A GUIDE TO ISLINGTON A GUIDE TO ISLINGTON Islington is fast becoming one of London’s trendiest boroughs, with the perfect mix of fine dining restaurants, chic bars, vintage boutiques, vibrant nightlife, live music events, art galleries, beautiful parks and some of the best coffee in the capital. As the birthplace and home to many famous faces, including Emma Watson, Kate Winslet, Colin Firth, Lily Allen and Jimmy Carr, the area is a hotspot for creative talent. There’s always plenty of live events and exclusive exhibitions taking place to fill your diary from day to night. We’ve asked some top London bloggers where their favourite places to visit in Islington are, and have shared some of our own recommendations too. So whether you enjoy a cocktail after work, brunch at the weekend, or watching an up-and-coming band, we’ve strolled the streets of Islington to give you all the best things to see and do. Have a read of these recommendations and enjoy everything Islington has to offer. #GuideToIslington ST JOHN’S TAVERN Not every pub can call itself a tapas bar, a craft beer house and a trendy pub-cum-restaurant all in one go. St John’s Tavern can though. It really does offer a bit of everything, making it a great place to unwind for a beer on a summer day with friends, as well as a weekend pitstop for traditional pub food with a European twist. All the ingredients in their kitchen are locally sourced from nearby farms, bringing out the British roots in this hearty pub. The specials menu changes throughout the year to accommodate seasonal vegetables and fruits so you’ll always be able to find something different to tempt your palate. THE GATE Sarah | www.essbeevee.co.uk @EssBeeVee “Although I’m not a vegetarian, I eat a lot of veggie food and I’m actually quite fussy with it. I think veggie options can be quite lazy - a lot of places think that just removing the meat is the only way to go, but of course it isn’t. A good vegetarian meal has been planned without any meat in mind, making a hero out of the vegetables used. I don’t frequent veggie restaurants often, so I was excited to see what The Gate was like - was it going to be run-of-the-mill, or innovative? Well, I’m happy to say it was the latter - this is a place that loves vegetables, and wants to show people what they can do. Overall, it was a really delicious meal, and I loved the fact that I didn’t wake up the next morning feeling poisoned and bloated, as I would have if I’d eaten a giant, meaty dish instead. I’d really recommend The Gate - it’s lovely inside, quite a fancy spot, in fact - and the service was great too, with our waiter happy to make recommendations. It’s absolutely somewhere I’d go back to, with or without a vegetarian pal.” THE HEN & CHICKENS THEATRE BAR Located on Holloway Road, this fantastic venue showcases the rising stars of London’s comedy scene, as well as big names like Russell Brand and Jimmy Carr. Small and intimate, the venue allows you to get up close and personal with your favourite stand-ups. The theatre also has a great bar (as its name suggests), full of wines and real ales, plus a tasty cocktail menu. Here, you can spice up your own Bloody Marys to taste, or relax with a cool Mojito in the summer. So if you’re looking for a fun evening out with a comedy twist, try The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar. 500 The snug Italian restaurant, 500, has a real community feeling, with just seven people keeping the kitchen open every day. Dining here is like being transported to Italy and trying an authentic variety of pasta and seafood dishes. The really special thing about the restaurant is that all the pasta sauces are made on the premises every day, working traditional tomato, vegetable and meat flavours into everyone’s favourite Italian staple. Make sure you save room for dessert too, as the tiramisu is truly mouth-watering. THE ISLINGTON MUSEUM Photo Credit: Islington Museum The Islington Museum is an ideal place to take your family in London. If you have children, there are always great activities and events on, designed to educate and entertain children of all ages. It is also filled with interactive exhibitions, installations, fascinating memorabilia and displays revealing the intriguing history of London, that are fun for adults too. Permanent themes in the museum include: food & drink, fashion, leisure, health, radicals, wartime, care, home and childhood, although special exhibitions and workshops pop up regularly displaying newly sourced artefacts, artworks or photographs. So if you want to understand the heritage of