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Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Sunday, 11th December 2022
With picture contributions to 5694 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (30 more images)
Detail Pages
The Old White Bear, Hampstead, NW3
NW3
NW3 1LJ
Served areas
Reviews of The Old White Bear (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Old White Bear
Nice enough pub stroke restaurant in plush area, a bit up market to be a venue just for a beer or two
On 5th April 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1542 recommendations about 1519 pubs]
Pub SignMan left this review about The Old White Bear
I'm not sure how I've never previously encountered this attractive pub, set in the backstreets of Hampstead, but less than a five minute walk from the tube station. The pub has a characterful exterior with lots of bright flower boxes which can be admired from the limited pavement seating. Once inside, you find yourself in a parquet floored room that was clearly divided into two or three separate bars in the past, but now forms a shallow yet wide single space. The bar is directly opposite the entrance and has a dark wood counter, matching, pump clip lined canopy and a rather plain, fairy light strewn bar back, whilst a water dispenser and dog treats have been placed at one end of the counter. High tables and stools fill the limited space opposite the bar, with seating areas to either side offering comfy button backed banquettes and basic pub chairs. Much of the interior has been painted in a pleasant purple shade with lots of retro, polar bear themed pictures on display, a tidy fireplace to the right and a few promotional posters for upcoming live music and pub quiz nights filling any remaining space. A great 80's alt-rock and hip-hop soundtrack was playing throughout my stay and the pub was doing a good trade on my mid-week, early evening visit.
This place has found its way into recent editions of the Good Beer Guide, and I spotted four handpulls dispensing Harvey's Sussex Best and Leeds Pale - the latter at a very reasonable £4.00 a pint - with one turned clip and one unused pump completing the row. The barman was very prompt and friendly with his service and the Pale was in good condition and quite enjoyable to drink whilst watching the well-heeled clientele come and go.
There are some pretty solid pub options around Hampstead and this place certainly deserves consideration when visiting the area. I found it a smart, pleasant spot in which to enjoy some well-kept and reasonably priced ale, and although it may not have the impressive heritage features of some nearby pubs, it's a solid option and a good addition to any local crawl.
Date of visit - 27th May 2024
On 29th September 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Old White Bear
I warmed to this pub in a very attractive corner of Hampstead village.The exterior is traditional in brick and the two doors are marked Public Bar and Lounge,although the Lounge door is kept bolted. The bar is central with high tables opposite,there is parquet flooring throughout while to the right of the entrance is a relaxed area with some fitted bench seating and some comfy chairs around a fireplace.On the left side the traditional furniture has more dining style tables but also a flatscreen for terrestrial sport and lots of board games.
There is a community vibe with all real ale all day Monday at £4 per pint,Tuesday open mic,Wednesday quiz and occasional gentle live music.The food is from a short menu with mediam mains £18.
At the bar 4 handpumps offering on my trip Allsops Pale,Leeds Pale,Harvey Sussex Best and Five Points XPA (barman sampled it before serving,very good nick NBSS 4 and £2.65 the half).It fully deserves it's GBG 2024 listing on this evidence.There were also some interesting craft keg options besides mainstream kegs.
A friendly proper pub and if the ale range had a bit more variety with less focus on pales,this pub could easily be a real ale destination worthy of even higher marks.I would certainly use it if in the area again.
On 16th March 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
View more reviews of The Old White Bear (12)
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- Official site of The Old White Bear - www.theoldwhitebearhampstead.co.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - Old White Bear entry
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Old White Bear - whatpub.com
Finchley Road & Frognal, 0.83 miles, 16 min walk (show)
West Hampstead Thameslink, 1.23 miles, 23 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 11 December 2022 by paulof horsham
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- CAMRA Discount : Yes - 10% - last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Car Park : No last updated 15 January 2023 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 15 January 2023 by Tris C
- Function Room : No last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 11 December 2022 by paulof horsham
- Jukebox : No last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Karaoke : No last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Live Music : Yes - Alternating Sundays. - last updated 15 January 2023 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 15 January 2023 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Pool Table : No last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Quiz Night : Yes - Wednesdays. - last updated 15 January 2023 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 18 December 2021 by Strongers .
- Real Cider : No last updated 18 December 2021 by Strongers .
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 11 February 2022 by Will Larter
- WiFi : Yes last updated 29 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
