Location: Islington
Top Things to do in Islington
What to do and see in Islington, England: The Best Bars & Clubs
The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market…in London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture aficionados shouldn't miss the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. If you love fashion, Oxford Street has shopping galore. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will love seeing Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, of course).
Restaurants in London
1. The Old China Hand
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
2. Indiebeer
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Beer shop and tasting room, selling beers from independent breweries that we love and enjoy.
Reviewed By LoganTO87 - Aurora, Canada
It's very rare that I find a locale like this. A good craft beer bar is hard to find. This combines the best qualities of all. Decent prices, good selection, and knowledgeable staff. The moment I walked in here I knew I was a regular. Owen and Claire have started something special here. Much of craft beer had fallen knto overly commercialised beer companies. To see a small family group who seem to care this much about good beer is reassuring. Whether you are looking for good beer, wanting to learn about beer, or just interested in finding out a bit more, this Holloway shop is for you. To be honest... I imagine being here most nights now, so if you. see a random Canadian at the bar, say hi.
3. Platform
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Platform is a next-level gaming bar and cultural space in Shoreditch. Everyone's welcome. Anything goes. We offer console, PC gaming as well as a menu of craft beers, cocktails and wood-fired pizza. So you can battle zombie hordes, KO your CEO or spend date night dungeon crawling!
Reviewed By 564gabriellea
Had a brilliant experience at this gaming bar. The staff were super friendly, especially Lem who was super enthusiastic and talked us through the COVID-19 procedures and all the games available to us. The pizzas are delicious with great drinks too including the Parma violet and gin shot of the day! Only other comment is that the games available were quite limited. Would love to see more variety of games including Tekken and NBA Live.
4. Festibowl
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
A lawn bowls popup event in the heart of the City of London. Competitive fun, delicious street food, ice cold drinks, DJs playing classic tunes; make the most of summer 2020! London's best summer outdoor event, perfect for team events and parties.
Reviewed By Hornseey
A very very unique event. My group of friends were drawn in by the incredibly delicious street food, sweet music and bowls - who knew bowls could be such fun...!!
5. Union Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 283 reviews
A multicultural music venue. Scheduled to close in early 2005.
Reviewed By davebellmk
We normally visit to see our grandsons' Nativity or other such performances, but finally made it to catch a live concert by a performer at the other end of the age scale in the legendary Judy Collins. The acoustics are superb; it's no wonder musicians and singers love to play and perform here. The queue outside half an hour before show-time was long but don't worry; there's lots of room in the auditorium, and we had our pick of viewpoints. It's easier to get an interval refreshment here than in most theatres, and on a non-show day it's a pleasant place for a break. A must-see for anyone visiting London and interested in music venues and architecture.
6. The Old Queens Head
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 248 reviews
The Old Queens Head offers a spectacular setting with its bespoke chandeliers and its 16th Century fireplaces. It is also a live performance venue and plays host to world class bands and DJs.The venue has a Karaoke Room with a dress up box, booze button and the playlist is constantly updated.In the week the kitchen offers a simple and tasty pub menu and at weekends there is brunch or on Sundays a roast.
Reviewed By H9909PRmeganm - London, United Kingdom
We had the very delicious vegan Sunday roast here. It is one of the best I have had and I would definitely recommend it and come back again myself.
7. The Four Sisters Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
The Four Sisters Bar is a dark and inviting Victorian neighbourhood drinking den located on Canonbury Lane, a short stroll from Highbury & Islington Station and nestled nicely between Angel and Islington boroughs. The interior is made up of dark wooden paneling and Chesterfield sofas, bringing a Dickensian feel to Islington; it retains much of its historic charm, having been the watering hole of Islington native Charlie Chaplin and novelist George Orwell in past incarnations. The Four Sisters Bar has been a constant in the local areas cocktail scene for ten years, appealing to those who want a drink unlike any they've had before, a mouth watering Old Fashioned or a crisp Martini. Having had input from consultant's from some of London's top bars, The Four Sisters Bar is the perfect place for a relaxed cocktail, organic wine or cold beer. Cocktail bars in Islington never fail to attract a cool crowd and this venue is unpretentious in its grittiness and down to earth aesthetic,
Reviewed By PatersonAlastair
I often frequent this lovely cocktail bar for the friendly staff, warm atmosphere and high quality cocktails. The manager has a very high standard which permeates the culture. I highly recommend anyone to visit if they wish to have a sophisticated yet adventurous experience in Islington.
8. Pleasance Theatre
9. Barrio Angel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Barrio Angel is a neighbourhood cocktail bar and weekend party destination. The first and most intimate of all the Barrio Bars. Expect killer cocktails delivered by the best of the bar scene to a relaxed fun-loving clientele. Home of the 'Amigo Hour' we love to look after our regulars near and far!
10. Park Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Park Theatre is the brainchild of Artistic Director, Jez Bond, and Creative Director, Melli Marie, who – following a six year London-wide search for a building – discovered a vacant office block next to Finsbury Park station in 2010. Garnering support from the theatre community at large – including luminaries such as Ian McKellen and Alan Rickman, the press and, importantly, local residents – they set out to raise the necessary funds to convert the tired concrete building into a thriving new theatre and beacon for the community. At a cost of just £2.6 million, the building, designed by David Hughes Architects, opened in May 2013 to rave reviews from the critics.
Reviewed By Bildnis
I was in north London for just one full day, primarily to see the astounding Charlotte Salomon exhibition at The Jewish Museum in Camden Town. I stayed at the Travelodge in Finsbury Park....very convenient when there’s no need to go in to central London.....and , to make the fullest use of the time, I looked for things to do in the immediate vicinity. On my arrival night these were enjoyable visits to both Happening Bagels and the Faltering Fullback pub. For the second night, I found out about the Park Theatre and booked to see the musical ‘Rags’ and for pre-show pizza in the theatre’s café-bar. I had a lovely evening. The food was fine and well priced and the café environment was fun and relaxed. I really enjoyed the show. In the second half the message perhaps got just a little pushed and over sentimental. Overall, though, I thought all aspects were excellent; the story, the staging, the acting and singing, the music and the lighting. Being so close to the performance was brilliant and the audience played their part, clearly appreciating the narrative, references and humour. I was impressed by all the staff I came across at the theatre, actors, front of house staff and catering staff. Well done for providing such a nice venue and staging such a good production. I feel like I haven’t been to London but, better still, have enjoyed a short break in Finsbury Park plus my bus trip to Camden Town!
