The High Cross Pub, Tottenham

Just what Tottenham needed - another pub conversion trying to convince us it's charming because it used to be a public toilet. The High Cross Pub in London's increasingly gentrifying N17 postal code stands as testament to someone's questionable decision to turn a Victorian convenience into an inconvenient drinking establishment. And yet...

I hate to admit it, but there's something undeniably appealing about this tiny architectural oddity. Perhaps it's the way The High Cross has managed to retain its original 1920s green tiles while somehow not making you feel like you're drinking in an actual lavatory. The transformation from public convenience to public house is, dare I say, rather clever.

Walking into this compact space (and I do mean compact - you'll get to know your fellow drinkers whether you want to or not), you're struck by how they've managed to create something that actually feels like a proper London pub rather than some half-hearted hipster hangout. The brass fixtures gleam without trying too hard, and the wood-paneled bar looks like it's been there forever, even though we all know it hasn't.

The beer selection, I grudgingly acknowledge, is actually quite impressive for such a small venue. They've managed to curate a rotating selection of cask ales that would make even the most ardent CAMRA enthusiast nod in approval. And while I initially scoffed at their wine list (who orders wine in a former loo?), I found myself pleasantly surprised by both the selection and the staff's knowledge. Not that I'm suggesting you should make this your go-to wine bar, but still.

Outside, they've created what might be one of Tottenham's more pleasant drinking spaces, complete with fairy lights that should be tacky but somehow aren't. The benches offer a front-row seat to the High Road's constant theater of life, though you'll need to embrace the local color rather than shy away from it. On sunny days, it's actually - and I can't believe I'm writing this - rather lovely.

The food menu is mercifully concise, focusing on pub classics done properly rather than attempting some gastropub revolution. Their Tuesday pie and pint deal has become something of a local legend, and rightfully so. The pies are proper affairs - all-butter pastry encasing fillings that taste like someone's grandmother had a hand in their creation. The chips are proper chip-shop style, none of those skinny fries that have invaded London's pub scene like unwanted house guests.

Let's address the elephant in the rather small room: yes, it gets crowded. Yes, you might have to wait for a table. And yes, the toilets (now significantly smaller than in the building's previous incarnation) can require some strategic timing to access. But somehow these inconveniences feel less annoying here than they would elsewhere. Perhaps it's the genuinely friendly staff who manage to maintain their good humor even when the place is heaving.

For those concerned about logistics, they do take bookings, and you'd be wise to make one, especially for those pie nights. The payment system accepts everything short of crypto (though give them time), and they're dog-friendly - because apparently dogs in pubs is now as essential as beer itself.

It's worth noting that The High Cross sits perfectly positioned between Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale stations, making it an ideal spot for either starting or ending your evening. The surrounding area continues to evolve at a pace that makes local estate agents giddy, but this pub feels refreshingly removed from the next-big-thing syndrome affecting so much of London's hospitality scene.

Look, I didn't want to like The High Cross Pub. The whole concept sounds like something dreamed up after one too many pints. But here I am, recommending that you make your way to this peculiar corner of Tottenham to experience one of London's more characterful drinking establishments. Book ahead, bring your sense of humor, and prepare to be charmed by a pub that has absolutely no right to be as good as it is. Just don't think too hard about what the building used to be while you're enjoying your pint.