The Shanakee Colindale

Just what Colindale needed - another Irish pub in London. The Shanakee sits there on the corner, practically daring you to make assumptions about what lies behind its emerald-tinged facade. And yes, before you ask, they've got all the usual suspects: Guinness on tap, sports on the telly, and enough Celtic imagery to make a leprechaun blush.

But here's the thing that pains my cynical heart to admit: The Shanakee Colindale isn't just another cookie-cutter Irish pub. It's got something that most London boozers lost somewhere between gentrification and Instagram - actual character.

I wandered in on a bitter winter evening, fully prepared to pen a scathing review about yet another soulless attempt at "authentic Irish atmosphere." The first surprise was the welcome - not the manufactured cheerfulness you get at chain pubs, but the kind of genuine warmth that makes you forget you're in London's outer reaches. The regulars actually look up from their pints and nod hello, which in London terms is practically a ticker-tape parade.

The beer selection is surprisingly thoughtful. Yes, you'll find your Guinness (and it's pulled properly, with the patience of a saint), but there's a rotating cast of craft beers that would make your hipster nephew stroke his beard in approval. The prices won't make your wallet weep either, which in today's London is about as rare as a punctual Northern line train.

Live music here isn't the usual painful cover band massacre you'd expect. On weekend nights, the place comes alive with traditional Irish sessions that somehow manage to feel both authentic and accessible. Even the most hardened London cynic might find their foot tapping traitorously against the floorboards.

The Shanakee Colindale has mastered that elusive art of being a proper sports pub without descending into chaos. Multiple screens are positioned strategically so you can follow the match without feeling like you're in an electronics store. During big games, the atmosphere is electric but never hostile - a delicate balance that many London pubs try and fail to achieve.

Let's talk about the clientele because it's refreshingly diverse for what you might expect. Yes, there's a solid Irish contingent, but you'll also find locals of all stripes, from suited professionals to students, all coexisting in that peculiarly British way of pretending not to notice each other while secretly enjoying the company.

The payment setup is thoroughly modern (they take cards, contactless, and yes, even that fancy phone-tapping business), though I'm slightly disappointed I can't complain about them being stuck in the cash-only dark ages. They've even got clean loos, which in pub terms is practically a miracle on par with the loaves and fishes.

For those seeking some sustenance beyond liquid bread, I should mention they serve food... The ellipsis is intentional because I'm still processing how a pub this unassuming manages to serve chips that aren't just an afterthought to soak up the beer. They're actually good. I feel like I'm betraying my professional cynicism just typing those words.

The Shanakee has carved out its own little niche in Colindale's drinking landscape, and I'm annoyed at how much I like it. It's the kind of place where you pop in for "just one" and find yourself still there three hours later, having made two new friends and learned a traditional Irish drinking song.

So here's my begrudging recommendation: If you find yourself in this corner of London, possibly lost or waiting for the housing market to collapse so you can afford to live closer to zone 1, do yourself a favor and push open The Shanakee's door. Just don't blame me when it becomes your regular. Some nights, when the music's playing and the conversations are flowing, you might even forget you're in Colindale. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.