Heverlee 0623
Heverlee 0623

About us

The Flask harks back to an era when Highgate was a small village on the outskirts of London and the stable block - the oldest part of our pub - dates back to 1663. It still has two 17th century horseboxes in place, and the main body of the pub dates from around the 1720s, boasting the original shutter-window bar with the bullseye glass panels. The room housing the main bar is from around 1800 and was originally a separate outhouse.

The pub's name - The Flask - comes from the tradition of selling flasks from the pub, which were then used to collect water from the springs around Highgate and nearby Hampstead Heath. A natural spring to the rear of the pub may also have been used for this purpose.

Every good historic pub should have a haunting or two, and The Flask is no exception. You might run into the ghost of a Spanish barmaid who hanged herself in the pub's cellar (now a seating area), over an unrequited love for the publican. Look out also for a chap in Cavalier uniform occasionally seen crossing the room in the main bar and vanishing into a pillar. And while he doesn't haunt the pub (as far as we know) Dick Turpin is reputed to have spent some time in our wine store while on the run from the authorities.

On to slightly more grisly territory, and the pub's Committee Room was allegedly the scene of one of the first-ever autopsies, secretly performed during the days of graverobbing with a fresh body from Highgate Cemetery. We've had our share of famous characters from history in The Flask, too. Byron, Shelley and Keats were all reputed to be regular visitors to the pub when visiting the locally based opium enthusiast Coleridge, who lived in the house opposite for the last 18 years of his life. William Hogarth was also a regular patron, who allegedly sketched a fight between two other customers as they fought with tankards, but no record of the drawing can be found. His portrait now sits in the old cellar room.

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Facilities

Beer gardenDogs allowedFoodOutside areaReal aleReal fireSmoking areaWiFi free
Pub reviews

Reviews

Krystle Drover

2 months ago

What an amazing authentic little English pub! I attended with my friend in New Year’s Day after a botched first go at roast somewhere else. I’m so glad we ended up here. The bar staff were friendly, amazingly talented and crafted the perfect old fashioned for us! We ordered the lamb roast and it did not disappoint! The meat fell off the bone and was mouth wateringly good! Along with the gravy, Yorkshire pudding and veg! I’d highly recommend trying! The atmosphere is quaint and cozy and quirky in a good way, there are plenty of real fireplaces that you can find with a cozy fire burning and the staff are polite, attentive and generally just pleasant to engage with! I will definitely be back!

Peter Russell

2 months ago

This was one of our favourite pubs of the evening. All 16 of us ordered food and we set up outside in the lovely garden patio area. Food was well presented simple and reasonable priced. Bar was quirky with small area for ordering and tables for the restaurant. It was very busy with Xmas meals. Highly recommend.

Jasma Jobanputra

3 months ago

Absolutely love this pub - sooo idyllic on a cold winters day with the open fire !! Amazing food but VERY small portion for the price - I think that can be easily improved to get 5 stars!

Kieran Slorach

4 months ago

Wet autumnal Sunday and a stiff climb up Fitzroy Park from the Heath, a near perfect resting post. Well kept Fuller’s and guest ales, they’ve even started doing bar snacks again for those not wanting a £25 roast dinner. Okay it’s well posh and a bit unfriendly, but that’s posh people for you! #11 #28

Charlie

7 months ago

Lovely Sunday roast with family here. I'm a vegetarian so had a vegetarian roast. Only thing I'll say is, since the roast is mainly vegetables, having a nut roast made of nuts and vegetables is a bit like bun on bun. I genuinely don't understand nut roast. They serve it as the vegetarian option in 8 out of 10 Sunday roast places but why? There are so many good alternatives, like juicy big veggie sausages for example. That creates more of a contrast in the whole meal. Apart from that, the Yorkshire pudding (vegan version) was burnt and cooked incorrectly as the inside had same texture as a thick chocolate pudding, a swampy gooey texture. The regular Yorkshire were perfect according to the others. Just a lil tip from a foodie with vegetarian restrictions. Otherwise lovely atmosphere. A bit slow service but it's expected from a very busy place. (Had a booking for 3pm but had to wait 20 minutes for the table) Cheers!

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Opening Times

Mon11:30 – 23:00
Tue11:30 – 23:00
Wed11:30 – 23:00
Thur11:30 – 23:00
Fri11:30 – 23:00
Sat11:30 – 23:00
Sun12:00 – 22:30
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Heverlee 0623
Heverlee 0623