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The Village Green, Muswell Hill, N10

122 Fortis Green Road
N10
N10 3HN
Phone: 02084448830

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Pub Type

Punch Taverns

Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Pub SignMan left this review about John Baird

This large pub and restaurant in the centre of Muswell Hill has been a bit of a regular Good Beer Guide entry in recent years, so I was keen to pop in when I recently found myself in the area. The pub has a vaguely U-shaped layout, with the front door depositing you directly into the main bar area, with the servery opposite and seating areas to either side. The main bar space has a quarry stone floor with some uncomfortable looking high banquettes along the front wall. The bar has a dark wood counter with angular ends and a traditional mirrored bar back. To the left, there is a pleasant seating area with a few tables and chairs, a nice bookcase and some simple contemporary decor. This leads into a rear restaurant which serves up Thai food in a dedicated room, so that the bar area doesn’t suffer from the smell of tempting food. I didn’t get a proper look at the restaurant, preferring instead to head to the right hand side of the pub, which seems to be the space best suited to the drinker. This is a wide, split-level space divided into front and rear sections by a shelving unit full of old spirit bottles. The front part has parquet flooring, feature wallpaper on the end wall and a mix of chair and button backed sofa seating. A large TV screen to one side remained switched off throughout my visit and some old photos of the local area helped add a bit more of a pub-like feel to the space. The rear part is slightly raised and offers smart banquette and chair seating in a carpeted space with unusual leather wall decorations and more fancy wallpaper. Mirrors line the walls and there was a collection of board games in one corner.
The ale range was a bit depleted on this mid-week visit, with just Sharps Atlantic and Courage Best available. Of the three remaining pumps, only one more was in action, offering a real cider option. The Atlantic was on pretty good form but I found the barman a bit standoffish and unwelcoming.
I was a bit underwhelmed by this place and thought, despite quite a nice seating area for drinkers, that it had more of a dining pub feel to it. Things weren’t helped by a lacklustre ale range and surly service, but I should keep in mind that my beer was at least in good shape and I was able to relax easily enough in the comfortable seating provided. Ultimately though, I prefer the ‘Spoons down the road to this place.

On 6th March 2019 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Bucking Fastard left this review about John Baird

A solid looking building with an decent interior.Through the front door is a seating area with some sofas and traditional tables behind which is a kind of mid building snug in dark decorations on the way to an outside beer garden with a table football machine.The L shaped bar is to the left of the entrance with a high bench running opposite and at the end of the L,a seperate dining room operating as a thai restaurant.
There are 4 handpumps,offering on my trip Courage Best,Sharp's Atlantic and a very decent St Austell Liquid Sunshine.There is a Sunday quiz ,occasional live music and the tv on my visit was showing World Cup soccer.There is a community vibe here and the welcome was friendly.A decent option in Muswell Hill despite a pedestrian ale line up.

On 23rd June 2018 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Alan Winfield left this review about The John Baird

The John Baird is situated in the middle of Muswell's Hills shopping area.
Once inside there isan L shaped room with the bar facing,the floor is part tiled and bare boarded,the seating is bench type and normal tables and chairs,the left side runs to the rear where there is what looks like a Indian or Chinese restaurant,this area was empty on my Thursday dinner visit.
I noted three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Woodfords Wherry which went down well,the other beers were Woodfords Summer Breeze and Old Golden Hen.
I thought this was a decent enough pub to have a drink in.

Pub visited 4/8/2016

On 25th September 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Will Larter left this review about The John Baird

It was quite busy on my recent visit, with several family groups having an evening meal and not many spare seats. Quite a few people were standing at the bar, with one person holding forth to a group of friends: a loudmouth whose only available adjective began with F and was used twice in every sentence. Good choice of beers on the eight or nine hand pumps. Two ciders, two porters, two bitters and a mild. We found a table, but the reason for the pub being so busy became apparent when quiz sheets began to be distributed. So if, like me, you would prefer a quiet drink, avoid this place on Sunday evenings.

On 9th May 2012 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3699 recommendations about 3440 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Alesonly . left this review about The John Baird

I was in this Pub last night on my way back after the GBBF as its only about 200 yards from my house. The good points are they have some very good guest Ales on Tap and there always in excellent condition last night there was Mordue Workie Ticket' Doom Bar & several other good Ales on on Tap and all the ones I tried were in excellent condition. The Pub is always clean & tidy and the Staff are always very polite.
The only bad point I find is that they allow food too be eaten anywhere in the Pub not just in the restaurant part and I find the smell tends to put me off my beer. But this apart its not a bad Pub providing you go in when theres no sport on TV. But all in all Its worth a visit just for the Ales & Its much better During the weekday Evenings or during the day time as its a lot quieter.

For Beer & Ale Quality 10/10 overall score 7/10 due too the constant smell of stale food.

On 5th August 2010 - rating: 7
[User has posted 132 recommendations about 105 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The John Baird

I popped in here yesterday after a long absence and found it to be pretty much how I remember after the refurbishment just over two years ago. I’m usually against pub modernisations and some will say that they preferred it the way it was, but I thought that the pub had become old and tired and has now vastly improved.

I always found the staff to be friendly and this visit was no exception as I was greeted with a smile and my Guinness was spot on. Along with a standard and premium draught selection there were seven ales available, some of which were more familiar than others. Food is also served and ‘The Black Orchid’ Thai restaurant can be found at the rear of the pub. I’ve heard that it is good quality and as it is fairly self-contained I have never found the main pub area to be overrun with diners.

There is a projector screen and some flat screen TVs on which all the football is shown via Sky Sports.

Some traditionalists will not like it in here, but I think that this is one of the better pubs in the area and I would recommend it to others.

On 10th February 2010 - rating: 8
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]