Planted on the top of Muswell Hill, The Village is very easy to get to by bus and is extremely popular in the evenings.

The Venue
Upon walking through the gates, it’s obvious why The Village does so well in the summer. An ample beer garden complete with heaters for a chilly evening allows you, pint in hand, to comfortably sit outside whilst watching the comings and goings of Muswell Hill.

Past the beer garden and through the front doors, your jaw will drop as you marvel at the sheer size that lies before you. On a quiet day it’s quite breathtaking. The indoor space is divided into three sections, each one exceptionally spacious in its own right. Immediately through the front doors is the lounge area. To the left are sofas and low tables with inviting chairs as well as some edible-looking stools that resemble minstrels perched on top of chocolate sticks. This lounge area continues around the extremely long bar and extends approximately 50ft along the wall towards the back.

The second room has a far more intimate feel courtesy of the dimmed lights. Beings so far away from the front door, fewer people tend to sit on its leather sofas and bench. The walls are bare-brick and the floors have a dark wood finish, providing a basement-like feeling. There are also several tables and chairs for couples to sit at and ogle each other. Dotted against the walls are a fruit machine, cigarette machine and a quiz machine for those who want to lighten their pockets.

The third room feels more suited for dining during the day with dinner tables placed against each wall. At the end of this room are two pool tables costing £1.50 a game.

The Atmosphere
During the day, this is a very quiet place, emphasised by its grand scale. The bar staff are very relaxed and friendly, making this a lovely spot to have a cappuccino during a lunch break or after a day’s shopping in Muswell Hill.

In the evenings, The Village has a strict over 21s policy. On a Friday and Saturday night it gets extremely busy, made all the more noticeable by the revellers spilling out onto the street as they take a break from the music and light a cigarette. If you’re in need of a minicab at the end of a hard night’s partying then don’t be afraid to ask one of the polite bar staff and they’ll give you a couple of numbers to call. Alternatively, you can just read them off the wall behind the bar.

The Food
All day Tuesday is two for one on their pizza menu, where a single 12” pizza costs £5.95. If you fancy a snack they offer pistachios, thai nuts and cashews for £1.95.

The Drink
The Village serves Japan’s prime brew Kirin Ichiban and Germany’s Erdinger. If you’re after a real ale you won’t find one here but on tap you will get Fosters, Guinness, Guinness Extra Cold, John Smiths and Kronenberg.

The Last Word
The Village is an excellent venue for chilling out during the day. Alternatively, if you’re young and on the pull, then Friday and Saturday evenings are a must.

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