The Lock Tavern: what to know about the roof, garden and DJs
A McMullen pub at 35 Chalk Farm Road with a stage upstairs, a roof over the market and a late licence at weekends.
By Only Camden Editorial
The short version: the Lock Tavern is at 35 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AJ, across the road from Camden Market. It runs to 01:00 on Friday and Saturday, the kitchen stops at 20:00, and there is a roof terrace, a heated garden and a stage upstairs. Check the pub’s own site for current hours and what is on before you set off.
Where it is, and a small warning about the name
Despite the name, it is not on the canal. Difford’s Guide says as much, calling it neither on the canal nor a tavern. It sits on Chalk Farm Road, across from Camden Market, and TheNudge puts it just north of the Stables Market. Chalk Farm station is the nearest, and the walk is short.
It is a McMullen pub, and CAMRA lists it as open. It was once the Railway Tavern, and the Quietus dates the pub and gig venue to 2004.
DJs and bands
The format is simple. Downstairs is the main bar. Upstairs there is a stage for live bands, exposed brick and the roof terrace, according to Layers of London. VisitLondon describes the programme as DJ sets, live music and comedy.
Difford’s calls it a “sticky floored” DJ and live-music venue, with up-and-coming and established bands plus DJs from bigger London clubs. It also reports neon signs on the wall reading “tarted-up boozer” and “small disco”, which tells you most of what you need to know about the tone.
The history is a decent reason to bother. The Line of Best Fit lists Franz Ferdinand, Metronomy, Mystery Jets, Warpaint, Savages, Run The Jewels and Tame Impala among the acts who played there. Resident Advisor called it the definitive DJ bar before every bar was one.
Which nights are DJs and which are bands is not something to guess at. Look at the pub’s listings, or its Songkick and Resident Advisor venue pages, before you plan around a particular act.
What is free
Entry has traditionally been free. Difford’s says there is free entry, and an older All In London listing promises free entry for the upstairs DJs and bands. Both are old, so treat it as the usual pattern rather than a promise, and check the night you want.
The pub also promotes a weekly pub quiz, which McMullen calls famous. Ask the pub which night it falls on.
When it is busy
Expect a crowd. Difford’s found it one of the busiest venues it visited in Camden, with a scrum at the bar. Layers of London says the roof terrace is always busy. Reviewers rate the rooftop highly in sunshine, and one calls a sunny Saturday great. Capacity is up to 320 across two floors and the outdoor spaces, according to canalpubs.co.uk.
No source gives exact peak times, so this part is common sense: Friday and Saturday nights, with the late licence to 01:00, will be the heaviest, and a sunny weekend afternoon will fill the roof. If you want a seat outside, turn up early.
The roof and the garden
- Roof terrace: McMullen calls it an all-weather rooftop terrace and a suntrap. It overlooks Camden Market.
- Garden: VisitLondon lists a heated beer garden with a fire pit. McMullen also mentions a secret garden.
- Inside: upstairs is a candle-lit cocktail bar, according to canalpubs.co.uk. TheNudge mentions firepits and a roaring fire.
Whether the roof can be booked is not clear. The pub points to a reservations page on its own site, which suggests booking exists at least for food and Sunday roasts.
Food and drink
VisitLondon lists dirty burgers, chicken wings, wraps and loaded fries. Sunday roasts are served. The kitchen is open until 20:00 daily, so if the plan is dinner before a late set, eat early.
One caveat for beer people: CAMRA says cask ale is not available. Reviews are mixed. One TripAdvisor reviewer finds it pricey and says the best seats are outdoors, while another is negative about cleanliness and staff.
Opening hours
The listed pattern is Monday to Wednesday 12:00 to 23:00, Thursday 12:00 to 24:00, Friday and Saturday 12:00 to 01:00, and Sunday 12:00 to 22:30. Sunday closing is given differently elsewhere, so check the pub’s site for current hours.
The sensible plan
- Eat before 20:00, either at the pub or on Chalk Farm Road.
- Check the listing for the night, then go up to the stage.
- On a dry evening, take a drink up to the roof, or out to the heated garden when it is cold.
- Leave time for the last train, because the late licence is generous at weekends.
Phone: 020 7482 7163, per VisitLondon.
Sources: McMullen, CAMRA, Difford’s Guide and VisitLondon.
