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In the Hop Garden with Wittenden
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Detail Pages
The Doric Arch, NW1
Somers Town
NW1
NW1 2DN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Doric Arch
This pub was built near to the site of the Builders Arms, a 19th century hostelry that was demolished around 1963 to make way for the redevelopment of Euston Station. As part of the surrounding Richard Seifert-designed complex, this trading unit was probably opened in whatever form on 14th October 1968, formerly the Head of Steam, the current name dating from 2006, taken from a great big – and to some much missed – ugly lump of an edifice about 200 yards to the north, demolished to make way for the current, equally ugly structure, the website describing this place as being a ‘historic pub’. My dimpled buns it is.
As mentioned, the meat of the operation operates on the first floor: it’s a fake ‘ye olde’ affair, looking like a Victorian-style hotel bar, with only about four customers at the time of my Saturday 9.45pm visit, having come from the comparative party atmosphere of the Euston Tap next door: ‘Sorry. We’re closed’ grovelled the barman. As I was to find out, the neighbouring drinkeries didn’t suffer this problem: Captain Flinders, Euston Tap, Parcel Yard and especially the Barrel Vault, where getting a seat was a challenge, even when I left at 11.30pm, revelry continuing ‘til 1.00am.
On the ale front, there were the usual Fuller’s offerings, then Hophead and something from Siren.
Hemmed in by a near impenetrable steel palisade fence and overlooking a bus depot, by station bar standards this is a bit of a pathetic place and not without superior competition.
On 8th December 2024
- rating: 1
[User has posted 2195 recommendations about 2152 pubs]
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Doric Arch
If you are looking for a decent pint near the station, but want to avoid the usual crush at the Euston Tap, this Fuller's pub (formerly the Head of Steam) is a reliable bet. The bar is housed in the first floor of a very undistinguished block near the bus stops, with a split-level arrangement that makes the most of a fairly limited amount of space. Semi-traditional furniture and décor mostly comprising railway memorabilia. On this latest visit, we found Pride, Oliver's Island and ESB plus the seasonal Golden Rays, a couple from Dark Star and a cider available from the three banks of five handpumps. Definitely better than would expect, given the location.
On 1st July 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8588 recommendations about 8588 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Doric Arch
It's been over 10 years since I've been in the Doric Arch. The pub sits adjacent to the bus station just outside Euston station itself. The bar itself is on the first floor, with only the toilets and the entrance at ground level.
Little appears to have changed in that time. There is still plenty of railway memorabilia on the walls, customers are still very transient (although seemingly fewer in number than I remember) and the toilets still require a keycode. Fuller's beers still dominate, with Fuller's London Pride, ESB & Oliver's Island & Dark Star Hophead being permanent fixtures, Guests were Oakham Citra, Rudgate York Chocolate Stout & Wild Beer Millionaire. The cider was Norcott's Rhubarb Cider.
A 15% CAMRA discount is offered. Still one of the better pubs near Euston station.
On 13th May 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2998 recommendations about 2996 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
. Wittenden left this review about The Doric Arch
Very much as described below, I found this shrine to our railway past somewhat studious on my Sunday afternoon visit. After the infernal amplified music, both inside and out at the Euston Tap, I was able to enjoy my pint of Box Steam Soul Train in peace. A good line up of Fuller's beers was complemented by Titanic Plum Porter.A 15% CAMRA discount is available, though I didn't realise this until after my purchase.Yes, a decent place to await one's train.
On 12th April 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 290 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Doric Arch
This is a great place to wait for your train! Good choice of beers.
On 11th October 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1806 recommendations about 1679 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Doric Arch
Very busy on a late Friday afternoon, its a lot better inside than it appears from without, a good range of Fullers beers plus some guests.
You're much more likely to find me in one of the nearby Euston Taps though.
On 18th November 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2122 recommendations about 2091 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Doric Arch
Good pub if you are passing through Euston.Comfortable interior.Usual fullers range +3 guests.Skinners -hunny bunny, Magpie -dark secret and Totally brewed -punch in the face ipa.If they keep getting guest beers like this I will stop in more often.
On 25th April 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Doric Arch
A well run Fullers pub this one with eight handpumps in use on our visit. The service was friendly and chatty, which was a nice surprise considering the amount of people passing through the doors. My London Pride was exceptionally good.
On 19th January 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3596 recommendations about 3596 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Doric Arch
Also popped in the other evening and this place continues to bat well above your average station pub. Good range of Fullers beers on offer and the Kelham Island Pale Rider was still on as a guest.
Well described by previous reviewers, so will only say that this continues to be a recommended place to catch a decent pint if waiting to meet travellers and having to get a code to use the downstairs toilets is only a minor inconvenience.
On 19th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2234 recommendations about 2097 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
General Staal left this review about The Doric Arch
This is an old fashioned, traditional pub in a modern building. It shouldn't work, but it does. It is warm, inviting and friendly. It is split over two levels to make the most of limited space.
It is a Fuller's pub and has most of their range on tap, but bizarrely, advertised John Smith's Smooth as a guest ale. I had a pint of their London Porter for no better reason that it was there and I fancied a pint. It was very nice.
The place does food, but we had limited time as we were catching the train.
The place has what appears to be old train station name plates on the wooden panelled walls. As I have said, on a cold night, it was a warm and inviting place. I would come in here again.
On 15th February 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 142 recommendations about 125 pubs]