your area, the Islington Museum is the perfect place to visit. NIGHTJAR & BARRIO NORTH & LOOK MUM NO HANDS! Look Mum No Hands! Em | www.catch52.me @Catchfiftytwo “Islington has definitely inherited some of the quirkiness from its neighbour Shoreditch. There are lots of hidden gems to be found in the fashionable Islington area. Here are my top three spots: If you’re looking for a buzzing yet laid-back bar to start your evening, Nightjar on Old Street Roundabout is the place to be. With a hidden door, creative cocktails and relaxing jazz music, you won’t be disappointed. This place is never empty, so be sure to book in advance. For somewhere more upbeat with great music, tropical decor and lethal drinks, you’ve got Barrio Angel right off Upper Street on Essex Road. Lastly, to cure that hangover from the night before, there are also lots of coffee shops around. A personal favourite of mine is the bicycle cafe, Look Mum No Hands!, on Old Street. Enjoy a nice coffee in fun surroundings. The place is packed with locals, with or without bikes!” LUCKY VOICE If you’re looking for a memorable night, end up in a karaoke bar! Lucky Voice has fantastic karaoke facilities and you can even hire your own booth so that you can enjoy singing along with your friends in semi-privacy. Clever acoustic effects also mean that your voice will sound great, even if you’re a little croaky! There are multiple plasma screens positioned throughout the club, so you’ll always be able to make your requests and sing your favourite songs. Lucky Voice also has many cocktails, wines, beers and spirits on offer, to quench your thirst between numbers. You can book special packages and cocktail masterclasses too for birthdays and hen-dos. And don’t forget the nightly events, including music quizzes and speed duetting - speed dating with a musical twist. SCREEN ON THE GREEN Nancy | www.hellonancy.co.uk Twitter: @NancyStraughan Instagram: @nancy_straughan “My favorite spot in Islington has to be the Screen on The Green cinema. Not only is the beautiful building an iconic part of Islington but in my opinion it’s the best cinema in London. With super-comfortable seats, miles of legroom and a cocktail bar in the screen room itself, what’s not to like? The first time I went it was to see Blue Velvet at a midnight showing; with my cocktail and popcorn in hand I was a very happy lady indeed.” KING’S HEAD THEATRE PUB A real hidden gem, the King’s Head Theatre Pub is a truly impressive establishment that has launched the careers of many well-respected British actors, including Joanna Lumley, Steven Berkoff, Tom Stoppard, Hugh Grant and the late Alan Rickman. Previously a Victorian pub, a boxing ring and a pool hall, this tiny venue has served the city well over the centuries. Its small size and intriguing history (which actually spans back to the 1500s!) make it one of the must-visit pubs in all of London, never mind Islington. Pull up a chair, enjoy a beer and watch one of the many performances, including the yearly festival featuring scripts from upcoming writers. THE BREAKFAST CLUB & OTTOLENGHI & KIPFERL Photo Credit: Johnny Pakington | Kipferl Kristine | www.citysocializer.com @citysocializer “Make sure you try the pancakes and bacon or one of the delicious egg dishes at The Breakfast Club. For lunch, try some of Ottolenghi’s world-famous Mediterranean dishes, sitting in a communal table where you can chat to some new people and maybe even meet some new friends. To satisfy your sweet tooth and continue with your European theme, you should taste the delicious desserts in Kipferl, with their gorgeous traditional cakes from a variety of areas in Austria.” HOME & PANTRY Photo Credit: Home and Pantry If you’re hoping to browse some great gifts and trinkets, Home & Pantry is the place for you. This shop is located on Upper Street and is full of fantastic home ideas and soft furnishings. Well-known for being quirky and fashionable, it has something for everyone – from beautiful jewellery to unique drawers and furnishings. The store also holds workshops, which give you a fun way to socialise with your neighbours and create some crafts for your home at the same time. The classes are led by experts, and teach everyone how to transform their furniture in simple and fun ways. DEL PARC Photo Credit: Heathcliffe O’Malley With strong influences from North Africa and Spain,Del Parc’s aromatic tapas don’t scrimp on flavour. Located on Junction Road, the restaurant offers a unique selection of dishes packed with spices, cured and barbecued meats, and delicious vegetable and cheese compilations.