Duke of Hamilton - Hampstead - Pub Reviews

The Duke of Hamilton is a landmark pub at 23-25 New End in Hampstead, London NW3 – one of the city’s oldest watering holes. Housed in a cream-painted, oak-beamed building, the pub blends traditional charm with a vibrant cultural scene. It has operated for over two centuries on this quiet Hampstead street. In 2018 it briefly relaunched as the “Hampstead Lounge & Jazz Club,” but local brothers Ben and Ed (of Loci Pubs) restored it under its historic name by 2019. Today The Duke of Hamilton retains its classic pub character (think wood-panelled walls and a crackling log fire) while also serving as a North London music venue. In fact, an intimate 50-seat jazz club in the cellar is a key feature – “Hampstead Jazz Club” hosts live jazz, soul and folk acts that draw both local enthusiasts and visitors from across London.

Facilities & Entertainment

The Duke of Hamilton offers a cosy yet lively setting, with a focus on conversation, craft beers and live music. There is no dedicated parking on site, so most guests arrive via Hampstead Underground (Northern line) or nearby street parking. Unlike many chain pubs, it doesn’t feature arcade games or a sports-bar vibe; instead, its main attractions are people and performances. The front terrace and back yard provide ample outdoor seating (a roofed canopy covers the street-front patio with heaters and removable sides), and dogs and children are always welcome. Inside, the pub is warm and traditionally furnished – a long wooden bar, candlelit tables and a fireplace create a friendly atmosphere. Live sports are shown on TV from time to time, but most patrons come for the ambience. Instead of a pool table or dart board, the spotlight here is the Hampstead Jazz Club downstairs: an intimate cellar venue where audiences sit just a few feet from the stage. Regular jazz nights run several times a week, featuring both established acts and exciting up-and-comers. This multi-purpose space (with its own small bar) also hosts private events and rehearsals. In short, The Duke’s entertainment is more concert venue than karaoke booth, which is a rare find for a Hampstead pub.

Food on Offer

The Duke of Hamilton prides itself on quality pub cuisine with a modern twist. The menu features classic dishes made from fresh local ingredients. You’ll find hearty staples like juicy hamburgers, beer-battered fish & chips, and sharing starter boards alongside contemporary options such as gourmet salads, smoked mackerel pâté or seasonal stews. Suppliers like the Hampstead Butcher & Providore ensure that meats and produce are top-notch. One highlight is the Sunday roast: reviewers frequently single it out for praise (the roast leg of lamb “was great…superb” according to one detailed review). Portions tend to be generous, with traditional accompaniments (Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, fresh vegetables) that make the meal feel proper and satisfying. Vegetarian and vegan diners will also find options, including a well-executed nut roast or mushroom Wellington on Sundays and creative salads or plant-based burgers during the week. All in all, the kitchen delivers unpretentious comfort food – fresh, well-seasoned and served in generous portions, reflecting a farm-to-pub philosophy.

Beers on Tap

Beer lovers will feel at home here. The Duke of Hamilton is an ale-house at heart. Purity’s Pure Gold is the house cask ale and pours as a staple behind the bar. Alongside it, a rotating line-up of craft beers keeps things interesting. Recent seasons have seen kegs from London microbreweries and beyond – Two Tribes, Kernel, Wild Card and Gipsy Hill have all appeared on tap. Occasionally the pub taps its own keg collaborations, and at one point even featured Doom Bar as its sole cask beer. In practice, this means visitors can often choose from a familiar British bitter or pale ale plus one or two guest IPAs or pale ales from up-and-coming brewers. The cellar lines are well-maintained: pints come highly praised by regulars for their freshness and proper pouring. Beyond beer, the bar carries a modest wine list and a few ciders. In short, you can always count on a good pint here – the staff keep the ales in top condition and are happy to make recommendations.

