The Winchester in Haringey

Friendly staff and reasonably priced drinks for London, considering the area. Very warm atmosphere and felt a bit classier than just your bog standard pub

Genuinely lovely staff behind the bar, had a lovely evening there with my family and friends, will be back..

Got chased by a horde of zombies, food was nice

Great pub, especially with the Harvey's bitter. Bass ale is very nice too.

🚇 Highgate 🍺 £6.60 Staropramen The Winchester is located on busy Archway Road in Highgate North London. The nearest Tube is Highgate, it’s a five minute walk to get here. Not to be confused with the pub from Shaun of the Dead, that Winchester was in New Cross and is sadly now flats. This pub was built in 1881 as the Winchester Tavern, and later became the Winchester Hall Hotel. The name derives from Winchester Hall, a nearby late 17th-century mansion. The Winchester closed in 2015 and under threat of being redeveloped into flats. Local residents resisted the developers and successfully applied for asset of community value (ACV) status. Thankfully the pub reopened in 2022 and is now run by the Northern Union Pub Company who have lovingly revived five pubs across North London. This is a stunning one bar pub which has a magnificent traditional interior. The servery is centrally located and has a gorgeous etched and cut glass-fronted bar back. The pub has two entrances, both of which have beautiful etched glass around them. The main bar area has a boarded and chequered tiled floor with plenty of traditional seating to perch on. Just off the main bar is a carpeted room with ornate woodwork and comfy banquettes. The beer selection is excellent, there is a broad range of beers from local London breweries, continental classics and a range of cask ales. I decided on a Staropramen, my pint was top drawer, price point was a little punchy. The food offering is pizza by @yardsalepizza , prices start from £10 for a 12” and £19 for 18”. I visited around 1pm on a sunny Friday lunchtime in August. The pub had a chilled and relaxed atmosphere with a couple of punters in attendance. The service was fantastic, I was served by the manager who was welcoming and personable. This pub is not just a pretty picture and hosts Jazz, Comedy, a Quiz, shows live footy and even has a Piano singalong. The @winchesterhighgate is an outstanding independent pub, I couldn’t fault it. As someone famously said, “Let’s go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over”. ℹ️ Info correct on visiting 09.08.24

Unfortunately we turned up late for the comedy night but had a great time anyway.

The place was overrun with zombies

Baldy, Australian bar man needs to stop chatting to regulars and do his job. Apart from that a decent enough, if over priced pub. And this has nothing to do with Shawn of the Dead's Winchester - Simon and Nick used to drink in the Shepherd's (now Boogaloo) up the hill, when they lived around there - the true inspiration.

Great staff real friendly, accommodating and attentive. Varied events in the evenings and has sports on but do well to separate the sport views from the evening events.

A zombie attacked me and killed my friend, but overall great food and drinks my girlfriend Liz loved it such a great place to wait for everything to blow over.

Lovely pub and the lady behind the bar was really kind!

Brilliant, grabbed liz and waited for it all to blow over

Great pub very friendly staff! Dog friendly - in fact they love dogs so much in here! The quiz is lols on Mondays too

Best pub in London for atmosphere, delightful bar staff and dogs.

Had our first date here, love it, come back for the quiz every Monday. We never win-chester. But we try. John x

A great pub with a lovely atmosphere and a welcoming group of customers who are always up for a chat. The staff are super friendly, remembering regulars and eager to get to know new faces. If you love dogs, be sure to follow Winchester Doggos on Instagram!

Really lovey pub. Great atmosphere and staff. I held my son’s 1st birthday here in the ‘lounge’ section which is very private and it was perfect. The staff are very accommodating, especially Nicola who booked the room for me. Wonderful local pub.

Excellent customer service,staff excellent great atmosphere and very clean. Definitely a place to visit for sports loads of TVs to watch.

Absolutely dreadful management! Nicola was a letdown to our guests and downright rude. The Guinness is some of the worst I've ever had, and the drinks are overpriced rubbish. The staff are sketchy, giving the place a really weird vibe. It's definitely not the best pub in Highgate.

Absolutely horrendous management!! Nicola cancelled a function we had booked at the last minute, disappointing guests we had invited and was rude and insulting, blaming us for her mistake. Apparently sheer greed on her part, since she tried to negotiate the price at the last minute (even though we had shaken hands and agreed on a price weeks before) and ended up having another booking. The Winchester has some of the worst Guinness I have had, bad/overpriced drinks, dodgy staff and customers.. Avoid this pub at all costs! How are they still in business???

This is a proper local pub! Independently run and charming. There's no food but you can order in and eat there. Great beers!

