The Junction Tavern, NW5

This place has a bold, distinctive facade and an impressive dark-wood interior, with both aspects exhibiting various vestiges of its former Courage ownership. The former main bar at the front is now a no-go area for non-diners, but the smaller back room with its panelled walls and impressive chandelier-style lighting is thankfully retained for pub use. Both rooms have high ceilings. Although a local CAMRA award was on display, I was disappointed to find that only two of the five handpumps were working - offering a very ordinary choice of Wandle and Bombardier (£3.20). Perhaps I just caught it on a bad day, but I thought that the staff were a bit off-hand too.

Randomness Guide to London - Junction Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Junction Tavern entry

I have been here several times in recent months and never seem to leave disappointed. From the main road, only the restaurant is apparent and one can be forgiven for passing by without realizing that it is indeed a very fine pub. The interior is suitably dim despite there being large picture windows at the front. The main bar is all bare wood with paneled walls with sections of wood carvings, an ornate fireplace with a large surround / display unit and mirror. To the rear are large mirrors making the bar appear much bigger than it really is and a doorway to one side leads to an extention with more seating. Down a few steps and you will find yourself in a large glazed conservatory and this in turn leads to a delightful paved beer garden with plenty of benches and cover when necessary. On the beer front, there are 5 hand pumps with Deuchars seemingly ever present. The rest offer a selection of 2 or 3 guset beers, often from Cornish Breweries as well as a more mainstream ale such as Adnams or Pride. The quality is alwys very good although the prices are higher than average with nothing under the £3 barrier (all the Real Ales are currently £3 regardless of their strength). The regular beer festivals also appear to be quite popular and successful. Despite being a mere 5 minute walk from the Forum, the pub manages to escape the crowds that gather in Kentish Town prior to shows. It took me a long time to discover this place but I'm sure glad I did.

This is a pretty decent, though not superb, pub. They had Sharp's IPA; Bombardier; Deuchar's IPA; and Adnam's Broadside on when I was in there. The Sharp's IPA was rather good. This looked to me to be more of a restaurant than a pub, but still a decent pub nonetheless. It had an attractive bar-top, with a now rarely seen footrest. It's an alright pub, but the staff were rushing about, and it seemed that drinkers were being served in between other more important duties revolving around the diners. I may be wrong, but that's how it felt. Nonetheless, definitely worth a visit if you're in the vicinity.

This is a gastro pub with decent staff and an affluent clientele. One whole side of the pub is geared towards dining with every table set with table cloths and cutlery. The other side, which consists of a smaller bar area, conservatory and beer garden is very relaxed and a good setting for a few beers. Everards Sleigh Bell, Cornish Buccaneer, Deuchars, Whippet Clause?, Addlestone cider and standard/premium lagers were all available on my visit. The pub had a good crowd in and I would enjoy visiting here again.