North Star, NW3

A very good looking early Victorian pub on the outside, but the inside has been ripped apart and now it's just one big room, although still with a few nooks and crannies. It's big on football now and just about every TV match is shown here. If it's Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea etc the place is absolutely rammed, at other times it's a reasonably pleasant pub. I often call in here for one on by way back to the Marriott at Swiss Cottage. There's a dartboard in one corner, but I've never seen anyone playing on it. The barmaids are friendly and efficient although the beer range is pedestrian. They always have London Pride (don't they all) and usually a guest ale or two, but they're not very inventive. The beer quality is usually pretty good as well.