The Flask - Hampstead - Pub Reviews

Tucked away on cobbled Flask Walk in the heart of Hampstead Village, The Flask is the very picture of a traditional London pub that still feels alive and well loved. Rebuilt in 1874 and now Grade II listed, it wears its Victorian heritage with easy confidence. Inside you find etched and bevelled glass that frames the snug partitions between the public and saloon bars, polished mahogany counters that have served untold rounds, and cast-iron fireplaces that turn the place into a proper refuge when the weather dips. A bright conservatory at the rear and a tidy terrace bring in daylight and greenery, which means The Flask manages to be both a cosy winter bolt-hole and a summer favourite. It is owned by Young’s, and that lineage shows in a bar that prizes well-kept cask ales while keeping pace with modern tastes.

For practicalities at a glance, the address is 14 Flask Walk, Hampstead, London NW3 1HE, the phone number is 020 7435 4580, and opening hours are 11.00 to 23.00 Monday to Thursday, 11.00 to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 12.00 to 22.30 on Sundays. The pub draws a mixed local crowd and visitors exploring Hampstead Heath and the Village, and it currently enjoys a strong reputation that sits around 4.4 out of 5. If you are researching Hampstead pubs for a Sunday roast, a relaxed pint after a Heath walk, or a characterful venue to show off a proper London local to out-of-town friends, The Flask should be on your shortlist.

Facilities & Entertainment

The Flask keeps things convivial rather than flashy. There is no dedicated parking, which is standard for Hampstead Village, and nearby street bays are limited. Public transport is the smart choice here, with Hampstead Underground on the Northern line a short stroll away and a clutch of bus routes on the High Street. The layout preserves those classic Victorian divisions that make for intimate corners and quieter nooks, and the pub’s scale creates a sociable hum without tipping into din.

Entertainment is low key and traditional. There is darts in the public bar, which suits the building’s heritage and gives the front bar a healthy pub-game buzz on weeknights. You will not find banks of televisions or a big match day schedule. Live sport is not the focus, which protects the easy conversational feel that many come to Hampstead for. Board games are available if you fancy something gentler with your pint, and they tend to circulate among groups on rainy afternoons. Outside, the conservatory and patio provide extra space for long lunches and early evening drinks when the weather is kind. Families are welcome, with children admitted until 20.00, and well behaved dogs are allowed in designated areas, which explains the steady stream of Heath walkers calling in after a loop around the ponds.

Food on Offer

The kitchen follows a seasonal British brief and does so with quiet confidence. You can build an entire visit around the Sunday roast, which is a genuine draw. Plates arrive with properly rested meat, crisp and lofty Yorkshire puddings, seasonal vegetables cooked with care, roast potatoes that stay crunchy to the last bite, and generous gravy. It is the sort of roast that wins return custom and sends first timers to the booking page for the following weekend.

Across the week the menu balances pub comfort with lighter choices. Beer battered fish and chips comes with a firm, steaming fillet and a batter that cracks when you tap it. Hearty pies rotate with the seasons, bangers are matched with creamy mash, and there is often a daily or weekly special that makes use of produce at its best. Vegetarians and vegans are looked after rather than accommodated as an afterthought. Options such as a roasted vegetable tart, a plant based burger with all the trimmings, or a seasonal salad with substance allow mixed groups to order easily and eat well. Portions are sensible rather than showy, ingredients are fresh, and the cooking style is recognisably pubby, which keeps the whole experience relaxed. If you are searching for a Sunday roast in Hampstead, The Flask belongs in any shortlist, yet it is equally reliable for a weekday lunch or a lingering early supper.

Beers on Tap

Beer is part of the identity here. As a Young’s house, you will nearly always find a couple of their cask ales in tip-top condition alongside a guest pump or two. The exact line up changes with the seasons, which keeps regulars interested and rewards anyone who likes to try something new. The pub also pours a selection of craft keg beers and international lagers, which means a mixed group can be served without fuss. If you enjoy exploring styles, ask for a taster paddle to compare a couple of cask choices, perhaps a best bitter against a seasonal pale. Attention to cellar work shows in the glass. Pints are consistently bright and properly conditioned, and staff are confident at guiding newcomers toward a style that suits. If beer is not your thing, the back bar carries a compact wine list, cider options, and the expected spirits so that no one feels left out.

