Magdala, London

CAMRA North London Branch 2025 Pub of the Year.

We have been informed via a letter in the Camden New Journal that the pub now has ACV status. Letter says that this includes the first floor function room of which we are not aware of.

From the 8th Jan 2024 and continuing they are serving CASK ales at £3.50 a pint on MONDAYS as part of their CASK CLUB. The guest beer range is ever changing, in Sept 2024 we came across beers from Thornbridge, Moor, Three Acre and Attic Brew.

On the catering front we have been informed the hours are now noon to 9pm daily but always best to call and check before you visit especially if you plan to go later in the evening.

Operated by the team behind the The Sussex Arms in Twickenham and The Express Tavern in Kew, The Magdala is an independent pub with 20 keg beers and 7 cask ales. The original 1885 pub, named after Lord Napier of Magdala, was rebuilt by Charrington's in the inter-war period. The interior is welcoming, clean and bright, with bar stools, wooden tables and chairs in both rooms. There is a small outdoor area with a few seats. Excellent Sunday roasts. Dog friendly pub.

Sold by Punch in the summer of 2014 to an offshore property developer, its future became threatened. Local activists succeeded in getting it listed as an Asset of Community Value. It re-opened briefly in summer 2015 but soon closed again.

Early 2021 saw a careful restoration of the wooden panelling throughout the ground floor bar and dining areas, with new sections of wood blending with the original paneling in the bar area at the back of the pub (where the toilets used to be). The green stained glass has been replicated in the dining area, letting in lots of natural light.

The function room on the first floor has not been reopened to date, but hopefully in future it will be available to the local community as an important meeting place.

See also http://camdennewjournal.com/article/historic-hampstead-pub-the-magdala-tavern-set-to-reopen