The Gatehouse Wetherspoons (Highgate Village - London)

Barblog

January 20th, 2009 · 3 Comments

The Gatehouse Wetherspoons

Quite what a wetherspoons is doing parked in the centre of the quiet village of highgate, i’m not too sure. Its stands out much like a sore thumb as the pickle of chain-bar high-street conglomerate which really doesn’t belong in these parts and its popularity is demonstrated within. Its a well don-out building, more roomy and flamboyant than other wetherpsoons but the atmosphere inside is dank and dreary, the staff which do try to perk things up are drowned out by one or two that look at me blankly when I ask for a jagermeister and hurry to fetch the manager for help. There doesn’t need to be an oasis of cheap drinks in an area known for its up market spenders, retired actors and country living, perched over the city of London.

Overall a disappointing venue which brings more of a burden than anything else to the area, its not popular and not liked but yet it remains for those that don’t want to fork out the four pounds that the other pubs charge per pint. I suppose it will always have that as a plus - 4/10

Tags: Highgate and Archway

3 responses so far ↓

1 The Great Smell Of Brute // May 16, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Doubles as the theatre bar for fringe venue Upstairs At The Gatehouse. The prices are far more attractive than the service, which can be woeful even when there are several members of staff behind the bar. Guest beers can be interesting and are usually well kept.
2 Jamie Brewer // Dec 13, 2009 at 1:36 pm

I have never heard such a tissue of lies in the above review of The Gatehouse in Highgate Village.
On the contrary, there is a need for a boozer of this ilk in this ‘area known for it’s upmarket spenders’ as anyone would know, if you lived in the area, that there are plenty of council estates dotted around where the not-so-affluent live. So being able to buy a pint of Westons ‘Old Rosie’ for £2.80 or an array of pump drawn real ales that most other pubs in the area can only dream of stocking(all for well under 3 quid), is a breath of fresh air!
The statement that ‘it is not popular’ or ‘not liked’ can be blown out of the water if you were to walk in there on a Saturday or Sunday when the place is overflowing with life - getting a table can be a major problem.
The fact is the food there may be a little ’school dinerish’ doesn’t detract from this pub’s popularity-especially as a drink is included in the hugely reasononable price of most meals.
This is on of my family’s favourite pubs in an area we have lived in for well over 40 years and long may it remain!
3 Dave Lawrence // Feb 23, 2010 at 6:07 pm

I cannot let you get away with that! I have visited pubs in this area for years and this is now my local favourite. As a regular to this pub I can vouch that it is popular amongst local people - not all of whom are wealthy. It is packed out many evenings. The range of beers is the best in the area and invariably well kept. The food of course is standard Wetherspoons - cheap and cheerfull, but whats wrong with that? I agree that the interior lacks something - but there is an attempt to nod to local history.