The Claddagh Ring, Hendon, NW4

Originally the Midland Hotel, this dates from the late 19th century, was rebuilt in the ‘50s, still displaying a Taylor Walker sign frame with gold gun carriage and since 1991, adopting a name which wouldn’t sound out of place in an Irish remake of The Sopranos; alongside the bouncers, there’s also a Republic of Ireland phone booth out front too; álainn! It’s a two-roomed interior, the left-hand side in use for a function come my Saturday visit at just short of 9.00pm, modern boarded floor, bare brick, weird wood cladding to the walls and ceiling, which supports a disco lighting array, spooky illumination (some fluorescent booze signs) and mixed, modern furniture, much tall. Of note is the nine-screen ‘video wall’, though many cells were displaying a different colour balance; then there are 44 – yes, 44 – TV screens, so it’s fair to say that sport is shown, but it was Spanish sport during my stay, perhaps explained by the largely Spanish customer base, the lack of women rendering this a very blokey place. There’s no cask, so it was a half of Guinness (£3.00), served by a perfunctory barman. Although expectations were hardly high, this place was better than expected, a far cry from the neighbouring Greyhound, though I suspect that come term time, it’ll get rammed with students from the adjacent Middlesex University campus.

Official pages of The Claddagh Ring - www.claddagh-ring.co.uk

The last time I was in here was about ten years ago on a hot summer’s night when there was some live music and the place was heaving. The bouncers were rude and it took so long to get to the bar past the sea of young ignoramuses that I swore I wouldn’t darken this pub’s doors again. I managed to keep my word until this past Sunday afternoon when I thought I would give it another chance at a quieter time of the week. Obviously there were no bouncers and the pub was almost empty so the walk to the bar was hassle free, but unfortunately the service was atrocious bordering on damn right rude. I stood at the bar for a minute whilst the barmaid cleaned and then a local came to the bar and she served him and had a chat for a couple of minutes and then walked off with a small basket that I imagine they serve chips up in. A barman then appeared and served me and then walked off before serving the guy next to me who had been there nearly as long as I had. I ordered a half of Guinness, which to be fair was good, and by the time I had finished the guy next to me was just being served. We were the only two people at the bar and there were at least six staff – Sorry to bang on about it, but I couldn’t believe my eyes. Anyway, this is a large Irish bar that was established in 1991 as the place to go in the area for live music and watching sport and there are now fourteen plasma screens located throughout the U-shaped pub to do this on and 3D games are shown when Sky Sports airs them. There is also live music and a DJ every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night when there is a late license. There is also an early license from Monday until Saturday when the pub opens at 10:00 for breakfast, I’m not sure if alcohol is served before 11:00 though. There are no real ales, but a standard draught selection is available and there are nearly as many Guinness taps as plasma screens. There is some seating out the front and some of this is sheltered by two jumbrellas that are located either side of the pub. I think that I’ll wait another ten years before my next visit.

Official pages of The Claddagh Ring - www.claddagh-ring.co.uk