Lock Inn, Camden Town, NW1

Pub SignMan left this review about Lock Inn

A swanky new late-night bar in the heart of Camden, the Lock Inn offers a modern and stylish environment that feels tailored more towards a cocktail crowd than traditional pub-goers. Entry is into a large, bare boarded room with plenty of exposed brickwork, tongue and groove panelling, and lincrusta ceilings with all the utilities on show. The servery runs down the right-hand wall and then turns along part of the back wall, with a chunky timber-fronted counter lined with decorative, Victorian-style brass taps, which appeared to be non-operational. The caged bar back displays blackboards listing the various drinks on offer, while button-backed banquettes and chairs fill the main seating area to the left, and high tables and stools are scattered to the front and rear. Beyond the bar, a secondary seating space offers more wood panelling and comfortable seating options, while retro posters, stylish mirrors and a huge glitter ball create a slightly kitschy, late-night vibe. A neon sign points the way to a first-floor overspill area and a roof terrace, while a handful of pavement tables provide limited outdoor seating. Dance music played loudly over the speakers, and with only a few tourists scattered about, the atmosphere was flat and lifeless.
There was no cask ale available, with Salt Loom Pale the only interesting keg option, priced at a vertiginously steep £7.50 a pint, and not even all that tasty when it came to it. The miserable barman did his utmost best to serve me without uttering a single word, but I've made it a mission to try and crack people who do this and I managed to break him right at the end!
While the decor is stylish enough, the high prices, loud music and indifferent service meant the venue felt unwelcoming and I really can't see this necessitating any repeat visits, even in an area with few outstanding pubs such as Camden. The roof terrace looked like it might be the pub's best asset, but a cold January night wasn't the time to check this out, so I'll stick to some of the tried and tested pubs hereabouts for now.

Date of visit: 7th January 2025

On 29^th April 2025 - rating: 4
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