The York, N1

Established in 1851 as the York Hotel, this L shaped pub next to Angel tube station is now part of the Nicholson’s chain. It has to be said that it is one of the chains less interesting efforts, with bare floorboards and floral wallpaper making it indistinguishable from any number of other Nicholson’s pubs. Standard tables and chairs take up most of the room, with a few banquettes here and there and some high tables at the front near the door. There’s a nice fireplace with a carriage clock on the mantelpiece and a grandfather clock stands at the front of the room, whilst the rear area has some unusual mirrors on the wall as well as a collection of Hitchcock photos and posters. Aside from that, there’s not much to distract the eye, with only a few panes of etched glass in panels near the door remaining. Many people had taken their drinks outside where you can sit in a cobbled seating area with numerous benches looking across to the busy A1. Two blackboards, one on the wall and one on the bar counter, detailed different lists of available ales, although neither reflected what was actually on the bar. The actual line-up was Fuller’s London Pride, St Austell Tribute, Hook Norton Old Hooky (£3.45), Project Venus Venus Black, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Hop Back Taiphoon. I gave the Old Hooky a try and thought the beer was past its best – possibly a bottom-of-the-barrel pint. There are twelve hand pumps, with each side of the L-shaped bar counter dispensing the same six beers. This was a bit of a disappointment all things considered, but it does benefit from a decent beer selection and a prominent location which means that return visits will be inevitable.

Solid, typical Nicholson's which was busy without being chocka on a saturday evening, with a mixture of pre-club drinkers in attendance. Standard London ales (Pride, Doom Bar etc) on plus Copper Dragon IPA and 'Vicious' Wheat Beer which was an unusual find. Given its prominent Islington location I imagine it doesn't struggle for trade, but its not one of the chain's better boozers.

A Nicholson outlet well described by Roger below. A decent attempt at a traditional pub interior and although nothing to compare with The Camden Head up the road a bit more character than a lot of the other establishments in the near vicinity. Due to usually decent beer, a sizeable outside drinking area and its close location to Angel tube it does tend to get quite busy as it was on my evening visit. Have to say the bar staff were trying their best , and although my pint as initially short pulled it was topped up without a fuss. As well as the usual house beers of Doombar, Pride and TT Landlord, there was Wild Swan from the Thornbridge brewery and Hook Norton Haymaker, and the Wild Swan was a good pint.

Randomness Guide to London - York entry

Randomness Guide to London - York entry