The Stag, Enfield

Funny to think that this place used to be a real locals pub with a bit of a reputation for being a gays pub a few years back. Never did work out if it was, and the rep seemed to stem from the fact that it was run by a couple of retired thespians who kept the ‘lovies’ attitude going. Have to say I probably preferred it back then to this current guise. It’s now really a modern style bar with expensive drinks and food which tried to cash in on the whole gastro thing. There is a restaurant in the upstairs room and I have eaten here a couple of times when they have had offers on which bring the prices down to a reasonable level for a pub restaurant in EN2. It does have the benefit of real ales on as reported by Steve below, but if its just a beer your after then there are better traditional pub offerings within walking distance.

The sign on the window states that this is a gastro pub, but I don't really agree, although there is a restaurant out of sight upstairs. There are a couple of plasma screens, but I didn't see any ads for Sky Sports and they were both playing music videos on my visit last Saturday night. It's not the biggest place and all of the tables were taken meaning that I had to stand at the bar, but I found the barman to be friendly enough. Greene King IPA, Broadside and Courage Best were all available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers and my Guinness was good, although very expensive for the area. It does shut at 2am on Friday and Saturday nights which is handy to know and I wouldn't have a problem in returning.