The Chandos Arms, Colindale, NW9

In a restrained brewers’ Tudor style, this pub would seem to date back to only 1937, probably built to serve the period housing. It has been under the stewardship of the Dallas Pub Company (who?) since April 2023 when the previous licensees – including Emily Ovenden? – departed after nine years. There’s a two-room format, the left-hand side being largely made over to a pool table and dartboard; trendy prints adorn the walls. The main room is carpeted, the bar back simple, the front possibly original but there’s really nothing in the way of heritage. Walls are painted in contemporary pastel shades. Furniture is mixed, with some semicircular booths, décor taking the form of trendy prints then some black and white photos of the area from yesteryear; there’s a grandfather clock too. Two TVs showed silent sport, one above an extensive short order menu. There was a deafeningly loud – though in the main very good – live band playing at the time of my Saturday 9.30pm visit, with numbers from the likes of Hendrix or Black Sabbath, then Donna Summer’s I Feel Love somewhat incongruously belted out by a bloke in a T-shirt, sans Moroder backing track. Customers were mixed-age locals, many foot tapping to the music, though with a sizeable conclave in the pool room, perhaps either uninterested in live music or tinnitus sufferers. Now with three unused pumps, it was a half of Gamma Ray, £3.30 served by a charming barmaid, communication effected via mime due to the deafening music. This is an ok pub that would get an improved score with a decent cask beer. With the live music and proximity to the tube, it’s easily the best of the three remaining ‘real’ pubs in NW9, especially when compared to the Green Man.

Official site of The Chandos Arms - www.chandosarms.co.uk

Official site of The Chandos Arms - www.chandosarms.co.uk

Refurbished and serving a fantastic menu of pub classics, burgers, salads and pizzas all homemade. Recently won Barnet Pub of the year. Regular live music and community events. Beer Garden and real log fire. A superb pub in an up and coming area.

Currently closed and borded up. Another one where the future is uncertain.