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Mabel's Tavern

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Slug
Slug
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4 out of 5
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1
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2
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Editor Pick

Mabels, Great for Good Beer and Close To Kings Cross

  • November 29, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Slug from Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Mabels, Great for Good Beer and Close To Kings Cross

Anyone traveling to the north of London will be used to Kings Cross train station. If, like me, you have an employer determined to make the best value, you may just find yourself an hour or so away from a designated train, and keen to find a respectable drinking hole within reasonable distance from the station.

Unfortunately, although there is much ongoing regeneration, the area around Kings Cross is still very grotty, and the only pubs along the main street are either places for sex pick up, or huge cavernous student bars. I’m personally too young and moralistic for the one, and too old for the latter.

However, just a little way from Euston station, and perhaps about 7 minutes walk from Kings Cross, is the first reasonable pub on offer, Mabels on Mabledon Place.

Although the name of the street might suggest where the name come from, apparently, the marketers of the pub say it is named after a former landlady called (el surprise) Mabel who died in the 1970’s, and who is supposed to haunt the pub. Yeah, right.

Inside, the pub is a standard London boozer; a little scruffy round the edges, and blighted by a large football showing TV screen; at least the noise is switched off. Much better is the wonderful selection of Shepherd Neame ales. Living in the north of England, I can get bottles of its most famous brew, the dark strong Bishops Finger, but it is great to sample some of the other beers in the range that rarely travel any further than their native Kent. I particularly enjoyed a pint of their light and hoppy Kent’s Best. The only slightly off-putting thing is the price of the beer, but I guess it’s not too excessive for central London, and at least it keeps the more undesirable and dodgy element out on the streets (and there are a considerable number).

Mabels keep the beer well, and it is always served promptly and with a smile. Those wanting pub grub can eat at Mabels, as they offer a reasonable bar menu, at slightly inflated London prices. However, the burger and chips at around £7 didn’t appear excessive. The food looks standard but edible, although there are other food choices in the area, including a couple of chain restaurants, and more expensive places.

Overall, I always find Mabels to be a good choice to linger away an hour or so, and the clientele always seem a mixed bunch of all ages, in a quiet and pleasant atmosphere.

From journal London Tutankhamun and Dining Trips!

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