The Wooden Cross, Crouch End, N8

This is a fairly small but cosy enough pub with plenty of Irish connections albeit not your stereotypical Irish bar. The carpeted interior is a single room, quite narrow and cramped with the bar to the right containing a stand out tiled roof canopy. There is a false paneled ceiling, tongue and groove walls and décor with a bit of a 70’s retro feel. Old LP covers vie for space among various portraits, movie posters and figurines. The rear wall appears to be a shrine to Irish poets and writers. Beer wise there are 3 ales available albeit not a particularly interesting selection - Adnams, Courage Best and Doom Bar. Since my visit there has been a change of ownership and the pub now appears to be run as a venture in conjunction with café/restaurant next door called the Rambling Rose. There is also a programme of live music on Sunday afternoons. It’s not an area I tend to get to often but I wouldn’t have too many problems in popping in again although there didn’t seem to be too much to go out of the way for at the time of my visit.

I was glad to find this place after visiting some of the gastro dross at the other end of the high street. It's a small pub with a couple of plasma screens that show Sky Sports and there is also a dartboard at the rear of the pub by the exit to the small courtyard. The barman that served me seemed nice enough and I saw no problems with the other punters who all seemed to be enjoying their night. The pub closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday and 23:30 all other nights, which is very handy to know. Broadside, Adnams Bitter and Courage Best were all available alongside a standard draught selection and my pint of Broadside was well kept. Next time I am in Crouch End I will make a point of visiting here again.