This pub is not only a grade II listed building, it is also a Three Star pub on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) National Inventory with an interior of outstanding national historic importance, and the description is as follows: "This popular and iconic pub on a passageway in the heart of Hampstead village retains many of its original fittings.

It was rebuilt in 1873-4 by architects Cumming & Nixon. The chief historic parts are at the front and what makes them special is the mighty timber and glass partition dividing the two bars, with a richly decorated archway over the servery bearing a clock.

On the saloon side (on the right) are displayed five chromolithographs of delightfully sentimental paintings by artists Jan Van Beers (1852-1927) and John William Godward (1861-1922). Van Beers' name and a partially obscured date "188?" appear on the painting nearest the street. The middle painting of a young woman looking out to sea is Godward's 'Wistful', and the model is almost certainly Rosie Pettigrew, who incidentally is the great-great-aunt of this publication's editor. Such paintings clearly appealed strongly to the landlord of the day. Above the lithographs are etched glass panels with the familiar swirling patterns and depictions of small birds, and at the top a ‘bee trap’. The impressive mahogany counter and bar-back are original, and three impressive mirrors to the right add to the ambience.

The former public bar on the left is now larger than it once was, having incorporated a private bar at the back (so named in the glazing of a disused side door). Both front bars have fine tiled dados and prominent decorated cornices. There’s a splendid cast-iron column in the public bar with a very eccentric capital, and both cast iron fire surrounds are notable (particularly ornate in the saloon).

The room at the rear of the former saloon was brought into public use in the inter-war period: note the characteristic plain, semi-circular counter. The dado has linenfold panelling, and two plain but substantial mirrors dominate."

The listing description is as follows: "Public house. Rebuilt 1874 by Cumming and Nixon. Yellow stock brick with stucco dressings; roof not visible. 3 storeys and cellars. 4 windows and 3-window north return. Twin entrances set between tall windows and flanked by three pilasters enriched with glazed tiles. Paterae over pilasters at frieze level. First floor windows with moulded segmental heads and enriched impost bands. Second floor windows with moulded sill band, recessed within rectangular frame with corbels over gauged window arches. Moulded course at parapet level. INTERIOR retains mahogany and glass partitions and bar fittings and counter, wall tiles, cast-iron fireplaces with tile surrounds, moulded cornices. Partition screen in lounge bar retains Victorian chromolithographs. Rear of premises extended 1990, when a brick vaulted cellar was unearthed. (The Builder: 26 September 1874: 818)."

The WhatPub link is here: WhatPub/Flask

The Pub Heritage Group link is here: PHG/Flask

The Flask featured on the Evening Crawl of Hampstead on 18 April 2007, and the Walks and Wells: Evening Crawl of Hampstead on 21 August 2013.