The Axe, Stoke Newington, N16

On approach, this looks like a rough old locals pub judging by the grubby tiled facade, lack of pub name and old Watney's signage, but inside you'll find a modern, trendy pub in a very similar vein to the nearby Jolly Butchers. The interior wraps around a large island servery with a dark wood counter and long missing bar back, which has been partly replaced by a glazed tile pillar in the middle of the serving area, with small shelves for spirit bottles attached to it. The walls are a mix of the same glazed tiles and some half height tongue and groove panels painted in a dark shade, with a lighter colour upper section. Hard benches run around much of the perimeter, with regular chairs elsewhere plus many bar stools around the long counter. Aside from a small fireplace to the far left, there is very little of interest, with the walls mostly left bare except for some beer boards, although there is a heavily stickered beer fridge in one corner that probably provides more colour than everything else in the room combined. A door to the rear leads out to a decent looking beer garden and music was playing in the background, but this got totally lost under the hubbub caused by a full house and complete lack of any soft furnishings. Just the two cask ales to choose from - Fyne Ales Jarl and Harvey's Sussex Best - both of which were unclipped, so make sure to check the beer board to the right of the bar before ordering. Another board to the rear listed 17 keg beers and a cider option, with the beers coming from the likes of Lost and Grounded, Saint Monday, Kernel, Arbor and Vault City among others. My pint of Jarl was in good order, but I was a bit annoyed to have to drink it at the bar, as no tables were free, with lots of people eating on my Saturday evening visit. There were quite a few annoying elements to this place, such as the chopped out interior and food focus, but I found myself quite enjoying this visit and thought it was a pretty good place to enjoy a well-kept pint. The ale range isn't the most extensive, but they look after it well and the keg options seemed very comprehensive, making this one of the better pubs in this part of town. Date of visit - 27th April 2024

Official site of The Axe - www.theaxepub.com

Official site of The Axe - www.theaxepub.com

This used to be my local when it was called The Cricketers.