The Narrowboat, Islington, N1

Official site of The Narrow Boat with menu and drinks list - thenarrowboatpub.com

Official site of The Narrow Boat with menu and drinks list - thenarrowboatpub.com

Definitely a modernised street corner trendy N1 canal side pub but at least the tables weren't all reserved and the range of ales is good with 3 sharps ales on plus Fullers London Pride. Very pleasant place to look out over the canal and with the ales well kept well worth visiting. didn't try the food but plenty of people eating in here.

Returning here after an absence of 4 years, it is hard to believe the transformation of what I always remembered as a bit of a rough and ready pub whose main feature was a pool table taking up most of the main bar. It has now been fully refurbished and, if my memory serves me right, extended (I am sure there was an open terrace at the back where there is now a sort of conservatory and I don't remember there being a downstairs bar before). It is now a bright and breezy pub with full length glass windows that overlook the canal and the towpath. There are several candlelit window seats to idle away the evening and watch the barges, joggers and dog walkers pass by. Friendly staff serving 3 Real Ales (Adnams, Pride and a rather unseasonal Jack Frost when I visited), cocktails at £2.95, decent looking wine list and a range of teas and coffees – basically, drinks to suit all tastes. Main courses on the menu range between £6-£11 (can't remember any specific details and didn't notice anyone eating to comment more). Decent sized plasma TV. I am generally not a fan of pubs trying to be too trendy but the Narrow Boat's transformation is quite refreshing and tastefully done. It is universally appealing enough for almost anyone to have a pleasant evening and is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the trendy bars that have sprung up in the Islington area to be worth making the effort to find.

Randomness Guide to London - Narrow Boat entry

Randomness Guide to London - Narrow Boat entry