Garden Gate, Hampstead  

Formerly an old-fashioned, slightly rough pub, this was done up a few years ago now - with mixed results. On the plus side, the beer garden is wonderful, large and always good humoured; the selection of beers is always interesting and they rotate unusual continental beers on tap; the food is good enough and not too pricey (£8 mains) for the area. In theory, the main pub itself should be good: the lighting is subdued, there is a good mix of dark tables and sofas and the red lanterns give a slightly different oriental flavour to the place. In practice, the room is a bit cold, soulless, echoey (despite the low ceilings) and the atmosphere is "passing through" rather than "settling down". It's hard to put our finger on why, but we never really feel like lingering here and we think few people plan a night out round this place.