The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town, NW5

After the chaos of the Assembly House over the road, an oasis of tranquillity. A nearly empty pub on a saturday afternoon. Dogs contributing more than 20% of life. Lovely Chesterfields, wooden floors and high ceilings. Timothy Taylor in fantastic condition - having paid £7.50 for it, there might have been words if it hadn't been.

Has been a music pub with bands in the back room in the 1980s (and maybe earlier), the main bar on Sunday lunchtimes sometime in the 1990s. Currently on most Mondays, there is a jazz club in the Bolougne Bar upstairs. I think the current promoters have used two other pubs in the area previously. Young bands playing original contemporary jazz seem to dominate. Ticket prices are reasonable and there are concessions. Unsure when Youngs bought it, either 1990s or this century.

I was impressed by the gin palace interior,it really should be inspected.A Young's house,there is a front saloon to the right with a real fireplace tucked to one side,a discrete sports flatscreen which will be screening live sport but otherwise off and views of the magnificent etched mirrored bar back.The light wood bar facing continues around a dog leg so that the other sections have bar access.There is a fine arched passage way to a snug type area below a grand staircase to the first floor loos ,a room for hire and a very small lounge.Further around the ground floor past some columns there is a sky light and then a formal rear dining room laid fully for service.Prints hang on all the walls and the overall feel is authentic and plush.There is also a weekly quiz and clearly this is a gay friendly pub with the barman sporting some fine nail varnish. The 5 handpumps were offering Olde Rosie real cider,Youngs Original and Special and a decent St Austell Proper Job (NBSS 3.5,£5.60pp).Worth a squint around,another decent pub on the way up to the terrific Southampton Arms.

I've walked past this pub many a time on my way to the Southampton Arms. I was making a similar walk on Monday, when I decided to give it a try. The interior is certainly quite grand and spacious, with large ceilings. There is also an upstairs bar (the Boulogne Bar) which can be seen when using the facilities. It was very quiet on my Monday afternoon visit. One other customer joined me not longer after I arrived at the front of the pub, with another 2 or 3 people sat at the rear. Young's Bitter & St Austell Proper Job were the real ales. I was encouraged by the sight of Weston's Old Rosie, but apparently the pump was broken. Instead, I chose a keg beer - Two Tribes Metroland. This was very nice, but it certainly should have been for £3.50 a half pint! Nice place, but the lack of atmosphere, lack of beer choice and exorbitant prices will put me off a return visit.

Official site of The Bull & Gate - www.bullandgatenw5.co.uk

Official site of The Bull & Gate - www.bullandgatenw5.co.uk