The Nags Head

Easily one of the most uniquely weird pubs I’ve been in London. The good points are the beautiful interior which combines old wood panels, classic furniture, a warm fire and interesting displays. Combine that with a (surprisingly) busy atmosphere and you get all the makings of a great pub. Then there are the very real drawbacks. The old barman, maybe owner is so grouchy that you’d think he doesn’t want customers. He was actually politer to me than to most. He was outright rude to multiple customers. He explains you have to spend £15, sometimes changes to £16 to use card (nonsense but he doesn’t care). When asked what wines they have, he just says red, white and rosé. He’s not joking. He asks people to leave if they haven’t ordered a drink yet. He also forgets orders, forget prices (makes them up as he goes along), and even forgets who he’s just served, asking them again what they want having just taken their order. I’m not being cruel to suggest he may need to retire. It’s seen by some as comical old skool landlord behaviour but really it’s not kitsch or cute just because he’s old, but it’s still rude, obnoxious and unacceptable. He also tries to police a no mobile phone policy as if we’re living in another century. Again it’s not endearing, it’s absurd, obstinate and petty. The price of my pint of lager was £8. That’s also pretty much unacceptable and I only stayed as it was pouring down outside. When it gets new and more contemporary thinking owners, this will be a fantastic London pub. Right now, it’s sadly a write off in terms of serious options to drink in. Very sad how badly this place is run. A contender for worst run pub in London.

Gorgeous pub, and well worth visiting... but easily the most expensive pub of 2023, so maybe only worth a quick half pint rather than settling down for the evening. 2 pints of bitter, a bag of crisps, and a bag of peanuts for £22.50 is a bit much! (I questioned the fella when he said it was £20 and he raised it to £22.50)

Very cute, quaint old fashioned pub, hidden in a London mews. Good selection of drinks. It was very busy when we went, but managed to get a little table. The landlord is a character!