The Alpaca, Islington, N1

An unusual and rather quirky sort of pub located on an Essex Street corner and seemingly extended at some time into the adjoining premises. Partially divided into effectively three areas with a central island bar, a piano sits against a chimney breast and the main room has possibly the most distressed lacquered floor I have seen to date. Large rooflights to the rear of the side room. Exterior signage says "Just Another Pub", the pub website has an additional adjective. In the same style on a wall inside is proclaimed " Though Shall Not Talk Shit". Can't argue with that concept. I enjoyed it in here, a proper down to earth pub with decent beer and a friendly welcome from staff and the handful of afternoon customers alike. On were ELB Nightwatchman, three from New River, Blind Poet, Five Inch Drop and London Tap. There was a cider too, sorry not noted, think it was from Westons. They do a loyalty card and a decent 10% CAMRA Discount, offered freely. Of note inside, lots of gig flyers, a wall of photos of I assume regulars and staff, a sign leads one to a not so secret secret garden, not visited on a diabolical day. Food seems to lead on pizze and roast Sunday lunches are advertised. Worth looking in.

Good ale selection and I actually got a pint for the price of a half, the barman saying he would just have thrown it away! Needless to say, I didn't. Some nice jazz saxophone (muted) on the speakers.

A deciptively large pub with three interlinked rooms, I counted 8 hand pumps in all with beers on from Windsor & Eton and Park plus more I failed to note, Aspalls Cider also featured.It retains a Green tiled exterior,inside the theme was wood and exposed brick. It seemed a half decent watering hole to me.

This traditional corner pub, close to Essex Road station, has expanded into the neighbouring property to create quite a sizeable two bar boozer. The interior wraps its way around a central servery with a basic counter, iron gantry and dark wood bar back. Entering through the original corner door, you find yourself in a small front bar with limited seating options and some eclectic décor, all lit by the huge front windows. You move through into a larger rear bar area with fixed benches and a few standard tables and chairs. A former side porch has been decorated with some nice kitsch posters and artworks plus a colourful piñata. An upright piano stands to the rear right with a huge screen showing Champions League football above, whilst a dark recess to the rear left had been set aside for a beer festival, with the stilage still in situ and a couple of beers still available. There is also a tidy little fireplace over on the left hand side and a wall covered with various polaroid photos of staff and customers. A door at the far end of the servery leads through to the newer left hand bar. Here you'll find a stained glass porch at the front leading into a spacious room with a drinking ledge and high stools to the right and a lovely set of curved banquette booths to the left. Walls are bare brick or painted in dark shades and decorated with more kitsch art and some fabulous gig posters for the likes of Beck, The Flaming Lips and The Breeders. from the ceiling hangs a grand chandelier, an unfurled projector screen and what appeared to be a collection of music festival bracelets. The bar canopy has been used to collect all manner of unrelated oddities and the pub's general music theme was further enhanced by a decent soundtrack that played throughout my stay. The pub has worked to expand their ale selection in recent years, so there was a good choice when I arrived, comprising Revolutions Clash London Porter, Abbeydale Deception, Southwark Best, plus the last two festival ales and a real cider. I tried the Porter which was outstanding and served by a very pleasant and welcoming barmaid. This is a bit of a pub of two halves - with the more traditional side being dominated by the football and beer festival and the newer side offering a comfier and more relaxed option. I found the beer and service here were very good and it wouldn't take much convincing for me to head back for another visit.