Railway Tavern

Just what London needs - another traditional pub with delusions of grandeur. The Railway Tavern in Mill Hill had me rolling my eyes before I even crossed the threshold. After all, how many "proper British boozers" can one city possibly sustain? And yet, here I am, reluctantly penning what amounts to a love letter to this unexpectedly charming establishment.

Let's address the elephant in the room - yes, it's called the Railway Tavern, conjuring images of Victorian-era workers drowning their industrial sorrows. But this Mill Hill mainstay has somehow managed to dodge the fate of countless London pubs that have either devolved into sticky-floored tourist traps or been converted into luxury flats by developers with pound signs in their eyes.

The first crack in my cynical armor appeared during a recent Friday evening visit. Live music filled the space - not the usual painful covers of "Wonderwall" that plague lesser establishments, but actually competent musicians who seemed to understand their craft. The spacious interior, which could easily feel cavernous and cold, instead manages a perfect balance between cozy nooks and social spaces. Someone here clearly understands pub architecture better than I care to admit.

The bar selection deserves particular mention, though it pains me to say it. An impressive array of real ales shares space with craft beers that don't feel like they were chosen solely to appease hipsters. The cocktail list, while not attempting to reinvent the wheel, offers properly made classics that don't require a small loan to purchase. It's refreshingly unpretentious, which in modern London feels almost revolutionary.

Perhaps most surprising is the outdoor space - a sun deck that actually deserves the name, rather than the usual sad collection of wobbly tables next to the bins. The beer garden has been thoughtfully designed, offering genuine appeal for both sun-worshippers and those of us who prefer to lurk in the shadows. During warmer months, it's genuinely pleasant enough to make you forget you're in North London.

The current landlords, Pete and Catherine, run the place with the kind of authentic hospitality that's becoming endangered in our city of automated ordering apps and surly staff. They've managed to maintain that delicate balance between welcoming newcomers and preserving the pub's role as a local institution. The regulars don't give you the death stare when you walk in - a rare achievement in London pub culture.

For entertainment, there's pool and darts, plus screens showing sports that somehow don't dominate the atmosphere. It's a neat trick - catering to match-day crowds without turning the place into a betting shop with beer. The addition of board games suggests family-friendly aspirations, though thankfully not at the expense of adult enjoyment.

Cleanliness - not typically a standout feature of London pubs - deserves special mention. The facilities are maintained to a standard that suggests someone actually cares, including thoughtfully stocked ladies' rooms. It's sad that this is noteworthy, but anyone who's ventured into a typical London pub bathroom knows why it bears mentioning.

The Railway Tavern also offers that increasingly rare commodity in London - actual parking space. Free parking, no less. In a city where leaving your car anywhere costs roughly the same as a small mortgage, this feels almost suspicious in its generosity.

Look, I wanted to dislike the Railway Tavern. I really did. London has enough pubs claiming to be proper community venues while serving microwave meals and warm beer. But this place in Mill Hill has forced me to eat my words (though sadly not their food, as they're currently drinks-only - probably for the best, as I'd hate to have to praise their kitchen too).

If you find yourself in this corner of London, whether by choice or circumstance, the Railway Tavern deserves your patronage. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but you might want to make a special trip. Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation as a cynic to maintain.