Uk Barblog

Weaver's Wine Bar (New Barnet - London)

Weaver's Wine Bar

An extension of the existing "the Weaver" pub next door, this is for those who dont really want to associate with playing pool, watching football or listening to drunk men rambling on in a corner about better times. This more up-market experience tries to push a wine-bar image with leather couches, candle-light although the wine-list is not particularly appealing. Nothing of a higher class appears to be available to choose and for a wine bar it seems to stock very little wine indeed. However this is now possibley the monly place to go if you are a couple on a romantic night out after visiting the cinema opposite and iss actually the only bar of its type in all of new barnet.

Overall it is literally just an extension of the pub next door. An interconnecting door bring staff and punters in from the pub to bar and vise-versa, bringing with it the pub attitude of the bar persons and the loud drone of unsavory musics. However this place at least attempts to touch on a niche - and as yet has not become overcrowded in the fashion that After Office hours up the road has become accustomed to - 6/10

South Barnet Club (Barnet - London)

South Barnet Club

A private club of moderate size on Mays lane. In fact the only place which is allowed to serve alcohol along the exensive road. The venue contains a pool table and like most private clubs, a badly stocked bar, attracting the sort of crowd who seem to have invested in the same charity-shop-clothes wardrobe as one another. Drunken, loud and brash the populating crowd is normally of middle to old age clearing occupying a few dirty old picnic tables from the view on the road. In the summer it can get quite busy but it consistantly closes early.

Overall its a big flag to the white pride of the Dollis Valley estate and clearly serves no focus than to fuel a crowd of individuals that should know better into disruption and the shamelessness of their community as they continue to increase in their numbers and decline in their years. 2/10

The Prince of Wales (East Barnet - London)

The Prince of Wales

A large imposing pub in the heart of East Barnet village, this ember inn pub seeks to crush the image of tracksuit-wearing ruffians packing into the pubs in this area but sadly you cannot change the population of a place by introducing a brand name chain. This pub can be entered from twin doors either side of the face of this building. There are a few table s for drinking out front and you know that when they are full the place is heaving inside. The first impression of the interior is a long bar pressed up close to the entrance, there is an average selection of drinks on the bar and the barmen are quite unorganised yet try to put on a smile. The pub then leads into the back where there is a large and airy hall-like room with odd couches and tables from which to eat as well as a comfortable beer garden to the rear.

Overall this pub is still attracting teenage mums and greasy teenagers but it also gets the middle aged residents out of their houses. On a Saturday the story is different and steering clear is one of the better pieces of advice I can offer, average for atmosphere but damned by the atmosphere - 4/10

The Cat and Lantern (East Barnet - London)

The Cat and Lantern

Nothing could be more well hidden on a high street in plain view of day than the Cat and Lantern, a pub totally famous for that gut-felt pain you get when you are stabbed casually with a butchers knife and no-one comes to your aid. Yes I am talking about the violence, chav-festival of rumour and claim that this place has held highly for the last few years and yet how far from the truth could this have been- lets say a stretch short of the length of time!! Inside the cat and lantern was empty- the time being 9pm on a saturday night and the new sign swinging outside reading "under new management". It was clear the old ways were untolerated under this new government. The bar to the left served up virtually no beer that was displayed as being offered- half the fridges were turned off and the only company was the bar-woman and two of her friends. The seating was obviously readily available and we enjoyed the exclusivity even if the landlord did throw us a few dark looks later on.

Overall the drinks were a good price and from the looks of things you should try and make this your new barnet local before it packs out again- and don't worry no risk of death- that is until you venture into the horrible toilets. It has pretty botch character but needs work- oh so much work. 4/10

The Bell and Buck (New Barnet - London)

The Bell and Buck

One always knows when this author has fallen on entries of hard times. This grim establishment was always going to be a bad choice from the start but one must take the good with the bad, and what could be worse than the old “buck” – a literal school hall occupied by an oversized family of chav-bred crack worshippers.The bar looks like it fell from the sky into the middle of this badly decorated school-hall. There is a small wooden platform with a few tables upon it by the doors which we choose to sit at- for easy escape if necessary. Drinks are of average barnet prices but getting to the bar is difficult for the mass of weird characters, though the rest of the bar is ghostly. On the up side there is karaoke on a sunday and other theme nights throughout the week with a few fruit machines and a jukebox.