Price Range & Value

Compared to Hampstead’s more touristy pubs, The Duke of Hamilton is reasonably priced – falling into a mid-range (soft ££) category. As one guide notes, meals generally run “£25 and under” for dinner. In practice, mains tend to be in the £15–£20 range (burgers and fish-and-chips around £15–£18; premium meats or specials up to high £20s). A pint of ale usually costs around £5–£6. Given the quality of the food and drink and the central location, most patrons feel they get fair value. Portion sizes are generous (especially the Sunday roast), and the ingredients are fresh, so you certainly get your money’s worth. Many locals point out that this level of quality is actually a bargain in NW3. Service is typically bar-only (no automatic service charge), and tipping is straightforward. Overall, diners and drinkers tend to agree that The Duke offers a satisfying experience without any tourist-price gouging. In short: the price tag aligns with what you’d expect in Hampstead – not cheap, but fair for the atmosphere and quality on offer.

Customer Service

The vibe behind the bar at The Duke is warm and welcoming. Many reviewers note the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and attentive – whether pouring a pint or explaining the specials. In fact, word-of-mouth about this pub often highlights how well the team handles questions about ales or ingredients and accommodates dietary requests. Regulars and newcomers alike tend to say they leave feeling well looked-after. Because the pub is run by local owners who themselves grew up in Hampstead, the staff generally know many of the faces that come through the door, and there’s a genuine neighbourhood feel. New visitors often describe the welcome as genuine (a nod, a smile, some quick banter). Of course service can slow during a pre-show rush or at the height of Sunday lunch, but overall the attitude is professional yet down-to-earth. A polite landlord and quick bartenders keep things moving efficiently, even when the cellar club or the Sunday crowds arrive. In short, the consensus is that The Duke of Hamilton offers friendly, unpretentious service – exactly the sort of staff you’d hope to find in a friendly local Hampstead pub.

Events & Special Nights

One of the Duke’s defining traits is its calendar of events. Chief among them is the jazz club itself. Multiple nights a week it hosts live music, often featuring jazz but also R&B, folk and acoustic acts. The space is intimate (around 50 seats), which means shows tend to sell out, creating a vibrant yet personal atmosphere. Established musicians share the bill with emerging talent, so regulars might hear a local rising star one evening and a renowned jazz quartet the next. Outside the cellar, the pub occasionally runs themed or seasonal evenings. For instance, they’ll put on special menus for events like Burns Night or Easter, and sometimes collaborate with breweries for tap takeovers. On big sports occasions (World Cup football, Six Nations rugby) staff have been known to set up a screen or projector for patrons – though this is secondary to the pub’s main identity. The emphasis is clearly on community gatherings rather than generic pub quizzes or karaoke. Essentially, the schedule here is driven by music and Hampstead’s local calendar: think album launches, benefit gigs or jazz festivals that spill into the pub. Between its regular jazz nights, occasional band gigs and publicised parties (New Year’s Eve, Christmas events, etc.), there’s almost always something special on the roster for patrons to enjoy.

Atmosphere & Accessibility

Step inside The Duke of Hamilton and you feel immediately at home. The interior retains its vintage character: dark wood-panelled walls, a sturdy antique bar and warm lighting set a classic pub mood. A large brick fireplace dominates one side of the room – on chilly nights it crackles merrily, further softening the ambience. The decor isn’t flashy: it’s all about authentic charm. Old framed photographs and local memorabilia nod to the pub’s long history. By late afternoon or early evening the place hums with quiet conversation; as more people arrive, especially on weekends or pre-show, the buzz picks up into a low convivial roar. It never gets jarringly loud – the focus remains on music and chat rather than boisterous drinking.

The crowd here is diverse. During the week you’ll find nearby residents, young professionals and even families (especially in the sunny garden). On jazz nights or weekends, a crowd of music aficionados filters in – some dressed casually, others a bit smarter, but all eager to settle in. It’s common to see a table of long-time locals sharing stories next to a group of theatre-goers having one pint before heading out. Dogs are a common sight too (there are even water bowls by the bar), adding to the family-friendly vibe. Despite the artistic flair, there’s no sense of exclusivity – you don’t need to be a jazz buff to feel welcome. In fact, most people come for the food and drink first and let the ambience wash over them.

