Malt & Hops, North Finchley, N12

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Tris C left this review about Malt & Hops

This pub was a coaching inn, in existence by at least the mid-19th century but may have been rebuilt at a later date, possibly in the ‘20s.
Given the last review, I was looking forward to visiting this place, but oh dear. It had been closed for a few years and has now undergone a rather awful makeover, with a modern slatted wood floor, black field panelling to the dado then either pale grey paint, but in the main, black Baroque wallpaper with a metallic graphite Edwardian pattern then a white ceiling, with weird Tom Dixon-style light fittings; the bar is new, the bar back being black with a large plate glass mirror. There’s an isolated World of Pine table to the front, but then furniture is modern restaurant-style with tubular chrome legs; the structural columns have been wrapped with black rope. Décor takes the form of a few prints of the area from yesteryear – when it was less depressing – some potted flowers and Guinness bunting. There were few customers, an older bunch at the time of my Wednesday 9.00pm visit.
There are now no pumps, a half of Neck Oil at £3.20, served by a mildly suspicious young barmaid.
This place is a waste of space, but having visited Finchley before, I know that the only place worth visiting preceded by the F-word is the Windsor Castle.

On 25^th July 2024 - rating: 3
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