Bel Air isn’t the only neighbourhood with a fresh Prince.
After being taken over in 2014, Stoke Newington’s own Victorian-era freehouse, The Prince, has been given a full top-to-bottom refurb. But don’t worry, none of the original features have been touched… because they were all ripped out and sold years before already. So unfettered by any sentimental constraints, the new owners took the opportunity to remake the place entirely, restructuring the core of the building so that it could be opened up in a way it had never been before.
Now, it’s an open, airy space with nods to both the present (industrial style strip lighting, an unvarnished wooden bar) and the past (green glazed tiles line the pillars, and red leather studded banquettes line the walls). But the most important upgrade? That would be the new beer selection. You see the new owners also took pains to secure a free-of-tie lease to the place, which essentially means they’re not beholden to any breweries, and are free to pour any suds they damn well please.
Thus, the lineup of taps behind their bar is quite a sight for thirsty eyes. They’ve made sure to keep things both interesting and local, sometimes bringing in barrels & kegs from literally down the road. You can expect to choose between the likes of a Boogie Van IPA from the Hackney Brewery (a 15min drive away); or a stout porter from Five Points (even closer at 10mins) to name but a couple. And going further afield, there’s everything from a Cornish mulled cider to a whopping 7.2% Czech imperial lager.
Food-wise, they’re walking the tightrope between both traditional pub grub and vegan-friendly victuals, with a menu that has beef stew & dumplings sitting alongside a pulled jackfruit burger, or a cauliflower steak with bulgar wheat co-habiting with an actual steak with truffle chips. Whatever you go for, it’s all good though, and everything is scratch-made (whenever possible) by The Prince…
…and fit for a king.
NOTE: The Prince N16 is open now. You can find out more and make a booking at their website right HERE.
The Prince N16 | 59 Kynaston Road, Stoke Newington, N16 0EB
Looking for somewhere to eat nearby? Take a look at our guide to the best restaurants in Stoke Newington.