As for layout, the pub is medium-sized but feels snug by modern standards. Seating is a mix of fixed wooden tables, cushioned benches and a few high-top stools along the bar. During busy times (for example, right before an 8pm show or Sunday lunch), the front room can get quite full – but clever use of space (and the front terrace) usually keeps things moving. The rear garden is partially enclosed and has picnic benches and gas heaters, which makes it a pleasant spot in mild weather. The walled front patio (now covered) adds more outdoor seats. Wheelchair access is reasonable at ground level (the entrance is almost flat from the street), though the basement jazz club is reached by stairs. Restroom facilities are on the ground floor.

Overall, the atmosphere strikes a balance between casual and cultured. The pub feels alive without ever feeling overwhelming. You can have a quiet one after work in the early evening, and it transitions naturally into a more vibrant scene by night. There’s a feeling of shared community too – many patrons clearly consider this their “local” in Hampstead. If you like people-watching or overhearing an impromptu post-concert conversation, this is your scene. In short, the Duke delivers that classic cosy pub vibe (firelight, chatter, well-kept pints) while also feeling lightly “buzzed” by the cultural activity around it.

Location & Nearby Attractions

The pub’s address at 23-25 New End, Hampstead NW3 1JD puts it right in the heart of Hampstead village. New End is a charming, leafy side-street that feels worlds away from central London’s hustle. It’s only a couple of minutes’ walk from Hampstead Underground Station (Northern line) – the station is literally at one end of New End. Bus routes also stop on nearby Heath Street. Because of this, The Duke makes an ideal meeting point for friends travelling from across London.

Hampstead itself is packed with things to do. Directly behind the pub is Hampstead Heath, one of London’s largest green spaces (only a five-minute walk). From there you can wander up to Parliament Hill for panoramic city views or stroll on to Kenwood House and its art collection. On New End Square (a very short walk away) is Burgh House – a beautiful Queen Anne building housing the local museum and an outdoor café. Hampstead’s famous High Street is about five minutes on foot: a bustling strip of boutiques, book stores and cafés (including the original Gail’s bakery and the century-old Coffee Cup). Hampstead High Street also leads to the market on Church Row and to two other historic pubs: The Holly Bush (a wood-panelled 18th-century pub) and The Wells (a multi-roomed tavern). Both are local landmarks for Sunday roasts or real ales, so fans of pub history will enjoy seeing them.

For culture vultures, there are a few theatres up this way too – the pub’s own basement venue (formerly the New End Theatre) and the famous Edinburgh Fringe shows that pop up at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse just down the road. Fancy a sweet treat? Hampstead has its share of tempting dessert spots – from artisanal gelato to gourmet crêpes – just a few minutes from the Duke. All in all, a pub crawl or day-trip that starts at The Duke can easily continue out to Hampstead’s many attractions. Just note that parking near the village is very limited (residents’ bays apply), so most patrons arrive by Tube, bus or a leisurely walk along the Heath.

Overall Impression

The Duke of Hamilton offers the quintessential Hampstead pub experience – uniting local heritage with creative flair. It’s a place where centuries-old traditions (wooden panels, roast dinners by the fire) coexist happily with a fresh energy from live music and rotating craft beers. While many London pubs these days can feel like generic chains, the Duke is unmistakably rooted in its community. Locals knew this pub long before it was trendy, and it shows in the pride they take in it. Critics and guides have noticed this too: the Not For Tourists Guide once called the Duke “as good a pub you’re likely to find anywhere”.

Is it perfect? A few quirks remain. The small size means you can end up standing at the bar when it’s busy, and it doesn’t chase late-night crowds (last orders are around 10–11pm). And if you’re specifically after pool tables or endless TV sports, this isn’t the place (you’d be better off at a chain pub). But for a true locals pub that also happens to double as a music venue, it hits all the right notes.

The Duke of Hamilton is more than just a pint-and-plate spot. It’s a living piece of Hampstead history and a community hub. Whether you come for a relaxed lunch of fish & chips, a convivial evening in front of the fire, or an intimate jazz concert, you’ll leave knowing you’ve experienced the genuine character of North London pub life. For anyone exploring Hampstead, the Duke is highly recommended – a warm welcome, tasty fare and a uniquely cultural vibe await under its blue-green sign.