Price Range & Value

For a Hampstead Village address, pricing lands comfortably in the mid range. Mains typically sit between £14 and £25, and drinks average £5 to £8 for a pint or a glass of wine. That positions The Flask as good value for the area, especially given the building’s character, the upkeep on the beer, and the generally generous portions. There are cheaper pints in London if you are willing to compromise on location and atmosphere, but many would argue that The Flask earns its keep through quality and consistency. If you are planning a group visit, the bill will read as honest pub pricing rather than a shock, and you will leave feeling you paid for something with substance.

Customer Service

The tone of service is warm, attentive and unpretentious. Regulars talk about staff who remember names and orders, and first time visitors often note how quickly they are guided to a beer or dish that suits. At the busiest points, usually Friday evenings and the run into Sunday lunch, there can be short waits for drinks or food, which reflects popularity more than any lack of attention. The team manages those peaks with good grace, keeps the floor tidy, and answers questions about the menu with obvious familiarity. Knowledge about the ales is particularly strong, which matters in a pub where the cellar is a point of pride.

Events & Special Nights

You come to The Flask for conversation and good company rather than a full calendar of entertainment. The exception, and a highlight for many locals, is the weekly Tuesday quiz, which fills the back area with a cheerful crowd that spans students, families and neighbourhood regulars. The quizmaster keeps things brisk, tables fill early, and the atmosphere stays friendly and competitive rather than cut-throat. Beyond that, the pub leans into its role as a classic Hampstead local. There is no regular live music rota and, as noted, no heavy emphasis on live sport. If you want a lively evening without feeling shouted at by a television, this is your place. Bring your own company and the four walls will do the rest.

Atmosphere & Accessibility

Atmosphere is where The Flask excels. Step inside and there is an immediate sense of London pub heritage. Light pools through the etched glass, the bar gleams, and chat rises and falls in comfortable waves. On cold days the fireplaces earn their keep, and on warm ones the conservatory and patio open out and fill with that soft Hampstead light that bounces off brick and foliage. The pub’s clientele is mixed in the best way. On any afternoon you might see a pair of locals nursing half pints and a crossword, a family settling in after a Heath walk, a couple on a date at the small tables by the bar, and friends catching up before an early supper. The atmosphere is social without being showy and buzzy without tipping into rowdy.

Accessibility is sensibly handled for a historic building. There is step free access into the main bar areas, a disabled toilet, and the floor is largely on one level once you are inside. The team is quick to help with doors or carrying drinks to the table if you ask. Families do well here because service is relaxed and there is some flexibility in seating, and dogs are a familiar sight, usually napping under tables after a run on the Heath. If you want the quietest experience, arrive early evening on weekdays or mid afternoon on weekends. If you enjoy the buzz, head in for the quiz or bank on the hour before and after the Sunday roast rush.

Location & Nearby Attractions

Part of the appeal is location. Flask Walk is one of Hampstead’s prettiest lanes, lined with independent shops and the sort of window displays that make you slow down. From the pub door you are only minutes from Hampstead Underground on the Northern line, which makes The Flask simple to reach from central London. Step north and you are on Hampstead Heath in no time, which is why the pub has such a steady trade in walkers coming in for restorative roasts and pints. From here you can plan a loop to Parliament Hill for skyline views, wander to the mixed bathing ponds in summer, or aim for Kenwood House and its lawns. In the other direction lies Hampstead High Street with its cafes, bakeries and bookshops, and a handful of other historic pubs if you are turning your visit into a mini crawl. For anyone exploring Hampstead Village, The Flask works beautifully as either the starting point or the final stop.

Overall Impression

The Flask is one of those historic pubs in London that feels completely of its place and time, yet still works perfectly for modern habits. It looks the part, from the etched glass to the fireplace grates, but it is the details that carry the day. The cellar is cared for, the menu is seasonal and inclusive, the roast is worth planning around, and the service is personal. Prices sit in a fair middle ground for NW3, and the location lets you fold a visit neatly into a Hampstead Heath walk or a Village shopping day. If you want wall-to-wall sports, this is not the venue, and peak times can feel snug, though that is part of the charm. For most, those trade offs are negligible compared with what you gain.

For readers researching the area, you can confidently file The Flask under Hampstead pub with character, Sunday roast in Hampstead, traditional London pub, and Young’s pub with cask ales. It is the kind of place that makes London pub culture click into focus. Come for a quiet midweek pint and a book, bring friends for a long Sunday lunch, or gather a team for the Tuesday quiz. However you use it, The Flask rewards you with history, comfort, and the easy pleasure of a well kept pint in the right setting.