Old White Lion, East Finchley

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(6 reviews)

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FancyaPint?'s review...

Once a pub used primarily as a place for a quick drink before heading off into town, having slipped under the wheels of the M&B refurbishment juggernaut, the Old White Lion has pulled out all the stops to hold onto the upmarket drinkers of 'East Finchley Village'. Decked out in various styles of furniture, from faux Louis XVII chairs, through to art deco lamps and kitsch 60's sideboards, it's certainly very stylised; indeed, if the bar were removed, it would look like an antique furniture shop. There's a number of good real ales and continental lagers on tap, alongside the nicest beer garden in the area. Also added is a well-made menu at reasonable prices. With comedy nights, a pub quiz, Sunday roasts and special events, the Old White Lion's a popular place. A little too popular for us, unfortunately, with inordinately long queues at the bar quite a lot of the time. It's a jolly nice pub, with almost everything just right, but it only just scrapes in with a three-pint rating. We've mentioned this in previous reviews - service really needs to be speeded up, if the Old White Lion's going to become a firm favourite of ours.

Reviewed by redcat 03 Feb 2011 Helpful? yes/no

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torpor
Reviews (27)

15 Jul 2012

15 July 2012.
I guess it depends what you are looking for in East Finchley. I you want a well kept pint in a characterful and friendly pub it has to be Gertie Browne's. If however you would prefer to stand around waiting to be served over priced and badly kept real ale while listening to men in suits talk loudly to guffawing middle class women named Sophie this is your place.
The last time I went in here the service was as usual pretty appalling. Despite the vastness of the pub it has a tiny bar which means that you always spend at least ten minutes waiting to get served. When you do get served you this is generally done in an at best reserved and at worst surly manner (one barman even wanted me to do his adding up for him!). The price of an ordinary glass of wine is just ridiculous.
You pay your money you take your choice I suppose and this pub is clearly thriving in a great part of London. But it is souless and characterless and if its a middle class gastropub with real ales you are looking for The Old White Lion is simply outgunned by the nearby Bald Faced Stag. Having said that it does have a nice beer garden in which to drink overpriced beer and the food is generally decent.
The Strange Torpor.

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15 Sep 2011

Top dog (or rather, lion) in East Finchley. A selection of real ales which happily combines old favourites with more obscure beers from microbreweries; the range of other drinks available is similarly wide and high-quality. The quality of food is pretty high for a pub kitchen, and some of the dishes are very good value for money. Atmosphere is relaxed, sociable and female-friendly. My only complaint (like everyone else) is the speed of service, which can be variable at the best of times.

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TheGreatSmellOfBrute
Reviews (20)

louisasneezer
Reviews (2)

13 Feb 2010

This is one of my favourite pubs! Chilled atmosphere, yummy bloody Mary ketchup and fun in the summer- chickens!!!

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10 Jan 2010

We have been coming to the OWL over Christmas holiday for years & have watched it's many transmutations but we love it anyway we can get it. Once the Bald Faced Stag went sports bar then restaurant we loved the OWL even more. Thier chips are the best ever & their othe gastropub dishes are tasty, too. It is right on the tube stop & within walking distance to the house where we stay. AAA+++

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marionwilhelm
Reviews (2)

RichardDerby
Reviews (2)

09 Jun 2008

Just the rudest barman I have ever encountered in any London pub. To be fair he dealt out his unpleasantness to all who entered without fear or favour, but nevertheless I won't be coming back.