Overall, Barnet has never been the sort of place that Vicky Pollard or her hench-women would occupy but I see now that that is because they all live here it has little charm or appeal to me but I guess I am not the target punter 2/10. 

The Crown and Anchor (Barnet - London)

The Crown and Anchor

---

10/10/1999: The Crown and Anchor has now shut down

---

An old and proud pub sat on the hill of Barnet beside the church which stanbds as a monument to the area and overshadows this venue along the quieter end of High Barnet high street. Entry is swift in from the street with no doormen or actually any staff so to speak of except the barman. The rather ugly, badly stocked bar sits quietly to the right with a very baron assortment of seats and tables to the left. Drinks in here are not the cheapest of barnet but it is certainly the place to come for a discrete drink out of the way of the rest of Barnet yet somehow in the heart of all the action-

A totally overlooked pub, yet for all the right reasons; untidy, quiet, unfriendly and dubious- serving the underaged next to the dead- overall a low 3/10.

The Gate (Arkley - London)

The Gate

No doubt, this is a drive in to what can only be described as North London countryside but its worth every penny in petrol for the sheer quality of the food. Yes, this is not your traditional run-of-the-mill boozer but a place where lamb loins, pork and beef roasts, rich BBQ chicken breast and piping stuffed peppers are the norm. The pub itself is a low-ceiling, cabin-in-the-woods type atmosphere with a strong collective of tables to the back and a few up front seperated by a semi-circular bar and various wooden pillars and walls. The drinks were varied and not too expensive but the food was utterly divine, traditional fresh english pub-grub with g;azed vegetables have never warmed my tastebuds in such a way or in such a relaxed atmosphere and although it is well known to be the best of the best it never gets so crowded that you have to wait for a table.

Overall as a pub it fairs quite averagely, its tables are a little small to dine at comfortably but the food at this place reaches top standards to draw in the crowds from miles around and for that its a hearty 7/10.

The Alexander (New Barnet - London)

The Alexander

No, there are no pictures of this pub on the web and oh how I have looked. This has to be one of the weirdest layouts for a pub i have ever been into. The place is essentailly divided into two seperate wholly by the bar which is the centrepiece and punters can be served from all sides of it. The catch is that it is built on a corner and with the choice of two doors you can only get to each side by either going outside and going around or going through the bar (which you are not allowed to do). The bar persons are extremely frioendly and despite its location on the high street there are often lock-ins. There is a standard variety fo drinks available and beer is about £2 a pint. The only problem with the place is the lack of music, the old man feel of the place and the nuscence of goign outside and back in another door just to use the toilet.

Overall a rather fun night which can get a bit complicated but good prices and friendly staff- 6/10.

Queens Arms (Barnet - London)

Queens Arms {Sports Bar}

To be fair you could not ask for a more well equipped bar if indeed you are into sport fixtures and that odd game of pool on a red baize. The punters here are rather loud and boozy which is probably to be expected during the football season. The drinks are about £2.70 a pint and there are fruit machines and a jukebox as well. The place is always moderately busy and is especially packed during Barnet fixtures. The place is a little rowdy for me in all and with racist malice being thrown in literature onto the walls of the toilets I'll be steering clear of this one.

Overall an average 5/10 to be honest but I wont be heading back myself.

The Green Man (Barnet - London)

The Green Man

---

[UPDATE] :March 2006: The Green Man in Barnet has now closed permanently.

---

[April 2005]
Unlike most pubs in Barnet the Green man has live music, and proper live music. I have heard that most recently the Subways played there so its a Rock and Indie/Emo local band sort of live music. They have tried to pull that off with this pub for years and I think it works now. The drinks are reasonable at about £2 a pint and occasionally they do deals on spirits. The toilets and pretty minging and the seating is sparse on busy nights so this is a pub you want to visit in the week as opposed to at the weekend.

Overall the Green Man gets 7/10 for its improved live acts fixture which takes place at the top of the stairs as you go in.

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Weaver (Weavers Bar) (Barnet - London)

The Weaver (Weavers Bar)

Long had I heard that this pub was one of the true characters of Barnet but I have to protest that that character must have died. I entered into the long pub with bar on my right and found myself squeezing past close to 30 underage drinkers as I made my way into the back of the pub past the jukebox and pool table. The music being played was a good mix of rock music so I can see why it attracted such a young crowd. The toilets were disgusting however and the drinks were not particularly cheap (250ml Glass of house white at £3.50). Disappointing thought I as I departed.

