The Alexandra, N2

An unusual-looking building just across the road from the fairly ordinary-looking Clissold Arms, and after my disappointment there I was looking forward to a pint, and would possibly have spent the evening there for the (real) football on the TV situated just above the (table) football. However, it was very noisy even though there were only half a dozen people there, and I found the layout of the pub, with red leatherette booth seating next to the window and a large area for standing near the bar, unlikely to be conducive to two hours or more of a Champions League final. The clincher was the beer, with a choice of just GK Abbot and St Austell Tribute, and the latter in not very good nick (a bit too gassy), enough to send me on my way towards other options.

I finally got in here this weekend and I thought that it was a decent enough place. The barmaid was very friendly although I wasn't that keen on the Summer Lightening that she served me, but it looked ok and I've never had it before so it was probably me rather than the pint. I went to the toilet and was followed in by one of the locals. He apologised to me and then dropped an atom bomb out of his arse. He made sure that he took his time out of the bog so that I could fully appreciate his work. Thankfully I'm rather lowbrow! It was good to see a dart board in the corner and if I lived nearer I'd probably make this one of my locals.