Mabel's Tavern, WC1

This is a sizeable Shepherd Neame pub within easy walking distance of Euston, Kings Cross and St Pancras stations. Whilst the place has clearly been fitted out with various modern furnishings and the like, it still retains something of a traditional feel. The pub has been opened out into what is essentially one large room, but some large structural supports in the middle of the room effectively partition the space into two distinct areas. Most of the room has bare floorboards, although there is a small carpeted section in the front corner on a slightly raised platform, which has some big banquettes and fancy looking curtains hung from the front window. The entrance area has high padded banquettes and high stools but the rest of the room thankfully has more practical table and chair arrangements. There are various bits of brewerania dotted around the place including old pictures of Shep’s vans and dray horses and a wonderful Shep’s mirror behind the bar, whilst a large board gives quite a bit of detail about the pub’s history and unusual name. Several TV screens were on showing US Open tennis as requested by one customer, but the commentary was drowned out by quite loud music on my late Saturday night visit. Just the four Shep’s beers available on hand pump – Spitfire, Kent’s Best, Master Brew and Bishop’s Finger. I’m not much of a Shep’s fan but my pint of Spitfire was surprisingly good and, were it not for the lure of the nearby Euston Tap, I’d have probably stayed for another. I enjoyed my visit to this pub and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the beer. There is some stiff competition in the nearby area, but should I find myself back her again, I certainly won’t be complaining.

Good solid Shep’s Neame pub just off the Euston road equidistant between Kings Cross and Euston stations. Used to be known as the Great Escape , but was renamed when Shep’s took it over in about 2007, after a former Irish Landlady who was there for many years. Apparently she can still be heard operating a now long gone dumb waiter. Although now one internal space , it still retains three distinct sections with the bar serving area in the front section and a raised seating area at the back,. Five hand pumps dispensing a selection of Shep’s ales, although two were off on my visit. But the remaining Master Brew was a good pint. All in all, a solid traditional pub , and a decent offering for the area.

This pub has a great quality food and drink selection, staff are very welcoming and friendly. The layout is fantastic, overall highly recommened. I would definately go back there again.

When I walked in I detected the distinctive smell of new furniture and fittings, so I guess it must have had a refurbishment recently. There were rather too many of those uncomfortable tall upholstered benches, with tall tables and stools, for my liking. A couple of armchairs by the door (one of which I made use of), plus more standard tables and chairs around the place, completes the furniture inventory. There are inevitably a couple of large flatscreen TVs on the walls (but muted) and some pop music was being played but thankfully quite softly. It’s a Shepherd Neame pub and looked to have the full range on. The lunch menu featured pretty standard pub fare – sarnies were around the £4 mark, and main courses were around £8 - £9. The steak & ale pie was £8.95. For a pub so close to the mainline stations along Euston Road it’s quite good. The service was friendly and welcoming, the Masterbrew I had was good, and most areas of the pub were comfortable. It’s not one to seek out in my opinion, but OK for a pint if you’re in the area.

Very pleasant side street corner pub almost across the Euston Road from the British Library, this pub has been opened out but still retains it's original character with remnants of the separate rooms still visible. A lively pub that has a good range of Shepherd Neame ales on including Bishops Finger.