Swimmer at the Grafton Arms

Lovely pub with charming character. Food is more expensive than most in Holloway, but the price only reflects the quality of it. I can't ever imagine the staff being rude. I don't drink there regularly, but merely last week the chef greeted me and shook my hand as I walked in. Going to The Swimmer is always a treat and I look forward to my next visit.
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Barclay
Tuesday, May 31, 2005

I’m surprised by some of the negative comments that the Swimmer has attracted. For me it has just about everything I want in a local pub.

There’s a diverse range of quality beer and wine, the food is good and to top it all off it’s got the best pub jukebox I’ve seen in London

This place currently has a low “value” rating but I disagree as it really depends what your expectations are. If you want cheap food you can go to a Weatherspoons and have a microwave meal for a fiver and if you want something a bit special you can go to St John and blow £50 a head.

On the other hand, The Swimmer sits somewhere in between. Good quality, freshly prepared food at about a tenner for a main seems like pretty good value to me. Add that to the beer and the jukebox and you’ve got a winning combination.

There should be a pub this good in every London neighbourhood.
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Friday, May 20, 2005

Absolutely wonderful pub. Food, is the top! lovely menu, beautifully cooked. Juke Box is top too.

And as for previous reviews commenting on the staff, i think they're very nice and always have been.
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Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Thank god for The Swimmer and similar pubs. Good music, good beer and standard fare. As someone from the other side of Holloway road you have no idea how glad I was to find the Swimmer and The Landseer. The Landseer is cavernous whereas The Swimmer is a lot smaller which means that it feels more like a regulars pub, which is preferable in my book. It also means that you won't get the illusion of "friendliness" that you get in a larger pub like the Landseer, with it's family atmosphere and board games. Those who complain that bar staff aren't "friendly" enough are very odd though. What do you want? I suspect that they are either Northern or Antipodean or just don't have many friends. If you don't like it go to The Coronet.
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Friday, November 19, 2004

Rude staff, bad food, rotten service, rude staff, overpriced, stuffy atmosphere, and the ale's not much chop either. Worst pub in area. Rude staff, yeh worth repeating because they are just so darn rude!! If you're looking for a good night out then give this pub a miss.
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Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Dark, dank, atmosphere and that extended to the rude and unhelpful staff. Food was dreadful and overpriced and the beer wsn't much better. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone. If you want good food, atmosphere, value for money then don't go here go to the Landseer.
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Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Being a previous staff member of the grafton arms i found it to be a very warm and friendly atmosphere and a nice place to have a pint. Great choice of beer and even better choice on the food menu. well worth a visit. Hats off too the managers amanda hood and shane.. Keep up the good work.. you to ron
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Damian Butler
Wednesday, May 05, 2004

Probably the best London Pride in North London. Good quiz on Mondays.

Tends to be very smoky, but you can sit outside, (covered area in cold weather with heaters). Food was a bit over-priced and average quality last time we ate, so have gone across the road to Wild Tracks Taverna or Crystal Kebabs in Holloway Rd.
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Sarah
Saturday, May 01, 2004

Lovely little Gastro pub serving Czech beers and wonderful food.

Definately worth a visit particularly if you intend to eat.

Friendly staff.

Half way down a street off the Holloway Road
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Paul
Thursday, April 01, 2004