Southampton Arms, NW5

Official site of the Southampton Arms - www.thesouthamptonarms.co.uk

Official site of the Southampton Arms - www.thesouthamptonarms.co.uk

"Ale and Cider House" the pub sign proclaims, and indeed it is with 5 ciders on handpull, a further three in polypins behind the bar, and 7 ales on handpump all from smaller independent brewers. Despite being tempted by the Crouch Vale Amarillo (5%)as I was in the middle of a walk I opted for the lower gravity Redemption Pale Ale, and good it was too. Dimpled pots seem to be the default glass here but it is possible to ask for a straight glass if you have a preference. Seating, like the surroundings really, is a bit spartan, consisting of long wooden benches or stools, although the bar stools have padded seats. Old photos and pub mirrors, "Lacon's Noted Yarmouth Ales Stout and Porter" being one of note, there were also examples from Bass and Toby. There is a functioning piano towards the rear, and piano night is advertised as Wednesdays. An old edition of the pub sign is on the wall above the piano. Basic pub snacks such as pork pies, scotch eggs, pork or cheese baps. A clipboard at the end of the bar allows drinkers to suggest an ale. Music is via an old style turntable record player behind the bar. 4 pint flagons are sold for take outs, the pub is cash only, no cards. Certainly recommended as an ale pub, but a little bit more comfort would be a welcome improvement. The rear walled garden looked pleasant but there are a few signs about noise and it does say the garden must be empty by 10pm.

Small, single room pub located close to Gospel Oak station, but within easy walking distance of Kentish Town tube. The interior is fairly uninspiring, with muted décor, a bland wooden floor and a few random photos on the walls. The wall behind the bar is covered in white tiles and whilst this has a certain element of charm, it will probably put off pub traditionalists. The seating arrangements aren't much better, with most of the tables being accompanied by long benches, which makes it tricky to find somewhere to sit if you are on your own. There are a few nice touches though, such as the tiled fireplace, a couple of nice brewery mirrors and an upright piano, whilst music is provided by an old record player sat behind the bar. There were seven ales including Sambrook's Junction, 1648 Triple Champion and Gadd's She Sells Sea Shells and four ciders available on the pumps (with one pump unused), plus more cider options in the fridges. Meantime London Lager, Helles and Kolner were also available. All of the ales were priced at £2.90 and the ciders at £3.20 and the couple of ales I tried were well kept and went down very nicely after walking here in the sweltering heat. There is a small patio area at the rear of the pub, which was packed when I arrived, but it is surrounded by high walls, so no sun was able to penetrate. A board behind the bar stated that this is 'the only dedicated ale and cider house in London to sell only ale and cider from small independent UK breweries'. I'm not sure how true that is, but it was certainly an interesting selection on the pumps and a good mixed crowd were buying into the idea of trying something a bit different. With a few small changes I felt that this could become an outstanding ale destination pub - one to certainly keep an eye on.

There were a dozen handpumps on the bar counter, four dispensing ciders, and the other eight dispensing ales. I had the Mauldon Gold, at £2.90 a pint (like all their ales) and together with a really good pork pie at £3 made an excellent light lunch. There was a preponderance of summer ales on (I know, summer has arrived), though there was also a mild and the dark Kelham Island Night Rider, and something else with hints of lemon and ginger. If I was going to be picky, I would have to say that a decent bitter would have made a welcome addition. The pub itself is a small one room affair, with a small outside seating area at the back where the gents is located. The bar counter is on the right, with seating in the front of the room, and along the left hand side of the room opposite the bar counter. Furnishings are hard wooden benches and stools, and the decor on the walls seemed to be mainly photographs of people whom I didn’t recognise. Some reggae style music was being played. My pint came in a dimpled mug, which is clearly the default glass, judging by the serried ranks of them on a shelf behind the bar. I did see a couple of punters drinking out of straight glasses, and I assume they must have known to ask for them. It had a bit of the “continental cafe” look, with no bar back, and the wall behind the bar just white tiles, adorned only with the shelf for beer mugs. I’m undecided about the place. I didn’t think the ale choice was particularly good considering that they had eight pumps dispensing the stuff, and I thought that the seating was particularly uncomfortable. But I’ll definitely give it another try sometime; eight ales of any description is still good going, and maybe I was just unlucky with what was available during my visit.

I quite liked it in here even though it was very busy and the tables by the window had been reserved for 45 minutes with no one sitting there. Youngs Special and Ordinary were available along with Bombardier and various premium and standard lagers. The barmaid was very friendly and when people left the tables were cleared very quickly. Food is served from 12:00 until 22:00 and there is a quiz night on Mondays. This is a decent pub to get away from the madness of Camden High Street.

This used to be a grim local’s boozer that last saw a lick of paint when Edward Heath was prime minister and most of the regulars hadn’t worked since he was in power. Thankfully it has recently changed management and the new guys in charge seem to have a love of beer as gone are the Fosters and Stella pumps along with all the other draught that one would expect in any self respecting estate boozer. There are now two draught taps which were dispensing Meantime’s Helles and Kolner and also twelve hand pumps serving up ales and ciders and a sign behind the bar proudly states that this is the only pub in London to solely sell micro brewery beers. I’m not sure whether food used to be served in here, but there is now a selection of pasties, sausage rolls and hot meat available from a glass case which sits on the end of the bar. The dartboard has gone (boo hiss) as has the Sky Sports, projector screen and small TV. The boxing memorabilia has also vanished from the walls to be replaced with old portraits and a small piano. This is a vast improvement on the previous incarnation of this pub and, although probably not to everyone’s taste, I would recommend it to any lovers of good beer and conversation.