Tapping The Admiral — Restaurant in London

🚇 Kentish Town West 🍺 £6.20 Asahi

This pub is located in a quiet backstreet between Camden Town and Kentish Town in Northwest London. The nearest station is Kentish Town West on the Mildmay Line.

This unique looking pub was built in the 1850’s and was originally called The Trafalgar. This pub replaced The Castle Tavern which was demolished when the local area was redeveloped in the 19th century.

Legend has it, after Horatio Nelson's death at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, his body was stored in a barrel of brandy to preserve it during the long journey home. While en route to Gibraltar the crew of the HMS Victory tapped the barrel and would draw brandy through macaroni straws, to toast the Admiral. This is the origin of the term 'Tapping the Admiral'.

This is a traditionally decorated one bar pub which is nautically themed. The servery is centrally located with the bar forming a “U” shape around it. Across the walls are an eclectic assortment of naval pictures, posters, bunting and a multitude of trinkets. One of my favourite features is the old Truman’s sign taking pride of place above a fireplace. There is plenty of seating throughout the pub including sought after stools around the bar. At the back of the pub is a comfortable beer garden which is partially covered.

The beer line up is excellent, so much so that North London CAMRA have awarded Tapping the Admiral ‘Pub of the Year’ four times. There are eight cask ales, local London brews and premium beers to choose from. I decided on a pint of Asahi, my pint was great, price point was reasonable. The food is by @vibe_n_go who serve up authentic Caribbean cuisine plus Roasts on a Sunday.

We arrived around 8.30pm on a pleasant spring evening in May. The pub was busy with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. There was a lovely local feel to the pub with a mix of punters of all ages. The service was friendly with lots of banter toing and froing across the counter.

The @tappingtheadmiral is a top tier pub that offers a superb traditional pub experience. We loved our time here, I would 100% recommend you visit this wonderful boozer.

📅 18th May 2024

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This place is always absolutely amazing. I can't rave about this pub enough! It has a friendly pub atmosphere where many locals know each other and a good range of beers on tap. Added bonus is that you get a CAMRA discount if you are a member. The bar staff are friendly, helpful and attentive. There is a pub cat that is so cool it isnt bothered about all the customers.

They also do lovely pies with the best crust I have ever tasted that they serve in the week and their roasts are lovely too. They give good portions of horseradish or mustard on the side. Sometimes they do a chocolate cake on their dessert menu and it is crazy yummy. I dont even like chocolate cake but i will always go for this if it is on the menu.

It always seems pretty busy but that only adds to the atmosphere. There is a small outside area with seating. It is not too far from Kentish Town station. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area. The only downside is there are parking restrictions all around the pub and that area so best to travel via uber or...

Tapping The Admiral – A Proper Pub with Soul

Tucked away on a quiet backstreet near Camden, Tapping The Admiral is the kind of pub that feels like it’s been waiting for you. With its nautical name, rotating cask ales, and a resident cat named Nelson, it’s a local institution that balances tradition with charm.

Atmosphere Unpretentious and welcoming, the pub has resisted the makeover trend that’s swept through much of London. Exposed wood, vintage signage, and a lived-in feel make it ideal for long conversations, solo pints, or spontaneous gatherings. It’s spacious without being cavernous, cozy without being cramped.

Food & Drink The menu is classic British pub fare, done well. Highlights include:

Beef pies – hearty, flaky, and deeply satisfying

Roast chicken & Sunday roasts – generous portions and comforting flavours

Portobello Market Porter – a standout among the rotating ales

Cask ales, lagers, and cider – well-kept and constantly changing

Prices are fair, and CAMRA members get a discount—a nod to the pub’s real-ale...