The Haverstock Arms - as a hostelry it was a mainstay on Haverstock Hill for nearly three decades.
It was the local of Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans, the kind of boozer that could check the step of the Gallagher Brothers who entered one Saturday night to play an impromptu session.
Gazza drank there, and Danny Baker and a host of others, served by the Irish barman who made his name on Channel 4s' cult TV show TFI Friday.
On a local level, the hurling club Kilburn Gaels lifted the cup there and celebrated long into the night on many occasions.
So when the doors of the Haverstock Arms closed last year, it looked like time had called last orders on Kildare man Andrew Carey’s career.
Then his son Sean took up the baton and opened a new restaurant/bar on the exact same site in Belsize Park.
It’s the new generation, the passing of a glass of vino more than a pint as NW3 sets out on a new culinary journey.
“I love Haverstock Hill,” said Andrew Carey, a Freeman of the City of London. “And it did look like it would be the end of an era but this is the next generation of Careys in the hospitality game on the hill, and it’s great to be involved again.”
The long-time publican and his wife Colette split their time between Spain and London these days but Carey has been finding retirement a busy time since he rang the bell on his own career last year. Since, there has been talk of a TFI resurrection next year, while his son’s new project will keep his eye keen from afar.
“The building has been in our lives for a long time, the Haverstock Arms was a home really where Sean grew up so it’s like the start of a new chapter, a continuation of the story, father onto son,” Andrew said.
On its first night, the old premises opened with a new look and well-known faces from around the community toasted the new venture led by the 23-year-old Carey.
“There is a shortage of a good restaurants doing food at good prices on Haverstock Hill,” said Andrew. “So we’re hoping to attract that custom.”
In keeping with the tradition of attracting interesting customers, comedian John Culshaw wandered in on the night.
It's business as usual again in Belsize Park.
