The Crown, Cricklewood  

This place must have changed a great deal since it was immortalised in verse by Dominic Behan. Indeed, it's pretty hard to imagine glasses flying and Biddy's crying being a regular feature of the new-look Crown. It remains one of the most architecturally imposing watering-holes in London, all late Victorian pomp and circumstance, with stained glass upstairs and a gorgeous red exterior. The drinking area is so large you could almost fit a market in it. There are four main bars, spread over two levels, including one that specialises in cocktails, and a restaurant area with an open fire. The right-hand bar, next to the hotel, is the one to head for if you are looking for real ale. It's all quite smart, designer screen-prints on the wall, and is part of a recently expanded and Irish-owned hotel. There are lots of sofas and armchairs, and cosy nooks and crannies to break up the expanse satisfactorily, while live jazz and DJs provide entertainment four nights a week. The clientele is extremely diverse, and the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming, sophisticated but not inhibiting. The Guinness is predictably fine and the range of drinks good rather than great. (A rather annoying feature is that the name of the beers available are engraved in small letters on the taps, so you need to squint to see what's what.) Prices, while not out of the ordinary for London, are higher than many other pubs nearby, which, along with some, pleasingly civil, bouncers, help to keep out the more intimidating, or just excessively inebriated, folks, that you find around and about. We'll be back.

reviewed:
20/04/2006

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

real ales

Sky TV (small screens)

live music (jazz)

separate dining area

hotel attached

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