The Winchester, N6

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This is an attractive street corner boozer with a grand interior which has sadly been opened up a lot to create one continuous space. There are two entrances, including one on the corner which has a grand porch sporting modern etched glass panes with a floral design. Both lead into the main bar area, which is a shallow U-shape with the servery in the centre of the rear wall. A bare boarded area to the left has a couple of seating booths with nice leaded window partitioning screens, but is otherwise a bit empty feeling, whilst the right-hand side has red and black checkered floor tiles with tables and chairs under the front windows, high tables and stools through the middle and some button backed banquettes to the far right. The bar has an attractive, curved dark wood counter and an impressive bar back with lots of etched glass mirrors, many of which curve around either end. Some semi-retained partitioning can be found between the two sides of the pub, mostly in the form of high etched glass panes in a simple wooden frame just below the ceiling. There is some dark wood panelling here and there, plus plenty of neutral shades and the place feels cosy thanks to muted lighting that includes fairy lights in the front windows and candelabras on the bar. Fireplaces stand to the rear on both sides and there are some old brewery mirrors, photos, adverts for upcoming events and promotional bunting across much of the wall space. A TV screen to the front remained off through my visit, but rugby and football are apparently shown. A door leads on into a rear dining room which was not explored on this occasion.
Four handpulls offered a choice of three cask ales - Five Ponts Railway Porter, Bass and Leeds Pale - with the last one left unclipped. The Porter was in good nick and I enjoyed drinking my pint whilst a dubious open-mic night started to get underway. The place was doing a pretty good mid-week trade too, which meant that there was a decent atmosphere until the wannabe Ed Sheeran's started their commotion.
Although this place has been knocked about a bit, I thought it still had plenty of interesting features and offered some nicely differentiated seating areas from which you could enjoy their well-kept ale. I feel like there are quite a few modernised old pubs like this in North London, some of which are easily confused with each other, and this probably falls into that category. I quite liked it and would be happy to call in again some time.

Date of visit - 21st March 2024

On 15^th August 2024 - rating: 7
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