The Red Lion and Sun, in North Road, Highgate, has been nominated in the Grand London region of the National Pub & Bar Awards 2025, which will take place in June.
Heath Ball, owner of the pub, said the news was “a sun ray on a gloomy day.”
He said: “We have legs in the business for 18 years and we are on the moon, ecstatic.
“It is a difficult climate that we have for the pub at this time. It would be great to win, so special when we have a leg in business for so long, it is a will to our staff and all the work we do.”
There has been a pub on the site since at least the 16th century.
The pub was one of the favorites among the Monty Python team, which would write their sketches there.
From Heath Tok It, he has won the British Pub of the Year of John Smith in 2018, Wine Pub of the year and is sixth in the 50 main gastrographic pubs in the country.
However, he said that times are difficult.
Heath added: “We are lucky that we are buying, if we are buying, we would be out of business.
“I don’t know any operator who says he’s having a good time at this time. I don’t know anyone in the hotel industry to have a good time.
“Just to stay still I have to win other £ 70,000 a year. National insurance, minimum wage, commercial rates, supply costs have landed on my desk.”
Heath, who makes a podcast with hospitality trade journal the Morning advertiserHe said that cost management is a hot topic with operators.
He added: “Normally, we will make a rain of ideas, but nobody had any idea.
“Do we put our prices? People do not come out so much, we hear stories of how much people are orient per year and it’s crazy. It’s like buying new sun loungers for Titanic.
“So, when you get recognition like this, it really gives you a boost, it’s good for morality and people are super happy.”