Overall a 5/10

Transylvania Bar & Restaurant (Barnet - London)

Transylvania Bar & Restaurant (formerly Vedi Vidi Vici)

---

[UPDATE] :September 2006: The Transylvania Bar in Barnet has now closed permanently.

---

This place has changed its names more times than Prince but it is essentially the same inside, I have no idea why they go to all the trouble to keep changing it, it just needs to be given the nightclub-feel that it deserves. It's currently a mexican/spanish restaurant with a bar (that also has a secret downstairs bar) which can hold about fifty people. You can hire this place out at relatively cheap cost and have an underground party its this relatively rural part of London. The drink prices are quite fair at about £2 a pint and the music is all over the shop. If it had any customers at all i'd consider going there but its dead almost all year round unless, like I say, you hire the place out. thats when the party gets good.

Overall a good bar (when it wants to be) but midweek, a poor 2/10.

The Lord Kitchener (New Barnet - London)

The Lord Kitchener

All hale Lord Kitchener, hero of the great war. His establishment has a lodgey feel and is never very crowded. The drinks are quite expensive and this pub has early closign hours so be wary. Apart from mistakenly heading into the womens after a few too many I must protest its not too bad a place to go to get in from the cold. Music and Sport and what more could a man want apart from cheap booze, free money and hookers, none of which this place does have. Bad new friend. Still at least theres no waiting at the bar and I can tell you that the ladies toilets smelt of Geraniums :S

Overall a middle-of-the-mountain 5/10.

the Railway Bell (New Barnet - London)

the Railway Bell

who dare deny the sweet sweet call of a pub with the name of an instrument but without music inside?But who would deny you still had to stole inside grab an ale from some of the finest young bar persons in londinium and sip away the glorious days and nights as they all become one. The bell truely is a great place. It's layout is confusing, it's customers are  coked to the ceiling and  the women are rife with plague, so why, why go here? The best thing i can say is that when all is said and done and the hour reach twelve the bar comes alive with the character of an ancient sonnett and trumpets into the night with a chorus of laughter and cheer that you can escape from both front door and back. Simply the best bar in New barnet (lowdown: very cheap, fast serving times, excellent range, v firenly, lots of seats and smelly bogs). Overall an 8/10

Builders Arms (New Barnet - London)

Builders Arms

The builders arms has a tone of self love. An inward community of elderly drinkers huddled in two tiny room amist expensive but common ales and chav barmaids. Posted on its walls are adverts for locals to join in pub competitions and a proud statement of "we are the best voted bar on beerintheevening.com" . The simple silence of acknowledgement of strangers is hard to bear much after the first scrumpy jack pint and I leave to brave the cold of the outdoors- far warmer than the cold local stares within.

I'll go to the wetherspoons next door in future!! Overall a shody 2/10.

The Old Red Lion (Barnet - London)

the Old Red Lion
If you're a fan of Barnet FC you've been in the closest pub to the stadium- the old lion. It is literally situated in front of it looking rather large from the outside. In fact it does boast some ground inside but without too much seating. There are booths for eating but it is very Inn-like and dark inside producing a homely feel, they just need candles to lick and flicker against the shadows in its corners. The ceiling is low and in fact past the wide bar there is not much else. It is a stretch from most other pubs in Barnet which leaves this one a bit out in the cold.

Overall a fair 5/10.

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Arkley (Arkley - London)

The Arkley (an Ember Inn pub)
A beautiful establishment just sitting nicely on the green belt around London beside Barnet. It is situated ona main road with a large Car Park and picnic tables on the lawn outside. Heading inside you are met with logs fires, counches and tall chairs to bar tables. The Bar is rounded to allow for maximum servibng and the bar staff are friendly if even comical. The toilets are a fair ruide up some stairs and down a corridor but you feel like you are in some exclusive club in the middle of the woods and its a delight to admire.

Overall this grand establishment gets a 7/10. Falling on its lifted drink prices.

