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Yet another list with Tris39
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Detail Pages
Big Red, Chalk Farm, NW1
NW1
NW1 8BG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about Big Red
Visited 24/03/25 when it was still called Imperial Palace of the Big Red and visited previously as the Monarchy on 03/11/22.
No cask. Keg offering of Lervig House Party, Jubel Peach, the Hazy IPA from the 3 Locks Brewing Company, Verdant Light Bulb, their own house lager called Bad Girls Hotel, the Kona Big Wave golden ale, a rarely seen Benediktiner Weissbier, Bitburger, Rothaus Pils, Whiplash SlowLife Irish Stout, a cider called Pulpt from Level and a peanut butter flavoured stout called Crunch from Hammerton.
The bar counter is in the corner opposite the entrance in the front part of the venue and has a patterned tiled skirt in an otherwise bare boarded venue. Seating in this front bar area is via stools at the bar, some tall tables with similar stools in the central floor space and then some booths around the periphery. Beyond the front bar there are some further regular seating options before you go back up a couple of steps to an area with some pool tables and some pinball machines. The lighting in here is great, the music fantastic and the walls adorned with a lot of cool music paraphernalia. The toilets are up the flight of stairs just inside the entrance, not noting for that rather there is some fabric banquette seating on that level with some table footy games. This venue won't appeal to all on here, but it is a really cracking venue of its type with decent (keg) beer options. I really like it.
On 21st May 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1770 recommendations about 1743 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Komakino . left this review about The Monarch
Low-ceilinged and three-levelled - you can go up to a mezzanine area as you walk in from the entrance, and there's a larger sunken area beyond the bar, the latter of which is located against the right-hand wall. No real ale, despite four unclipped handpumps: a can of Beavertown's Gamma Ray was £5. A loud, but good, live band (Flatlands) were playing during my visit - the stage jutting out from the front window, so an evening visit means you might not escape the music.
On 6th April 2018
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1100 recommendations about 1100 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Monarch
Odd-looking pub, mostly housed in the single-storey front section, but with a higher part of the building beyond. Mainly a live music venue, with a compact stage by the front windows. Also has a rear seating area down a couple of steps and a small mezzanine above. Retains indications of its former life as the Misty Moon, one of the early Wetherspoons. Limited patio area out front. Two of four handpumps in operation during this visit, offering Doom Bar and Late Red (£3.90). Overall, one of the better Chalk Farm Road bars.
On 22nd October 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 9165 recommendations about 9165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
emily scott left this review about The Monarch
I went here the other day with a couple of mates and we were really surprised. Some places in this part of Camden are a bit pretentious but this is just really calm and friendly. Good selection of lagers and beers - would have liked to have seen some fruit beers however - and the chips we ordered were great. Definitely not packet rubbish. Best thing was still the atmosphere however. Lively but relaxed, big comfy chairs and a varied music playlist. One of us liked every song they played which is difficult! Can't ask much more from a pub.
On 13th August 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Monarch
Fairly busy, loud music, early twenties crowd and open late – The exact opposite to the last time I was in here when it was a Spoons.
Some nights there are bands on so expect to pay an entrance fee.
I'm not a fan and I don't plan to return.
On 26th January 2009
- rating: 4
[User has posted 6673 recommendations about 6635 pubs]