Maynard Arms, Crouch End, N8

Official site of The Maynard Arms with menus and event details - www.maynardarmsn8.co.uk

Official site of The Maynard Arms with menus and event details - www.maynardarmsn8.co.uk

This large former Greene King pub has undergone a hefty refurbishment (one of many in recent years if reports are anything to go by) and now has more of a Gastro approach. The pub name is conveniently and trendily subheaded “pub, dining and garden” to ensure that it encompasses every possible target customer. The interior is large and spacious with bare polished wooden floors, high ceilings and large plain windows. Furnishings range from mixed oddments to almost luxurious leather banquettes and chesterfields and tables with the now standard chunky candles glowing in the subdued lighting. The pub does feel a little impersonal due its open plan nature and size. Although there are a few sections that can be roped off for functions and parties. There is a slightly raised section opposite the bar and to the rear, an extended area culminating in an L-shaped glazed and modern brick conservatory housing a more formal dining area. Behind the pub is a pleasant and quite sizeable, partly decked, secure garden cover and patio heaters. Now part of the Real Pub chain, the pub is free from its Greene King tie and the beer range is far superior because of it. 4 ales were available on my visit - Doom Bar, Twickenham Sundancer, Old Dairy AK 1911and Hook Norton Old Hooky. Prices quite steep £3.60 for a 4% ale being more than I would expect. There was a sign up for a Meet the Brewer evening and beer festival so the pub does appear to be taking its ales seriously. The food is quite upmarket with main courses around £11-£19 although some cheaper lunchtime options are available. There was some pretty good background music (Chuck berry, CSN&Y) when I was there and a single TV so I suspect that it isn’t the footie haven that it once was. The staff were friendly and efficient and the customer base appeared to be a good mix. Whilst this isn’t generally my preferred sort of pub, I wouldn’t have a problem returning when in the area.

This is a big Greene King pub serving up IPA, Abbot, Old Speckled Hen and St Edmunds alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers. I found the staff to be ok, but the general ambience in the pub was verging on depressing. There is a plasma screen, but there is no sport advertised so no Sky Sports. I found that the slow jazz music was sucking the life out of me, so thankfully I was able to finish my pint in the reasonably sized paved beer garden out the back of the pub. This place aspires to be a trendy gastro pub where everyone eats tapas and listens to acoustic sets, but in reality it is bland and forgettable and I can't see myself returning.