The Dandelion (Barnet - London)

The Dandelion (Formerly the avenue/the Firkin/ the Dandy Lion/ the Red Lion)

---

01/10/2007 - The Dandelion has now closed

---

Yes, formerly everything. There has been a pub on this spot since time began welcoming into Barnet travellers from London Town. The most noticeable features is a huge statue of a red lion which protudes over onto the high street. The latest re-vamp to this building is the Avenue - a popular over 21's lounge/bar/pub with leathers suites, cocktails and sport. This place packs them in every weekend with its late liscence and every saturday afternoon for sporting feats on its large number of widescreen Tv's. The drinks are a good prices with many 2 for 1 offers and there a quizes, bands and DJ's here throughout the week. There is also a back pub garden and no waiting time at the bar. Even its dancefloor is seeing its best days right now. The crowd is the only slip. A rowdy and loud young force that makes one cringe.

Overall then a 6/10, oh yes it sounds nice but the novelty of a bar that offers everything wears off when you are looking for that something special.

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Square Bar (Barnet - London)

The Square Bar

---

Feb 2007: The Square Bar has now Officially Closed Down

---

This reletively new club or bar has opened in Barnet at the top end of the high street to replace the kings head- the old pub that sat there before. This place is much nicer. Its smart dress, leather chairs and sofa and a neon bar with DJ and cocktails. The music is popular stuff with pumping RnB. The cocktails are pricey but tastey and the place gets packed at the weekend and after office hours. They also serve thai food as well. Don't forget the snowstorm of coke in the toilets either!

Overall Square Bar gets 7/10.

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Black Horse (Barnet - London)

The Black Horse

A friendly pub on the corner of many roads- in fact on a roundabout in Barnet. Its a bit out of the way from the high street so you have to go looking for it. The seating is lounge worthy and comfortable and the place is rarely packed. They have a large summer garden for beer and peoples and there is also live music at the weekends. This place is constantly changing hands but the darts and the football are features that have never disappeared and theres food available too.

Overall 7/10 because the local bands that come to play are entertaining and for an older crowd.

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Seabright Arms (Barnet - London)

The Seabright Arms
An age old pub from around the time the bar was split into two-one side for locals and one for styrangers (i am told). The staff are very friendly in this quiet corner of Barnet and there lots of seating. The drinks are surprisingly cheap, costing me £6 for four shots of tequila. Rather astonishing.

Overall 7/10 because it was too quiet to stay long.

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Monken Holt (Barnet - London)

The Monken Holt

A lively little find very top of high barnet high street-it barely makes it into london being only 10m from the absolute city limits (according to the A to Z). A low ceiling but lots of seating, a quick serving time, very friendly customers and staff and good drink prices. They occasionally have late night live acts, and they also have a large beer garden out the back and seating out the front. Amazibng in all weathers. I have been in here on New Years morning and its beautiful. Definitely a classic pub and is worth that extra long walk.

Overall 8/10

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Alexandra (Barnet - London)

The Alexandra

An old time stare-at-the-folk-who-just-stolled-in pub. Horrible indeed. The toilets were like an outhouse indoors and the crowd literally discussed amongst themselves how horrible it was having non-locals in there premises. Ok i may have been tipsy but that was no excuse. the drink was quite well priced as i recall and they do tend to have a lot of lockins so it maybe worth slipping the Barman a little something something even if he hits you for it.

Overall a 2/10

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Railway Tavern (Barnet - London)

The Railway Tavern

Strangely this pub is much bigger than it looks from the outside. They serve hearty food all day with better portions that the bell but perhaps even worse tasting so don't order that and the drinks are a bit expensive for the area but it has a cheery atmosphere and lots of pipe smoke. There is also sports coverage when games are on, loud old men and a poular quiz machine. There is adiquate parking out the back should you be a fan of your own car rather than the overground train to new barnet station. There is a garden area as well and lots and lots of seating. Oh yeah the music is pretty good and also the singles are 35ml ;). Good stuff

Overall 6/10. 

The Snooker Lounge (Barnet - London)

The Snooker Lounge


Its supposedly memebrs only but i've been in many times before and its not that strict. The owners are a group of smokers in the corner of a large, dark snooker room at the top of the stairs behind the tally-ho discount and its dimly lit except by the large snooker lights above the tables. A lot of people bring there own cues. The bar prices are pretty poor, no one ever seems to know what costs what so theres much confusion and i left with that feeling. The tables are amazing though and I can see why it is popular with the youth of Barnet.

Overall 6/10 because it serves its purpose but it feels dodgy and dank inside, very very old school!!!

