It's the celebrity hang out where famous faces go for an undisturbed drink - and Royal Free staff rub shoulders with film stars and TV presenters.

Blessed with a huge beer garden, and tucked away on a Hampstead backstreet, The Stag - with its laid back charm - could be said to be a hidden gem.

But that's the way some of its regulars like it.

Alex Pride, who has been General Manager of the Fleet Road pub for 15 years said: "I really love this area, the people are super friendly and it's the only pub I've worked in where a customer has asked me to go out for a drink - he took me to all the hot spots in Camden.

"People call it a celebrity hang out but the thing I love is you never know who you are talking to. People don't talk about what they do, they are just nice people.

"I enjoy their company and try to make it special for everyone, no matter if they are a Radio 1 DJ, or a chap having his dad's 100th birthday. I love it when people have their weddings and receptions here, then bring in their kids."

This Is Local London: Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore has said she's a fan of The Stag's Sunday roastsLove Island presenter Laura Whitmore has said she's a fan of The Stag's Sunday roasts (Image: London Pubs)

Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore has outed herself as a fan of The Stag's Sunday roasts, taking her maltipoo Mick along. And one punter recently wrote on Reddit that he'd spotted Game of Thrones and Lord of The Rings actor Sean Bean enjoying the ambience.

While Alex says it's important to be "private and discreet," he will say that two memorable nights included hosting Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice director Tim Burton's private Halloween party, and Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman's 50th birthday bash.

"Tim is a really lovely guy who used to come in a lot, the guest list of 30 people was given to me at the last minute and there were some big names, but everyone was in fancy dress so you didn't know who they were!

"Although Edith has moved away she said 'my party had to be at The Stag'. It was a great night, as was this year's New Year's Eve party which was fantastic, with great music and a full pub."

This Is Local London: The Stag in 1902. It opened in 1874 and its first landlord was called George WadleyThe Stag in 1902. It opened in 1874 and its first landlord was called George Wadley (Image: London Pubs)

The Stag opened in 1874 and is said to have two resident ghosts, including a woman who haunts the cellar. Another story goes that a German bomb in 1941 blew up the outside toilet with the landlord still in it.

Either way, the pub is celebrating its 150th birthday in June with "two special garden parties" and a £150 menu that offers a feast worth much more.

"We will be teaming up with some of our well known faces for a really good knees up to raise some money for charity," says Jonathan Perritt who co-owns the pub with brother Andy.

The siblings started out at The Regent in Kensal Green, and also own The Mall Tavern in Notting Hill, and Beer + Burger in Willesden, King's Cross and Dalston.

They bought The Stag in 2008 from a mother and daughter team, and carried out a six week refurb including painting the pub its now signature black.This Is Local London: The Stag in the late 90s and early noughties before the current owners painted it blackThe Stag in the late 90s and early noughties before the current owners painted it black (Image: London Pubs)

Food comes courtesy of Italian chef Paolo, who previously worked at the Four Seasons in Park Lane. He cooks up a popular Sunday roast alongside "great seasonal British food" using, where possible, local suppliers. 

The current menu includes a crowd-pleasing classic Cumberland scotch egg with grain mustard mayo, a creamy burrata with basil and heritage tomatoes, a perfectly golden-topped beef and bone marrow pie with seasonal greens, and a knock out sea bream in a miso beurre blanc.

This Is Local London: The pub is known for its extensive beer garden and Sunday roastsThe pub is known for its extensive beer garden and Sunday roasts (Image: Courtesy of The Stag)

Covid, Brexit and the cost of living crisis have all hit the business, but Jonathan says as an independent meant they could be "nimble and offer the best value that we can."

It also means they can choose an unrivalled range of drink, from craft beers to custom made cocktails, and small batch spirits, and a whopping 24 ales on tap.

There's also fortnightly comedy on Mondays with big names like Stephen Merchant working up new material, and £10 lunch options.

Jonathan who lives above The Stag, adds: "I love the vibe of a good pub. We are working hard to to what we do best, offer great neighbourhood hospitality.

"We don't underestimate the impact of a good local pub as a constant that communities really benefit from." 

The Stag is at 67, Fleet Road, NW3.