A stylish little chill out, the Catcher in the Rye’s relaxed atmosphere makes it a good spot to wind down over a few drinks.

The Venue
The Catcher in the Rye is a smart, modern North London gastropub. From the outside it looks to have been renovated and its quaint and subtle styling generates a welcoming feeling.

Inside, you’re greeted by a tidy looking bar area and a few bar stools. The pub is modestly-sized and there are plenty of comfy seats and sofas that are perfect for lounging. Seating areas are reasonably segregated and intimate meaning your space is never invaded and the pub doesn’t feel too packed. There are also a few outdoor seats but they’re a little cramped and no match for the cosy leather sofas inside.

Towards the back of the venue is a larger seating section. This is the most social area of the pub with the seats arranged closer together and a television showing all the latest news and sport. For those travelling from a little further afield, the Catcher in the Rye is easily accessible. A bus stop with links to the city centre sits on the doorstep and, with the North Circular just a few minutes away, there’s plenty of on-street parking.

The Atmosphere
The chilled out atmosphere at the Catcher in the Rye attracts a mix of punters out for casual drinks. The sparse seating layout means you retain your privacy whilst never feeling completely out in the cold. A television at the back of the pub shows news and sports, which gives the pub a little more buzz than usual. This certainly isn’t somewhere for a full-on party but it doesn’t try to be.

The bar staff are well presented and friendly although they’re a little quiet and somewhat casual on service. Perhaps the relaxed atmosphere has rubbed off a little too much on them?

The Food
A look at the menu suggests an exciting range of food, all freshly prepared by hand for great prices but sadly the product doesn’t quite match up. The menu makes the food suffer. Descriptions don’t tend to match what you receive and while the food is tasty, it’s a little disappointing.

When the menu promises hand cut chips it’s irritating when you receive oven chips. This runs throughout the menu with salads, sauces and other extras not quite living up to the menu’s elaborate descriptions. Despite this, the quality of the food is good although the portions are somewhat slender. With main meals starting at £8 it’s not expensive and is a fine choice for a bite to eat. Vegetarians are catered for but don’t expect a wide range of options. Also available are a selection of tapas-style bar snacks.

The Drink
The Catcher in the Rye offers an interesting selection of draught beer and caters to a variety of tastes. Carlsberg, San Miguel, Grolsch, Guinness and Kronenbourg are accompanied by a few bottled beers. With prices starting at £3 they’re reasonably priced.

A good range of wine offers bottles from all over the globe with the prices starting at £13. Several Champagnes and a standard selection of spirits are also available. The pub also has a basic cocktail menu that contains classics and a few shooters.

The Last Word
If you fancy chilling out over a few drinks then the Catcher in the Rye is a safe bet. It’s never going to be bustling with energy but the casual atmosphere and calm aesthetics make for a pleasant and relaxing experience.

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