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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Tapping The Admiral
A pub called the Castle originally stood here but was replaced by the current building in the 1850’s, known then as the Trafalgar in honour of Lord Nelson who often visited family in the area. The pub now stands tucked away in the back street estates just off the main Camden drag and isn’t obvious unless you are specifically looking for it. The pub has recently been renovated, renamed and reopened by the same people behind the Pineapple in nearby Kentish Town and has a Real Ale agenda at its core which, for the area, is a bold move.
Externally it stands out as a survivor amid the neighbouring building and one side appears to have been a later addition making if a slight odd shape once inside. The drinking areas wrap themselves either side of a central bar and at the rear is small and cramped, covered patio area. The décor is quite plain with a mix of old and modern pictures, bare floors, half frosted windows, old road signs and candle decked tables. Despite its recent makeover it hasn’t gone so far down the line that it has lost all of its character.
Generally there are 8 ales on the go with Adnams appearing to be a constant plus 7 rotational guest beers from micro breweries including many local ales. From my last visit I noted 2 from Redemption (Urban Dusk & Hopspur), 2 from Trumans (Runner & Swallow & Swift), Dark Star Hophead, Windsor & Eton Conqueror and one pump empty. Prices are reasonable for the area to start with (around £3.30 a pint) but there is a discount for CAMRA members (the website says 20p but they seemed to knock off 30p every time I waved my card at them). Foodwise they appear to have ditched the previous Thai food in favour of a more classic British menu with prices around £8-£10 for main courses.
Service is friendly and the atmosphere seems civilized enough although it hasn’t been very busy on my brace of visits so far suggesting that word hasn’t really filtered out too far. Since Camden is hardly a hotbed for ale fans, if you find yourself in the area and at a loss, you’ll find this quite an oasis.
On 26th June 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Tapping The Admiral
This pub has endured several incarnations, having started life as The Trafalgar Tavern and having previously been known as Tavern Inn The Town. It’s been thoroughly modernised and opened up now. There’s all kinds of incomprehensible decor on the walls, but including some antlers (ibis perhaps?), a massive poster for Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and ancient metal advertising posters for Fremlin’s and Truman’s ales. There were candles on the tables, as well less usually seen (in pubs anyway) ceiling fans and small chandeliers. Furnishings were mainly solid well scrubbed tables, and normal chairs as I recall. There was apparently also a garden at the back but we didn’t venture out there.
I reckon that real ale must be king here, There were eight handpumps on the bar counter, with seven in operation when we were in on Thursday evening, and with none of the usual suspects present. We were offered tasters of an ale with which we were unfamiliar, and were given a choice of straight glasses or mugs. The CAMRA discount is still in operation as well. They specialise in Thai food, with the standard stir fries at £7.45 a pop.
Notwithstanding the modern makeover to which this pub has been subjected, the ale choice makes it a pub worth going out of your way to find. Also, the modern touches didn’t detract from the pub ambience of this place – it was comfortable and not too noisy. I would definitely come back to this pub.
On 17th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
an_ ecumenical_matter left this review about Tapping The Admiral
Well and truly open and tidily refurbished. 8 handpumps featuring Meantime,Moorhouses,Adnams,Purity & Redemption. 20p off a pt for CAMRA members,40p off for Jan 2012. Couple of real ciders and a range of ales and ciders in bottles. Posh fizzy muck on draft also. Sociable staff and punters. Short walk from Kentish Town West overground (you can see it from the station exit) and a short walk from Camden tube. Well worth a visit.
On 17th January 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 39 recommendations about 38 pubs]