Spread Eagle, NW1 7BN
- 141 Albert Street, NW1 7BN (map of this place)
- NW1 7BN
- Brewery: Young's
- Nearby Tube stops: Camden Town
A fairly small drinkers' pub on the corner of Albert Street and Parkway.
Drinks
- Young's Bitter - 2.15/pt
- Young's Special - 2.32/pt
- Young's Pilsner - 2.30/pt
- Young's Export - 2.40/pt ?
- Young's Winter Warmer - 2.37/pt (seasonal)
- Fosters Draught - 2.65/pt
- Scrumpy Jack Cider - 2.70/pt
- Guinness Draught - 2.75/pt
- Stella Artois Draught - 2.81/pt
(Note prices are purely from memory, circa Jan 2003)
Mon-Thur there are "happy hour" specials on Bitter, Special, and Winter Warmer.
Beer well-kept (I've often been asked to wait while they change barrels), sometimes guests. A few fake beers, ciders, etc., as well. Quite an extensive wine list. Wines generally in good condition, and can be bought by the bottle.
Food
Food is served most days, with one menu applying between 12:00 - 15:00, and a simplified selection applying after that until late. There is an extra menu on Sundays. Food starts at about 1.50 for some chips, and goes via 3 and 4 pounds for a variety of baguettes and snacky meals, up to 5 to 6 pounds for main meals. Food is quite decent for a pub, both in quality and serving size, but that's just IMHO. Vegetarian food is available.
The food selection at night is more limited unfortunately - You're basically looking at pizza or chips n stuff. However, at least the pizzas are a decent size. Expect to pay about a fiver for a 10" pizza, and have a few random types available. At least one will be vegetarian.
Service and Ambience
I didn't notice music, but it can get pretty loud just from people - being near Camden Town, it's always busy, and you may have to wait quite a while for a table. Quite smoky too. Nothing like as bad as the Hogshead across the road, though. Usually sport on the TV, but occaisionally a random music channel. Don't expect to hear it above the crowd noise unless you're standing underneath the telly though.
The staff are good about removing glasses, but very keen to throw people out at closing time. Persistence will let you stay to finish your drinks, but I don't really advise buying up large rounds during last drinks.
Layout
Two major areas, separated by a step in each of the three doorways between them. The front room (on the corner of the building) has tables and chairs; the other room (which you'll enter first, and where the bar is) has a couple of tables but is mostly for standing. Staff are fairly amenable to DIY re-arrangement of tables and chairs so long as exits are not obscured.
Facilities
There's no meeting room (nor space for one). The internal room mentioned above is occaisionally available for reservation, given sufficient attendance. However, it is not really suited to private groups, as the female toilets are accessed through it, so general public will be constantly using it as a thouroughfare. There are two Gents' toilets, down 12 steps from the bar, kept moderately clean.