Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Barnsbury, London, United Kingdom

Duke of Cambridge - The "Fresh and Wild" of gastropubs by chrisp

chrisp — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:55:55 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7359 3066

Website: http://www.sloeberry.co.uk

Tags: gastro pub, independent pub, expensive

If there can be any such thing as a "pariah gastropub", then it's the Duke of Cambridge in Islington. Opened as the UK's first 100% organic gastropub in 1998 it remains a solid, dependable place for a bite to eat but for some reason has in recent years attracted the kind of vitriolic backlash from foodies normally reserved for Â£95 burgers or when Delia "goes cheat". Part of the reason could be that while other food pubs in the capital have matured into rustic French restaurants or gone all "St. John" and started serving spleen and chitterlings, the menu at the Duke has remained steadfastly gastropub-traditional and is aimed squarely at wealthy Islington locals - think Feta Salad, mushroom risotto, Italian sausages - safe, comfortable and familiar. Not that there's anything wrong with that in itself, but the problem with limiting yourself to all organic ingredients is that you suddenly find you have to charge Â£15 for rabbit stew to make the numbers work.

It was a perfectly good rabbit stew - good deep flavours and a nice variety of herbs and veg, if very slightly overcooked rabbit meat and a bit tricky to dissect from the many tiny bones - but all the while there's that nagging knowledge that rabbit is vermin, and a very very cheap meat, and charging Â£15 for a stew that basically involves chucking the carcass in a big pot with some bay leaves and veg and boiling it for an hour is, well, a bit cheeky.If there can be any such thing as a "pariah gastropub", then it's the Duke of Cambridge in Islington. Opened as the UK's first 100% organic gastropub in 1998 it remains a solid, dependable place for a bite to eat but for some reason has in recent years attracted the kind of vitriolic backlash from foodies normally reserved for Â£95 burgers or when Delia "goes cheat". Part of the reason could be that while other food pubs in the capital have matured into rustic French restaurants or gone all "St. John" and started serving spleen and chitterlings, the menu at the Duke has remained steadfastly gastropub-traditional and is aimed squarely at wealthy Islington locals - think Feta Salad, mushroom risotto, Italian sausages - safe, comfortable and familiar. Not that there's anything wrong with that in itself, but the problem with limiting yourself to all organic ingredients is that you suddenly find you have to charge Â£15 for rabbit stew to make the numbers work.

It was a perfectly good rabbit stew - good deep flavours and a nice variety of herbs and veg, if very slightly overcooked rabbit meat and a bit tricky to dissect from the many tiny bones - but all the while there's that nagging knowledge that rabbit is vermin, and a very very cheap meat, and charging Â£15 for a stew that basically involves chucking the carcass in a big pot with some bay leaves and veg and boiling it for an hour is, well, a bit cheeky.

Clockwork - Eclectic setting by ben1982

ben1982 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:54:31 +0000

Review by ben1982

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7837 5387

Tags: bar, pizza, dj

A good fun bar to spend a friday night, there is a wide ranging decor swinging from film memorabilia to seventies splashes of colour. An expansive bar serves a good choice of drinks and regular gigs on the first floor mean you can stumble upstairs and catch some bands later in the eveningA good fun bar to spend a friday night, there is a wide ranging decor swinging from film memorabilia to seventies splashes of colour. An expansive bar serves a good choice of drinks and regular gigs on the first floor mean you can stumble upstairs and catch some bands later in the evening

The Angelic - Classy boozer by ben1982

ben1982 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:50:59 +0000

Review by ben1982

Rating: 4.00Wooden floors, substantial tables and cherubs and other classical flourishes make a great setting for a few beers. Well located behind the main shopping streets, it has a less feisty atmosphere than the more obvious pubs and bars in the area, although it is still packed over the weekend.Wooden floors, substantial tables and cherubs and other classical flourishes make a great setting for a few beers. Well located behind the main shopping streets, it has a less feisty atmosphere than the more obvious pubs and bars in the area, although it is still packed over the weekend.

The Nobody Inn - by larakiara

larakiara — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:42:15 +0000

Review by larakiara

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7249 6430

Tags: food, traditional english

Fun bingo pub quizzes on a Sunday, TV's for the footy, friendly bar staff and a nice decor. The only one downside is that it does live up to its name- the majority of the time there's nobody in there!Fun bingo pub quizzes on a Sunday, TV's for the footy, friendly bar staff and a nice decor. The only one downside is that it does live up to its name- the majority of the time there's nobody in there!

