The Star, Dartmouth Park, N19

Backstreet gastropub that I visited as part of a function held there on a Saturday evening for which the entire pub was hired out, so no locals until much later on and even then only a handful. Interior as described by Strongers – a high-ceilinged single room, with an enclosed rear patio area. Décor is very modern – stripped back, exposed brickwork, stripped wood flooring etc. To be fair they had beer on and they were getting through a fair amount on the pumps; over the course of the evening there was TT Landlord, Hackney IPA, Doom Bar…though at one point the Landlord tasted distinctly like Greene King to me. Just under ten minutes from Archway tube.

After walking through a couple of estates the last place I thought I would come across is a decent gastrofied ale proffering public house. The pub is a single high ceilinged room with large windows and ubiquitous gastro colour scheme and furniture arrangement (maybe they should lose the stuffed animal heads). There is a pebbled beer yard out the back with some uncovered seating, but unfortunately I still felt a long way from the beach. Brodies Red, Ringwood and Otley's Boss were the ale choices and Old Rosie and Addlestones were also available alongside a selection of premium lagers. It was nice to see three ales available that I had not heard of before and I really enjoyed the Boss, but I found the Ringwood to be a little bland. The man who seemed to be in charge was pleasant and very knowledgeable and gave me a quick run through the beers, no little taster was offered though! When nature called I left my pint on the bar whilst I used the gents and when I settled back at the bar it had gone, but thankfully one of the staff admitted to throwing it away and I was given a replacement with no questions asked. I'm not a big gastro pub fan, but I still liked this pub and would go back again if in the area.

top class pub this one, ive been a regular ever since it opened. A good selection of beers, really good food but best of all is the juke box, a really great selection of tunes primarily from the 50s 60s and 70s. could be a bit louder though. highly recomended.