There are several pubs within a short walk of each other around this part of Hampstead, and the Duke of Hamilton is probably the least popular of them all - but that’s only because it’s not as obvious as the others.

The Venue
It’s easy to walk past this pub when you approach it from Heath Street because your eyes will be fixed at the big burly competition at the bottom of the road. If you’re approaching from here then you won’t get to casually stumble upon the Duke of Hamilton and that’s a great shame because it’s a lovely little local that offers a charming environment for a well-deserved drink.

The subtle exterior is the reason most people won’t notice this pub. There are no big colourful signs begging for your attention and the building is set further back and higher up than most of the other pubs. Walk up the steps and you’ll find yourself in the beer garden, which is actually as big as the pub itself. Beautifully decorated with colourful floral displays, it makes for a wonderful area to enjoy a drink with your friends whenever the sun is shining.

Step inside, and you’ll immediately notice the snug feel. The bar is directly in front of you with seating either side. Walk around the right side of the bar and you’ll be tempted by the darts board, to the left you’ll find more chairs and tables. The TV in the corner is tuned into Sky Sports as this is very much a sports pub. A couple of signed rugby jerseys and cricket bats have been framed as a testament to this, as have various pictures of numerous sporting heroes.

The Atmosphere
The staff at the Duke of Hamilton are very friendly and more than happy to have a chinwag even if you aren’t one of the regulars. The regular punters tend to be local Hampstead folk including a variety of personalities. You’ll definitely come across the pretentious crowd in here, who can be excruciatingly painful to listen to, but fortunately not everyone is like that and you’ll find some ‘normal’ folk here, too. It is very much a traditional pub with a country feel and is an excellent place for a quiet drink.

The Drink
The Duke of Hamilton has a reputation for serving real cask ale and it lives up to that with its selection. They have a couple of guests on at any given time and go with London Ale and Adnams Regatta as their regulars. The lager selection may disappoint some. On tap they serve Stella and Carlsberg and bottles include Becks, Bud, Peroni, Leffe and Hoegarden.

The Last Word
The Duke of Hamilton is a great little pub for the locals - especially those who like their sports. It’s also a brilliant pit stop if you’re on your way to the New End Theatre next door. Oh yes, and it was featured on an episode of The Apprentice 2008, and if it’s good enough for Alan Sugar...

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