As Kentish Town continues to go upmarket, so do its drinking holes. The Assembly House is the latest in a string of pubs to undergo refurbishment, resulting in a vast improvement from its previous guise. The Sky Sports and mediocre food are long gone; in their place come table service and fantastic food.

The Venue
This venue sits invitingly on the corner of the crossroads to the right of Kentish Town station, so it’s well-positioned to scoop up passers-by. You can enter the premises from a selection of doors, but they all lead to the impressive bar in the centre of the room. Its vast size means that getting served should never be a problem. The front space mainly consists of wooden furniture while the back accommodates cushioned seating and cosy booths with cute details like the embroidered finish. A fabulous skylight has been added to the back room, making it bright in the day; in the evenings dim lighting makes things more romantic. The décor consists of imitation bookshelves, retro-style floor lamps and pot plants. Old-fashioned books, ornaments and vases fill the shelves. The walls are decorated with large ornate mirrors and framed black and white photographs of classic film stars.

The Atmosphere
The Assembly House attracts a mixed bag of clientele. It predominantly attracts locals and after-work drinkers, but when gigs are on at The Forum it is the pub of choice for gig-goers. It gets busy on Friday and Saturday nights but, in general, the atmosphere is pleasant and laid-back with approachable and attentive bar staff. The complete opposite to previous management some will be pleased to note.

The Food
Like its clientele, the menu is also a mixed bag, serving classic dishes and weekly specials. There is a selection of mouth-watering starters on offer. The chicken liver pate is a good choice and is served with warm crusty bread, butter and salad. Classics like the shepherd’s pie won’t disappoint even the most arduous diner and will set you back just under £9. You can also tuck in to the likes of fajitas, chicken tikka and duck salad (all £8.95). Prime steaks are a few pounds more and burgers range from £7-£10. If you have room for dessert, apple crumble finishes the meal off nicely. Overall, the presentation is well-thought-out and service is top notch.

The Drink
If you like cocktails, a small selection of classics make up the menu, priced at £4.75. Bottles of wine range from £11-£20, while sparkling wine and champagne goes up to £50. The pinot grigio rose is full flavoured and fruity at £15. There is a good selection of interesting lagers/beers (Budvar, Kirin, Estrella, Blue Moon) as well as real ales on tap at usual Kentish Town prices.

The Last Word
The Assembly House has upped its game and is now more focused on its food. In doing do, it has become a local alternative to the ever-popular Oxford and the Abbey Tavern.

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