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The Tally Ho, North Finchley, N12
N12
N12 0BP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Tally Ho
They had five real ales on in here - Black Sheep Baa Baa Ale; Hobgoblin; Old Golden Hen; GK Abbot; and Purity Mad Goose (£1.65 a half). There were also three Lilley ciders on - Tropical; Strawberry; and Rhubarb. Assuming they were all really on - WhatPub casts doubt on this. I stuck with the beer of course and the Mad goose was definitely available. The usual Stonegate pubco menu, with all manner of byzantine meal deals was available. I kept it simple and went for the all day breakfast at £6.29.
This is a massive landmark pub in the centre of town. Even the bus stop is named after the pub. Inside it's still split into four distinct drinking and eating areas - there were probably even more in years past judging by the unused doors. I sat in the room on the corner, which is carpeted and furnished entirely with normal tables and chairs, and which also has the access to the garden. The main bar is up a couple of steps, is bare-boarded with loads of tall tables/tall stools - but is where the handpumps can be found. There are two further rooms back down a couple of steps on the High Road side of the pub. When I was in the drinkers were congregating in the main bar area, with anyone eating sitting in one of the other three rooms.
It's a Stonegate pub so the ale choice is never going to be exceptional, but the selection in here is better that any other Stonegate pub I've been in. The all day breakfast at £6.29 looks to be the same as the traditional breakfast available bedfore noon at £4.99. I reckon it's a bit better than the the 'spoons version, although theirs is a bit cheaper.
For a Stonegate pub it's good. As you might expect it was doing a good trade at lunchtime on Wednesday, being the nearest thing to a 'spoons around here. It used to be a 'spoons of course.
On 7th April 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Tally Ho
A Spoons located in a lovely old building abutting a junction, though sadly the interior is grubby and battered which lets it down – though on hearing that the place is on the JDW disposal list perhaps that explains why. It’s less open-plan than the average Wetherspoons and there’s a lot of traditional pub touches that gives it a bit of character (wood panelling, red Victroriana wallpaper, latticed windows etc). Also, there’s an unusual and pleasant enclosed garden area at the apex of the building’s footprint. Our visit was a sad comedy – the place was incredibly badly run, staff with little-to-no skills and only three ales on with just one genuine guest, an appalling Nethergate Growler which went back, to be replaced with Abbot which tasted suspiciously like GK IPA to me. In short, this was dire and one can only hope that its new owners get it back up to muster – there’s the fabric of a very good pub here.
On 24th October 2016
- rating: 4
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Tally Ho (JD Wetherspoon)
This is a landmark pub located in the crook of a junction which is known locally as Tally Ho Corner. The pub is presently operated by Wetherspoons, although it does form part of the latest tranche of their pub estate to have been put up for sale, so the future is not entirely clear. This is a great shame, as my visit found a well run branch set inside an interesting building with plenty of traditional pub character. The right hand bar, on the upper side of the building, seems to be the main drinking space. The room is carpeted and has lattice windows, floral wallpaper, dark wood panels and the usual varied mix of ‘Spoons seating options. For a main bar in a Wetherspoons, it’s surprisingly compact, creating a degree of cosiness depending on where you manage to grab a seat. The prime seats to bag are one of the two marvellous heavy wooden chairs which are carved to look like elephants – it sounds odd but they look fantastic. Plain mirrors and photos of the local area cover the walls and there is a staircase to one side which has an old pub sign for The Snooty Fox hung halfway up, although I have no idea where this comes from. To the front of the pub, at the apex of the junction, you can go down into a small side room which is also carpeted and benefits from lots of dark wood panelling and comfy seating, creating the feel of an old club house. This in turn leads out to a surprisingly secluded garden area, with lots of seating screened from the roads running wither side of it. On the left side of the pub, there is a smaller, lower bar which was much quieter than the main room and benefited from more panelling and a lovely long, curved window bay, although seating was fairly limited here. A step leads down again to a rear lounge, which was also dominated by dark wood fittings and had a pub mirror, dartboard, black and white photos and a couple of old portraits on show, all of which gave the place a real ‘pub-like’ feel that this chain doesn’t always capture. I believe this was one of the chain’s earlier pubs, which perhaps explains the more traditional pub feel – the rooms upstairs even served as Tim Martin’s office space for a period.
The ale range was reasonably good, offering a 50/50 split between guest ales and regular ‘Spoons offerings (four of each) with the final two pumps bearing ‘Coming Soon’ signs. I tried a pint of Bragdy Conwy California which was well kept and served by one of the efficient young bar team, who were on their toes to deal with a lively, mixed Friday night crowd.