Great local pub showing sports and with a great selection of beers. Quiz nights and live music also

Great place. Lovely selection of ales, great staff, pleasant vibes. Go here.

i love this pub, it’s my local go to on a friday and at the weekend. Proper local friendly pub

We love The Winchester , the quiz is the best

Excellent pub, really friendly staff, and the pub quiz (every Monday) is particularly good.

got attacked by zombies here, the jukebox was on random and queens don’t stop me now was not helpful whilst I was fighting for my life

Nice neighborhood pub with a good variety of beers

Love this pub!!! A total North London gem. Very lucky to have it as my local

The staff are friendly and accommodating .

Booked it for my friends 50th birthday, and WOW! Their help and service was so friendly and professional We all felt so welcomed and cared for in every way.. Beautiful room and amazing staff, Especially Nichola and Eva. Highly recommended

Been twice for the quiz. The staff are great and the pub has a warm and welcoming feel.

Lovely pub with a nice atmosphere.

I know the pub was called "The Winchester Tavern" in the film, the Sean of the dead i'm sure this was the pub used in the film I cannot find a different pub it could be, Good for sports films reasonably priced highly recommended

Very helpful and polite bar staff "Luke" Australian guy. Went out his way to help me. Really appreciate that and also the Tanya she was brilliant. Thank you Winchester.

Very nice place to grab a beer, cider or your favourite kind of spirits.

Lovely spot, go there on Sunday for Dave the piano player.

Lovely old-fashioned pub with a great atmosphere. Has plenty of social events to attend from a quiz night to sing along Sunday Would definitely recommend a visit!!

Great to have this lovely pub so near to where I live. It's definitely worth a visit

Great well restored pub, good beer, showing important rugby or football matches (not often with sound). Sometimes live music!

Very relaxed atmosphere, good beer and friendly staff

They made a unique and special drink for me... ❤️

Lovely pub which we like to visit after Arsenal games. Always a good beer and snack selection. Friendly staff and a good mix of customers.

Have tried all pubs in Highgate and Crouch End - this is the best. The restoration is absolutely immaculate and the atmosphere top notch in both summer and winter (but particularly in winter). Every time we've come the service has been on point, even when it is really busy. Their sister pub in the village (The Crown) is great too so clearly a well run establishment.

Lovely, well-decorated pub with an old school aesthetic but modern execution. Good selection of both craft and more regular beers, on the kinder end of London pub pricing. Live football shown as well as live music mainly on a Sunday. Friendly staff and clientele alike, absolutely worth visiting.

The pub lacks transparency and does not display menu prices online, necessitating a visit to determine affordability. This approach may exclude individuals with limited financial resources, reducing inclusivity.

Lovely old pub, only popped in for a quick pint they had the ladies Wimbledon final on the TVs and big pull down screen. They're dog friendly and offered a water bowl.

We held our sons first holy communion at the Winchester on Sunday and we had the best day! The room we had it in was stunning, the staff were lovely (especially the manager Tom) and they catered our every need! A brilliant all round and would highly recommend to anyone who wants to hold an event there, we will definitely be back!!

Love how they have keep the character of the pub good selection of drinks friendly professional staff.

So pleased that The Winchester has opened again. Beautiful pub, really good selection of beers, both real ale and craft. Really friendly staff.

Great pub, great atmosphere, really good beer....Great location...Will definitely be back

Great pint of London Pride. It would have been five stars but the football was way too loud

Nice chilled pub that pours a decent pint.

Happy to see this pub open again. Minus star as no Fosters.

Used to drink here early 2000’s and it held a lot of good memories. We’d play pool and darts, build a nice merry alcohol base-coat before getting on the 134 to the west end. Was always so sad to see it closed every time I drove past so I’m actually elated seeing it’s open again, had no idea.

Great interior ideal for a drink. Really nice vibe. Go here to watch Sky sports too. Now have good sausage rolls.

Welcome back Winchester, a pub of high Victorian interior, ornate glass and woodwork, saved by the locals from a less welcome building owner. Lovingly looked after by caring a landlady and landlord, informed beers, educated wines and local award winning gins. It’s no faux pub restaurant business plan, camouflaged in the location/aesthetic of a forlorn boozer. Simply a rare, grand old pub lovingly rejuvenated. Go.

I got mugged in the bar a few days ago, staff were helpful but management were utterly useless and just sat around

Great pub- friendly atmosphere and nice beer! Lovely sausage rolls 😋

Well run run pub ,brilliant staff and friendly atmosphere all round.. My first vist to the pub in years and very impressed what has been done to the place.

The nicest caring barstaff, thank you. Only reason for not 5 star is cause I haven't eaten there yet.

Been re opened/upgraded excellent choice of ales reasonably priced.. Friendly staff

Excellent...nice looking pub with good drink selection

Large pub, friendly service, quieter space at the rear. Three cask ales available.

A wonderful pub. Good beer. A delightful cuisine of pickled eggs.

