It’s a pub special this week. In the most recent issue of our Substack newsletter we asked readers to vote on their favourite local pub – a question last posed (unbelievably) a whole decade ago, back in summer 2014. After all, the neighbourhood has changed significantly in the last ten years.
Back then Camden Brewery had just opened, and both The Grafton and Tapping the Admiral were relative newbies. But you lot voted in droves – and the top two positions were occupied by at Southampton Arms, and The Pineapple (at #1). Read the 2014 rundown of Top 10 pubs here.
But what is astonishing – at least in our minds – is that ten years later your favourite pubs remain in exactly the same position, with the worldclass slither of a boozer that’s the Southampton Arms still at number two, and classic KT backwater boozer The Pineapple at number one.
The figures were close, however, with 41% of readers saying the Pineapple, 34% the Southampton. 5% the Rose & Crown, and 20% suggested ‘Other’ (but were too shy to specify what it was). See the poll results here.
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Acentury and a half ago in 1874, the Stag’s first landlord, George Wadley and his team “were busy getting ready to open up for the very first time”, says the NW3 pub’s long-serving manager Alex Pride. “Queen Victoria was on the throne, the penny farthing was the bike of choice and the phone had not yet been invented. What beer was served, I wonder, when was the first Sunday roast took place – and who started the first live music?”
It makes you think. Back then 1874 Fleet Road was a busy parade of shops, and The Stag was used by coachmen, “with the stables behind, beer downstairs and bunks upstairs,” he says. “The coaches travelled up from the City with high society that craved a bath on the Heath. We’re blessed that we have incredible locals who frequent the pub and know a part of its history, from how it was in the old days, to how many ghosts we have hanging out in the cellar.”
Shudder. Fast forward 150 years – and a multitude of visits on our part, from Sunday soirees to weddings and birthdays – and Alex wants to “thank everybody that has frequented the pub, or even just popped in once.” To celebrate this Saturday there’s a history montage from Jon Culshaw, music from Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, free beer from Northern Monk, a birthday cake and a load of Stag fun. Follow @stagnw3
Finally, just a few minutes’ walk away, the Gipsy Queen in Gospel Oak has been having a spruce-up with quirky new sign-writing by artists @joeandcharlotte (pictured above) and refreshed interior. You can expect supperclubs, live music (monthly jazz, indie and electronic events), secret karaoke and a pool room.
“The next evolution of the Gipsy Queen is a new partnership between Christian Arden (PooNaNa and Chicago Rib Shack) and me,” says Stevie Thomas, co-founder of the (now-closed) Rum Kitchen. The pair intend to build a “neighbourhood pub and cocktail bar with a secret garden and quarterly street food residencies, bringing together olde world elements of forgotten gipsy stories and tarot card games all within warmly lit art-ridden rooms.”
Sounds promising. And not to be outdone down in Tufnell Park, the Tufnell Park Tavern has just completed makeover of their dining room with a “fresh design, cosy vibes and an elevated dining experience,” they say. Plenty, then, to rediscover as the rain lashes down this weekend.
Kentishtowner turns 15 soon – which (sorry to brag) isn’t too shabby for an independent food & culture site run on almost zero resources. And, as usual, a billion thanks to those who donate.
But to put it into perspective, that’s just under 5% of readers in the last year. If you’re sitting on the fence a bit, maybe just ping over a couple of quid? After all, that’s cheaper than a coffee almost anywhere these days.
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