Pineapple, Kentish Town

A tucked-away small corner local that was, fortunately, saved in the face of a closure threat in 2001 by a vigorous and effective local effort. Three-storey of yellow stock brick built around 1868. Above the ground floor windows and doors there are pineapple motifs in stone relief suitably painted. Twin front doors have ‘Saloon Bar’ on them in gilt – possibly 1920s wording? In the windows either side, one pane has ‘Ind Coope’ and the other ‘Double Diamond’, also in gilt lettering on frosted glass. Metal gates on main exterior doors.

The interior consists of a U-shaped front bar with some small areas at the rear. Originally two separate rooms as there is a door on the left hand side of the pub with mosaic floor just inside the pub indicating a small vestibule. The Pineapple has a truly spectacular feature – the bar-back, a three-bay piece, and one of the best such examples from the mid-Victorian period anywhere. It is made of mahogany and has, at the top, panels with mirrored lettering advertising “WHISKIES”, “BRANDIES” and “WINES”. There are three etched glass mirrors depicting vases of flowers. The top of the central mirror is almost covered by an old clock. Dividing the panels are four pilasters with florid Corinthian capitals. In between are narrow etched mirrors with urns bursting with foliage. The lower shelving has been lost to fridges but there are consoles with carved pineapples.

The bar counter seems original with brackets and panels added to the front so it looks more modern; the top is definitely modern. Ceiling to main bar retains decorative plaster cornice. On the right is a wood surround and Victorian (reproduction) cast iron and tiled fireplace with above it an enormous ‘Bass & Co’s Pale Ale’ mirror that almost reaches the ceiling. The dado paneling looks old and painted a cream colour.

On the left level with the bar back is a wood lined arch which looks old but on the right the wide gap could be more recent but the dado panelling goes across the gap so it could have been like this for many years. Through the arch on the left is a small area and on the left is an original marble surround fireplace with a modern grate. Above is a large ‘Bass Pale & Burton Ales’ mirror (cracked). More of the dado paneling that looks old but painted a cream colour and there is a part glazed baffle (modern?). A widish gap leads to another small area with assorted seating and a modest skylight with a pineapple in frosted glass in the middle of three panes.

To the right hand side rear through a door marked ‘Private’ in gold lettering (kept open) are a staircase upstairs and part panelled passage to toilets. Through another door to the right rear area. Modern fixed seating all around the right rear area with the same dado paneling. At the rear is a conservatory room popular with diners. Upstairs there is a room at the front with bar wood floor and old wood surround fireplace. Wide gap to smaller room at rear left with another wood surround and cast iron fireplace and old leather covered benches.