Kentish Town.
The Assembley House
Street: 292-294 Kentish Town Road
Operator: Green King
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
12:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Kentish Town crawl
Hompage
Underground: Kentish Town (1min)
Northern
About the pub:
Built in 1896 and designed by Thorpe and Furniss of nearby Camden, the building is a striking landmark in Kentish Town (Grade II listed) with a large and prominent French chateau style tower adding to its status. Inside, the bar cabinet work, etched glass and bar-back, wall mirrors and ceiling are all of exceptional character and design.
There is a fine skylight in the former billiard room at the back. The interior is exceptionally large, naturally lit by huge clear picture windows, opened out in recent years and is served by a very large single bar which extends from the front room, round the side and into the back room. A CAMRA Heritage Pub. The toilets, accessible from the back room, are downstairs, with a disabled facility on the ground floor.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
The Pineapple
Street: 51 Leverton Street
Operator: McGrath, Davies Property Services
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
12:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Kentish Town crawl
Hompage
Underground: Kentish Town (5min)
Northern
About the pub:
A rare gem hidden in the local streets just off Kentish Town that was previously subject to a very high profile campaign in 2001 and 2002, by both local people, CAMRA and the London media, to prevent its closure.
Twice a CAMRA North London Pub of the Year, most recently in 2012. There are mementos (including a new plaque) and news articles on display in the pub, along with Pineapple ephemera from all over the world. Also note the rare Bass mirrors.
The single bar serves an extended ground floor area, with a large quiet, added conservatory to the rear. Upstairs is a separate and well appointed seating area which is available for hire. Monday is quiz night, and the pub participates in the London quiz league. Food is available 7 days a week from a Thai menu with good value lunchtime options (Mon to Fri).
Now a Grade II listed building, its Victorian character is exceptional, and well worth close inspection (fine bar-back with etched and gilt mirrors). It is now a true, friendly local community pub and many of those previously involved in the "Save the Pineapple" campaign are part of the current customer base. Listed on CAMRA Historic Pubs Register of historic pub interiors. An accredited member of CAMRA's LocAle scheme, beers change regularly. Card-carrying CAMRA members receive a 20p a pint reduction on cask beer.
Happy Hour 3pm to 7pm daily and all day Tuesday - 50p off the house beer, which we beleive is Pedigree.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
The Vine
Street: 86 Highgate Road
Operator: Metropolitan (Greene King)
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:00 Sunday
Map: Kentish Town crawl
Hompage
Underground: Kentish Town (8min)
Northern
Gospel Oak (7min)
London Overground
About the pub:
This large free-house was acquired in 2011 by independent pub group, Realpubs Ltd just before they in turn were bought by regional brewing giant, Greene King. It subsequently closed for a comprehensive refurbishment which was done in the Realpub style, creating an 80 seat dining room at the rear, with a large skylight, and the kitchen semi-open to diners.
At the front of the pub is a large decked terrace with huge umbrella awnings providing shelter. As you enter note the tiled mosaic bearing the pub's name immediately inside the front door, which despite some signs of wear and tear does more than enough to evoke the pub's previous life. The front end of the pub is for drinkers, lots of large tables, bar stools and a smaller room off to the left, with two rooms upstairs available for hire. More logically the bar servery now faces customers as they enter. Food is served through the day but the menu can vary.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
The Southamton Arms
Street: 139 Highgate Road
Operator: Independent
Open:
12:00 - 23:00/00:00 Everyday
Map: Kentish Town crawl
Hompage
Underground: Kentish Town (11min)
Northern
Gospel Oak (6min)
London Overground
About the pub:
Small boozer with a fire and pew style seating, a long thin bar which leads to a small garden at the rear. The ale selection is constantly changing and comes from small independent breweries across the UK.
Following a short closure and refurbishment in Autumn 2018, the number of cask beers on handpump has gone down to 8 from 10, they are usually helpfully ordered palest on the left, darkest on the right. And the number of real ciders, from producers such as Burrow Hill and Turners, has dropped from 8 to 6. At the same time 8 lines have been fitted for keg beers.
The pub won the Greater London Cider Pub of the Year Award 2010 after earlier winning the Branch Award. After being the Branch Pub of the Year in 2011 it then went on to be crowned the 2011 London Regional Pub of the Year. For 2017 and again in 2019, 2022 and 2023 it is the North London Cider Pub of the Year.
On the food front no gastro, just good bar snacks, pork pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, roast pork in baps plus veggie options. The music is played on vinyl which is great, there is also live piano music on Sundays and Tuesdays and Wednesdays. No tea, no coffee but a bloody mary kit is behind the bar. Pub stays open to midnight most days. Pub quiz Monday.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
Parliament Hill viewpoint (19min)
wikipedia
The Lord Palmerston
Street: 33 Dartmouth Park Hill
Operator: Youngs
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Kentish Town crawl
Hompage
Underground: Tufnell Park (6min)
Northern
About the pub:
This is an old establishment given a modern treatment, that nods in the direction of gastro without excluding or alienating those only wanting a drink. It features a central bar and a conservatory; the windowed frontage creates a light, airy feel to the drinking experience while the high ceilings add to the impression of space.
Outdoor seating available both on Dartmouth Park Hill frontage and in the enclosed rear courtyard.
Changed hands in 2015 and became part of the Young's managed estate in 2017.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