Hemingford Arms - My favourite pub by RobD

RobD — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 10:12:22 +0000

Review by RobD

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7607 3303

Website: http://www.capitalpubcompany.com

Tags: live music, thai, food

I had the fortune to have this as my local (to work) pub for over five years - and it became my trusted friend; for lunch time eats, after-work sloshing, leaving do's, quiet / chilled drinks - the lot. Tucked away in the backstreets of Islington / Cally Road it has become a favoured haunt of the odd celeb too (Mighty Boosh, Frank Skinner - and I tell no lies I have bumped into Kate Moss in there and Johnny Borrell took Kirsten Dunst in one time)- probably because it is an honest-to-goodness real pub. No pretence, proper beer - and none of this gastro bar nonsence. With all manner of bizarre antiques and oddities hanging from the ceiling and on the walls, real fire in the winter, TV for the sport, 'pub music', proper pub seating (i.e no leather sofas here!) and satisfyingly aloof bar staff; this is probably my favourite pub ever. Has a function room upstairs that they open when they can be arsed, the 'burger and pies' menu turns into a decent thai kitchen after 6pm, and they get traditional Irish musicians entertaining bewildered post-workees sometimes on a Friday night. Seek this little-known gem out if you are in the area - forget Upper Street.I had the fortune to have this as my local (to work) pub for over five years - and it became my trusted friend; for lunch time eats, after-work sloshing, leaving do's, quiet / chilled drinks - the lot. Tucked away in the backstreets of Islington / Cally Road it has become a favoured haunt of the odd celeb too (Mighty Boosh, Frank Skinner - and I tell no lies I have bumped into Kate Moss in there and Johnny Borrell took Kirsten Dunst in one time)- probably because it is an honest-to-goodness real pub. No pretence, proper beer - and none of this gastro bar nonsence. With all manner of bizarre antiques and oddities hanging from the ceiling and on the walls, real fire in the winter, TV for the sport, 'pub music', proper pub seating (i.e no leather sofas here!) and satisfyingly aloof bar staff; this is probably my favourite pub ever. Has a function room upstairs that they open when they can be arsed, the 'burger and pies' menu turns into a decent thai kitchen after 6pm, and they get traditional Irish musicians entertaining bewildered post-workees sometimes on a Friday night. Seek this little-known gem out if you are in the area - forget Upper Street.

The Marquess Tavern - by joslyoung

joslyoung — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:41:23 +0000

Review by joslyoung

Rating: 0.00

Phone: 020 7354 2975

Website: http://www.youngs.co.uk

Tags: gastro pub, relaxed, food

Yet another review I wrote that the site deleted instead of saving. Grrr. Anyway the much shorter version of what I was saying about this pub is: why the hell doesn't it open on a Saturday lunchtime?! They must be losing a fortune in potential business, while every other pub and restaurant on Upper St and Essex Road makes a weekend killing. It's their loss I suppose, but it seems a shame. I've eaten dinner here a couple of times and would love to pop by for lunch, but twice now I've tried to visit at the weekend and found it closed (with members of staff sitting around outside smoking fags. S'funny, they're THERE, they're just not working!). The food's good, the prices are toppy but not hideous, and apart from the hideously loud acoustics in the dining room, I couldn't fault anything else about the place. Like the other reviewer, I really would love to love it - they've got good food and outside tables, I've got an appetite and a dog. I just want them to make me lunch at the weekend, damn it!Yet another review I wrote that the site deleted instead of saving. Grrr. Anyway the much shorter version of what I was saying about this pub is: why the hell doesn't it open on a Saturday lunchtime?! They must be losing a fortune in potential business, while every other pub and restaurant on Upper St and Essex Road makes a weekend killing. It's their loss I suppose, but it seems a shame. I've eaten dinner here a couple of times and would love to pop by for lunch, but twice now I've tried to visit at the weekend and found it closed (with members of staff sitting around outside smoking fags. S'funny, they're THERE, they're just not working!). The food's good, the prices are toppy but not hideous, and apart from the hideously loud acoustics in the dining room, I couldn't fault anything else about the place. Like the other reviewer, I really would love to love it - they've got good food and outside tables, I've got an appetite and a dog. I just want them to make me lunch at the weekend, damn it!

The Angel - fine by abcjess

abcjess — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:13:23 +0000

Review by abcjess

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7837 2218

Website: http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Tags: live music, food, relaxed

Although itâ¬"s a J.D. Wetherspoons chain pub, it does have a rustic and less modern feel than most. Its warm and earthy and the staff are always friendly and precise. The food is standard good pub food, the prices are slightly cheaper than the Wetherspoons further into the centre of London so itâ¬"s also a mini bargain. The food came quickly even though it was quite crowded. The outside area is very narrow and falling into the busy (and also narrow) pavement is hard to avoid, especially when theres a lot of smokers about.

