Abbey Tavern

North London isn’t shy of a few boozers with smashing beer gardens. So if you want to be top of the league, you’ve got to have a trick or two hidden up your sleeves.

For The Abbey Tavern, its secrets lie in its upper decking. Their outdoor space knows a thing or two about idealistic surroundings for a perfect pint. On the ground level, you’ve got wooden benches galore, where booths surround plenty of tables for drinking in the sun. But take things upstairs, and you’ll instantly make yourself at home. A cosy covered room complete with sofas and tables means it’s fully prepared for our joyous, unpredictable weather.

But as all avid pub goers know, a great garden doesn’t stay secret for long. This entire area of higher ground is available to hire – perfect for special occasions and owning an afternoon or evening of summer boozing. However, more often than not – it is pre-booked. Always worth double checking though, as it’s a sweet spot and if you get lucky, you can set up camp for hours.

The Abbey Tavern doesn’t do too badly in other areas of pub criteria either: The food is good and the staff are friendly and plenty (I’ve never had to wait that long for a tipple, even on a Saturday night). It’s just a shame the bouncers feel the need to be a little on the passive aggressive side. Because you can be good at your job without being intimidating. 

There to celebrate a friends 30th, I was told that I couldn’t give her a gift bag with a bottle of champagne in it – and that it had to go straight behind the bar for her to collect at the end of the night. Sure, I understand that it might need to go there after having given it to her to ensure we weren’t going to crack it open… But we had to persuade the guy to allow us to do that.

Other than that little hiccup, choosing The Abbey Tavern for some alfresco beverages won’t disappoint you. Just make sure one of your prompt mates heads there early to get you a space outside…