The Ox & Gate, Cricklewood, NW2

Named after the former Ox Gate farm diagonally opposite, this pub was open by 1935, probably built to serve the area which appears to be urban expansion dating from that period. This had recently been known as Whelan’s from 2016, the original name reinstated recently; this is also a ‘stealth’ Greene King pub. The interior is spacious with a small front room and raised rear area, delineated from the remainder of the pub by balustrades. Otherwise, the floor is bare boarded – carpeted to the small front room – with a tiled bar apron. You can see the interior on their website, but essentially there’s a smoky blue or white colour scheme, grey swag curtains, conventional furniture with tan studded banquettes, games machines, silent unwatched televised dross, Spandau Ballet, with décor in the form of eclectic prints then glassware and earthenware drinking vessels to a cabinet at the rear; in all, it’s a bit like a fake Victorian hotel bar, but with the obligatory north London legend ‘Céad Mile Fáilte’ to the green shiny tiled bar back. Customers amounted to just three older solitary blokes at the time of my Thursday 9.00pm visit. Despite the branding, there’s no cask here, so it was more Neck Oil at £3.13 a half, served by a charming south-east Asian barmaid. This place is essentially fine for what it is, but the amount of time required to get here for very little reward doesn’t justify a return visit, but it’s better than the Crown.

Facebook page of The Ox & Gate - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Ox & Gate - www.oxandgatecricklewood.co.uk

Facebook page of The Ox & Gate - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Ox & Gate - www.oxandgatecricklewood.co.uk