The Flask
About The Flask
A characterful Highgate pub dating from 1663, with a warren of cosy rooms, open fires, and a charming courtyard. A favourite of Hogarth and Karl Marx.
History & Heritage
The Flask in Highgate dates from 1663 and takes its name from the flasks that visitors once bought here to fill with water from the nearby Hampstead wells, which were believed to have health-giving properties. The rambling building grew over the centuries into the characterful warren of rooms seen today.
The pub has a colourful roll-call of associations: the artist William Hogarth is said to have sketched here, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived nearby in Highgate, and Karl Marx, buried in nearby Highgate Cemetery, is reputed to have been a visitor. Legend even claims the pub is haunted by a Spanish barmaid.
What to Expect
Expect a maze of cosy, characterful rooms with open fires, low beams, and plenty of period charm, plus a delightful front courtyard that fills up on warmer days. The kitchen serves quality British pub food and Sunday roasts, alongside a good range of real ales. It's a perfect retreat after a stroll around historic Highgate and its famous cemetery.
Known For
Features & Facilities
- Beer garden
- Open fires
- Real ales
- Food served
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the pub called The Flask?
- It is named after the flasks people once bought here to collect mineral water from the nearby Hampstead wells, which were thought to be health-giving.
- Which famous figures are linked to The Flask?
- The pub is associated with the artist William Hogarth, the poet Coleridge, and Karl Marx, who is buried nearby in Highgate Cemetery.
- Does The Flask have outdoor seating?
- Yes, it has a charming front courtyard that is especially popular in warmer weather.
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