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Band posters deck the walls, and Madness playing here back in the 70s gave the pub something of a reputation as a starting point for bands and musicians from the Britpop era. They also rustle up some pretty darn good pizzas and there are plenty of rock gigs and weekly club nights in the Underworld – a live music venue just downstairs. With a great selection of ales and lagers on tap, as well actual pints of chips, this is the place to be if you’re hanging about Camden Town. Open from midday the restaurant offers terrace dining, afternoon tea, Sunday roast and a large selection of gins and cocktails overlooking the spectacular skyline of Cambridge.
A recent gig at The Black Heart saw performances from Hooded Menace, Witch Sorrow and Colts Blood, which should give you an idea of what you’re getting into. It began in 2013 in the most humble way: on our farm in a shed where our six dogs used to sleep, using an old copper geyser that had been welded and converted into a makeshift by a family friend. The vibrant tang of rhubarb perfectly complements the luscious sweetness of raspberries and strawberries, creating a taste sensation that is truly unparalleled. It’s a small distillery that provides delicious tastings and allows you to get familiar with the world of gin-making thanks to their distillery tours. Those themed menus so far have featured the likes of “The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party”, “Guilty Pleasures”, “The Orient Express” and, on the week I visited, “Paris”, apparently (next week sees them launch the latest theme, “A Miracle on … ”).This hospitality institution and shameless celeb haunt lived at number 30, in various guises, for almost 100 years, and the tiny yet mighty Elena Salvoni ran the floor with abundant old-school dignity. Something of a Camden institution, The Good Mixer started life as a working man’s pub before it became the pub of choice for iconic Britpop bands and artists in the 90’s.
We are the first and only South African craft gin brand with roots in both the African and European continents. The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX is on UK Tour! All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative. Head Chef, Matt Weston, specialises in home-made pies – which you can get with a pint for 13 quid – and there are regular pub quizzes here too. Chef Nico Simeone’s “concept” – a themed set six-course 30-something-quid menu that changes every six weeks – has been a huge hit in several cities since it launched in Glasgow in 2017; there are now eight branches across Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester, London and, most recently, Dublin.I’m not entirely sure anyone ate at Elena’s solely for the food, although signed photos of the likes of Gene Wilder and Ella Fitzgerald pointed towards the fact that they’d been made to feel special and valued. Second of all, Joe’s is open until 3am every single day, making it a popular after-party spot for gig-goers at the Roundhouse concert venue across the road. The four floors of the Grade II-listed building – a former bank – include a working distillery, a make-your-own-gin lab, two bars (one focuses on rum and whisky) and a bartender training school.
Please share your thoughts on gin brands by joining our community and leaving a review, or by selecting your favorite brand of Gin. A short walk from the main drag of Camden High Street is the Edinboro Castle – another great addition to this Camden pubs roundup –where you’ll find Pimm’s on tap (! The 19th-century building was previously a slate works, and a margarine factory during the world wars. Located just down the road from the market in the hustle and bustle of Camden Town, The Oxford Arms is a vibrant spot with a great selection of beers on tap, tasty, home-cooked food and regular live sports showing on multiple screens.The Berry Blush Spritz is sure to be a hit at any gathering or simply as a treat to yourself after a long day. So metal it could be on the left-hand side of the Periodic Table, The Devonshire Arms or ‘The Dev’ as its known to its regulars, hosts metal DJ nights, metal rock karaoke, and of course, all the throat-burstingly heavy gigs you’d expect: recent performers have included Body Harvest, Iron Bastards and Maggot Heart. On a four-acre farm, it produces an award-winning malt made from local barley, and a lavender-infused gin – as well as spirits such as an absinthe and a barrel-aged Dutch-style genever. One of the first of the new wave of English whisky makers, Cotswolds Distillery was founded by former US currency trader Daniel Szor, who fell in love with the area when he bought a weekend home there.
The smell and the shouting aside, the “Paris” menu ranged from quite decent to posh aeroplane food, and with small portions, so at least you could be done and get back out into the fresh air mercifully sharpish. Even so, every single table was full, and a queue of wannabe diners trailed out of the door, eager to throw money in Nico’s general direction. Yes, The Ice Wharf is a Wetherspoons – but that means oodles of seating and affordable drinks, along with a literally-canalside location with plenty of picnic benches – great for people watching.
On top of that, the area around the table we were placed at smelled distinctly unpleasant, the downstairs bathrooms reminded me of those in a 2am nightclub, as did the noise levels in the place as a whole. Hake with coco beans and saffron rouille was overcooked and the sauce gelatinous, while the breast of duck was minute, but at least prettily plated on a truffle and puy lentil fricassée with a parsley root puree.
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