The Railway Bell

£3 - £15 / British

13 E Barnet Rd, London

Opening hours

8AM-1AM

Sunday 8AM-12AM
Monday 8AM-12AM
Tuesday 8AM-12AM
Wednesday 8AM-12AM
Thursday 8AM-12AM
Friday 8AM-1AM
Saturday 8AM-1AM

Vibrant Pub Experience with Excellent Value

Having recently experienced the charms of this bustling Northeastern Wetherspoons, I feel both amused and informed by the collision of vibrant subtlety and unapologetic straightforwardness that defines its essence. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped by a space that splits the difference between a local haunt and an expansive gathering oasis. Oversized perspex screens offer a semblance of privacy amidst the friendly bustle, and your reward for visiting is the artfully crisp pint of Old Speckled Hen, rated a full-bodied 10/10 by regulars. It's one of those pubs where the friendly yet slow tango of bar staff leaves room for camaraderie and tales spun a few rounds deep over sordid gossip and honest laughs.

While the swift pace of breakfast service makes mornings particularly delightful—the black pudding cooked to perfection softens the minor sin of chilly bacon—it’s the comforting lap of economy and community that catches you off guard. Adornments both literal and figurative warm the glittering beer garden, with the distinction of smoking territories marking out a surprisingly genteel experience amongst the clamor. Accessibility feels sincere; a side gate welcomes wheelchairs while hosts display remarkable hospitality, exemplified vividly when an intrusive commotion was handled with commendable care post-hours. The rhythm here is chirpy, brightened by Lewis, the endearing server hailed as part-time GOAT, even if blemished by the odd forgetful or surly encounter behind the bar. Amidst the quick-paced flow of ales and nattering clinks, this Wetherspoons catches an exhilarating cross-section of spirited, youthful suitors mingling with the more halcyon weekend wanderers—a place where perhaps the name on the door masks something quite enchanted underneath. — Audrey Al Dente