One of London's original DJ pubs. Real ale, cask beer, Patty Smith's Burgers. Live music and DJs upstairs, always free entry. Big beer garden out back and a roof terrace up top.
The Lock Tavern
5 / 10 from 2 reviews
35 Chalk Farm Road
Camden
London
NW1 8AJ
020 7482 7163
Camden
Pubs
Website
http://www.lock-tavern.com
Mon – Thurs: 12:00 - 00:00
Fri – Sat: 12:00 – 01:00
Sun: 12:00 – 23:00
Food Served
Big Screen TV
Credit Cards Accepted
Music Played
Live Music Played
Outdoor Area
All In London Review
New music with a whiskey chaser
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Mar 16, 2011
Free music at a cosy Camden pub
Despite living locally for almost a year, I had yet to venture to this pub on Chalk Farm road. Its black exterior contrasted with a pretty roof terrace had intrigued me for months, visually standing out from neighbours like the Barfly and the Monarch.
As I walked in I realised the Lock Tavern was one of those pubs that reminded me of fireplaces in winter, its red ceilings and old fashioned décor evoking the cosiest of evenings, like a glass of good brandy when coming in from the cold. The roof terrace and upstairs area where musician David Holmes was DJing for the afternoon were packed, however people were kind enough to huddle to one side of a sofa to give us space to sit, and from here we were millimetres away from Mr Holmes, who was full of smiles himself.
From Thursday to Sunday there is live music, and entry is always free. The usual pub fare features on the menu with the addition of a variety of roasts on Sundays. During my visit I stuck to drinking red wine, which was strangely enough palatable, and only £3 a glass.
Unsurprisingly busy for a free set hosted by two of the UK’s premier DJ’s, Holmes and Andrew Weatherall, I found both crowd and staff friendly and accommodating. Rather than encountering tout le Camden in emo/rock/vintage gear people were relaxed, seated on the loungy sofas in the upstairs bar or chatting over pints and cigarettes on the sheltered roof terrace, with many getting up to dance.
A perfect Sunday, perhaps it was down to the DJ, but I couldn’t have been in a better place.
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Sep 17, 2008
Best For
Top venues for Indie fans
London is the UK's indie hotbed - Manchester and Liverpool will try and lay claim but purists know the truth... it's London, baby.
The Lock Tavern was spinning indie rock when most of us were still in our nappies bopping to the Bangles and it shows. The slick line-ups feature new bands and manage to snag live and DJ sets from established artists. Kitty, Daisy and Lewis were just one recent vintage to take to the decks.
Bars and Pubs with great outdoor areas
Is there a better way to spend an afternoon in London than sat outside a pub on uncomfortable furniture whilst getting sun burnt?
Best venues for a birthday bash
Not all venues in London are happy to accept guest arrivals in pink limos but these will probably turn a blind eye to it.
If you’re lucky you may have established yourself a large group of friends over the years. What large groups hate is to be packed in tight in some underground cellar bar on someone’s birthday. Which makes the Lock Tavern in Camden the perfect place to celebrate one’s annual anniversary. It’s hip, there are DJs and there’s plenty of space to run around.
User Reviews
Mar 6, 2006
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