4.7out of 5 on Google, from 44 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Good Reader
23/08/24 - "Now an upmarket gastropub with no sports TV, no pool or darts. The only cask beer - so far - is Woodforde's Wherry.
02/01/24 - Princess Alexandra on Park Road N8 closed down. Former owners said they were fed up working 80 hours a week for not much money.
From Propel 2018 - Nick Ford, former head of food at 40-strong pub company Antic London, and Hayley Chappell, have taken over a Crouch End pub owned by Ei Group. Ei Publican Partnerships has contributed £108,000 alongside £60,000 put up by first-time publicans Ford and Chappell to revitalise the 120-year-old Princess Alexandra. Ford said: “It has always been an ultimate goal and ambition of mine to run my own pub. It’s the right pub. I’ve lived in the Crouch End area for eight years and have got to know the building and the area really well. I felt it needed a pub the people here could call their own.”
The pub has now reverted to its original name as it was when the original pub was built in 1896, the current version was built in 1954, contemporary with the adjacent estate. It changed name in 2008 to Villiers Terrace, renamed again in 2014 as Alex. Changed hands again in 2017. Several connecting rooms along the front, plus a conservatory, all now refurbished. A leafy terrace on the right and another outside area at the other end.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Outdoor Seating: Garden, covered heated pergolas and decked terrace on Palace Road
- Real Fire
- Live Music
- Family Friendly: Until 8pm
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch: Website says Kitchne coming soon so check before visting
- Serves Dinner: Website says Kitchen coming soon so check before visting
- Real Ale
- Function Room: Free of charge
- Disabled Access
- WiFi
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Smoking
- Good for Children
- Menu for Children
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 3:00 – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 3:00 – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 3:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 3:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 10:00 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Independent
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.7out of 5 on Google, from 44 ratings
5 out of 5London Pub Mapon Google, September 2024
🚇 Highgate 🍺 £6.80 Cruzcampo The Good Reader is located in Crouch End, North London. The nearest Tube is Highgate, it’s a fifteen minutes walk to get here. This pub was originally built in 1896 and started life as The Princess Alexandra. The pub was destroyed by bombing during World War II and was rebuilt by in 1952. This former Watney Combe Reid pub has had a few monikers over the years. In July this year the pub was extensively refurbished and is now called The Good Reader. The pub is named after a local Victorian gentleman by the name of Sir Henry Reader Williams. He was a self made…
5 out of 5mia vilcinson Google, July 2024
Love the decor and ambience. Lovely beer garden, lovely staff. Dog friendly, the team even brought out a fresh water bowl for our dog when we arrived. Very tasty bar snacks. And the Guinness on draft might be the best I've had. Favourite new local!
5 out of 5Sara Sharpon Google, July 2024
Really loved our first visit! We were welcomed by friendly staff and what a beautiful space!? Light and airy with such a lovely garden, we will be back to try the food next.
5 out of 5Edmund Weilon Google, September 2024
Everything a neighbourhood pub should be a more. Ambience is everything and these people nailed it. Great beer and spirit selection, really well executed cocktails, warm and friendly staff. The garden is a fantastic space, especially with kids in tow, and the selection of games is a real plus. Cannot wait until the full food menu is released.
5 out of 5Ollie Groveon Google, October 2024
Crouch End has the worst pubs in north London - has done for a long time. The Kings Head is just awful. The Harringay arms was fabulous before they got into beer instead of atmosphere and ripped out the memories. The railway is good, granted - used to be bleak but when people have no choice the crowd can make things better. The crown - lovely structure but somehow very lonely. Makes you feel like you should be doing DIY not sitting there. The Princess used to be the fallout for bag maniacs and suburban foot soldiers. Finally the area now has a pub. Finally. Welcoming. Kind. Comfy. A pub that…
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.