Arsenal - Islington.
The Faltering Fullback
Street: 19 Perth Road
Operator: Independent
Open:
12:00 - 00:00 Monday-Sunday
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Finsbury Park (9min)
Piccadilly
Overground: Finsbury Park (9min)
London Overground
About the pub:
Locals' pub that's always busy. Three small seating areas with two clustered around the bar and one to the side more like a private room with a friendly atmosphere enhanced by careful use of lighting. The side bar leads into a larger back room with picnic tables, pool table and a Thai kitchen at rear. Food serving times are not known to us - website gives no details.
When you step out into the back you enter what at first seems like a small, ground floor walled garden but this quickly opens up to a series of higher level decking linked by stairs which probably doubles the overall area of the pub. Smoking permitted outside. It is hard to do justice in words so go to the pub's website which offers a virtual tour.
The flowers are truly a tour de force both at the front of the pub and in the garden. in keeping with its name TV screens show football and rugby. The handpumps in the back bar are quite old but only those in the front seem to be used. Retains some old Courage insignia on the exterior.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Finsbury Park (4min)
wikipedia
The Worlds End
Street: 21-23 Stroud Green Road
Operator: Metropolitan (Greene King)
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
12:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:00 Sundays
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Finsbury Park (4min)
Piccadilly
Overground: Finsbury Park (4min)
London Overground
About the pub:
Just 2 minutes walk from the Wells Terrace side of Finsbury Park tube station. Consisting of many different areas, with a central bar and retaining a number of interesting features, especially the ceiling around the stage which is, once again, being used for its designed purpose - Thu (upbeat acoustic), Fri (Ska funk), Sat (band night), Sun (acoustic). and there's a poker night with an entrance fee on Monday night.
When the stage is not in use a huge screen for sports drops down and there are numerous screens dotted around the pub which allows different sports to be shown that are advertised on a board outside.
Short menu comprises pub standards old and new (burgers, sausages, fajitas, fish and chips) served 12.00 - 22.00 (except Mon - Weds when food service closes at some time between 15.00 and 18.00). Fantastic table football machine.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
The Twelve Pins
Street: 263 Seven Sisters Road
Operator: Independent
Open:
12:00 - 00:00 Monday-Thursday
11:00 - 01:00 Friday-Saturday
11:00 - 00:00 Sunday
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Finsbury Park (1min)
Piccadilly
Overground: Finsbury Park (1min)
London Overground
About the pub:
A very Irish pub named after an Irish mountain range. Has a good quality Victorian-style interior. Craft keg beer such as Adnams Mosaic & Punk IPA on sale.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Rowans Tenpin Bowl (1min)
Rowans
Primos Mexican Cantina (2min)
Primos Mexican
The Gunners Pub
Street: 204 Blackstock Road
Operator: Independent
Open:
12:00 - 00:00 Monday-Sunday
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
No homepage
Underground: Arsenal (8min)
Piccadilly
About the pub:
The Gunners is a shrine to the club with red decor and many framed photos old and new. During all games, the front room is busy and loud but all good natured whereas the room to the rear is a bit more sedate.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Highbury (3min)
wikipedia
Emirates Stadium (10min)
wikipedia
Bank of Friendship
Street: 224 Blackstock Road
Operator: Independent
Open:
16:00 - 00:00 Monday-Thursday
16:00 - 01:00 Friday
12:00 - 01:00 Saturday
12:00 - 00:00 Sunday
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Arsenal (9min)
Piccadilly
About the pub:
Traditional, comfortable pub on Highbury Hill, close to former Arsenal Stadium. Sizeable outside, paved garden seating area to rear. A proper locals' pub. Like being in someone's living room, with the TV for sports in the saloon bar, low background music in the public bar.
Quiet corners where you can gather to chat, and a blazing fire in winter. No food served. They operate a strict over 21s policy.
