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Detail Pages
Stapleton Tavern, Crouch Hill, N4
N4
N4 4AU
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 Stapleton Tavern
This place dates from the 1760s but has clearly been rebuilt and for the Wenlock Brewery, apparently.
A big opened out C-shape, the pub is apparently owned by Antic, but with none of their trademark touches. There’s a modern pale wood floor and there’s some lacquered wood with a dark brown Anaglypta ceiling, along with some columns with Corinthian capitals; an unused table football machine sat alone in the corner. The large rear room looks more interesting, with what appears to be a lofty lantern, so perhaps this was once the dining or snooker room, with two fireplaces, unused but otherwise grey and field panelled with what appear to be coats of arms on the walls to give it a baronial feel. Otherwise, there’s very little in the way of décor apart from a few framed prints. Lighting is limited, with clear glass hanging lamps of varying shapes over the bar, then traditional sconces. There are blue fairy lights behind the bar and with tea lights in red glass holders to tables, it’s all a bit Hertzsprung–Russell. This meant that all the TVs showing the football were unpleasantly bright. Furniture is utterly conventional and gentle mood music played.
The barman was ok, presiding over one unused clip, one reversed, then Tribute and XXXXXX at £2.25 a half and fine.
On a Wednesday night when all other pubs were doing a good trade, this big place was virtually empty mid-evening. I had thought that this was going to be some sort of rather swish gastropub, but it reminds me of a student union bar; a bit dispiriting really.
On 30th September 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Stapleton Tavern
The Stapleton Tavern is a corner pub that is opposite the Old Dairy pub.
Once inside there is a large single room which runs to the rear,the bar is on the left side,there are normal tables and chairs and settees to the front and normal tables and chairs elsewhere,the rear area opens out and is wider than the front area.
There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Oakham Inferno which went down well,the other beer was GK IPA.
There was decent background music playing.
The pub was empty on my late Thursday afternoon visit.
Pub visited 4/8/2016
On 2nd October 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Stapleton Tavern
Located on a street corner close to Crouch Hill station, this is a large pub run by Antic on lease from Greene King, hence the underwhelming (by Antic standards) beer range. The place has been given the full Antic makeover, with perhaps some of the more 'out there' décor that this chain has managed to put together. The front room sees a sizeable seating area narrow further back as the servery appears down the left hand side. The front section has a mix of tub chairs, button backed sofas and loads of low stools under pastel shaded walls with some low wood panelling under the windows. There are lots of small framed pictures on show, display shelves full of ceramics and tankards, table football, pinball and retro arcade machines. The bar has a simple counter with a mixture of light fittings above and some standard and low stool seating under modern wallpaper in the space opposite. To the rear is a very large room which was a little darker than the main bar and seemed to be set up more for diners thanks to lots of standard tables and chairs throughout. The centrepiece of the room is an enormous chandelier which gives the room its name. There is an open kitchen back here and a skylight, with lots more interesting bits doted around the walls. Apparently the room is used for movie nights, but there was just some quiet music playing on this visit.
The ale range was a little mainstream, presumably the result of the Greene King tie, with options consisting of Greene King IPA, Morland Old Speckled Hen, Skinners Betty Stogs and Sambrooks Wandle. The Betty Stogs cost £4.20 for a pint and was in reasonably good shape.
This is a nice pub to spend some time in, with a number of interesting features on show and some unorthodox décor and entertainment options to peruse. It's a shame that the ale range couldn't quite match up to that, but I suppose there is always the prospect of some decent guest ales, which makes this place worth stopping off in whenever you're in the area.
On 12th August 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Stapleton Tavern
This pub was originally called the Stapleton Hall Tavern, thus Antic have (almost) restored it to its original name. This being an Antic pub, there was a reasonable ale selection available. I went for the Belhaven St Andrews Ale, but also available were Springhead Willy’s Wheatbeer, York Brewery Guzzler, and Green King IPA. Tasters were offered - a big plus in my book. The menu on Saturday lunchtime was fairly limited, with main course in the £8 - £12 range – the standard burger, with a good portion of chunky chips, was £9.50.
Like all Antic pubs, this one has plenty of space between the tables and a varied mix of seating, but with sofas and normal tables and chairs predominating. It also some of the usual house clearance style of décor and adornments, but this one is perhaps a bit more restrained than most. I didn’t spot any overarching theme in the décor. The main room is quite large, and is graced by both a table football game and a pinball machine (Bugs Bunny). There was a TV on, showing the cricket of course (on Sky Sport). There’s another room at the back past the bar counter, containing more standard furnishings.
As well as the fact that they always do at least a couple of decent ales, the thing I like about Antic pubs is that they don't cram in as many tables and chairs as possible. Fine if it's not busy, but perhaps not so good if it's busy and you're looking for somewhere to sit. I would be happy to drop in here for another pint or two sometime. This is another Antic pub that doesn't open until 4.0 PM on weekdays.
On 7th August 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Larrik
This is a very big pub with a large seating area at the front that incorporates a pool table and a projector screen for showing Sky Sports. A long bar then leads to a much bigger area at the rear which has more seating, another pool table and an additional projector screen as well as two packed bookcases for the more intellectual of the area. It wasn’t very busy during my visit, but it was only Spurs playing on the screens so probably not much interest in this neck of the woods. I found the staff to be friendly and although only Greene King IPA was available as the Abbot was off I did have a nice pint of Guinness from the standard draught selection that stands alongside Amstel and Staropramen. Whilst I was waiting at the bar I glanced at the food menu which predominantly seemed to be pub grub, but the prices were reasonable for the area.
I imagine there being a great atmosphere in here for the big games when it is busy, but I think that there are better pubs in this area.
On 17th March 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]