Formerly a Wetherspoons, this is a good real-ale pub right on the 'High Street' that is Green Lanes. The frontage has an interesting sort of patio / verandah, providing cover for smokers with a pavement-side view. Inside, it's an absolute riot of varnished pine. Everything - floors, ceilings, bar-front and furniture. The pictures show Green Lanes in the days of trams etc. It would all freeze the blood of your average TV interior designer, but who's to say that would be a bad thing? Said designers would probably not appreciate either the choice of real ales - Brains SA, Wadworth's Bishop's Tipple and London Pride - on my visit, all very decently kept. Unsurprisingly, therefore, it is the North London CAMRA's 'Pub of the Season'. Staff were friendly and efficient, and the juke-box remarked on by others was entirely absent. There are several large TV screens, showing sport and the news on my visit. Worth a look, I'd say. read more

If you like ale, the old ale is great as it has three ales that I cant remember the name of as I sampled quite a few of them, quite a few times. It was only a day ago that I went to this pub for the first time. I hardly ever go to any pubs in Harringay. I have always known of this pub, it has been around for quite a while and looked quit dingy in the past. What attracted me to it a couple of days ago, was that it has recently been revamped and it's quite traditional looking, especially for a pint of Ale.It would fit in well in a country village, and this is in the middle of Harringay!! On top of that, it always seems packed. The staffs are really friendly, and there is a small outside seating area for the smokers, which is a great touch. It was my first time and I will be going again. I'm loving writing these reviews, otherwise I would have never discovered this place. read more

The Old Ale Emporium - Pubs Near Me - Harringay, XGL

I've only recently discovereowd this pub so can't comment on how it compares with its past incarnation(s) as others have done. But I find it a decent enough place to grab a few beers when in Green Lanes, usually just prior to eating my own bodyweight in mezze. I think this pub's main problem is probably its proximity to the wonderful Salisbury Hotel, as I for one have often been tempted to overshoot and carry on for a drink at the latter establishment - but it does have its own charms that shouldn't be ignored! For a start there is the very well-equipped jukebox, the little 'library' area at the back and its cool, airiness in summer along with the sheltered, seated area at the front. One criticism would be the rather dominant TV sets, which are a little offputting. But overall it's a nice watering hole and a good place to catch up locally with friends. read more

The Old Ale Emporium - Pubs Near Me - Harringay, XGL

A great local recognised by Camra as 'Pub of the season' with 4 real ale pumps. London Pride and the rest are guests all kept in wonderful condition. Expect a constantly changing selection of ale like Hobgoblin, Brain SA, Deuchars, Flying Dutchman etc. It has a beer festival too from time to time, which was fantastic last year. Dave and Hazel run this pub remarkably well with some fun young staff, making a visit always welcoming. There are plenty of TVs for the sport and the jukebox is truly superb (unlike many pubs). On the outside there is a covered smoking area with seating. Overall it's a superb local that I would reconmend to anyone. It's a place where everyone gets to know eachother by name and banter follows tout de suite . Unfortunately it gets overlooked as there quite a few pubs in the area. Also worth mentioning is that it is open until 12 which is a bonus methinks. read more

The Old Ale Emporium - Pubs Near Me - Harringay, XGL

There are no thrills to be found in this traditional London 'boozer', but you will find a friendly bar staff, good ale and an impressive jukebox. From the outside, and frankly from the inside too; the Old Ale Emporium can be a little daunting. The pub appears a little on the rough side but don't let appearances fool you. First impressions are easily recovered and the friendly atmosphere and comfortable surroundings quickly put you at ease. The Old Ale Emporium is an excellent escape hatch from the extreme chaos of Green Lanes, little known or appreciated one can find some peace during the day and a good friendly crowd in the evening. As I said, there are no thrills, this is for drinking and talking, traditional pub indeed. Be warned, the jukebox can be a little loud; if you're new, be wise with your musical selection, test the waters and play to the crowd. Nothing to fear here. read more

I didn't expect to find such a good pub here, I'm not sure why. I guess most of my favourite pubs are tucked away somewhere. This one is out on the main street. Also the area doesn't really feel like the kind of place you would find somewhere this good. But this is a really nice pub. They serve 4 real ales (couple of guests) and are enthusiastic about what they do. The people working here are very friendly. They have recently been recognized by CAMRA and it is well deserved! They refurbished not long ago to include a larger outside area at the front, which I am sure helps attract the smoking crowd. There are TVs for the sport, although I might avoid days when there is racing on, as they seem quite keen on that, but it's not my sport (I don't even consider it a sport). read more