I hadn’t intended to visit this place, but decided to pop in for a quick look as I was passing and I have to say I’m very glad I did. I found a thriving branch of this well known chain offering good beer and quick service in very pleasant surroundings. Ironically, I suspect it is the ‘old-fashioned’ look of this pub that has prompted them to put it up for sale, as it doesn’t really fit the profile or direction their estate is taking. I hope whoever takes it on will keep this fine building open for future generations to enjoy.
On 25th July 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alesonly . left this review about The Tally Ho (JD Wetherspoon)
Not improved on the Ale front since last review tried three guest ales all drinkable but none outstanding or in good condition. This pub is badly let down by some of the customers it attracts like smokers hanging around the doors and groups of local yobs. Too many young in experienced staff don't help. Again this regular wetherspoon thing they never know who's next or don't care if the friends are waiting. I will give it a miss for another year.
On 31st March 2015
- rating: 3
[User has posted 132 recommendations about 105 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Tally Ho (JD Wetherspoon)
Bit of a tatty multi -roomed Wetherspoons.Very poor cask beer selection and none of the new craft keg beers seen in other branches.Had a tin of Bengali tiger which was decent enough and only £1.99.
On 20th December 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alesonly . left this review about The Tally Ho (JD Wetherspoon)
This place seems to have deteriorated vastly over the last few months and the staff seem to be changing on a daily bases. The staff and duty managers are always looking so glum & browned off as if they don't want to be there not a smile between them. Politeness seems to have gone out the window no manners what so ever from any of them No Please or Thank You just chuck the change on bar and walk away fast before you can complain if there is a problem with the Ale. The other bad points are the Ales on tap are not usually in as good condition as they used to be any more there must be new cellar man as the last few times I have been in there were around Six guest on Tap along with the usual Abbot & Ruddles that's good but Two out of Three Pints I tried were well past there best. Now for the only Good points there is a Dart board & Large projector Screen along with several large TVs for watching the football or Rugby now in the bottom bar plus a load of gambling machines which seem to get well used if nothing else Pub seems very quiet on my last few visits which were on Tuesday Friday & Saturday evenings. I would not visit again till there's another change of management it seems to have gone done hill terribly since my last regular visit I find it hard to give it a three.
On 21st October 2012
- rating: 3
[User has posted 132 recommendations about 105 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Tally Ho (JD Wetherspoon)
This is another example of a Spoons that has always been a pub rather than a conversion. The name is well known as the area is generally known as Tally Ho Corner and I'm sure it used to be a bus destination, rather like the Bakers Arms in East London.
This morning the service was a bit slow, partly due to a coffee order. I eventually got served a 5% Adnam's Mayday at £1.99 which seemed to be exceptionally good value, possibly a mistake.
With the 50p CAMRA voucher it was even sweeter! It would help if the pumps had prices on them, as do some Spoons.
The beer was in fine condition, but I wonder why it was on as it is not on the current guest list, neither was tbe Nethergate Growler Bitter. There seems to be a trend in certain Spoons to stock beers from major regionals rather than small micros from the guest list or local micros.I can't say I approve of this, but this Adnam's beer which I had never even heard of let alone drank was worth the journey.
On 17th May 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Tally Ho (JD Wetherspoon)
I’ve never been the biggest fan of this place as Wetherspoons aren’t my favourite pub chain and I’ve always thought this place to be below their par. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit as there was a good atmosphere in here and the staff were efficient so either they’ve changed or had a size twelve up their backsides. It is a big pub with lots of different rooms so a comfortable seat can usually be found, although the larger back room is often full of diners taking advantage of the cheap food. There are two bar areas and there is a plasma screen in the main one that usually has muted Sky Sports News feed playing. There is also some outside seating to the side of the pub, but it isn’t very comfortable as it is in the middle of the busy high street with cars passing either side.
Along with the standard draught there are twelve hand pumps and I counted nine different ales including the usual Abbot and Ruddles. I enjoyed a decent pint of Guinness which obviously didn’t break the bank.
I wouldn’t go out of the way to drink here, but it is handy if shopping in North Finchley and it also closes everyday at midnight.
On 10th March 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alesonly . left this review about The Tally Ho (JD Wetherspoon)
This Wetherspoons has Improved very much of Late Its been recently refurbished in traditional style similar too what I remember what it looked like in the late 70s. The new recent management have made it a lot better and Ales are always in good condition lately . Also cheap but good food served and food Part Upstairs with own small Bar. Good during the week but I would avoid Friday & Saturday Evening's after around 20:00 hrs If your over 25 as it gets rammed with students & the younger crowed ETC.
On 3rd February 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 132 recommendations about 105 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Tally Ho (JD Wetherspoon)
A large Wetherspoon's with several drinking areas that semms to be all over the place also has an upstairs bar. Can get very busy as it is the centre of North Finchley. Usual real ales on offer
On 6th April 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]