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Detail Pages
The Cellar Taps, Newington Green, N1
N1
N1 4RA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Cellar Taps
This pub was indeed originally called the Edinburgh, Cellars arriving I know not when, likewise the transfer simply to The Cellars, but I do know that the current name arrived about three weeks ago, the result of an utterly needless makeover.
The exterior now advertises Sky/BT sport which doesn’t bode well and ‘craft’ beer, despite there being no definition of the term. Internally, the front bar displays shades of grey, with the arrival of some utterly tedious, repetitive shiny white tiles to the bar back and a couple of TVs which no-one was watching; the only saving grace is that the awful hackneyed metallic ceiling has been painted over; furniture is now more modern. It’s in the back room that the most shock is evident: this was a very fine place, probably for billiards and with a large lantern. It has now largely been plastered with trendy mishmash prints and is now very dark, but worst of all, there are now two TVs (unwatched, not that there were any customers), bathing the poor room in an awful, unflattering, unrestful light.
There were a small number of customers up front, but they were probably remaindered from the quiz.
This pub of late had few customers when the neighbouring Lady Mildmay and Alma were doing a roaring trade. Perhaps potential punters were put off by the large, intimidating dog that could frequently be seen here. Past customers tended to be trendy young things living locally, who probably have no interest in sport, which they can avoid in the Mildmay and Alma, which is where they all were on my last – and final – visit the other night.
Previously rated 7.
On 18th October 2022
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Cellars
I liked this street corner pub and the welcome from the lively landlady was heartfelt.The L shaped bar has comfortable bench seating and the large windows gave plenty of light.There is also a sizeable former billiards room to the rear with a large sky light ,and this area was plush and also had some dining type tables.There were some wooden seats and pic nic benches outside on a sun trap side of the pub.The side entrance has some fine glazed tiling and a mosaic indicating this was the entrance to the saloon and billiards room.Any divide for a public bar is long gone.
The vibe was relaxed and this is an authentic boozer ,the pub grub menu offered standard fare.
The 4 handpumps were offering a Lilly real cider,Doom Bar,Hammerton N1 and Five points XPA .(Very decent,NBSS 3.5,refreshing on a hot day).
I didn't visit every pub around Newington Green but of those I did pop in this was the best and I look forward to a return visit.
On 4th June 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Cellars
This pub has The Edinburgh in large letters on the corner, so maybe that's its original name? It's certainly been called the Edinburgh Cellars in the past. I only made a note of a couple of beers - Twickenham Naked Ladies and Timothy Taylor Landlord, but my recollection - which may be flawed - is that there were more than a couple. I was in late afternoon on a Wednesday and saw no sign of food.
This pub does retain some original features, such as the elaborate bar back and (grey painted) curved decorated archway on the left leading to the room at the back. The entranceway on the left still retains some original tiling and mosaic floor that informs us that it leads to the "Billiards and Saloon Bar". So obviously the room at the back used to be the billiards room. Now a thing of the past of course.
I tend to share the previous reviewer's opinion of this pub. I found it comfortable enough inside enjoying a quiet pint, and then outside at one of the picnic benches enjoying the late afternoon sunshine. It was pretty quiet when I was in, but had a nice feel to it. I certainly wouldn't mind dropping in for another beer sometime.
On 26th May 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Cellars
This is a nice little corner pub with a cosy feel to it and some interesting heritage elements which made it worth exploring a bit. The pub is a short distance from Newington Green and has an L-shaped interior with modern floorboards and an angular servery down the right hand side. The bar counter has a nice traditional feel to it, although it was unclear if it was the original, whilst the bar back boasted some interesting arches on one side and a less attractive plain wall on the other, adorned apropos of nothing, with a zebra's head. Over to the front right, a few Chesterfields have been set up under some old lamps and clocks to create an old fashioned lounge feel that kind of works, whilst down the left side there is a row of tables and chairs from front to back. Perhaps the most striking feature is the pub's unusual decorative metalwork ceiling which gives way to plaster features further into the room. Beyond the bar, things open out somewhat, allowing space for sofas, armchairs and button backed banquettes, all under a collection of old portraits and some pillars with nice decorative capitals. I couldn't get away form the fact that the pub had a bit of a foodie feeling to it, but there were no menus to be seen and I didn't catch a glimpse of a kitchen either, so maybe that feeling is entirely unjust. There weren't too many customers in, late on a mid-week evening, which was a bit of a shame - perhaps they were put-off by the crappy dance music which was playing away in the background and seemed totally incongruous with this compact, traditionally styled pub.
I think there were six handpulls on the bar but half of these were out of service, leaving a choice of Skinners Betty Stogs, Hackney APA and Ringwood Boondoggle. I tried a pint of the APA for £4.40, which was really good and slipped down very quickly, which was handy as I had to scoot off pretty quickly to attend a gig in nearby Dalston.
I had no intention of visiting this place, but thought it had a good online write-up and chanced my arm on it. I'm glad I gave it a go, as it's a characterful place with some decent beer and comfy furnishings. It struck me that it makes a good double-header with the nearby Lady Mildmay and is another decent boozer in this part of town.
On 23rd July 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Cellars
A food forward modern pub with a decent beer selection,six pumps provided a selection of ELB Pale,Morehouse White Witch,Skinners Betty Stoggs,Gales Seafarers,Ringwood Boondoggle and Redemption Rock The Kazbek.Nice place.
On 2nd May 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Cellars
Nice food led pub but plenty for the beer lover as well.Rear bar painted a stunning blue colour and the lighting make a nice warm effect.Good metallic pressed panel ceiling in the front bar.6 handpumps inc redemption -pale, otley -oxymoron,betty stogs and hackney-apa.
On 16th January 2015
- rating: 7
[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 The Cellars
Unless you try to enter via the (closed off) side door, there doesn't seem to be anything particularly interesting about this corner pub. The 'L'-shaped bar has typical gastro-pub furniture and decor, with most tables beside the large picture windows. However, further back, you find an imposing dining room under a high ceiling featuring an impressive skylight. Also has a few wood benches to one side. Five of the six handpumps were on when I visited, offering Hackney Hopster, ELB Foundation, JB Golden Ale (£4.00, served in a jug), Purity Mad Goose and Otley 10 Oxymoron. On leaving, if you didn't see it on the way in, have a look at the attractive "Billiards & Saloon" tiling in the disused side entrance (which makes you wonder what the interior might have looked like originally).
On 22nd November 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Edinburgh Cellars
This place looked very small as I peered through the large windowed frontage on my approach as the bar area is quite big leaving minimal seating around the exterior walls. It was only upon entering that I discovered the rather grand room at the rear with chandelier hanging in the centre from a large skylight in the very high ceiling. There is plenty of conventional seating and some leather armchairs surround the fireplace that is located in the far wall.
Along with the large selection of wine available there are two hand pumps that were drawing Tribute and Black Sheep and there is also a selection of premium draught products alongside Fosters. I had a pint of Guinness that was well served by the friendly bloke behind the bar. I didn’t see any food menus on my visit last Wednesday evening so I don’t know if any is served, but I would be surprised if not. I did get the feeling that the bar hadn’t been open long as there was a sign in the window saying that cards are not yet accepted so maybe I caught them whilst still getting things together.
I didn’t spot any TVs, which wasn’t surprising, but there were some random 80s and 90s hits playing in the background.
On 30th September 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]