The Palatine: board games, hot toddies and leather couches. A reopening worth waiting for....

The Palatine pub has had a funny old time of it: sitting in that no-man's land between Stoke Newington and Dalston it's had some troubles with licenses and ownership over the years (remember Satchmo's, Potters Bar and Grill, PJ's, Tonic, Krystals, Hare and Hounds...? Yup, they are all former reincarnations of this N16 venue), but it looks like 2012 could be the year we can genuinely welcome it onto the Stokey scene.

The Palatine has been taken over by Michael, who was behind the initial success of the White Hart in 2003, as well as various other watering holes across the Capital. Now working for himself, the Castle Blaney born landlord was born into the business and he really does understand how to make a good pub: he's softened the sterile decor of the old Palatine with fabric and artwork and soft lighting, and the red leather armchairs and brown couches make it feel like home from home. In fact, as I came in from the cold the other night, with frostbite in my face and chillblanes in my toes I couldn't help feeling that this may be the ideal remedy for winter - piles of board games sit on a dark wood coffee table, a coffee machine sits in front of a drinks list that includes hot toddies and cocktails, and the music is quiet enough to have a good conversation (she says, feeling old). Michael is especially proud of the new wine list, which starts at £2.80 for 125ml and contains nothing he doesn't consider a darn good tipple.

When I asked him what made him choose a spot with such a slippery past for his first solo project, Michael explained, "I was very eager to come back here because I like the area", continuing, "but this will be a completely new concept from what it was before: I don't want it as a venue, I want it as a very decent bar where local people can come and drink". He has plenty planned for The Palatine, with local artists exhibiting regularly (starting with pieces by Damien Hurst's assistant David Willis on March 3rd and a collection from the 'maad art kollective' on March 15th ), live sports showing, and an upcoming music slot hosted by internationally acclaimed star of country-pop, Pete Kennedy.

The pub opens at midday every day and closes at 11pm Mon/Tues, midnight Wed/Thu/Sun and 1.30am on Friday and Saturday nights. An official opening is in the pipeline, so stay tunes. Looks like #palatinewatch will be a little more interesting from now on....!