The Toll Gate, Turnpike Lane, N8

A former JDW (closed March 2023) which still 100% looks like one from the outside. Stupidly decided to alight my peasant wagon and give it a go. Inside is literally as was left by Timbo, down to the carpet, wood panelling and Spoons info boards – with almost no other customers it was like drinking in Spoons version of the Mary Celeste especially given it was a 1988 opener so felt the inside of a ship. Three ales on, Doom Bar, Tribute and TT Landlord. The Tribute didn't clear, the Landlord was vile (NBSS 1) and to top it off the grot was rung through as Stella because "we don't have ale on the till". Yeah right. What a sad state of affairs.

Official site of The Toll Gate - thetollgate.uk

Official site of The Toll Gate - thetollgate.uk

This is a slightly smaller, older-style branch of Wetherspoons, located a short distance from Turnpike Lane station. You enter into a broad seating area with loads of high tables and stools across the front part of the pub. The servery is positioned along the right-hand side of the room and has a dark wood counter and typical ‘Spoons bar back. Lots more high stool seating can be found opposite, but this then gives way to a nicer rear area, which is fairly open plan but benefits from the now ubiquitous covid screens, which nicely break the space up so that it feels a little cosier. The space also benefits from some nice carpet, dark panelled walls and an attractive fireplace on the rear wall with a large plain mirror above. There are mostly standard tables and chairs back here, but also some hard backed benches along the side walls. Rear left space is beneath a modern skylight ceiling which makes it a little brighter than it might otherwise have been, and the walls are decorated with plenty of old black and white local interest photos. There appeared to be some sort of garden area to the front of the pub, which was screened from the pavement by bamboo panels. A family sat at the table next to and quickly found a set of dominoes from somewhere, which they then played enthusiastically. The handpulls were dispensing the three regular ‘Spoons ales plus an impressive five guests, from which I opted for the Redemption Kazbek, which was in pretty good shape. The bar staff seemed very friendly and there was a modest crowd in attendance given that it was a Saturday evening. I thought this was a pretty good Wetherspoons and certainly a step up compared to a lot of the chain’s older branches around North London. I found the rear part of the pub to be a nice place to spend a bit of time with a decent pint and could also imagine settling down here for a longer session and working through their guest ale range.

Absolutely an indentikit wetherspoons. There was nothing at all to make it stand out from any other in the country. Excellent beer - at £1.99. I am not going to knock it!