Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW

Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Wednesday, 28^th August 2024
With picture contributions to 5437 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (8 more images)

Only members may add pictures, click to receive free membership

Detail Pages

Pub map
Pub reviews (5)
Pub pictures (9)
Page updates

North Star, NW3

104 Finchley Road
NW3
NW3 5JJ

Phone: 02074356287

Correct details

Served areas

Hampstead, Finchley Road

Reviews of North Star (Average Rating: 5 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Quinno _ left this review about North Star

Feeling ever more careworn but as it's the nearest open pub to a client of mine, it's the default when on-site. Given it was a hot day I swerved the cask and stayed on the Guinness and boxed ciders. There's a rear elevated patio garden I discovered which was a useful escape from the over-loud music thudding round the interior for nobody's enjoyment (I did at least get it turned down a notch). A better operator could get a tune out of this one but for now it remains a pub of convenience.

July 2023
Commanding and attractive building opposite the horror of the A41. A 90s interior refurb that's in need a refresh - battered and smelly. Two cask, Tim Taylor Landlord and a passable St Austell Proper Job (NBSS 2.5). Amusement value came from the sign at the bar offering a chef’s special – salmon fillet which was marked as being vegetarian. A decent operator would make this place worthwhile as there’s the offices of an NHS Trust a few yards away as well as a few other employers who have staff on the lookout for something half-decent. It isn’t like there’s much else in the vicinity bar the ever-peculiar Swiss Cottage. Rated 5

On 25^th September 2024 - rating: 4
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about North Star

This commanding pub occupies an idyllic position next to a BP petrol station, opposite a branch of Iceland and overlooking the virtual dual carriageway that is the A41, better known as Finchley Road, catering mainly for locals, a few studenty types and the lost.
A return visit for us after a period of over four years and nothing has changed, except that the pool table has been moved upstairs for private members and as a result, drinking space to the rear has increased. Otherwise it is its same old self. A large space with some mini partitions and etched glass (probably modern) some nice cornicing, an attractive granite fireplace and a raised central area with raised rear (up some steps) to where a couple of women were playing darts - the raised areas are explained by the pub's topography, it being situated on a steep slope. Furniture is solid and traditional in dark lacquered wood and the floor is bare boarded though modern and worn. The wooden bar has a field panelled front and a very attractive wood and part mirrored back. There's dark lacquered field panelled wooden panelling at waist height to the interior's perimeter; lighting comes courtesy of hanging fake Victorian gas lamps. There's food but its from the burger/fish and chips school of gastronomy rather than that which you'd usually associate with NW3.
So far so good. However, the music in here (some inane American popstrel no doubt) was very loud and there were three TVs showing football - a menacing ceiling projector implied that greater tedium could be inflicted should the pub wish to roll up its sleeves and flex its Sky Sports muscle.
The governor was a little glum and decided to chat to regular customers rather than serve us which isn't a way to win friends. The lavs are mildly alarming with grafitti, some bare plaster stained with mildew and a severely cracked vanity mirror over the basins; Renton would feel right at home.
Ales: Fuller's London Pride (clip reversed), Sharp's Doom Bar (clip reversed) and Atlantic, St. Austell's Tribute and Wimbledon's Tower at just £4.05 and very decent too.
A surprisingly broad range of ales, decent in quality and very cheap for the area, coupled with the London Improv Theatre upstairs are plus points, but the detractions - especially the lavatories - are reason enough for me not recommending this pub. There's always Ye Old Swiss Cottage down the road. Out of the frying pan...

On 1^st October 2017 - rating: 3
[User has posted 2207 recommendations about 2164 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about North Star

Impressive building, with a large split-level 'L'-shaped bar. Traditional furniture and decor. Cheap food offers. Members-only pool room upstairs. Modest split-level patio beer garden to the rear. Four of five handpumps in operation, offering Pride, Ringwood Best, Bombardier (£3.50) and Old Rosie cider.

On 29^th September 2013 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]

View more reviews of North Star (5)

External web links for North Star

Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.