Jpulfrey's review was, until recently, pretty accurate. But, having recently reemerged from behind the boards following several months' worth of reconstruction, the Old Ale Emporium has now become a much more polished little boozer. Smokers, you'll love it - they've cleverly pushed back the frontage underneath the first floor to create a covered outdoor smoking patio with chairs and tables. Non-smokers too get the benefit - before the ban, the interior was dark, and frequently choked with smoke. Now, it's all been stripped back, the wood revarnished and you can see more than a foot in front of your face. We went on a Saturday night. There was a good atmosphere, but it wasn't crammed and we were able to easily get a table. The beer is both good and cheap - they had two guest ales (Long John Silver and Bath Ales' delicious Barnstormer) on, and two drinks came in around a fiver, which significantly undercuts the Salisbury up the road. There's a jukebox, and sports on the visible, but not room-dominating TV. The bar staff are friendly, and there's a real local feel. The interior's still not quite finished, as was hinted at by the table covered in paint pots at the back. But I will 100% definitely be back - it's a great little place and well worth a lookin. read more

Juke-box is too loud. Bring ear plugs. Ouch,ouch,ouch.....

Good honest boozer. Always has some decent, interesting and well kept real Ales on. Staff very friendly, good mixed clientele and a very good read more

I visited the old Ale on Friday the 3rd of April it was busy with a mixture of locals what seemed to be a birthday party in one corner enjoying the music so I find the previous review suprising there was no smell in there of sewage and the tiolets were clean and tidy with no smell in there either the real ales on offer were flying dutchman and brains SA which were to my liking I enjoyed my visit the barstaff were most helpful and polite most of all they were quick to serve everyone there are more expensive places to visit on greenlanes whre the beer isnt as good and the atmosphere isnt as good I would recommend this little pub to anyone visiting greenlanes read more

The establishment told me to f@ck off pointing to the door when I said i didn't want to drink anything at a night of football showing on telly, I was there with friends who were drinking. This came without a prior explanation that i "needed" to get a drink to stay. read more

Good ale & lager, excellent service, a pub with atmosphere.

If I could give a negative response I would. I was suffering a panic attack so decided to sit on the outside seating of the pub. After about 10 minutes I asked for water from a barmaid who responded rudely. Then a barman came over and was nice. But for some reason he changed his tune and they all stood in front of me discussing how they wouldn't call an ambulance as it was not a life or death situation (I never asked them too, I simply sat in an empty chair and tried to calm myself down) the barmaid also made a joke saying she wouldn't call an ambulance as that would mean you'd want the person to survive. Basically she meant shed leave me to die o be seriously ill. Apart from answering to say I was not well, I had no interaction with these people. She then told me I had to leave even though there was no one wanting to sit in the seat which would be understandable, I'm a barmaid myself so I get being annoyed at having no paying customers fill seats. They then carried on shouting "drama queen" and openly talking about me ambulances if I were not there but clearly wanting me to. They then began to laugh at me and started a few arguments. I ended up going to a&e and hving an ecg test that evening as i was genuinely ill. Very rude and disrespectful. I did nothing to them. If they were annoyed at having me sit there ey could have found a better way to express that other than ridicule me at a time I felt very ill read more

I went there with a friend of mine on the 29th of May 2012, they were showing a match on telly, was quite busy. We were standing up, my friend bought a pint, I didn't want to drink anything since I only went there for 5 mins cause I had a headache, I live very close by. A bald man who was sitting by the bar asked if I want a pint, I replied that this is very kind of him but I'm ok, as I'll go in a min and I have a headache. Then he asked me again, to have something. I repeated that I only came for a few mins to accompany my friend and I'll be leaving shortly, thank you. You see up to this point I was not aware of the rule that you have to have something if you want to stay there, which is fine. He told me that I have to have a pint or leave, while the man behind the bar waved at me showing me the door, if I don't want to drink anything. I said that I only came for a couple of minutes anyway because I have a headache. The bald man sitting by the bar replied You can't stay here if you won't have anything. You either have a pint or f*ck off. I replied to him thank you very much Sir, you're very polite! to which he replied yes, I am polite. So i ask, give my one good reason why I would want to go there again? Staff that can be rude and demoralising for no reason, sorry guys your pub may look cool but you failed to show me that it can be fun too. read more