Latest reviews for Events & Entertainment in Islington, London, United Kingdom

Beer Exposed - A Beer Fest by bron99

bron99 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:46:31 +0000

Review by bron99

Rating: 4.00

Website: www.beerexposed.com

Last weekend was devoted to beer in all its guises at the inaugural beer exposed show at Islington's Business Design Centre.It's a great space for such an event with it's domed translucent roof far above the ground, it feels big and airy and conducive to supping a quiet drink. The event was organised to widen the appeal of proper beer - a sort of corrective to the ubiquity of ice cold lager. With around 85 different beers and brewers they certainly had the numbers on their side. They came from everywhere - west country, Wales, Scotland were locals compared to Czech, Cuban, Belgian and French offerings. And of course a beer festival cannot be a beer festival without an Australian offering - in this case the enjoyable Coopers Sparkling, long one of my own favourites.

I confess I am not the biggest fan of bitter but my man is a serious fiend for cask ale so we were a bit of an odd couple at the start. We arrived about half an hour into the evening session and the hall was not very busy, just a low hum of interested chatter and lots of stalls serving a myriad of beers. We collected a glass then started out round some of the stalls. Not knowing most of them I thought it wise to sample a few sips - and some of them I really enjoyed.

I liked the offerings from Brew Dog - a kind of punk upstart that makes good beer with anarchic packaging. Bakalar was a slightly sweeter version of Budvar - another Czech offering - brewed in a massive brewery underwritten by Russian money. The beers we both liked the most were from Country Life in Devon, who produce 15,000 pints a week. I'd never heard of them - and neither had my beer loving boy. So, a definite result.

And you can buy it in Aldi.Last weekend was devoted to beer in all its guises at the inaugural beer exposed show at Islington's Business Design Centre.It's a great space for such an event with it's domed translucent roof far above the ground, it feels big and airy and conducive to supping a quiet drink. The event was organised to widen the appeal of proper beer - a sort of corrective to the ubiquity of ice cold lager. With around 85 different beers and brewers they certainly had the numbers on their side. They came from everywhere - west country, Wales, Scotland were locals compared to Czech, Cuban, Belgian and French offerings. And of course a beer festival cannot be a beer festival without an Australian offering - in this case the enjoyable Coopers Sparkling, long one of my own favourites.

I confess I am not the biggest fan of bitter but my man is a serious fiend for cask ale so we were a bit of an odd couple at the start. We arrived about half an hour into the evening session and the hall was not very busy, just a low hum of interested chatter and lots of stalls serving a myriad of beers. We collected a glass then started out round some of the stalls. Not knowing most of them I thought it wise to sample a few sips - and some of them I really enjoyed.

I liked the offerings from Brew Dog - a kind of punk upstart that makes good beer with anarchic packaging. Bakalar was a slightly sweeter version of Budvar - another Czech offering - brewed in a massive brewery underwritten by Russian money. The beers we both liked the most were from Country Life in Devon, who produce 15,000 pints a week. I'd never heard of them - and neither had my beer loving boy. So, a definite result.

And you can buy it in Aldi.

Carling Academy - lacking soul by carum

carum — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:32:48 +0000

Review by carum

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7288 4400

The academy plays host to loads of great acts such as Franz Ferdinand and kings of Leon and the like. The sound in here just works perfectly and the acoustics are just superb. I have been to loads of great gigs here but every time something always feels just a little wrong. I now know what it is itâ¬"s the setting it just seems wrong to have a concert hall in the middle of a shopping centre and thatâ¬"s whats wrong with places like the millennium dome or the 02. I think London needs more purpose built venues for live music and quickly. Great gigs but no soul.The academy plays host to loads of great acts such as Franz Ferdinand and kings of Leon and the like. The sound in here just works perfectly and the acoustics are just superb. I have been to loads of great gigs here but every time something always feels just a little wrong. I now know what it is itâ¬"s the setting it just seems wrong to have a concert hall in the middle of a shopping centre and thatâ¬"s whats wrong with places like the millennium dome or the 02. I think London needs more purpose built venues for live music and quickly. Great gigs but no soul.

Union Chapel - by FallenAngel

FallenAngel — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:34:51 +0000

Review by FallenAngel

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7226 1686

Website: http://www.unionchapel.org.uk

A stone's throw from the joys of Upper Street and walking distance from Highbury and Islington Tube, this magical venue is made for music performance. Usually acoustic acts or indie bands, the acoustics lend themselves perfectly to such music.

The building itself is breathtakingly beautiful and the round set up of the seating contributes to an intimate feel. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

There is wheelchair access (although the ramp the bring out is fairly precarious) and an accessible loo. The bar is upstairs however and offically alcohol isnt allowed in the auditorium (it being a church and all that) so you're a bit stuck if you can't get up the stairs. As with all churches, the pews arent all that comfy so take a cushion. Despite these small grumbles, a great venue with brilliant music. Oh and if you forget your tickets (guilty)- don't worry there's always a list at the door.A stone's throw from the joys of Upper Street and walking distance from Highbury and Islington Tube, this magical venue is made for music performance. Usually acoustic acts or indie bands, the acoustics lend themselves perfectly to such music.

The building itself is breathtakingly beautiful and the round set up of the seating contributes to an intimate feel. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

There is wheelchair access (although the ramp the bring out is fairly precarious) and an accessible loo. The bar is upstairs however and offically alcohol isnt allowed in the auditorium (it being a church and all that) so you're a bit stuck if you can't get up the stairs. As with all churches, the pews arent all that comfy so take a cushion. Despite these small grumbles, a great venue with brilliant music. Oh and if you forget your tickets (guilty)- don't worry there's always a list at the door.

Vue - Angel Vue by jellybeans

jellybeans — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:37:15 +0000

Review by jellybeans

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0871 224 0240

Website: http://www.myvue.com

Tags: air conditioning, bar / lounge bar, auto ticket machines

The Vue cinema in Angel is a big multiplex. You can get to from the main road and the closest tube station is Angel, but you have to walk a bit to get to here.

It's very big and spacious and coupled with the large screens and state of the art sound gives you a great performance if this is what you are looking for.

They have their popcorn and other things you can but, but these can be expensive and being in London, the prices for tickets are not cheap either.

If you want a trip out and fancy the cinema though, this is a good place to go to. You can always eat something at a local fast food restaurant like a nearby McDonalds or being something with you if you really want.

But if you like the while cinema experience, then you can't go too wrong here. Avoid the busy times or not and its still a great experience here.The Vue cinema in Angel is a big multiplex. You can get to from the main road and the closest tube station is Angel, but you have to walk a bit to get to here.

It's very big and spacious and coupled with the large screens and state of the art sound gives you a great performance if this is what you are looking for.

They have their popcorn and other things you can but, but these can be expensive and being in London, the prices for tickets are not cheap either.

If you want a trip out and fancy the cinema though, this is a good place to go to. You can always eat something at a local fast food restaurant like a nearby McDonalds or being something with you if you really want.

But if you like the while cinema experience, then you can't go too wrong here. Avoid the busy times or not and its still a great experience here.