The Camden Head, N1

Central island bar serves 5 real ales and food. Comedy venue upstairs.

I thought this pub was in Camden Town so I was surprised to come across it in Islington.Nice traditional style pub.Very busy and uncomfortable on my visit.Probably six beers on but I decided not to fight my way through to the other side of the bar. Inntregue and innspiration from Plain Ales and Weltons -Horsham pale which was in good condition but boring taste-wise.Nice pub if you find it less busy.

Official site of the Camden Head, contains menus - www.camden-head.co.uk

Official site of the Camden Head, contains menus - www.camden-head.co.uk

Set at one end of Camden Passage with its many antique shops, this classic Victorian pub still has some of its original splendour in place, in the form of some tiling in the old Saloon Bar entranceway; ornately capitaled cast iron pillars; fine etched and cut glass; and what looks like a mahogany servery with an ancient clock suspended from the ceiling above it. As you would expect it’s now been opened up considerably from its original multi-room format, leaving the bar counter and server in splendid isolation in the middle of the room. This pub now has the Taylor Walker branding as part of the Punch Taverns empire. Thus the seating is a mixture of upholstered benches, tall stools/tables, small stools and simple round wooden tables. Outside there are a few picnic benches in a small patio area to the side of the pub. The food menu is the usual pubco style pub grub, at typical prices – e.g. the standard burger and chips is £7.85. There were four ales on during my visit – Young’s London Gold, Doom Bar, Tribute and Woodforde’s Wherry. Like so many pubs of the Taylor Walker brand, this one falls into the OK category but with the added bonus of the retention of some original Victorian features. Plus visiting this pub represents a welcome respite from the throngs of Upper St.

First visit to the Camden Head for many a moon and really pleased to find it virtually unchanged from my remembrances with all the Victorian fixtures and fittings, well described by Roger below, still in place. Very nice location as mentioned in the Camden Passage arcade and was quite lively on my evening visit with the large outside benched area in full use. The three beers on were Youngs London Gold, Doombar and then Hopback Summer Lightning which was a really good pint.