Prince Albert, NW1

This pub is largely unchanged since the previous reviewer's visit. Thankfully the superb Charrington green tiled exterior is still intact, without some numpty having decided that painting it black would be an improvement. However, the interior now has nothing of heritage interest, apart perhaps from the wood panelled walls. The furnishings are a mix of normal tables and chairs, and sofas, as you would expect in a pub that seemingly seeks to attract well-heeled younger Camden clientele. The place was heaving on a Wednesday evening, with noise levels quite high due to the absence of carpets. As I recall there were four ales on, including Brains Rev James and ELB Pale Ale. I wouldn't say that this is a must visit Camden pub, but it's a decent enough addition to any crawl of Camden, especially if you can bag one of the tables.

Just a five minute walk from Camden station, but in the opposite direction to the tourist masses, this is a former Charringtons pub with a dazzling green tiled façade and stained glass windows that make it a very tempting prospect. The U shaped interior doesn't quite live up to this promise, although a semblance of traditional styling remains. There are bare floorboards throughout, with a centrally positioned servery opposite the front door. To the right there are several large tables with standard chairs in a fairly open, well lit space that was very busy on this visit. Dark wood panelling lines the walls, with each panel having a small framed picture hung in the centre, which creates a fairly pleasing effect. A more compact, cosier space can be found to the left of the bar where comfier seating options are arranged in an area decorated with contemporary wallpaper and sculpted stag heads. A collection of board games has been piled up next to the staircase behind the servery, which leads you up to a plain room called Victoria's Bar. This room is also bare boarded, with a basic, keg only servery in one corner supplying cocktails at around £7.50 each. The room is furnished with tables and chairs that look best suited for diners, although some sort of exhibition seemed to be in progress, as many had been taken over by suppliers trying to promote various drinks and other such products (Hops in a Box anyone?). A huge and rather impressive board at the top of the stairs explains the provenance of the pub's food, but this aside, the décor is a bit bland, with some large mirrors and a set of antlers having to make do. Bare bulbs hang over the bar and there are fancy chandeliers in the middle of the room. Each table had a huge vase on it, with large candles inside, which I found a bit obtrusive. A good indie/alternative soundtrack, typical of Camden, played in the background throughout my stay. The pub is listed in the current edition of the Good Beer Guide and there were four ales available on this occasion - Redemption Rock the Kazbek, Adnams Ghost Ship, Black Sheep Ale and Sambrooks Junction - whilst the keg range included brews from the likes of Camden and Meantime. I tried a pint of the Redemption and thought it was a drinkable beer in very good condition. This pub might feel a bit of a let down to the traditionalist, lured in by the fine frontage, but the more modernised interior certainly still holds some appeal and the well kept ale helps make this a good option when in Camden, especially if you want to get away from the worst of the crowds.

Unfortunately, the promise of the attractive ex-Charrington tiled façade isn't fulfilled inside. The interior has been totally remodelled and refurbished, just leaving a few original features such as the main window glazing. However, the gastro-pub decor of the resulting 'U'-shaped layout is quite well done, with some quirky features such as the large incandescent light bulbs adding some interest. The staircase arrangement behind the bar that leads to the upstairs dining room is also a bit unusual. Also has a front patio seating area. Quite a relaxed atmosphere when I visited, despite (or because of, depending on your preference) a DJ plying his trade in one corner. Three of four handpumps in use, with Redemption Hopspur, Dark Star APA and Upham Punter (£3.50) available. Overall, not bad, although not exactly what I was expecting as I approached.

The Prince Albert initially looks like ‘Trad Pub +' what with its wonderful Charrington's branded green tiling, which I guess must be around 100-odd years old. So I had high hopes for the place as I crossed the threshold, a nice outside front garden with a well-developed hedge to separate it from the road. Once inside, the first thing I noticed was the place has taken a turn towards pub bistro food – the clientèle were a rather more yuppie lot than those I'd just left behind at the Constitution, plus the pumped music was of the trendy muzak kind, beloved of bars and bistros. The interior is clearly quite new, though fortunately a couple of older features remain and at least it isn't an IKEA-pine refit bar. There were three ale pumps (one was off) serving Black Sheep and Downton Mild as well as an impressive array of lagers. Sadly, both of the ales were expensive (£3.30 p/p!) and both were hazy, with the mild in particular not tasting great. I suspect that the Mild was at the bottom of the barrel and the Black Sheep hadn't dropped properly – very poor cellarmanship! The menu sounded nice, with average pricing for the area. I noticed over my reading that the couple opposite me were having an issue with the food – wrong order I think. So I didn't get a great impression of that. The toilets were pretty fabulous though, well-worth a visit. Overall I'd say stop here once, grab half a lager which gives you a few minutes to admire the exterior, then quickly use the top-notch facilities before moving on.

I was disappointed upon entering as the frontage led me to believe that this was a good old traditional pub rather than taking the gastro route. The barman got my pint wrong and a barmaid tutted at me when I sat down at a table she was about to clean. When I apologised and stepped away from the table, as I hadn't seen her loitering behind me, she walked off as if she hadn't heard me. Maybe she is a little mutton! Broadside, West Berks Full Circle, Black Sheep, Tuborg, Ichiban, Addlestones, Carlsberg, Staropramen and Stella were all available from the bar, although it may be pot luck as to which one you receive. I found there to be no atmosphere to speak of (early Friday evening) and I won't be returning.