The White Horse, Upper Edmonton, N18

Possibly the most uninviting pub in Tottenham from the outside and that is saying something. Don't be too put off though. Whilst overall the pub is far from perfect, the interior is quite a surprise, if a bit kitsch. The mock Tudor innards are divided into 2 areas, the main bar being a cross between a punch up in a flag shop and an exhibition of American diner neon tackiness. The ceiling is a mass of flags, billowing like clouds, ranging from the ubiquitous cross of St George to the Irish tricolour, the Saltire to the Australian whatever and somehow Glasgow Rangers also get a look in. Didn't see any Spurs though! Interspersed between them where space allows are bits of netting, bird cages and the odd teddy bears. The walls are plastered with promotional mirrors, holograms, neon guitars and J&B mirrors, somewhere between this clutter there is a brick fireplace and even a large aquarium. On the far wall a giant (and I mean giant) plasma screen which is so big that bit splits into 4 normal size screens. There is a separate games room with pool, darts and a couple more TV's and when busy there is a better chance of getting a seat here. The front bar has lots of panelling and is a bit toned down from the rear section. The bad news is that the beer selection is the usual mass market brands and no real ales which is pretty much par for the area discounting the ‘Spoons up the road. On the plus side, the prices were quite cheap and I was served almost immediately despite it being packed. As I have said, far from perfect but given that I was expecting to do a massive hatchet job on this pub, I found this place to be surprisingly interesting and much better than many of its local competitors.

This pub is far better inside than the exterior would suggest. I found the barmaid to be friendly enough and one of the locals allowed me to buy my pint of Guinness before them as they were getting a large round in, now you won't see that in any well heeled area. There are plasma screens everywhere for watching the football, including an enormous four screener. I'm pretty sure that there was a pool table and a dartboard, but my memory isn't the best after the skin full I had imbibed. There is a paved beer garden out the back which is enclosed by some wooden fencing and is overlooked by some exceptionally shabby looking flats. I have been to far worse pubs than this one and I would pop back in if there was a game on and I was in the local area.