The Faltering Fullback Pub

Having been given precise directions to what my esteemed friend Michael Ginty calls “The best pub in the country” I was amazed to actually walk past the thing. Set back from the main Stroud green road, the Flatering Fullback is nested in a quite lane, with only one or two punters smoking out front and the pub itself drowning in foliage and ivy. I soon find a door and enter a very small room. This room leads around to a bar area with strange trinkets hanging overheard and i find myself mesmerised by an old washboard. The drinks are reasonably priced and the staff are very fast and attentive, taking only seconds to prepare a tray of Jagerbombs. Wandering further around the bar with my tray of shots I come across a red-lit library room which leads off into a small corridor, then opening out onto a rather unexpected hall. The hall is crowded with people of all ages, playing music from a jukebox, with a pool table in the corner and the opening to what looks like a kitchen. Sitting down and taking shots I soon discover the place does excellent Thai food and surely enough at a neighbouring wooden bench - the starter platter does look and smell the part. Off in the far corner drinkers seem to be heading outside through a different exit to smoke and following then i happen on a an elaborate beer garden which like the venue inside seems to snake off into plateau after plateau of venue space.

Astounded by complexity of the venue given the simplicity of the exterior I can see why certain friends are gravitating towards this place. The regulars are all very friendly and despite the place crowding as the night wears on, there is huge appeal to what can only be crowned as the secret garden of north London pubs and truly deserving of an 9/10badge - easily the best local pub in Finsbury park if not north London.