All pubs are all within walking distance of each other. You are welcome to text or call 07899 980 307 to find out where we are.
Brewhouse and Kitchen: Torrens Street, Finsbury EC1V 1NG
http://www.brewhouseandkitchen.com
Part of a small chain of brew pubs, this one has eight handpumps dispensing its own beers, together with a bottled selection from other breweries (beer menu on tables). Brewing takes place at the rear of the pub, using the kit from the Botanist at Kew. Opening time is well before noon, but no food is available until then. Large, modern building with friendly, interested staff.
Earl of Essex: 25 Danbury Street, Islington N1 8LE
GBG 2015. Another brew pub! Contemporary design, with a garden to the rear. The central, oval shaped bar houses the brewing kit. Their own brew, Earls, is usually available on one of the six handpumps, and invariably present on keg. Most of the other ales are from micros. As you enter the pub there is a blackboard on the left hand wall listing the beers available and specifying the method of dispense. Extensive bottled beer list; Gwatkin’s cider; food available all day.
The Old Queen’s Head: 44 Essex Road, Islington N1 8LN
http://www.theoldqueenshead.com
This quirky pub now has two handpumps, both dedicated to Truman’s beers. Sofas and dining chairs are scattered over one large room. There is an old carved settle, and a fireplace at the rear with wood panelling above. Various stags’ heads and a skull look down on the proceedings, and the chandeliers are made from antlers. Food is available - mainly burgers, including psychic burgers!
New Rose (Pub sign reads ‘Just Another Pub’!): 84-86 Essex Road (corner of Popham Street), Islington N1 8LU
http://www.thenewrose.co.uk
GBG 2015. A Locale outlet with four handpumps. Small room at the front with roses embossed into the seat backs; two large drinking spaces behind. CAMRA discount. Food available – pizzas, burgers and mains.
York: 82 Islington High Street, Islington N1 8EQ
A Nicholson’s house with twelve handpumps: there are usually four guest beers. Large, street corner pub, which confusingly looks as if it's on Upper Street. As usual with Nicholson’s pubs there is a lot of dark wood and etched glass, together with a deep red ceiling, a fireplace with mirror above, and the older back bar fittings hint at what it would have looked like in a previous age. By 1851 the York Hotel stood on this site but was rebuilt in 1872, at which time cows grazed right up to the front door. Food available.
The Three Johns: 73 White Lion Street, Pentonville N1 9PF
Corner of White Lion / Baron Street
http://www.three-johns.com
Largish modern, two roomed pub with wood panelling, bare brickwork, a copper tiled ceiling and large windows. Three hand pumps serve beers from varying micros (e.g. Crate; Alchemy; Arbor) plus there are ‘craft’ keg beers and a good bottled beer list. Pizza menu (including pizza desserts). The Three Johns were apparently 18th century radicals. Background music.
Craft Beer Co: 55 White Lion Street, Pentonville N1 9PP
GBG 2015. Ten handpumps dispense ales from independent breweries, plus twenty ‘craft’ kegs and numerous bottled beers. This carpeted, split level pub is rather more cosy and ‘pubby’ than most of the chain, and has a small garden to the side. Burgers available.
