The Prince, Wood Green, N22

This pub was obviously originally called The Prince of Wales, and is another example of unnecessary pub name truncation. I know it was called the Prince of Wales because the entrance to the side bar on the left is framed by a couple of tiled walls apparently by Millington, Wisdom and Co featuring the erstwhile name. The main room still has armchairs all over the place, and the room is dominated by a pool table in the middle. The room on the left is the best area of the pub by a country mile. Apart from the elegant tiling in the entranceway, it has a skylight giving some welcome natural light (possibly a billiards room in a past life?), a nice old piano against one wall, and some superb wood panelling with mirror inserts on the walls. There’s some outside seating by the side entrance, when I was in being utilised by the barmaid and some chums having a fag and a chat. So, this is quite a comfortable and quiet pub, let down somewhat by the beer availability. There’s still no real ale – my request for a half of bitter was met with “yes, as long as it’s Guinness, Foster’s or Stella”. I can’t recommend this pub for the ale, but if you’re not fussed about that then this would be a decent place to stop off. In any case, if you’re passing do stop and have a butcher’s at the tiling.

This place has had a recent refurbishment that has turned it into the ‘Land of Leather' with a bar. Even with the small offerings of beer paraphernalia on the walls it feels a little like a hotel, but it does have 2 large plasma screens and a pool table. The Egyptian governor isn't quite with it, but along with his barmaid they are very friendly and accommodating. The first plasma screen is located at the front of the pub at the opposite side to the pool table. In between them both there is a scattering of leather armchairs and a couple of tables. The other plasma screen is located on the back wall around the side of the bar in an area full of more leather armchairs and tables surrounded by dark wooden panelling. It was almost empty during my visit so I got to watch the first half of the match in relative luxury laid back in an armchair with a pint by my side. The place feels very new and unused which is a little surprising as I found it to be very pleasant. John Smiths Smooth, Guinness and four standard lagers are available, but no real ale. I liked it in here and would go back in if passing.