This achingly fashionable bar comes a close second to its neighbour - The Hawley Arms, for number of celeb sightings. A self-proclaimed ‘Tarted up boozer on Chalk Farm Road,’ The Lock Tavern also has that obligatory cool-Camden whiff of pretension.

The Venue
The interior of The Lock Tavern is warm and laid back - downstairs is livelier with a long bar, comfy, battered leather sofas and a walled garden, ample enough for the army of smokers that usually inhabit it. Upstairs is a smaller and more intimate affair, think red-tinted low lighting, bare brick walls and another, smaller terrace with twinkling fairy lights overlooking the street below. Though if you want to bag a seat, get there early – this place is heaving most nights of the week, and you’ll certainly have to queue to get in on a Friday or Saturday night.

The Atmosphere
The bar staff and clientele at The Lock Tavern are fashionable and gorgeous media types in their ‘too cool to care’ uniform of unkempt hair, skinny jeans and converse trainers. If you’re not a member of the local MTV crowd/The Camden Caners (Winehouse et al) or a regular, expect some reluctance on behalf of the doormen, though they can usually be persuaded if you look the part and talk the talk. You can also expect a few curious stares if you haven’t been before, but they’ll soon be forgotten as you settle in and fall for the infectiously cool vibe. There’s live music every Thursday and countless DJs playing regular sets, but on any night of the week the music is utterly contemporary, a little bit underground, refreshing and hugely enjoyable.

The Drink
The Lock Tavern is a good selection of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails. Unless you’re extremely fussy, they’ll cater for you’re every whim.

The Food
Every Sunday from 3pm you can enjoy ‘Roasts and Records.’ The rest of week the menu is a delicious selection of pub dishes - but there’s aren’t the usual ‘bang it in the microwave’ meals - everything is freshly prepared on the premises, organic, locally produced and mouth wateringly good.

The Last Word
The Lock Tavern is a seriously high quality experience in terms of atmosphere, food and music.

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