The Leighton, Kentish Town, N7

This is obviously a large old Victorian pub, now painted indigo and white, a colour scheme probably not seen much in Victorian times. Inside it's largely been opened up, with no original features of note that I could see, except a bit of cornicing and the cast iron pillars that nobody in their right mind would remove. There are some sofas and banquettes plus some normal tables and chairs; on the right is what looks like a modern brick built fireplace next to a spiral staircase that leads to who knows where. There were two unclipped handpumps on the bar - but no real ale as they were awaiting deliveries. Beer tomorrow apparently. Maybe I was just unlucky in my timing, but I'm never very impressed with cellar management of this calibre. Anyway, I went for a half of Birra Moretti (seemed cheap at £1.65 a half). The barmaid/landlady attached some sort of sparkler-like widget to the tap before pouring it - a new one on me for a lager. She says it makes it come out right. I'm still unimpressed. I didn't see any menus, but there were a couple of boards outside, one advertising Sunday lunches and the other a pie of some sort that apparently came with something called "liquor". Perhaps visiting on a midweek lunchtime one doesn't see a place at its best, but based on my one visit I don't expect to seek this pub out for a revisit.

Official site of The Leighton - www.leightonarms.co.uk

Official site of The Leighton - www.leightonarms.co.uk

I found this pub to be quite unfriendly and I regretted walking in. I got the feeling that it mainly caters for the local estates and anyone that is not a local is treated with suspicion. I gave up trying to get to the bar as a particularly unfriendly family of deadbeats blocked one side of it and I cut my losses after a couple of minutes and slinked out. There are two hand pumps, one of which was unused and the Pride on the other one was off. There is also a selection of standard lagers available. There is a pool table and a dart board out the back before reaching a reasonably sized beer garden for the area. I'll not be returning here.