Great pub. Lovely interior. Friendly staff. Nice pianist on Sundays...and the pickled eggs are to die for! I remember the pub from back in the day before it closed and I am so happy it has been saved and done up to such a high standard

Beautiful new pub & love that there's now more options on Archway Road. Everything inside is gab I just wish & hope they do food! Dog friendly.

I mean this place rocks Bar staff were lovely We were drinking Corona with x 2 shots of Disaronno Dream night No Zombies which made it a little more enjoyable

Not been there for about 40 years, bit, it is markedly improved, good range of beers and some fine period glass, will be back before long, next week I imagine. Too many football screens but hopefully that'll be done in the interim.

Nice pub, good range of beers .

First time in visiting from the North east Lovely atmosphere great staff, fine beer. Good music and even have the football on.

Beautiful old pub with lovely atmosphere, great choice of beers and really friendly staff. So glad it's re-opened - we'll be back (a lot)!

Really good wine and very pleasant staff.

New favourite local pub! The Winchester has a lovely cosy atmosphere, friendly staff, wide selection of beer often including GF beer on tap. Piano sing along on a Sunday evening was great fun. Screens showing sport sometimes (no commentary when I’ve been so didn’t feel intrusive if you fancy a quiet drink).

Lovely real ale in a proper old pub environment. With a nice layed back sound track.

Needs WiFi.....😁⚽⚽⚽⚽ Comms help to spread the winch word.....

Soft open was interesting, with some refurb still happening, but what a job. Great beer (Bass on cask w/ option for a sparkler), and fantastic restored interior. Hope it continues to go from strength to strength

Lovely local pub! All you need :)

Nice pub, ignore the bad reviews which are either of the previous business about 10 years ago, or people a little bit harsh on a business that's been open a couple of weeks

Terrific newly reopened local pub, with gorgeous Victorian decor largely intact, lovely bar staff and a decent selection of beers. Food coming soon, and I can't wait!

Restored pub looks great and good 🍻 selection.

Ignore harsh reviews of this pub not being ready - they communicated with locals that the relaunch was tonight (20th October) and that certain areas were in a state of mid-refurb until then. And what a beautiful refurb it is. A great line up on the taps, and friendly staff. So glad to have another community-focused pub (that - unlike us - shows football) in the area. Archway Road has been crying out for a decent pub for the last few years. Long live community pubs. Good to have you as our new neighbours(ish), and see you later tonight for a pint. Dan

Fantastic pub just reopened good beer options and can’t wait to try the food 😋

Great to have this back in the neighbourhood

The perfect pub for a Sunday morning.

The place is fairly new and renovated. Maybe a bit too new, since u can still smell the paint everywhere inside. The interior design isn’t all that bad and u can get a glimpse of what the place would have looked like back in the old days. Beer is decent - but the prices could be a bit more working class friendly. All in all a good average but pub, with a few points on the plus side.

This pub is not ready to open. When you first walk in, the place looks lovely, honestly, one of the nicer looking pubs I've been to in the area. Then you go to the toilets. Unfinished plasterboard walls, a small trough and one cubicle. Oh? You're female? Good bloody luck. You're expected to share with the gents with their chap out or use the single accessible loo. Fancy a gin and lemonade? No soda gun, it's a 2L bottle from the corner shop next door. This is unacceptable for a pub of this size and it's aesthetic. It has the potential to be one of the best pubs I've ever been to, but it just isn't ready to be open yet. I'll gladly edit or remove this once the pub is actually completed and women don't have to close their eyes and run to go to the toilet. (an exact quote from a fellow customer tonight)

This pub has been closed for many years but has just reopened, however its official opening will be on the 20th of October at which point the kitchen will also open. Its a really beautiful Victorian pub with huge windows so tons of natural light comes in. The manager is really friendly and the pub has a wonderful atmosphere. Very excited to have this pub come back to life in Highgate

I was about to exchange contracts a couple of years ago on one of the top floor flats and my solicitor found out the developer was hiding some areas that did not pass the planning permissions with the council. Instead of fixing the issue, the developer sold the flat to someone else, obviously by hiding the issues with the property! Absolutely disgraceful conduct and I feel for the buyers who aren’t aware of the issues when they come to sell.

Greedy unethical developers destroyed a lovely local pub and did all sorts of wrong to convert it to flats, which might still be sitting empty because of their incompetence. It stinks.

Always reminds of Shaun of the Dead, Had lunch here a few times when visiting family. Never had a bad meal, staff are polite and friendly even to a northerner

Not amazing but fine for a quick pint or watching the footy

65 Pounds a night and all but one bulbs in the room blown, big piece of glass in the sink, unfriendly staff and very noisy from the traffic. Oh that price does not include breakfast