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

25 Canonbury Lane - Superb for a cocktail by kittylyst

kittylyst — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:47:05 +0000

Review by kittylyst

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7226 0955

Slight tucked away from the bustle of Upper Street, this is a great little bar for a couple of cocktails before dinner.

An extended session here would definitely be bad for the wallet, as the cocktails are not cheap, but they are at least reasonably-sized and well made.

Crowd is mostly upmarket locals, with a reasonably high percentage of 'special occasion' dates.

It can get a little crowded on a weekend night, but at quieter times is a fantastic way to while away an hour or two.Slight tucked away from the bustle of Upper Street, this is a great little bar for a couple of cocktails before dinner.

An extended session here would definitely be bad for the wallet, as the cocktails are not cheap, but they are at least reasonably-sized and well made.

Crowd is mostly upmarket locals, with a reasonably high percentage of 'special occasion' dates.

It can get a little crowded on a weekend night, but at quieter times is a fantastic way to while away an hour or two.

Albert & Pearl - wicked party by jacyn_tha1

jacyn_tha1 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:59:21 +0000

Review by jacyn_tha1

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7354 9993

Website: http://www.albertandpearl.com/

Tags: cool, relaxed, italian

Really great place to go on a Friday. I had my 30th birthday party here last week and it was cool. The decor and the music was spoton because you could still talk and socialise but still have a good dance. you need to check out the drinks cabinet, it's fantastic!!

a big thumbs up from meReally great place to go on a Friday. I had my 30th birthday party here last week and it was cool. The decor and the music was spoton because you could still talk and socialise but still have a good dance. you need to check out the drinks cabinet, it's fantastic!!

a big thumbs up from me

Central Station - Closing Down !!! by garyj57

garyj57 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:17:24 +0000

Review by garyj57

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7278 3294

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

Tags: food, tv for sporting events, terrace

concerned that i have heard that this venue is on the verge of bankruptcy. i see an advert in the paper saying that they will be closed. What about our new years tickets? will we get a refund?
The venue is ok, they have opened a restaurant, the food was ok ish. nothing to write home about. bog standard with decoration done on the cheap. typical central station. it may be good when they go bust as it will bring fresh blood to bring a new venue.concerned that i have heard that this venue is on the verge of bankruptcy. i see an advert in the paper saying that they will be closed. What about our new years tickets? will we get a refund?
The venue is ok, they have opened a restaurant, the food was ok ish. nothing to write home about. bog standard with decoration done on the cheap. typical central station. it may be good when they go bust as it will bring fresh blood to bring a new venue.

The Albion - Still Worth A Visit by kittylyst

kittylyst — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:08:46 +0000

Review by kittylyst

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7607 7450

Tags: beer garden, relaxed, food

The current owners came in a couple of years ago with a fairly explicit agenda to increase turnover, which they presumably did - certainly the comfortable decor, and lovely, rambling, characterful garden were the first things to go.

Despite the pub not being what it was, and the attempts to turn the superb (and unique) garden into a clone of every other beer garden in London, the Albion is still worth a visit in the summer.

The location means that the garden remains quiet and still even at the height of summer (despite being located in the middle of N1) and the pub remains the closest thing one can find to a country pub (albeit a rather generic one nowadays) without leaving Zone 1.

Standard real ales on tap, slightly above average wine list, passable food.The current owners came in a couple of years ago with a fairly explicit agenda to increase turnover, which they presumably did - certainly the comfortable decor, and lovely, rambling, characterful garden were the first things to go.

Despite the pub not being what it was, and the attempts to turn the superb (and unique) garden into a clone of every other beer garden in London, the Albion is still worth a visit in the summer.

The location means that the garden remains quiet and still even at the height of summer (despite being located in the middle of N1) and the pub remains the closest thing one can find to a country pub (albeit a rather generic one nowadays) without leaving Zone 1.

Standard real ales on tap, slightly above average wine list, passable food.

The Angelic - by brenna

brenna — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:03:07 +0000

Review by brenna

Rating: 4.00Cosy pub with a nice atmosphere, but often too busy. Get there early or reserve a table if you want a seat. Food is pretty good too - they do tapas and roasts on sundays! All in all a nice pub away from Upper Street but still in a good location.Cosy pub with a nice atmosphere, but often too busy. Get there early or reserve a table if you want a seat. Food is pretty good too - they do tapas and roasts on sundays! All in all a nice pub away from Upper Street but still in a good location.

Hemingford Arms - A little gem by brenna

brenna — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:00:33 +0000

Review by brenna

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7607 3303

Website: http://www.capitalpubcompany.com

Tags: excellent pub food, live music, relaxed

A great friendly pub, full of old relics and vintage bits and bobs hung from the ceiling, on the window ledges....everywhere! Chairs appear to be old church pews - very mismatched but which adds to the chaos of this absolute little gem!

