Friday 1 August 2003

Locals

I have been starved of a local pub or bar that comes anywhere close to being the kind of place I actively want to hang out in. Considering Harringay (the area as opposed to the borough, hence the spelling) has been a desirable residence for lefties, students and first time buyers amongst the recently arrived communities there are sadly few bars anywhere near that were worth a stroll to. This has meant taking the bus to somewhere else - or walking over to Stroud Green Road.

There are plenty of pubs in my vacinity but they just haven't cut the mustard: The Beaconsfield (football on large screens, hasn't been refurbed in an age, old men), Ye Olde Ale Emporium (formerly something else - perhaps the White Lion of Mortimer can't quite remember and before that a used-car sales lot - students, local people, heavy smokers, crowded cos its small, dogs), The Suffolk Punch (Weatherspoons - no music, lots of elderly alcholics - currently closed), The Old Queens Head (used to be very run down but had lots of pool tables frequented by punks and crusties and all the local riff raff - my sister met her husband there a decade ago, however they've rennovated and I have to say it was MILES better before), and then there was The Salisbury (reputation for being dangerous, was scruffy, full of old blokes and I was only dragged in there to watch morning premiership football matches on Sats or Suns by the Boyfiend).

However, the Salisbury has been given a face lift and it doing an excellent impression of a desirable hang out - lots of room, wooden floors, back room with sofas, Sunday chilled funky thing and comedy on a Thursday night. All hail the Salisbury - if you live anywhere near Harringay Green Lanes drop in - it needs clientele to keep alive and stop the rot setting back in.

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