Heath Street, Hampstead, NW3

This pub was originally called the Nags Head, but I moved to Hampstead in 1998 and it was an All Bar One then so I’m not sure when it changed its name. I do know that it became Heath Street shortly after I moved, so around 2000 would be my guess. It was open plan with the big shiny HVAC pipes in the ceiling being exposed like they are in many All Bar One pubs to this day. There was a pool table at the rear of the pub and plasma screens throughout where every match on Sky Sports was shown. Being a younger person’s pub the management saw no need for real ale so there were no hand pumps on the bar, but there was a decent draught selection. The service could be a bit hit and miss, but as the pub became more established the service did improve and a Chinese family took over the kitchen where the conjured up some very tasty snacks and meals at very reasonable prices. Before the doors finally closed this place went downhill as drinks would run out and take an age to be replaced and they lost some licence from Camden Council that meant the DJ could still play, but nobody was allowed to dance. I remember the bouncer being very embarrassed as he had to pounce on anyone enjoying themselves and tell them to stand still – Madness. I stopped drinking here a fair while before it finally closed its doors for the last time and became a Knight Frank estate agent in 2006.