Mabel's Tavern, WC1

Randomness Guide to London - Mabel's Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Mabel's Tavern entry

There were four out of five Shepherd Neame ales on during my visit and the usual limited selection of draught that you find in all SN pubs. I'm not a great fan, but thought that I would have a pint of Spitfire whilst watching the football on the large plasma screen at the rear of the pub. There are another two plasmas at the front, but the reception on all of them was pretty bad for this day and age. I found the barmaid to be quite miserable and there wasn't much atmosphere. I was a little disappointed as the pub seems set up for watching sports, but doesn't seem to pull it off. There are better pubs in the area.

A good spot for a pre train pint just set back from the Marylebone Rd so has more of a local feel than other nearby bars. Its listed here as Camden but the pub is located equidistant from both Euston and Kings Cross stations. Serves 5 Sheps beers although Kents Best was off on Saturday morning. A decent enough pint of Late Red at £3.30, which seems to be the going rate in London SN pubs, expensive as it is. One largish room, broken by what I think is a stairwell in the middle off one wall. A mix of seating, generally traditional in type but with a drinking shelf and stools by the front door. Various framed caricatures on the walls, I didn't bother looking who of, a couple of big screens were showing Sky Sports News muted but with subtitles. Please note, generally known as Mabel's Tavern, not just Mabels'

Shepherd Neame Spitfire (off), Bishop's Finger, Master Brew, Kent's Best, Late Red (seasonal), Whitstable Bay (bottled) Music, tv, fruit machines, cosy. A couple of free CAMRA publications to read