
Oh no ! Pictures of beer ! What happened to the photos of London’s architectural wonders, cosmopolitan dining scene and hemp shops ?


All present and correct on the walk from Finsbury Park to Stroud Green, from Arsenal to Tottenham if you like.

I cannot lie, this bit of North London is a bit of a beer desert now, as you can see on this skilfully selected bit of GBG app.

Last time this far out, nearly five years ago, I had salt and pepper squid at the Shaftesbury Tavern, pre-empting the Squid Game craze to prove my hipster credentials.
I also revisited the Old Dairy back then, a rare pub that seems not to have re-emerged post-Covid.

Anyway, it’s place in the (limited) Stroud Green firmament is taken by the Brave Sir Robin, a reference to Mr van Persie’s decision to escape the streets of Finsbury paved with gold for the slums of Stretford.

I’ve reached the realisation that the reason most pubs I go in are empty is because I’m first at the door at opening time. But SOMEONE has to be first.
It would be lazy to describe the Robin as an Antic with craft beer,


but it’s more of a burger bar with craft. I’m not sure anyone would go there to drink, and I was brought a menu without asking.

One thing I’ve learnt to do in retirement is never say “No” to anything, and just as well as the burger and fries with pint of murky Deya (keg, oops !) was the tea of the year. The chips were especially crisp in the best Belgian tradition.

When I left at 17:00 a stream of bearded couples had started to pour in, all ordering pints of craft. Simon will hate it. I loved it.
And if you need a place to stay at this point, I can recommend the St. George Hotel.

Send me a postcard.
Sad to see so many deserted pubs. But I doubt that most Wetherspoons are when they open in the mornings.
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Even Wetherspoons seem relatively quiet to me, though obviously busy by most standards.
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It’s people drinking murk thats killing proper pubs.
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If they don’t sell £7 pints of murk they deserve to die.
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That and sour beer.
Sour beer makes as much sense as meaty chocolate.
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“Five points for identifying the pub bottom left, though.” Is it The Coronet?
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Five points are yours.
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You finally give that can of Doom Bar away?
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It’s in the Taylor cellar, awaiting your visit, Dave.
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The St. George looks like they filmed an episode of the Sweeney and then left the props behind.
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I was disappointed not to be able to find ANY info on the St. George on the internet. Clearly a front for despicable activity such as brewing.
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