Friday’s Grafton launch was a packed affair with punters (and the odd celebrity) crammed around either the elegantly restored horseshoe bar, now shinily tiled, or tables lit by flickering candles in the various wood-panelled saloons. Not to mention dozens of outdoor revellers filling the pavements. And the joint was cleaned out of scotch eggs and prosecco quicker than you could say complimentary. The crowd? Duly representative of NW5’s diverse community, it spanned curious locals and hipsters to traditional ale lovers.
Sadly a fault with co-owner Susie’s guitar pickup meant neither she nor Rich Thomas (from Brother and Bones) could perform after all (we eagerly await the display of her talents another time). But ChaiWallah DJ Rackabeat played the evening to a close and, say our spies, ‘seemed to go down a treat’ (several pints in, we had to do a runner to soak all the Pale Ale up with some streetfood from the Brewery).
How did you find it? Any comments or suggestions? Leave your thoughts below. And look out for a full review coming soon.
Photography: Philip J Mitchell
The Grafton is now open at 20 Prince Of Wales Road. £7 lunch specials are served daily; they’re working on an evening menu. Don’t forget that Kentish Town artist Steve Williams is exhibiting his ‘Ulysses’series in the upstairs room too.
20 thoughts on “In Pictures: The Grafton NW5 launch”
Very small gripe, based on a very brief recent visit. Please bar person, don’t ask me if I want another when my glass is empty.
BB
Hi Brian, I’m sorry this affected your visit. Could you clarify; is the gripe that you don’t wish to be asked, or that you should have been asked before your glass was empty?
I don’t wish to be asked! Not a big deal, as I said but I suspect others would agree with me, or perhaps not.. BB
I like to be asked. I think it’s polite and friendly. I honestly couldn’t think of any reason why the bar tender shouldn’t ask! Chances are I’m up for another and any good bar tender is attentive to their customers.
Not a big deal, really, but I was asked to remove my hat because it was against the dress code?
Never been asked that before in any pub, ever. Respectfully, it’s a pub..
Agreed, that shouldn’t have been enforced and we’re sorry that it was. We don’t have any dress code whatsoever and the door supervisors were corrected after the matter had been brought to our attention.
Door supervisors? Is that to be a regular thing? if so, would it be a regrettable first for Kentish Town?
Not at all. We were aware that we were likely to be inordinately busy on the launch night so needed to put measures in place to ensure we stayed within our permitted capacity.
Thanks for your feedback. Like I said, not a big deal.
I’ll be back i’m sure. Good luck.
Agreed, that shouldn’t have been enforced and we’re sorry that it was. We don’t have any dress code whatsoever and the door supervisors were corrected after the matter had been brought to our attention.
Good vibe that evening, although massive wait at the bar (expected that night though). Likewise we left after two pints (and after realising there wouldn’t be any prosecco) for some food and ink at the camden brewery…quite excited to have so many great places on my doorstep now! (I’m at No. 1 POW) Never ventured into the Grafton before this in the 5 years i’ve been here, too scared!
took an age to get served at the bar which wasn’t a great first impression – I’d expected a bit of a wait given opening night crowd but I hope they sort that for other nights this busy
Can I put it on my list of dog friendly pubs?
No biggie either way, just nice to know the places I can pop into when with Peg.
Hi Stu, Peg is very welcome! We keep water bowls and treats behind the bar for dogs.
Amazing! Will be there Sat afternoon to try out the ales (Peg can try the water…)
Just had lunch with 3 friends at the pub. Delightful! And cheap. How can anyone do a delicious main course for just £7.00? I had an oxtail stew with turnips which was wonderful. My friends had chicken and mackerel – which they both enjoyed. And the beer was good.
Hu man 7.00 lunch cant believe it leave some custom for us poor cafe owners ..how many bits of the pie r there .
Hi, Mario – almost every NW5 pub now offers lunch at around £7 including The Oxford, Tapping The Admiral and Lion & Unicorn.
What has happened to the food here? I was in recently and found only a plastic laminated fast-food looking menu offering a handful of greasy bites in disintegrating paper boxes. It seems a hipster inspired turn for the worse! Please bring back real food!