But a thoroughly nice but average pub. Its got a good vibe and I would happily go there for drinks after work.
Although itâ¬"s a J.D. Wetherspoons chain pub, it does have a rustic and less modern feel than most. Its warm and earthy and the staff are always friendly and precise. The food is standard good pub food, the prices are slightly cheaper than the Wetherspoons further into the centre of London so itâ¬"s also a mini bargain. The food came quickly even though it was quite crowded. The outside area is very narrow and falling into the busy (and also narrow) pavement is hard to avoid, especially when theres a lot of smokers about.

But a thoroughly nice but average pub. Its got a good vibe and I would happily go there for drinks after work.

The New Rose - Deservedly popular local by niamh49

niamh49 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:52:59 +0000

Review by niamh49

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7226 1082

Website: http://newrose.co.uk/

Tags: real ale, relaxed, great food

A few years ago this was a grotty old men's pub, albeit with rather nice green tiled exterior - the sort of pub that closes by the dozen every month.
Now, with a judicious overhaul, it's been transformed into a buzzing and trendy young hangout, featuring loads of music, djs, decently priced grub, and is always buzy.

This pub deserves to be popular because of the way the original features have been preserved and enhanced. Yes it's good wooden floors and comfy leather seats (everyone likes these). But it has bags of character - check out the stained glass in the women's loos, and joy of joys, a real fire.
This is a pub to enjoy a quiet pint in by day, and have a fun time out at night.
A few years ago this was a grotty old men's pub, albeit with rather nice green tiled exterior - the sort of pub that closes by the dozen every month.
Now, with a judicious overhaul, it's been transformed into a buzzing and trendy young hangout, featuring loads of music, djs, decently priced grub, and is always buzy.

This pub deserves to be popular because of the way the original features have been preserved and enhanced. Yes it's good wooden floors and comfy leather seats (everyone likes these). But it has bags of character - check out the stained glass in the women's loos, and joy of joys, a real fire.
This is a pub to enjoy a quiet pint in by day, and have a fun time out at night.

William IV - Great boozer by eviltwin

eviltwin — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 17:59:53 +0000

Review by eviltwin

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 3119 3012

Website: http://www.williamthefourth.co.uk/

Tags: friendly, young professionals, gastropub

Nicely done out, pub cat, open fireplace, piano, good food and nice owners. Well worth frequenting.Nicely done out, pub cat, open fireplace, piano, good food and nice owners. Well worth frequenting.

25 Canonbury Lane - Too, Too Gorgeous by Hazzer

Hazzer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:07:19 +0000

Review by Hazzer

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7226 0955

Tags: cool, friendly, relaxed

Simply divine little bar, has a lovely gay vibe, although a real mixed crowd. Always full of beautiful men - one of my favourites!Simply divine little bar, has a lovely gay vibe, although a real mixed crowd. Always full of beautiful men - one of my favourites!

Mem & Laz - by spacekadet

spacekadet — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:35:37 +0000

Review by spacekadet

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7704 9089

Tags: lively, turkish, romantic

Mem & Laz rules. The food is delicious - I highly recommend anything with grilled halloumi and the stuffed pepper dolmas. The good house red wine is made great by its unbeatable price. The atmosphere is cozy - be prepared to squeeze between tables to get to your seat. But somehow the candlelight and the theatre posters make the venue feel more snug rather than overcrowded.

Get there before 6pm for the 2- or 3-course meal deal (Â£6.95 or Â£8.95 respectively). It's an amazing deal for the quality.Mem & Laz rules. The food is delicious - I highly recommend anything with grilled halloumi and the stuffed pepper dolmas. The good house red wine is made great by its unbeatable price. The atmosphere is cozy - be prepared to squeeze between tables to get to your seat. But somehow the candlelight and the theatre posters make the venue feel more snug rather than overcrowded.

Get there before 6pm for the 2- or 3-course meal deal (Â£6.95 or Â£8.95 respectively). It's an amazing deal for the quality.