After Office Hours (Barnet - London)

After Office Hours (Formerly Excaliber)


I have not seen either bar listed in any bar reviews online which is quite odd. I think its a great layout, they had the idea a few years ago to put live bands in there but not any longer, now its aimed at business persons and I think it really works. Couches as well as bar stools and a dance area, I guess its not a fantastic location but I cant understand why its not more popular? Strange.

Overall it gets a 8/10 in my books

The Misty Moon (Barnet - London)

The Misty Moon (formerly the Moon under Water)

---

Feb 2006: The Moon under water is now called 'the Misty Moon'!

---

This one used to be a Wetherspoons back in the day (hence the name) but its moved on to other hands and with it so have the prices risen. Its a long thin pub with little seating and on a friday night i've never been in a busier pub. The bar staff are very nice if a little slow and the garden is quaint but its more like a balcony in a car park. No park facilites at all, although they do do food but god knows where the kitchen is in this place unless its on the roof.

Overall the Moon gets 4/10. Its heyday it got a 8 even a 9.Never mind

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The White Lion (Barnet - London)

The White Lion

This pub is an absolute disgrace. It has the worst shape and layout ever, the garden area is cramped and smelly and the Bar, goodness me. There were 2 bar staff last time I went and we asked for 2 shots of sambuca and 2 shots of tequila. No, no shots at this bar, WHAT?? No, no Sambuca, Tequila, Port, Malibu, Archers or wine, oh and we drank the last of the Tia Maria. 1 type of lager there as well boys!!

Shameful establishment overall it gets a 1/10 but the best selection of Whisky you ever did see!

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Mitre Inn (Barnet - London)

The Mitre Inn

Wayhay its another old fashioned pub where they not only give you 'the eye' but you get the full ln stare and the "i think you should leave because your not local" look. I didnt have much of choice to go there on the one time I did because it was part of the Barnet Traditional pub crawl. Steer clear unless you like cramped spaces, high prices and a violent mob of 70-somethings. yikes. But aside all of the looks on entry you have a drop down into a larger friendlier part of the opub at the back and some totally minging toilets further on. The bar is one of the weirdest shapes i've ever seen. Very reasonabley priced for barnet however which rasied its level for me but seriously difficult to get inside the front door is like a difficult computer game.

Overall a neither here nor there 6/10 for ye olde mitre inn, ooo aR!

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Green Dragon (Barnet - London)

The Green Dragon
After years of closure and poor service this restaurant/pub has been refurbished and although it is not huge serves its community of fields very well. In short its a pub in the middle of a field and its not cheap either. They have a special concoction of shots behind the bar though so its worth asking about those and they can open later than your average pub being in the sticks but the manager is not very nice and the staff are a little terrible.

Overall the Green Dragon gets a firey 6/10.

Hayleys Bar (East Barnet - London)

Hayleys Bar
Its long , its got mirrors and its quite dark and purple, the kids are packing it out and the bouncers wont let you in... its Hayley's Bar and its expensive and so far off the map its scary, you would really be at a last resort if you ended up here on a night out. Thats probably why I haven't been back in four years!!

Overall this dump gets a 2/10 and thats being generous!!!

The Albion (Barnet - London)

The Albion

This is another top notch local pub offering spurs fans the chance to come together under one tiny roof to play darts and drink local ale. The staff are very friendly and are not quick to kick you out if it gets a little late. The drinks prices are a little steep and it gets packed during football matches.

Overall this pub gets a well deserved 7/10 for such charming atmosphere

The Kings Head (Barnet - London)

The Kings Head

Now this is a traditonal local, you even get the eye from the bar staff if your dressed wrongly.(I last went in cowboy attire). They have a good offer on of £2.00 for a double and mixer which competes even with the likes of weatherspoons. The toilets are pretty poor and the vodka is cheap and dodgy. Its a lounge like atmosphere but perhaps inapproapriately filled with dance music from music channels broadcasted above your head.

Overall 6/10 cos i hate 'the eye'

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub

The Lord Nelson (Barnet - London)

The Lord Nelson

This little tucked away number is actually a pretty nice place to go. Rather sedluded but without that local atmosphere that drives away new visitors. Its not cheap but there is a lot of seating and you can sit out front during the summer. If you're lucky they have been known to open that little bit later so rush here for last orders.

Overall the nelson gets a 6/10 because its not particularly special, cheap or well located

Fancyapint.com - Map, Directions, Contact Details & More Reviews on this pub