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The Captain Flinders (JD Wetherspoon), NW1
NW1
NW1 1DA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Captain Flinders (JD Wetherspoon)
The brand newest Spoons in the estate, opening in early January 2024. As others have mentioned, it is really rather small for the brand and is more toping shed than drinking barn, the tables are rammed-in to the extent a battery hen would go on strike. Décor is JDW middle ground, with some teak effect panelling and the usual pub carpet. Of genuine interest is the wall to the left which displays polychromatic (had to look that up) tiles with paintings depicting an odd mix of Renaissance and travel scenes. I assume that the Watford Wizard thought that most punters in here would be quick turnover train travellers; well if so he got that wrong as at least 50% looked like they were settled in for the afternoon, with the classic codger collective having already made themselves comfortable (with one fast asleep), joined by a smattering of students and some bunking workers (me). I could only ID three people who were definitely travelling. Perhaps due to the small size there were just four ales featuring a solitary guest, an excellent drop of Wimbledon Norma (NBSS 3.5) at prices that were close to par with their airport outlets, pleased that I could give my Timbo Token over. I was initially disappointed by this one and was expecting something much bigger and grander. But the quality of the cask and the pubby atmosphere made me feel a bit more disposed to it after a while.
On 23rd February 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5132 recommendations about 5115 pubs]
David Walton left this review about The Captain Flinders (JD Wetherspoon)
Not much to add to the comprehensive summaries of this new JDW venue. Rammed on my arrival just now at 7pm and nothing but the three “staples” as not even the TW NL (or anything remotely good) was on offer. Selected the Ruddles (nothing wrong with it) and supped up quite quickly as the noise was insufferable in a pub with a lower ceiling than any property I have ever owned. Most noise emanating by a party of what looked like estate agents celebrating the sale of their first maisonette of the year with what ever fizzy wine stuff JDW sells these days. Unlikely to return as many better offerings, as most know, nearby.
On 15th January 2024
- rating: 3
[User has posted 153 recommendations about 153 pubs]
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Captain Flinders (JD Wetherspoon)
Surprisingly small new 'spoons conversion close by Euston station so could easily get overcrowded at times? However, after work on a Thursday evening during its opening week, it was just busy but not uncomfortably so. Seating is quite tightly arranged around the square bar, and the relatively compact feel is enhanced by the noticeably low ceiling. Finding only four handpumps on the counter does seem a bit of a departure, offering the expected Ruddles, Doom Bar and Abbot plus an admittedly excellent Naked Ladies from Twickenham (£4.68) as a guest.
On 11th January 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Tris C left this review about The Captain Flinders (JD Wetherspoon)
This is a 19th century building situated along Somertown’s none too appealing Eversholt Street, formerly SophistiCats, Camden’s last ‘adult-themed’ club and next door, specialising in selling ‘used magazines’ (luverly), is the euphemistically named ‘Euston Bookshop’. This place has been comprehensibly ‘spoonified, the name taken from naval captain Matthew Flinders, whose remains were uncovered during work on nearby HS2; Flinders was responsible for circumnavigating, mapping and naming Australia; a statue of him can be seen in Euston station’s piazza with his cat, Trim; it’s also the second recent opening of the branch on this strip serving a railway station, the Barrel Vault having opened in October 2018.
As mentioned by the previous reviewer, there’s just lavs and the kitchen downstairs as this was apparently where the strip club was, not that I ever visited it. Size wise, compared to some barn-like offerings, this is a teaspoon and not large by Victorian pub standards either. The floor has a tiled bar apron, then pale pine boards which delineate a custom weaved carpet exhibiting nods to the original ceiling above Euston’s Great Hall and hidden motifs relating to cats’ eyes, a reference to Trim. The wall to the left displays polychromatic tiles with paintings seemingly depicting either travel or Renaissance allegorical figures; otherwise, walls are full-height field panelled with teak effect wood, the whole smelling like a lumber yard. The surprisingly low ceiling is white with recessed up lit coffering painted salmon pink (see photo), with ambient lighting that’s painfully bright. Furniture is tall and traditional in the main, normal height to the front. There are a couple of games machines, rolling silent news and a real-time railway departure board. Packed to the rafters, customers were a mix of older locals, then plenty of students, obviously from nearby UCL, no doubt drawn by the competitive pricing.
On the ale front there are as mentioned, just four pumps and all at different prices per pint: Ruddles Best (£3.24), Doom (£4.63), Abbot (£4.89) and Twickenham’s Naked Ladies (£4.68), 14p a pint less than at the Barrel Vault and on perfect form, served by a friendly barman who retracted my pint for a top-up without me asking.
Unless you suffer from koutaliaphobia, this place isn’t too bad for the breed, but just one ale I’d eagerly drink is a bit of a meagre offering. If you need ‘spoon feeding locally, the Barrel Vault is a better bet, with seven pumps apart from the usual Gloom/GK stuff and 14p a pint dearer, though the less pubby of the two. And it’s not freezing cold in here either.
On 11th January 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2000 recommendations about 1966 pubs]
Graham Coombs left this review about The Captain Flinders (JD Wetherspoon)
A brand new Spoons in a conversion of shops and a club right outside Euston station. Surprisingly the pub is confined to street level so is disappointingly small, with toilets, kitchens etc. in the larger old club area below. The low ceiling and big pillars make it even more constrained - with most small branches being phased out this will surely rate as one of the littlest Spoons. Even more disappointing is that they have only found space for 4 handpumps, offering the trio of doom and one guest, being Twickenham Naked Ladies at £4.68. Decor and furnishings are as you might expect, with a few pavement tables outside. I suppose it will still be a useful refreshment stop for Euston, but it could have been much better.
On 10th January 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3352 recommendations about 3289 pubs]