Friendly staff, great thai food and lots of picnic tables outside which i imagine would be packed in the summer!A great friendly pub, full of old relics and vintage bits and bobs hung from the ceiling, on the window ledges....everywhere! Chairs appear to be old church pews - very mismatched but which adds to the chaos of this absolute little gem!

Friendly staff, great thai food and lots of picnic tables outside which i imagine would be packed in the summer!

Bluu - Breath of fresh air.. by CristinaA

CristinaA — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:16:04 +0000

Review by CristinaA

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7613 2793

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

Tags: jazz, food, cool

What a breath of fresh air.

Hoxton can have some pretty nice bars and some horrible ones too. This is one of the nicest, the staff at Bluu made me feel welcome; there were no pretentious attitude and the food was excellent, good and wholesome.

Itâ¬"s becoming very difficult to find a warm and welcoming bar in Hoxton, but this one fits the bill.

What a breath of fresh air.

Hoxton can have some pretty nice bars and some horrible ones too. This is one of the nicest, the staff at Bluu made me feel welcome; there were no pretentious attitude and the food was excellent, good and wholesome.

Itâ¬"s becoming very difficult to find a warm and welcoming bar in Hoxton, but this one fits the bill.

Trafik - Don't like it... by CristinaA

CristinaA — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:09:58 +0000

Review by CristinaA

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7613 0234

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

Tags: cool, food, bar

There's nothing that appeals to me about this place. I don't like it insidde, I don't like the music and I don't like the cocktails.

I'm a regular in Shoreditch and there are so many better places to go to than here.There's nothing that appeals to me about this place. I don't like it insidde, I don't like the music and I don't like the cocktails.

I'm a regular in Shoreditch and there are so many better places to go to than here.

The Old Queen's Head - This Pub's Great!!! by Barry_Heat

Barry_Heat — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:14:14 +0000

Review by Barry_Heat

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7354 9993

Tags: live music, friendly, house

This place is a right gem. I go there at least once a month on weekend nights. They always seem to have big name dj's playing and the is vibe is awesome. If you're looking for a good party in Angel I strongly recommend it. I've had a cracking roast there and seen good bands and comedy in their function room on the odd Sunday too.

Recommended!!!This place is a right gem. I go there at least once a month on weekend nights. They always seem to have big name dj's playing and the is vibe is awesome. If you're looking for a good party in Angel I strongly recommend it. I've had a cracking roast there and seen good bands and comedy in their function room on the odd Sunday too.

Recommended!!!

Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen - by queenie1

queenie1 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:54:22 +0000

Review by queenie1

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7613 0709

Tags: food, comfy, trendy

I stayed in the Hoxton hotel and saw something i had never seen before: a restaurant and bar within a hotel which were actually popular! I stayed on a Saturday night and this place was more packed than most of the local bars! The food is supposed to be excellent, I did not eat here however. The drinks were bog standard London prices. There was a heavy door presence, most likely because of the hotel guests coming in and out. This seems to be a cool place to go in this area. Full of trendies and the rich student type you so often find in London it wouldnt be hard to feel you were sticking out like a sore thumb if you had just tramped down from your hotel room for something from the reception shop though!I stayed in the Hoxton hotel and saw something i had never seen before: a restaurant and bar within a hotel which were actually popular! I stayed on a Saturday night and this place was more packed than most of the local bars! The food is supposed to be excellent, I did not eat here however. The drinks were bog standard London prices. There was a heavy door presence, most likely because of the hotel guests coming in and out. This seems to be a cool place to go in this area. Full of trendies and the rich student type you so often find in London it wouldnt be hard to feel you were sticking out like a sore thumb if you had just tramped down from your hotel room for something from the reception shop though!

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 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!

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 Living Room - Try the edinburgh branch by tapdancingcat

tapdancingcat — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:37:36 +0000

Review by tapdancingcat

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 0870 442 2712

Website: http://www.thelivingroom.uk.com

Tags: bar, smoking, lunch

Having found this cahn in edinurgh an d loving i i thought i'd like this one, but found it disappointingHaving found this cahn in edinurgh an d loving i i thought i'd like this one, but found it disappointing

The House - by k_thrn

k_thrn — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:56:51 +0000

Review by k_thrn

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7704 7410

Website: http://www.inthehouse.biz

Tags: bar, terrace, breakfast

The House now do breakfast - Everything from big ass fry up to light salmon and scramblies! The bread basket is reasonably priced and would be enough for two people with normal size appetites. (We had the fry up as well and were pleasantly plump for the rest of the day) Pain o' chocolate and croissants were made fresh by their pastry chef at The Bull and were delicious!The House now do breakfast - Everything from big ass fry up to light salmon and scramblies! The bread basket is reasonably priced and would be enough for two people with normal size appetites. (We had the fry up as well and were pleasantly plump for the rest of the day) Pain o' chocolate and croissants were made fresh by their pastry chef at The Bull and were delicious!

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, live music, relaxed

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.

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.