Pembroke Castle, Primrose Hill

Our rating: FAP Rating 1 - Click for an explanation of our ratings User rating: Community Rating 1 - Click for an explanation of our ratings (4 reviews)
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FancyaPint?'s review...
FAP Rating 1 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
Being the first pub you come to when travelling to Primrose Hill from Chalk Farm means Pembroke Castle is one of the most popular pubs in the area. It's hard to see exactly why, though. The service is perennially average, if not worse, and the main bar has been stripped to within an inch of it's life. At least they finally realised that having the industrial waste bins next to the entrance in the beer garden was really not the best place for them. Clientele consists of one too many of the media types who wear oversized sunglasses at night and like particular pubs for reasons no-one else would. Saying all that, the food isn't bad and the beer garden is in a good location to people-watch. Although it could be great in the right hands, this one is no more than average and made worse by the raucous crowds. Still, look out of it if you ever watch the BBC adaptation of The Triffids.
Review: 1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Reviewed by 21 Apr 2011    Helpful? yes/no
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Reviews (1)
11 Jan 2012
Rating 1 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
A lovely evening with my friend in the Pembroke Castle was ruined by the rudest bar manager I have ever had the misfortune to meet. I have never before posted a bad review for a bar but feel compelled to do so on this occasion due to the behaviour of this man. We were in the bar from about 7pm enjoying some food and wine, however when closing time came we were treated like dirt and hounded out, while being shouted at that we were "2 minutes" over the legal closing time (it was 11.18pm at the time). Even as we were putting on our coats to leave we were told to hurry up in doing so! I am a female in my 30s and have never before experienced such a confrontational aggressive attitude from bar staff or especially a manager. I would understand if it was 3am on a Saturday night in the centre of London, but this was 11pm on a Tuesday night in Primrose Hill - not exactly known for its troublesome customers!
I would advise anyone reading this review to avoid this pub. There's plenty of lovely pubs in the neighbourhood with staff who are more than happy to receive your custom.
May I also make the point that the barman had been quite pleasant all night. It is such a pity that one ignorant person can ruin an otherwise perfectly nice pub. On doing some quick research today I note that there has been many bad reviews for this pub mostly due to the rude manager, therefore as the other review on this site mentions, I would urge the owner to rethink their management as a priority.
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06 Mar 2011
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Think you need to visit the Pembroke Castle in Primrose Hill again, as you haven't reviewed for nearly 4 years. You'll find a bustling pub with a fair selection of beers and friendly service, but still suitable for couples requiring a private chat. Decor distinctive and warming. Worth definately more than 1 pint rating.
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Reviews (1)
04 Apr 2010
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I've never written a review for a pub before, but after the terrible experience of visiting the Pembroke Castle this Easter weekend I felt compelled. A group of us went to the pub for some lunch, and were unfortunately treated to the most arrogant, unfriendly and stuck-up staff I have ever experienced in a pub or restaurant. The prevailing attitude of the manager and his staff is that if you don't confirm to a very specific list of criteria of who they want in the pub (think Jude, Kate and Sadie et al) then the staff will go out of there way at all times to be hostile and make you feel unwelcome. The mixed group of people I was with were neither rowdy or rude to staff, but simply wanted to sit together and chat. Whether it be slightly moving a table, or grabbing a chair from elsewhere, this was treated by staff coming over to our table, telling us we wasn't aloud to do this and making us feel pariah's in the pub (at all times staff were being whispered instructions by the arrogant, rude and all round tw@t of a manager behind the bar). If you are looking for a pub to relax and enjoy friends company in, then I highly recommend that you avoid this pub.



In writing this rant I have noticed on other sites that this was far from a rare experience of the Pembroke Castle, and that the manager's attitude to punters in particular is a common cause of complaint. If you are connected to the brewery linked to this pub then I highly recommend you review these other comments.
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Contact details

150 Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8JA

020 7483 2927

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How to find the Pembroke Castle pub

Leave the tube by the Haverstock Hill exit. Cross the road and take the first left over the railway bridge. You should see the pub ahead of you on your left.

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History
11 Jan 12 Updated by aneary