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Detail Pages
Railway Tavern, Crouch End, N8
Crouch End
N8
N8 8DH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about Railway Tavern
As mentioned in previous reviews, from the outside the Railway Tavern is a fine example of a 1936 Neo-Tudor pub. Internally it was clearly a three room pub back in the day when built but has been opened out into one large connected inside space since then and today is primarily two sections as you enter the front door, the first mainly laid to tables for dining in the lower section and a more comfortable lounge area around a substantial inglenook fireplace in the upper section. A lot of the interesting post war pub design features have long been stripped out, but enough remain to get it a place in the CAMRA historic pub interiors list. As well as the fireplace and surrounds, the two level bar counter and bar back are original, as is the stained glass in the doors and the impressive urinals in the gents date from 1936. I cannot comment about the plumbing in the ladies loo though.
Some nice decorative features, but as much as I like model aeroplanes I didn’t really see the point of the two hanging in the main sections, they just seemed a bit out of place to me.
The lower dining section is quite smart, but unfortunately the upper drinking section is still in need of some TLC, sadly some 10 years after this comment being made by Rex in his review. And the vinyl upholstery clinging to life with the help of some gaffer tape mentioned in the review below is now even more precariously clinging to life with tape. This probably gives an indication where this pubs priority is, something which is largely confirmed when you approach the bar. Of the four pumps only two in operation with Fullers London Pride and TTLandlord, a Doombar clip reversed on the third and the last unused. So not the most inspiring choice but at least the Landlord was in decent form.
Of the three pubs at this end of the Broadway it’s probably the pick of the bunch for a comfortable pint in a traditional pub. But by no stretch of the imagination can this be considered a must visit pub in Crouch End, and frankly it’s a bit irresponsible to lead readers to believe so. If there is any nearby pub in the N8 postcode that comes close to deserving that accolade, then it would be The Queens, and that would be for the interior and not the beer.
On 11th August 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Railway Tavern
This pub was built in 1896, only to be rebuilt in 1936 for Charrington’s (there’s a fine Toby ceramic plaque to the outside left wall) in the brewers’ Tudor style and makes it onto CAMRA’s inventory for having an interior of Some Regional Importance, which can be seen on their site and the pub’s website’s gallery. In all, it’s very charming and atmospheric.
There were few drinkers on my visit, but with a busy house, I can imagine it could have a good atmosphere in here, me perched in the rear ‘snugette’, where some vinyl upholstery can be seen, clinging to life with the help of some gaffer tape, which should be remedied.
The barman was friendly, presiding over one unused pump, Doom, Bass and Landlord at £4.90 and good.
This is probably the best all-round pub in N8, so is a must-visit if in the area.
On 15th September 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Railway Tavern
This is a very pleasant pub of attractive outward appearance and retaining enough internal features to justify a listing on Camra's heritage pubs website, where a detailed description can be found. I assume that the three model aeroplanes suspended from the ceiling are not part of the architect's plans from 1936. Another unusual feature is the table skittles board, prominently sited not far inside the front door. The bar is on the right and serves both rooms, the rear lounge area with its copper hooded fireplace being separated by only half screens from the front part (which used to be two rooms). There were three real ales on at the time of my visit: Timothy Taylor Landlord, Sharps Doom Bar and Marstons Pedigree. The Landlord was in good condition. Worth a look in when in this part of town.
On 15th January 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3740 recommendations about 3477 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Railway Tavern
A classic 1930's mock tudor exterior and worth a look around the interior for good features.The open plan set up is on three levels,and by the front door there was a table skittles board.Furniture is traditional with long bench seating on the middle level,while at the back is a most attractive fireplace with a beaten copper flue,and room in the inglenook for two small tables.Everywhere there is good wood panelling ,so pleasing that so much has survived.
The bar is at two levels and has three handpumps offering Doom Bar and Purity UBU (passable but £2.20 the half) on my trip.There is a pub grub menu ,although I did see one punter send food back to the kitchen,and there are some tapas options.The rear section is used for Irish music nights on Wednesdays and the two flatscreen were playing music channel output,so music is a theme here.
Nothing to get excited about on the ale front,but a decent interior to have a squint at.
On 19th August 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Railway Tavern
The Railway Tavern is a really nice looking pub with a mock Tudor frontage and a large floral display which i like to see.
Once inside there is a single oblong shaped room ,the front area has normal tables and chairs and tall tables and chairs,there is an an unusable table skittle table which must be for show,the bar is up one step on the right side,there is comfy bench seating and chairs opposite the bar,the rear area is up one more step,where there is more bench seating and chairs,there is lots of wood panelling which gives the pub a cosy feel.
There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Taylor Landlord which was a nice drink,the other beers were Purity UBU and Doom Bar.
I quite liked this pub.
Pub visited 4/8/2016
On 2nd October 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Railway Tavern
This pub boasts a classic brewer’s Tudor exterior, with as many black painted wooden beams set in the facade as it could possibly want. Apparently it started life as a Charrington’s pub judging by the trademark Toby jug featured in the external signage, although somewhat surprisingly the green banded glazing in the windows is absent.
Inside much of the original design remains. The bar counter is clearly an original piece of work, as evidenced by the keyhole in the facing at the far end which also denotes that this is where the handpumps would originally have been sited. The half height wooden paneling, as well as the bar back with the Toby insignia still present, are also original. But of course it’s been largely opened up, although a bit of screening still remain separating to some extent what was the snug bar from the lounge at the back. There’s also a large fireplace at the back, with a copper hood to the chimney, and with a couple of small tables ensconced in the surrounds.
There are model planes hanging from the ceiling, a model LNER train above the fireplace, and a boar’s head above the servery providing non-technological balance. Other items of note were the pair of gilded figurine plant holders, complete with aspidistras, doing sentinel duty by the fireplace. There are a few tables outside.
The ale range is not extensive, but they did have on Doom Bar and Purity UBU (£2 a half). Sandwiches are around £6 -£7, and pub grub main courses are around £8 - £9. This pub could do with a little TLC – the banquettes were some of the grubbiest I have seen – but it remains a proper pub with plenty of interest in there for those of us who appreciate pub architecture. I liked it and would happily return.
On 8th August 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Railway Tavern
Whilst finishing a cigarette before I entered this establishment I noticed the sign on the A-board on the path outside which was advertising the pub as being perfect for ‘lovely ladies with babies who love to lunch'. This instantly filled me with dread and I was expecting my first visit to this pub to consist of a quick half before a quick exit, but I was very wrong. I thought that the staff were very friendly and the regulars all seemed nice enough creating a very relaxed atmosphere and there was not a pushchair in sight.
I didn't spot any TV screens, but there was a table skittles game taking centre spot in the raised back section of the pub and from the signs saying that the back door must be locked when a band is playing I deduced that the pub hosts live music.
Bass, Deuchars and Landlord were all available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers. I had a couple of pints of the Landlord which I found to be very good.
The beer garden out the back is less garden and more yard, but it has a few decorations and is well looked after, I just don't think I would want to spend an extended period drinking in it.
I think that this is definitely a contender for the best pub in Crouch End and I would certainly go back if in the area again.
On 30th June 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5240 recommendations about 5208 pubs]