Described by one of our contributors as "a gem of a pub to be savoured. Not many like this left." Recently extended their range of cask ales, to include a monthly guest. Seriously busy when Arsenal at home. An open mic night takes place every Thursday night from 8:30pm-11pm, and they have just launched summer Sundays live sessions featuring unplugged blues, jazz & folk musicians live in the pub every Sunday from 5-8pm.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Highbury (3min)
wikipedia
The Highbury Barn Tavern (7min)
The Highbury Barn
Emirates Stadium (11min)
wikipedia
The Tollington Arms
Street: 115 Hornsey Road
Operator: The Highbury Pub Company
Open:
12:00 - 00:00 Sunday-Thursday
12:00 - 01:00 Friday-Saturday
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Holloway Road (10min)
Piccadilly
Closed when Arsenal plays
About the pub:
A huge, street-corner pub very substantially modernised with large picture windows and acres of pine. The drinking/eating areas wrap themselves around a large central bar. Thai food is served daily. There are non-Thai options plus Sunday roasts.
There are 8 screens often showing different subjects (mostly for sport) and the pub is very close to the Arsenal's stadium. There is a large outside terrace at the front.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
Emirates Stadium (7min)
wikipedia
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Street: 2A Corsica Street
Operator: Brewhouse & Kitchen
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
12:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Highbury & Islington (3min)
Victoria
Overground: Highbury & Islington (3min)
London Overground
About the pub:
Former tram shed just off Highbury Corner. Was used historically to house the trams that ran on the Highbury to Aldwych route which started in 1906. Opened in 1997 by Regent Inns, later Spirit with Bar Room Bar brand, from 2006 it was owned by Orchid who went into Administration. Acquired by the expanding and ambitious Brewhouse & Kitchen chain in 2014 and, after a period of closure, it has been thoroughly refurbished with the addition of an in-house brewery (opened June 2015).
This is the second Brewhouse & Kitchen brew-pub in London. Keg and also cask beers are offered in third-pint sizes and taster flights. Entry can be controlled when Arsenal are playing at home. Doormen at the front police admission. Learn how to brew beer with their Brewery ‘Experience Days’ and Masterclass - see website for details.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
The Alwyne Castle
Street: 83 St Pauls Road
Operator: Castle (Mitchells & Butlers)
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
12:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Highbury & Islington (6min)
Victoria
Overground: Highbury & Islington (6min)
London Overground
About the pub:
Trading for a while as just The Alwyne (the Alwyne family were Earls of Northumberland and Lords of Canonbury Manor), the pub is now a typical Islington upmarket refurbishment with voluminous sofas, low tables and exposed ducting. Gastro-pub style food is offered daily, for fuller details go to their website with sample menus.
There is a large outside seating area with patio heaters. Tuesday quiz nights. Disabled people will welcome the ramped access and accessible toilet. As well as the draught cask beers a selection of Czech pilsners, German lagers and American "craft" beers are available.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
White Swan
Street: 255-256 Upper Street
Operator: Wetherspoon
Open:
08:00 - 00:00 Sunday-Thursday
08:00 - 00:30 Friday-Saturday
Map: Arsenal Islington pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Highbury & Islington (1min)
Victoria
Overground: Highbury & Islington (1min)
London Overground
About the pub:
A bit more interesting than the regular Wetherspoon's shop conversion, the White Swan was created from disused council /union offices in 2000. It backs onto Swan Yard, the remaining part of a much larger yard belonging to the Old White Swan, demolished in the 1960s, which stood next to the post office, separated from Club Union House by the railway station. This is possibly the best place to drink at the top end of Upper Street and you certainly will not find a better range of beers at better prices anywhere in N1.
The tasteful Art Deco interior reminds one of a 1930s cinema, including elaborate banisters, panelling and mirrors, with split levels and an upper gallery floor too. There is an ever-changing range of British real ales, sometimes at least seven at one time. Regular mini beer festivals and cheap food to boot! Well worth a visit - a real community pub, which is a rarity for the area.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Islington
