The Twelve Pins, Finsbury Park, N4

This is another "Irish" pub, right by Finsbury Park Station. I didn't hear any Irish accents while I was in here on Tuesday afternoon, but there was Gaelic writing all over the place - one helpfully translating The Twelve Pins into "Na Beanna Beola" - and several Guinness adverts. There was also a superb Guinness brewery mirror set into the impressive bar back. The bar back cum stillion deserves a mention as it is a three-sided carved solid wood affair in the style of the late 19th Century pub fitters, although I understand that it is actually late 20th Century workmanship. Nonetheless, it's an impressive centrepiece to the pub. The main pub area is completely opened up now, although a few remnants of screening remain, although these are also likely to be more modern eplacements. The room has a very high ceiling, which you tend only to see in these old Victorian pubs. The floor's bare-boarded, which, combined with the high ceiling, will undoubtedly make the room noisy when it becomes moderately busy. Furnishings are mainly banquettes, normal tables and chairs although I did spot a couple of barrels masquerading as tables, with accompanying tall stools. In addition, there's a small stage at the front of the room - I'm not sure what it's used for, but at the back of it there were adverts for forthcoming football matches being screened. There's a function room to the side of the main room, but I didn't venture there. There's no real ale unfortnately, but masses of taps dispensing all manner of keg products, the best being Tetley Bitter at £1.60 a half. The menu looked reasonable, with sandwiches around the £4 - £5 mark, and main course, including several pub grub classics, at around £7. This is not a bad pub at all, but the absence of a real ale is a big negative factor for me. But if you're not fussed about that then this place is a handy stopping off point if travelling from Finsbury Park.

Official site of The Twelve Pins - www.twelvepinspub.co.uk

Official site of The Twelve Pins - www.twelvepinspub.co.uk

Large Irish pub. Standard draught selection and food served. Big screen for sports. Some original fittings have been retained.