After endless uphill trekking, I felt like I’d finally reached the top of the world, or at least the top of the village, when I walked into The Gatehouse.
It was there that I met assistant managers James and Daniel, who told me that The Gatehouse used to be a Wetherspoon pub up until 2016, and the Spoons legacy was clear to see in the bar and wooden surfaces.
Daniel told me: “There are 10 pubs here at Highgate Village, but The Gatehouse forever stands out.
“It’s the tallest pub in Highgate and is one of the most unique pubs in the city.”
Highgate already oozes old-London charm, with its cobbled streets, iron lampposts, and leafy corners, but The Gatehouse felt like stepping into a storybook.
Its mock-Tudor façade, dark timber beams, and leaded windows looked like something straight from a Dickens novel.
Before diving into the full experience, I ordered myself a refreshing glass of Coke and a generous plate of chips.
After my relentless journey through Highgate’s hills, I thought I’d earned it.
The pub’s interior was warm and inviting with its soft amber lighting, deep wooden tables, and a fireplace which I could imagine would really bring the Christmas feel in December.
The atmosphere was relaxed but full of character, and the occasional murmur of laughter from the other tables hinted at the kind of community this place fosters.
Beyond the ground floor, I learned there’s a hidden gem: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, an award-winning Off-West End theatre housed in what was once a Victorian music hall.
James explained: “We get matinee shows, evening shows.
“There’s a whole range of entertainment which is nice and interactive.
“Shows are travelling around for a week or two to do a one-night show, and they perform pieces like The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher.”
The assistant managers told me that their favourite things about working at The Gatehouse is the changes in atmosphere.
For example, it can go from quiet and intimate as it was when I visited, to lively and full of energy.
James said that The Gatehouse’s busiest day of the week is Sunday, when they roll out their traditional Sunday roasts.
“The roast is incredible here,” James added.
“It’s a real family affair, with people coming back week after week for that perfect Sunday meal.”
Quiz nights are also hosted on a Sunday, when the prizes include a bar tab for the evening, as well as other fun rewards.
I can easily imagine the atmosphere shifting completely in the evening.
From gentle pub murmurs to the excited buzz of teams huddled over answer sheets, trying to recall the capital of somewhere obscure or debating whether a Jaffa Cake is truly a cake.
It was a calm sort of quiet, the kind that lets you take your time, breathe a little deeper, and soak everything in.
But I can see how, by Sunday evening, it might transform into something far more energetic, especially with roast dinners being served in the afternoon and the quiz following after.
Overall, my visit to The Gatehouse was one of the many things I discovered in Highgate with features that I’d never seen before, alongside my visit to Queen’s Wood Café.
While I am not in Highgate often, I would absolutely recommend The Gatehouse to anyone nearby.
It is rare to find a proper pub and a theatre under one roof, and even rarer to find one that pulls both off so seamlessly.
