Doric Arch, 1 Eversholt Street, LONDON, NW1 1DN [Map]
020 7388 2221 
11-23 MO-SA; 12-22:30 SU
Evening Meals, Lunchtime Meals, Rail Station Near Pub, Underground Station Near Pub

Formerly the Head of Steam, April 2002

A real ale drinkers paradise this pub. If you like real ale, you’ll like this pub. Situated within a stonesthrow of Euston Station and indeed the bus station. As the former name of the pub suggested ('Head of Steam'), its full of railway and bus memorabilia, much of which is for sale, and no doubt the occasional rail-related conversation. Even our conversation touched very briefly on the subject of the quality of service provided by different train operating companies. The main idea of popping into the pub was to delay for as long as possible the journey back to Birmingham and catch up with gossip with my mate Jim who works in the City oh yes and to ‘wet our whistles’ (dreadful train-related joke!).

To be quite honest with you they had such an impressive range of real ales on offer I’ve clean forgotten the names of any of them. What I can say is that most came from small microbreweries and both pints that we enjoyed were in tip-top condition and we didn’t waste a drop. We were tempted by the food, which is available at lunchtimes and weekday evenings, but only had enough time for a couple of beers in the end.

One final word, if you need to visit the lavatory, you’ll have to have a quiet word with the barman who’ll give you a code number to type in. It looks like they’ve had problems with folk nipping in to visit the facilities and not trying the superb range of some of this island’s, if not the world’s, finest ales.

One final, final word, a Mr. R. Davidson E-mailed to say that there are now a handful of other similar pubs at railheads dotted around the country which also serve excellent real ale.