User name:

Password:

Login


Sign in with Facebook


Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW


Chat about:
New pub visits 2024 with Brainypool on the Pub Forum

Picture of Owl & Hitchhiker
Image posted by Rex Rattus
Submitted on Sunday, 11th September 2016
With picture contributions to 1103 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (18 more images)
Only members may add pictures, click to receive free membership

Owl & Hitchhiker, Upper Holloway, N7

471 Holloway Road
N7
N7 6LE
Phone: 02072723634
Correct details

Served areas

Reviews of Owl & Hitchhiker (Average Rating: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about Owl & Hitchhiker

My first visit to this pub since it changed its name to the Owl & Hithhiker found it much changed. The name is of course a play on the works of Edward Lear and Douglas Adams. They've introduced a table football game, and a vintage (circa 70s I would guess) pinball machine which actually played quite well. Nothing wrong with those additions in my book. There are more than one quite large model cars around the place; presumably a Ford Prefect? But they have distressed the mirrors in the bar back (which are modern replacements so no damage to a heritage feature), as well as the woodwork on the walls at the front of the pub. It all looks quite naff. Even more naff are the cartoons depicted on the bar counter front, presumably again honouring the work of Lear and Adams. On the left hand wall are loads of old TVs, speakers, radios, etc, as decorative features I guess. Also, I thought there was a nice old fireplace at the back of the room on the left, but if so it's gone now to be replaced by a slate wall. Furnishings are cheap and nasty tables and chairs.

On the plus side, they did still have three real ales on - a couple from Laine's, plus Hamerton N1, which was in good nick as it happens. This pub is very different to hitherto, and overall I don't think that there's been an improvement.

On 7th November 2018 - rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Edward Lear

Originally this was the Half Moon (the name can still be seen below the pediment) then an Irish venture called B. Burke & Son, from 2001 the Quays and as of 2016, the Edward Lear on account of him being born a few hundred yards from here at the junction of Holloway and Seven Sisters roads; it's unlikely that he drank here as his family left the area when he was 12.
This is a barn of a place and would probably have been something of a grand gin palace when built. Inside it's part railway station Wetherspoon's or something that Americans would build, believing it to be the epitome of Ye Englishe Pub, with an eau de Nil colour scheme throughout. The impressive carved and mirrored bar back is still there though I'm not sure if it's original. It features some columns with impressive capitals as does the pub in general; the field panelled bar would appear to be modern. There are hanging lamps and a button backed leatherette banquette running the whole length of the front below the picture windows. Other furniture in the bar area is traditional but modern. One of the most striking features is the black and white tiled floor. Along with the cutlery on tables, games machines and sports TV, this is one of the things that makes it look so much like a railway station pub, that and the cast iron bar stools which are bolted to the floor! To the rear is a dining area with stalls to the sides. Up some modern open stairs to the very modern lavs and upper dining gallery which looks down on the diners. To the front is another, private bar called the Aviary. Lots of gimmicks on offer on cocktails, 2-for-1 burger deals and happy hours as well as parent and toddler mornings on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9.30 - 11.30 am. The barman was friendly enough and muted music played over the gramophone.
Ales: Timothy Taylor's Landlord (off), Sharp's Doom Bar (off and no loss), Truman's Zephyr (went off after my pint was ordered) and Navigation's Back of the Net.
This pub may tick a lot of boxes: four ales (in theory), clean, modern and hygienic but it looks like it was built yesterday and sadly is dreary and soulless so I don't envisage a return visit.

On 21st September 2017 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Alan Winfield left this review about The Edward Lear

The Edward Lear is a large and decent looking pub situated on the busy Holloway Road.
Once inside the bar faces in a single L shaped room,the floor is tiled and there is comfy bench seating and small stools facing the bar,the room extends to the rear on the left side where there are normal tables and chairs,there was a large screen to the right showing the Leeds game.
There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Sambrooks Wandle,whch went down well,the other real ales were Sambrooks Junction and Sambrooks Scrumdown.
Food was being served and it looked quite nice,background music was playing.
I felt very comfy in this very pleasant pub,the best of the day.

Pub visited 25/2/2017

On 23rd April 2017 - rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]


View more reviews of Owl & Hitchhiker (8)
External web links for Owl & Hitchhiker

Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Steve C
Upper Holloway, 0.36 miles, 7 min walk (show)
Finsbury Park, 1.04 miles, 20 min walk (show)
Crouch Hill, 1.05 miles, 20 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for Owl & Hitchhiker, N7
7th Nov 2018, 11:57
Review submitted by Rex Rattus
 
15th May 2018, 00:05
Web Link submitted by Tris C approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 02 June 2016 by Tris C
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 21 September 2017 by Tris C
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 21 September 2017 by Tris C
  • Beer Garden : No - Front patio. - last updated 21 September 2017 by Tris C
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 07 November 2018 by Rex Rattus
  • Car Park : No last updated 02 June 2016 by Tris C
  • Darts : No last updated 21 September 2017 by Tris C
  • Function Room : Yes last updated 21 September 2017 by Tris C
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 02 June 2016 by Tris C
  • Jukebox : No last updated 21 September 2017 by Tris C
  • Micropub : No last updated 02 June 2016 by Tris C
  • Pinball : Yes last updated 07 November 2018 by Rex Rattus
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 28 September 2022 by Rex Rattus
Local pubs

Icon Key: Picture Recommendation Rating Closed