The Junction is probably one of the most versatile public houses in Harrow, there is something to suit everyone's taste.

When you enter the beer garden to get to the pub building, you find yourself in the middle of a diverse crowd chatting lively at the wooden beer tables while sipping at their draughts.

Security is tight at The Junction. In the beer garden, a sign warns that patrons are under video surveillance and should not try to sell drugs. More than one doorman guard each gate, and you pass another man in black with a walkie-talkie when you walk through the pub's front door.

The pub is packed, and people seem either to be "chilling" on the sofas, or they are sitting at tables shouting to compete with two big screens that blast MTV across the room. Then again, maybe they are just drunk.

The light pine bar is staffed by extremely friendly and helpful young women, who take care to pour as much draught as possible into your glass.

Blackthorn, Carling, Grolsch, Caffreys and Guinness are amongst the draughts on tap. We settle for Caffreys and a (not cold enough) Smirnoff Ice, coming to £5.70.

The pub is plastered with the the logo of Scream, the chain that owns it. A Yellow Card, available to students at the price of £1, gives you around 50p discount on draughts, and about 30p on other drinks.

Apart from drinking, other entertainment is ample. There are several games and gambling machines, as well as two pool tables.

Upstairs, past a sign that reminds you of CCTV inside the pub, a tacky but comfortable cocktail bar awaits you. For around £5 you should be able to relax in style with a cocktail of your choice and have a conversation without straining your vocal chords.

Cleanliness in the toilets needs attention. The same goes for the rest of the pub: Everything you touch is sticky and leaves your hands that way. Rather disgusting. If you arrive before 8pm when the kitchen closes, you should make sure to wash your hands after you have put down the sticky menu.

If you like being in a young, rowdy crowd, have no hang-ups and don't want to run into yuppies, The Junction may be a good choice.

PdB

July 5, 2002 10:00