Glass Works - ok late night drinking by glenburg1

glenburg1 — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:49:13 +0000

Review by glenburg1

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7354 6100

Website: http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Tags: cool, food, relaxed

ok place for late night drinking
not bad prices ,atmosphere can be so, so at times.
best to go here before going on somewhere although its open until 2 or 3 am,it can get a little rough later on and after around 11 pm there are quite often long quees to get in.
always have a dj on on the weekend and most week nights,
mixed range of music ,good cocktails (love the jugs)small dance floor which is usually packed (as is the bar)
can take a while to get served ,but if theres a group of you GLASS WORKS can equall a great night outok place for late night drinking
not bad prices ,atmosphere can be so, so at times.
best to go here before going on somewhere although its open until 2 or 3 am,it can get a little rough later on and after around 11 pm there are quite often long quees to get in.
always have a dj on on the weekend and most week nights,
mixed range of music ,good cocktails (love the jugs)small dance floor which is usually packed (as is the bar)
can take a while to get served ,but if theres a group of you GLASS WORKS can equall a great night out

Trafik - Errrr... No! by QueenB

QueenB — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:23:58 +0000

Review by QueenB

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7613 0234

Website: http://www.trafikinfo.co.uk/

Tags: bar, dj, food

This place is a dump! Simple.

A couple of us stopped in here for drinks after work on Friday, while we decided where we wanted to go that night.
Never again!

First of the they need English speaking staff - simple drink requests took 10 minutes as we had to point out each spirit on the bar behind the girl.
The sofa's were all ripped and tatty. The bar environment was very dingy and dark - just uninviting really.
Music ranged from rock to hardcore ata very loud level.

I didn't get to experience the dancefloor downstairs as this was still shut - what a shame!

The toilets, you have to walk back to the main door, with access direct from the street for anyone passing, go downstairs in a dimly corridor to be met with 3 dirty cubicle areas that smelt like they hadn't been cleaned in years.

I wouldn't even give this place 1 star, sorry!This place is a dump! Simple.

A couple of us stopped in here for drinks after work on Friday, while we decided where we wanted to go that night.
Never again!

First of the they need English speaking staff - simple drink requests took 10 minutes as we had to point out each spirit on the bar behind the girl.
The sofa's were all ripped and tatty. The bar environment was very dingy and dark - just uninviting really.
Music ranged from rock to hardcore ata very loud level.

I didn't get to experience the dancefloor downstairs as this was still shut - what a shame!

The toilets, you have to walk back to the main door, with access direct from the street for anyone passing, go downstairs in a dimly corridor to be met with 3 dirty cubicle areas that smelt like they hadn't been cleaned in years.

I wouldn't even give this place 1 star, sorry!

Alwyne Castle - Big Pub! by MaryamF

MaryamF — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:32:53 +0000

Review by MaryamF

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7288 9861

Tags: live music, pool tables, food

Nice,big Pub with a lot of rooms connected to each other! I was sort of lost at the beginning! Lively atmosphere, old leather furniture and cosy.... Great place to hang out with friends and have lots and lots of beer! ;)Nice,big Pub with a lot of rooms connected to each other! I was sort of lost at the beginning! Lively atmosphere, old leather furniture and cosy.... Great place to hang out with friends and have lots and lots of beer! ;)

The Warwick - finally, something different in Angel! by jonw

jonw — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 20:23:20 +0000

Review by jonw

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7688 2882

Website: http://www.thewarwickbar.com

Tags: dj, late license, rare finds

Well, i was quite a fan of The Warwick although i rarely made time to go there but now it has changed it's guise i think i might become a regular. At last we have a real breath of fresh air in angel, with cool music of a number of different genres and some awesome drinks this is definitely a step in the right direction. Barrio North as it is now called is a vast improvement on what was here before, it's got bags of atmosphere and really friendly staff to keep you happy all night long. I went down with some friends for a party recently and had a great time - I just wish we could have sat in the caravan!Well, i was quite a fan of The Warwick although i rarely made time to go there but now it has changed it's guise i think i might become a regular. At last we have a real breath of fresh air in angel, with cool music of a number of different genres and some awesome drinks this is definitely a step in the right direction. Barrio North as it is now called is a vast improvement on what was here before, it's got bags of atmosphere and really friendly staff to keep you happy all night long. I went down with some friends for a party recently and had a great time - I just wish we could have sat in the caravan!

The Macbeth - The Macbeth by miffy

miffy — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 23:02:23 +0000

Review by miffy

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7739 5095

Tags: live music, independent pub, cool

Funny how the other two reviews are so differnt, I've never seen this pub with a sports crowd but it is certainly one of the trendier pubs of hoxton. A variety of live music from rock to electro to indie. Xerox teens host a night there "the parlour" every month I think and many bands play there regularly, past bands include: good shoes, xerox teens, cazals. Reasonable drink prices and friendly people. Only issue with it is the council estate opposite who aren't always into drunken hoxton heroes. Funny how the other two reviews are so differnt, I've never seen this pub with a sports crowd but it is certainly one of the trendier pubs of hoxton. A variety of live music from rock to electro to indie. Xerox teens host a night there "the parlour" every month I think and many bands play there regularly, past bands include: good shoes, xerox teens, cazals. Reasonable drink prices and friendly people. Only issue with it is the council estate opposite who aren't always into drunken hoxton heroes.

Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen - by yahnyinlondon

yahnyinlondon — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:57:39 +0000

Review by yahnyinlondon

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7613 0709

Tags: food, comfy, trendy

Awful awful bar. Overpriced drinks, posing clientele, terrible music. I had the misfortune of going here twice in two weeks. They also have stupid rules for smokers (can't take drinks into smoking area) - Not that I smoke but all my friends were smoking so I went outside to stand with them.. we all had to leave our drinks unattended. That's a drink spiking incident waiting to happen.Awful awful bar. Overpriced drinks, posing clientele, terrible music. I had the misfortune of going here twice in two weeks. They also have stupid rules for smokers (can't take drinks into smoking area) - Not that I smoke but all my friends were smoking so I went outside to stand with them.. we all had to leave our drinks unattended. That's a drink spiking incident waiting to happen.

The Bull - Very cool by JehonaGjurgjeala

JehonaGjurgjeala — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:55:01 +0000

Review by JehonaGjurgjeala

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7354 9174

Tags: food, cosy, friendly staff

The Bull belongs to the family of less traditional pubs, with lots of funky/diverse funiture, interesting selection of non-alochoholic and alchoholic drinks and quite a bit of space. Spread over two floors, no corner of this pub looks the same. There is a table on the top floor where you can borrow or exchange books. There is very little or no music (maybe a jukebox?) and when it plays it is not a conversation killer. The food is quite good, too.The Bull belongs to the family of less traditional pubs, with lots of funky/diverse funiture, interesting selection of non-alochoholic and alchoholic drinks and quite a bit of space. Spread over two floors, no corner of this pub looks the same. There is a table on the top floor where you can borrow or exchange books. There is very little or no music (maybe a jukebox?) and when it plays it is not a conversation killer. The food is quite good, too.

The Narrow Boat - by Angel_Bury

Angel_Bury — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:30:35 +0000

Review by Angel_Bury

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7288 9821

Tags: food, modern pub, standard pub food

well yeah it's a nice enough spot to stop for a canal-side pint, if you don't mind being driven off the tow-path by the incessant greedy path grabbing cyclists and three-wheeled yum-mums constantly beevering by.

I used to come to this boozer, when it was just a boozer, frank, honest and waterside, no gastro pretences, just a good honest pub. It's defenitley gotten a bit up it's arse since they've started serving things on foccacia (sp?)

anyhoo....quite nice but do head on up that tow-path, get off at the next bridge, head up Wenlock St to the Wenlock arms for some proper old fashioned old stylee old street drinking. You'll have to make do with porkscratchings or a sausage sarnie, but THAT boozer it a gem...seek it out!well yeah it's a nice enough spot to stop for a canal-side pint, if you don't mind being driven off the tow-path by the incessant greedy path grabbing cyclists and three-wheeled yum-mums constantly beevering by.

I used to come to this boozer, when it was just a boozer, frank, honest and waterside, no gastro pretences, just a good honest pub. It's defenitley gotten a bit up it's arse since they've started serving things on foccacia (sp?)

anyhoo....quite nice but do head on up that tow-path, get off at the next bridge, head up Wenlock St to the Wenlock arms for some proper old fashioned old stylee old street drinking. You'll have to make do with porkscratchings or a sausage sarnie, but THAT boozer it a gem...seek it out!

The Elk In The Woods - by gilka

gilka — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 15:01:38 +0000

Review by gilka

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7226 3535

Website: http://www.the-elk-in-the-woods.co.uk/

Tags: cosy, friendly, food

Elk in the wood is a gasto pub located in a very narrow and cute street, close to angel tube. It gets very busy so better to come early. The food was excellent although a bit pricy. The staff were friendly and entertaining... There is a large table at the back if you come in a large group. It is very cosy and has nice and pleasant yellow lighting . This place is just charming! yes, that it the right word...Elk in the wood is a gasto pub located in a very narrow and cute street, close to angel tube. It gets very busy so better to come early. The food was excellent although a bit pricy. The staff were friendly and entertaining... There is a large table at the back if you come in a large group. It is very cosy and has nice and pleasant yellow lighting . This place is just charming! yes, that it the right word...