The Roebuck

Old fashioned wallpaper? Check. Fireplace and piano? Check. Large outdoors patio complete with comfy sofas? Yep, check again. The Roebuck, now managed by Young’s, has a cosy aesthetic but the management have carefully retained a sleek enough décor for the NW3 locals, which suits its location bang opposite Hampstead’s Royal Free Hospital. The pub’s two laidback rooms make it ideal for a casual post-work drink or as a destination for the surrounding neighbourhoods. This carries on with the menu, which sees hearty pub classics such as bangers and mash sitting rather insouciantly alongside dishes like duck confit (a steal at just £11.50). In terms of drinks they have a decent selection of draught and bottled beers including Peroni, Kirin and of course Young’s ales. Most inviting of all perhaps is the garden, which draws in the crowds on summer days when the barbecue gets fired up. A smaller bar is located downstairs, which is also available for private hire. It’s fairly quiet on the rainy Saturday evening we attend, but it can get pretty lively at weekends when the music levels rise, although the partying stops at midnight when the pub closes. Wednesday nights are quiz nights, there’s a weekly Sunday roast and hospital staff get 15% off drinks every Thursday evening; additionally this is the kind of easy-going, family-friendly multipurpose pub you can also pop into during the day to use the Wi-Fi or read the papers.