PinUps, N1

My first time at The Islington yesterday. Brooklyn Brewery on draught is a nice touch along with the other Craft brews such as Harviestoun and Goose Island. Bartenders are friendly and informal, Leather couches make me want to curl up with a good book and drink the afternoon away! The best part? This place is only improving as the owners are prepping for a large outdoor seated area come the summer months. If things go according to plan, this place will be competing with the established favourites quicker than you can ask for a Erdinger Weissbrau. A new and welcome addition. Highly recommended.

The former North One is now a trendy 'Late Bar and Cafe' but one with quite a relaxed atmosphere (although the clientele were so stereotypically N1 it was almost impossible not to laugh...). Opened out to form an overall 'L'-shaped space with minimalist decor and a mix of furniture. There is also a live music stage in the larger side room, plus a few small patio tables to one side of the building. Beer-wise, there was one apparently disused handpump so it was a quick bottle of Bath Ales Gem from the fridge (£4.80) and I was off.

This is a tiny little place and after talking to the very friendly barmaid I learned that half of the pub was sold off as office space some time ago so the small size was explained. There is room for a pool table and a jukebox and the small bar was stocked with some standard draught from which I had a well poured Guinness. Food is also available from lunchtime until the evening, but there were only two other customers during my Saturday evening visit and they were playing pool so I didn’t see what the food was like, in fact I didn’t even see any menus. I suppose this place is good for a game of uninterrupted pool before going somewhere a little more interesting, but I cannot see myself returning.