Dinking in Kensal: A sound review Winterval Special
- Category: People & Places
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By Wills Morgan
‘Tis the season to be jolly’ goes the Christmas carol. But where, oh where can such gaiety be found?
Well, that’s why you’re reading this article for a list of them pubs, are you not? Let the social libation commence in alphabetical order!
THE CHAMBERLAYNE PUB AND STEAKHOUSEThat’s what it says on the front of the place: pub, and comfort food. It’s a venue with a good reputation among both locals and non-locals. But is it good? Yes it is. Open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.thechamberlayne.com
THE ISLAND
Re-opened for the Christmas season, the blurb for the Island won’t tell you it has a bar (though it has one of those things) or a restaurant (though it has one of those). But one of the things it definitely has is a Christmas menu. Plus you can get a Christmas tree round the outside of the building. Children are welcomed here, which will be a plus on Boxing Day, when they will be open. Check with the landlord who is nice...and approachable.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.theislandnw10.co.uk
MAGGIE’S BAR
Here we have a normal pub for normal people, with possibly the best staff in the area. Not for aficionados of the ‘gastro pub’. Walk in, be nice, get a drink, find a place to sit, and drink: simples. Check with the landlady for Christmas opening times: they may well surprise us!
A normal pub doesn’t need a web site or an email. It needs to serve drinks to people. That’s what Maggie’s does.
THE MASONS ARMS
A place that deserves a better reputation than it has. The staff could be nicer to the punters, and they have it in them: but they can’t be bothered to be nice. Just because they’re able to say they’re not the Island doesn’t mean they have anything to brag about. Must try harder: it’s not rocket science, it’s running a pub.
If you are into football and you are unlucky enough to like Arsenal, chances are the game will be on in this pub on Boxing Day. The will be open that day.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.themasonsarmnw10.co.uk
PARADISE BY WAY OF KENSAL GREEN
With Christmas falling on a Tuesday, this means that the weekend shenanigans at this venue will be extended to a Monday night, when I presume they will be open. If you like that sort of thing, that’s fine: you can enjoy yourself with a lot less hassle in other places. But if you really want to feel bad whilst looking and sounding good...check out the picture that goes with this scripture, and act accordingly.
PARLOUR
The Regent used to be one of those ‘other places’ I have referred to just above: but like both the Island and the Chamberlayne there has been a certain amount of refurbishment going on. The new space is as inviting as the people who are currently running the place: major plusses are the best stacked bar in all of Kensal, with a wide range of draught lagers and ales Take a sneaky look at the restaurant if you can. You’ll like it..
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.parlourkensal.com
THE SHOP
The Shop rocks! Our local cocktail specialists. The piano needs tuning, but we go there for drink, okay? Perfect after a shop at Tescos. A suitable alternative to shopping at Tescos. Cheap chips sold next door, so go now before the price of potatoes goes up.
THE WILLIAM THE FOURTH
One can’t make a proper judgement of a pub on a single viewing, so this place is spared my critical scratching. Anyway, the were closed. Check it out yourself and you can write and tell me about it. Happy drinking!!!!!!
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.williamivlondon.com
WILLS MORGAN’S BEST ALES ON SALE IN KENSAL
CORNISH@ The Island, ISLAND BEST @ The Island,
5 BARREL PALE ALE (Colorado, USA) @ Parlour
ALSO RECOMMENDED
BLOODY MARY afternoons @ GRACELANDS CAFE
Opinions expressed are by SOURCE music writer Wills Morgan.
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Comments
I know all of these well, this is my beat after all, and would say that William IV is always worth a visit especially in the summer.
Looking forward to the new Western Arms, do we think the Flora will move upmarket too?
Keep up the good work.
Luckily for you, we always put the authors names on the top of the articles, so in future you can avoid reading content by Wills Morgan.
Let us point out that the writer's fb page, is not our concern as it is a private matter (even if it's in the public realm). Your comments go well beyond the article itself which suggests that there is a “private” issue here... and that is none of our business (or our readers for that matter).. The article comments facility is not the place to voice them either.
As for “my university students to submit post” (we would hope “posts”), please do, although we're yet to come across anyone from an university environment, to hide under hoax e-mails. By all means, don't let your “trained eye”, strain your imagination too much....
Best regards
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