The Lion & Unicorn, Kentish Town  

The outside of the Lion and Unicorn offers mixed messages to anyone passing. A grand Victorian pub on the corner of an imposing street in Kentish Town would naturally incline you to imagine gastropub resides within. Not in this case, however. For while the media types hang out at the Oxford, this pub offers a more down-to-earth experience. Behind the thick drawn curtains this is a big, basic pub, probably last decorated sometime in the early 80s. The service was, at best, miserable (although we spied another more pleasant barmaid) and the Guinness literally undrinkable. Still, what drags this to (an admittedly generous) two pint rating was the clientele - mixed, cheerful and friendly. All colours and creeds seemed happy and the two pool tables were popular. Whether the theatre above proves as much of a draw is a different matter - we're not sure how many regulars would be interested in a production of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull. Overall, repeated visits here might see their rating go down, but one thing is for certain: pubs like this are getting rarer.

reviewed:
31/01/2007

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

TV

terrace at front

two pool tables

Link to your pub's web site