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Detail Pages
The Horatia, N7
N7
N7 8JE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Horatia
This was originally the Lord Nelson, and given its current name in 2010, which refers to the good admiral’s daughter, Horatia - a bit like Nigel Lawson and his daughter today then, though whether Horatia could cook is not known.
This is a corner pub situated on the melee that is Holloway Road, under new management since 2013. Externally it’s quite grand with some fine details and pink granite pilasters; a Truman’s sign bracket can still be seen.
Inside, things have improved since the Google images were compiled in 2011: gone is the mauve paint (now white) and the chintzy furniture. Happily, the lovely tilework rendition of Nelson by the door has been retained – it reminded me of the one in the Washington, NW3. Gone too is the enormous TV showing vintage films. The smell of barbecue sauce has arrived, which made me feel hungry as I’d not eaten all day.
It’s a split-level interior, fenced off by balusters. Some ugly ductwork snakes across the ceiling but I’ve seen worse. The area to the rear would appear to be more of a lounge. There are a couple of iron structural columns with ornate capitals, some wood panelling and a modern bare boarded floor, but it’s untreated and wearing in well. The bar is wood-topped and matchboard fronted, lit by hanging lamps above with sizeable metal shades. Further lighting is supplied by modest Victorian-style chandeliers. Furniture is conventional and there’s also an upright piano. Otherwise, décor is minimal and music is muted.
Despite our mid-week arrival, the place was very full. Not rammed or heaving, but certainly doing a roaring trade with a mainly younger crowd, perhaps students from the nearby London Met (table football is available to the rear); the pub boasts a capacity of 300.
Ales: friendly and swift service, pumping out Hogsback’s TEA, Hammerton’s N1 and Five Points Pale which was much appreciated after a night on the Pride, though it was a bit of a banker-buster at £4.80 a pint.
Far better than expected, this isn’t a bad place at all – I’d come here again if in the mood for something a little livelier though probably not on a Friday or Saturday. Despite the prices, the decent selection of ale and quality are an incentive, though the hard surfaces and enthusiastic customers mean that this doesn’t qualify as a quiet pub. It may too be one to avoid when the local football team is playing.
One more thing: has management not checked its website? The name on the schematic of the pub is missing the second A, spelled The Hortia…
On 31st March 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Horatia
Large open plan bare boarded and split level interior. 2 real ales. Tiled picture of Nelson in one corner.
On 26th September 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Horatia
The Horatia is a decent looking pub situated towards the bottom end of Holloway Road.
Once inside there is an oblong shaped room which runs to the rear,the bar is on the left side and the floor is bare boarded,there is a raised area to the front right,the seating is normal tables and chairs.
There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Adnams Ghost Ship,which went down very well,the other real ale was Doom Bar.
There was decent background music playing and the TV to the rear was showing sky sports football updates.
I was happy enough having a drink in this pub.
Pub visited 25/2/2017
On 30th April 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Horatia
Named after Admiral Nelson's illegitimate daughter (or perhaps more diplomatically his and Emma's love child), this pub used to be called The Lord Nelson, which one might guess by the tiled mural in the entranceway of the said Admiral. This is a marvellous feature for a pub to retain, but a shame that everything else of heritage value that would have been here has been lost over the years.
It's a pub of two halves. The front area where the bar counter's sited is bright and open, but with a very "scrubbed out" and modern look. It's bare boarded but with an area of parquet style wooden blocks, and furnished with normal tables and chairs. The room at the back past the bar counter is dark and gloomy in comparison, and furnished mainly with sofas. There's little in the way of decor, but I did spot a portrait of Edward VII, whicj is not something that you see every day.
There was just the one ale on - the 5.2% Hammerton No7 (£4 a pint). It's certainly not a session ale, but was in great shape. There were no menus around, but a blackboard on one of the walls advertised hot dogs, which seems to be the staple food here.
This is not a homely pub, but it was very quiet during my late weekday afternoon visit and I was able to have a chat with the friendly barman.
On 17th September 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about Horatia
Dark,dull distressed interior to this pub.Nice original ties to the left as you enter so must have been a decent pub in its time before the salvage guys ripped out the interior.Only a couple of customers drinking but about 20 people learning to dance at the back of the pub.Adnams -Ghost ship and redemption -pale which was a bit tired.
On 12th May 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Horatia
Refurbished, and partly opened out at some stage to form a spacious bar with a raised seating area, mixed furniture and light gastro-pub decor. Darker lounge / games / DJ booth area under a lower ceiling to the rear. Nice tiled picture of Lord Nelson by the front door. Two of three handpumps in operation, offering Black Sheep and Tribute (£3.80).
On 13th July 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Ashburton
There was only a standard selection of draught available in here on my visit, but taking into account that there are two pool tables and a nine ball pool table I don't think that the management is aiming at a real ale crowd. I was pleased to see a very nice dartboard set up towards the rear of the pub and the jukebox level wasn't too imposing. I also thought that the barmaid was very friendly and it looks like an effort has been made to make this a decent pub.
My visit was on a weekday night so it wasn't very busy, but I liked it and would go again if in the area.
On 23rd August 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]