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Brendan The Navigator, N19

90 Highgate Hill
N19
N19 5NQ

Phone: 02072723893

Correct details

Served areas

Highgate, Archway

Reviews of Brendan The Navigator (Average Rating: 3½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Rex Rattus left this review about The Old Crown Inn

I spotted a couple of handpumps tucked away on the right of the the counter, one having a Bombardier clip (but not on apparently), and the other a Doom Bar clip (£2 a half). It's possible that the previous reviewer didn't spot the pumps as they are pretty much hidden behind a nut dispenser of some kind. But in all truth he didn't miss much! I was in too early to see a menu, but a chalkboard at the the back advertised pub grub like fish & chips, and steak & chips. There's an open to view kitchen at the back by said chalkboard.

This is a magnificent old pub standing proud halfway up Highgate Hill. Inside it plays heavily on its somewhat tenuous connection with Karl Marx, with the father of communism buried over the road in Highgate Cemetery. There's a "Marx Grill Bar", which appears to be a small dining area up a couple of steps on the right. There are pictures of him all over the place, as well as a saying attributed to him - "sell a man a fish he eats for a day. Teach a man how to fish you ruin a wonderful business opportunity". A clearly ironic misquote! There's also a keg font apparently dispensing the Old Crown house beer - called "Karl Marx" - what else?

There's now a central peninsular bar (which would once have served several separate rooms) with a low stillion in the centre of it cluttered with dozens of spirit bottles. A speaker array next to the corner doors suggests live "entertainment" of some kind, and a piano the other side of the door suggests live entertainment of times past. Seating seems to be of the hard wooden variety, with some old settles and well used normal tables and chairs. There's also a bit of outside seating.

There's little of heritage interest remaining apart from a bit of cornicing. But it's an OK pub nonetheless. There was a large vase of lilies as well as bowls of oranges/lemons/lime on the bar counter, suggesting a "gastro" theme. But this is anything but a gastropub. A decent ale would be a big plus.

On 7^th July 2015 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2621 recommendations about 2536 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about The Old Crown Inn

I've passed this pub countless times over more than 40 years and decided yesterday to give it an early evening go and I can't really amplify on what Steve C's already said.

This is a large pub with a central bar and large side room containing pool tables and table football. Perhaps there were other distractions. Several large loudspeakers were in evidence so maybe live music is on offer, or perhaps disco nights. There's a projector for giant screen sports which is just the kind of thing I can't stand. The staff were decent enough but what few people were in the pub were drunken old men who all cackled like Sid James. Otherwise it's a bit chavvy. I didn't see any ale at all, not even the keg stuff.

I sunk my half of Kronenbore and left. As there are vastly superior pubs up the road, I shan't ever be returning.

On 28^th June 2015 - rating: 3
[User has posted 2342 recommendations about 2283 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Strongers . left this review about The Old Crown

There is still an ‘Old Crown’ sign adorning the outside wall, but the more predominant tag for this place is ‘T.O.C. Bar and Restaurant’ which I think is more apt.

I arrived to catch the end of a row at the bar over the pricing policy, which was handled by the barman with the skill of a breeze block. I decided to have a look around whilst the argument continued and spotted a large plasma screen and a couple of pool tables around the back of the bar. There is some seating along the front of the building that is railed of from the main road and there is also a ‘beer patio’ at the side, which is still beside the main road.

When I returned to the bar to get a drink the barman was sat at it listening to the Latino music and scoffing his dinner down like only a teenager can. He was oblivious to my presence as I noted the lack of any ale and the draught selection of Kronenburg, Asahi, Fosters, Guinness and Strongbow.

I was quite glad to leave without buying a drink and I’ll certainly not be returning.

On 4^th May 2007 - rating: 3
[User has posted 6782 recommendations about 6744 pubs]

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