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Beer of the Week (w/e 14th September 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by David Walton
Submitted on Wednesday, 9th April 2025
With picture contributions to 1327 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Grand Junction Arms, Harlesden, NW10
NW10
NW10 7AD
Served areas
Reviews of Grand Junction Arms (Average Rating: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about Grand Junction Arms
Situated a short walk south of Harlesden tube in the now self-styled area known as SoHa in TV’s Amandaland, is the Grand Junction Arms, probably taking its name from the canal it overlooks; it’s an attractive glazed tiled affair, with some Young & Co tiling probably going back to the 1930s.
Even at 10.00pm on a Saturday night, on approach, one cannot but fail to notice the incredibly strong smell of baking; it’s then that you see the vast industrial complex with ‘No Drone’ warnings and an electric fence, a place once used as a film set for Aliens no less; surely a 'Shake 'n' Bake' facility then? But no. This is the Willesden substation, but on the opposite side of the road is the factory for McVitie’s, just behind the pub.
The interior is a tired by-the-numbers modern Young’s affair, with bare boarding, tangerine cloth and fawn vinyl banquettes then conventional furniture. There’s natural field panelled wood to the dado, then dark green paint to a white ceiling from which buckets containing plants dangle; further décor is to be found in the form of ‘aristocratic’ portraits daubed with anarchic slogans. Silent golf played to multiple TVs watched by none of the approximately three other punters, though as I was to find out on leaving, a substantial number of young SoHa types were sitting canalside or seated under the substantial gazebo to hobnob of a balmy evening.
Cask amounted to a reversed clip, a pump for Rosie’s [fake real cider] then just London Original, swerved in favour of yet more Neck Oil, price forgotten but no doubt high, served by a cheery barman.
This pub is a beacon of hope - Hadley's Hope? - by NW10 standards, but just one cask ale on a Saturday night – and London Original at that – somewhat takes the biscuit.
On 13th August 2025
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2277 recommendations about 2227 pubs]
David Walton left this review about Grand Junction Arms
Visited 08/04/25
Amazing for a Youngs traditional pub establishment there was no cask. The clips on the three handpumps in the front bar were all turned round, just the one hinting of former Original glories. The keg offering was Peroni, Pravha, Aspall, Stella, Neck Oil, Guinness, Estrella, Camden Hells, Gamma Ray, Madri and Asahi.
This is an epic scale but beer lacking Youngs venue on the Grand Union Canal with some picnic benches and parking at the front that reveals little clue on how extensive it is outside at the rear. The front bar is bare boarded and has velvet (red and yellow) banquettes around the outside perimeter with the wooden bar counter facing the entrance. Regular tables and chairs the other side thereof. Some tall tables and tall backed chairs between these seats and the bar counter. Nice lighting, although didn't get the effect in early evening with bright sunshine outside. A large TV on the left most wall was showing TV without commentary and instead a jaunty soundtrack was playing. The first part of the rear outside seating was on decking with some screens on the left edge and outside these to the left was a narrow strip with tables looking onto the canal directly and some steps down to some picnic benches on the canalside. Behind the front bar was a rear room also modern bare boarded with an apex ceiling and beams bejewelled in fairy lights not switched on during my early evening visit with its own bar counter (subset of the front bar keg and the same three unused handpumps). Similar seating configuration as in the front bar. Lots of portraits on the walls plus some landscapes. Behind the initial decked area is a much more extensive rear beer garden, some covering and some furled umbrellas, mostly with decking but with some artificial grass at the very rear. Regular events here such as quiz, comedy, music and open mic, I suspect it becomes even more heaving than on my low-key early evening visit. Epic in scale but epically disappointing on the beer front.
On 15th July 2025
- rating: 4
[User has posted 816 recommendations about 811 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Grand Junction Arms
Only one pump clip was showing on my arrival here and worse was to come when the barman informed me that the Young's Bitter was off leaving no ales at all. In need of a beer however I settled for a bottle of Ram Rod which was offered with a less than shiny glass.
The pub itself retains the original green glazed exterior tiling, internally the main room has the bar central on the back wall, the left hand end has a couple of pool tables plus a bar football table, TV screens on each end wall, and seating being a few banquettes with stools plus a couple of high tables in the middle of the room. To the right and through a door is a smaller room with its own bar, yet another pool table and a couple of sofas.
I found this pub to be a rather dismal and uninspiring place, certainly not helped by the dearth of beer. One saving grace however is the rear terrace on the bank of the canal. Definitely a better spot to sit than the few benches facing the busy road junction to the frontage.
Live music is advertised on Fridays and a pool competition on Thursdays.
On 15th February 2011
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]
View more reviews of Grand Junction Arms (5)
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- Official site of Grand Junction Arms - www.grandjunctionarmsnw10.co.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - Grand Junction Arms entry
- Facebook - Grand Junction Arms
- Twitter - Grand Junction Arms
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Grand Junction Arms - whatpub.com
Willesden Junction, 0.98 miles, 19 min walk (show)
Stonebridge Park, 1.44 miles, 27 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Car Park : Yes last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Function Room : Yes last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Jukebox : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : Yes - TNT. - last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : Yes - Wednesdays, 19.00. - last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- Wheelchair Access : Yes - Disabled WC. - last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 13 August 2025 by Tris C
