Malt and Hops is a friendly local with pool, darts and sport on TV; all at excellent prices.

The Venue
This former coach house in Finchley still has its original arches, one of which has a cobbled alleyway leading to the old stables, now housing the beer garden, playground and car park. The pub itself has a large window at the front with the entrance through a porch to the side.

This is a small, cosy venue with a real fire, traditional decor and loyal clientele. The regulars are held in such high regard that when smoking was banned at the bar, a second bar was built in the middle of the pub so the old boozers could still sit ‘at the bar’ and smoke. Of course, the full smoking ban brought that to an end, but the second bar remains in place. For your entertainment, there is a pool table, dart board, backgammon and an excellent jukebox featuring crowd-pleasing classics like Elvis and the Beatles. Sport is usually shown on two televisions, and the big screen is brought out for big games. The walls are adorned with pictures of old Finchley and photo collages of The Malt and Hops happy locals, including the Naughty Boys of Finchley.

The Atmosphere
The Naughty Boys of Finchley is the name the regulars gave themselves to justify their frequent drinking in the Malt and Hops, and you will normally find some of them enjoying a pint at any point in the day. These and other regulars from around Finchley are pretty cliquey but very friendly to everyone who joins in the fun, including office workers and anyone happening to pass through.

The Food
Delicious home cooked food is available every day, all freshly prepared on the premises. It changes daily, so check the specials board for daily selections.

The Drink
You can get four Drambuies for less than a tenner and doubles for £2.60 at the Malt and Hops. All the drinks are as keenly priced as this, so if you pop in for one drink, it could easily escalate. The standard drinks on offer include Magners, Tiger, Budweiser, Bacardi Breezers, Light Ale and alcohol-free Becks. Draught offerings are Guiness, Carling, Fosters, John Smiths, Courage and London Pride. There is also a red or a white wine if you are happy to go with their choice.

The Last Word
Cosy, welcoming and refreshingly cheap, the Malt and Hops welcomes friendly drinkers who are happy to enjoy the atmosphere.

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