The Palm, N15

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about The Palm

The former Lord Palmerston is a mid-19th century pub, rebuilt in the 1930s for Truman’s by their inhouse architect, A. E. Sewell, the current name dating from 2019.
The exterior is typical Sewell, with two Truman’s ‘eagle’ logotypes and three interesting airbricks above the pavement, partially disguised with the ‘THB’ (Truman Hanbury & Buxton) logo (see photo). Typically for one designed by Sewell, the interior would feature near full height wood panelling, with Truman’s beer names inlaid into it at picture rail height; no doubt there would have been one of his trademark white Vitrolite ceilings too. Alas, no longer; the interior is now wine bar chic, with a modern boarded floor, white and pale grey colour scheme with black ceiling and an abundance of spun metal lampshades, from which little illumination emanated from obligatory filament bulbs. Décor comes in the form of a few framed trendy prints, along with potted palms (natch) and palm-themed artwork, all to banal free-to-air muzak on loop. The lavs amounted to two unisex cubicles and if I were a woman, I’d not fancy using them and speaking of which, customers were young and trendy.
There’s no cask here of course, a nod to its past being two largely concealed pumps, then a limited keg range, me going for the Hammerton Tuned (£3.10 a half), served by a clueless barmaid who passed me over in favour of two customers who’d clearly arrived after my dramatic entrance.
I was surprised that no-one had reviewed this place before, but with the style bar aesthetic, lack of cask and dozy staff, I can’t see many prospective PuG reviewers beating a path to its door; it’s a lot better than the Fountain though…

On 26^th February 2023 - rating: 4
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