The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar, N1

Situated on Highbury Corner, the Hen & Chickens is one of several small Theatre pubs in the Islington area. Neither the Theatre nor the pub can exactly be desribed as spacious, the Theatre seating just 54 people and if they all went for a pint during the break at the same time, things could get decidedly uncomfortable. The seating in the pub is very limited and not very well laid out making it a bit of a scrum to get to the bar when busy. Usually it is a choice of high tables, balancing on the edge of a low sofa or a stool at the bar. The décor is plain and minimalist although there is some of the original Victorian tiling still evident. Some old Theatre lights hang from the ceiling but the overall feel is of one of those modern refurbishments that would be considered trendy to some and decidedly scruffy and tatty to others. There are 3 hand pumps with London Pride, Bombardier and the 3rd pump unused although it always seems to be hit and miss as to whether any are available, even at peak times. Prices are quite reasonable in relation to some of its neighbours and it has a certain interest because of the Theatre but unless you are going to one of the productions, it isn’t really much of a draw.

The theatre upstairs had just kicked out before my visit so it was very busy with a good atmosphere. I found the staff to be very friendly even though they all looked like they had been busy all day. It's not a very big pub, but it was a nice evening so there were a lot of people drinking outside in the street, which was good as it would have been rather uncomfortable inside if everyone was crammed in. One ale was off, but Pride and Bombardier were available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers. I wouldn't grumble if I found myself in here again.