The Red Filly, Mill Hill East, NW7

This very small Irish shop converted bar used to be called Kerrigans and changed its name to Red Filly early last year. I’m not sure what it was like before the name change, but I found a fairly uninviting bar on my visit early on Tuesday evening and I’m a big fan of these types of bars. Obviously there are a couple of plasma screens for showing all sports and the obligatory small portable TV showing muted horse racing is in place above the entrance. Unsurprisingly there is no real ale, but the Guinness was good and I suppose the barman was a little friendlier as my stay progressed. BBC News was on the plasma screens and I imagine that this is the sort of bar that shows Deal or No Deal during the afternoon, but that is just an assumption. A small covered outside smoking area can be found to the side of the building so at least one doesn’t have to fight through the nicotine bouncers to gain access. This is very much a local’s bar and I think they would rather be left alone.