but rather boring. I'd be very happy to come here again and spend time with friends if in the area and it makes for a great double with the Colonel Fawcett over the road. A larger and less dull range of ales would have resulted in an appreciably higher score.

Attractive 'L'-shaped pub with traditional furniture but it is the fine display of old guitars and other stringed instruments along the front and side windows that is particularly notable. Also has a small patio area to the rear. Good music being played at a sensible volume. Has a total of five handpumps, but only Greene King IPA and Ossett Silver King (£4.00) available. Far enough away from Camden Town to be rather civilised on a sunny summer Saturday evening.