Angel Sports Bar, De Beauvoir Town, N1

Visited 02/09/25 No cask. Keg offering of Madri, Blue Moon, Alpacalypse, Camden Hells, Camden Pale, Jute Session IPA, Pravda and Lager Favela (a new one for me). I hadn't spotted this place re-open until a couple of months ago by which time it had been re-opened about 4 months apparently. The Duchess of Kent must have been closed for a few years, and I never thought this would re-open as a pub. Some outside seating but essentially a bare boarded U-shaped venue with the slatted wood fronted bar in the middle curving off the rear wall with some tall stool seating around the bar counter. There are some regular tables and chairs over on the right-hand side with a TV screen on the wall showing Sky Sports News absent volume on this side above an unused fire grate. Over on the left-hand side are three pool tables. A few other screens, the one nearest my seat showing the awards ceremony after the cricket! Music was at a good volume for my early evening visit, but I was the only punter in so would hope they get much busier than this to make it a success.

Facebook page of Angel Sports Bar - www.facebook.com

Official site of Angel Sports Bar - angelsportsbar.com

Official site of Angel Sports Bar - angelsportsbar.com

Facebook page of Angel Sports Bar - www.facebook.com

Until around 2005 there were three D o Ks in Islington, now down to two and it’s interesting to note that this pub’s Facebook page has the weblink to the other gastropub incarnation on Liverpool Road – I bet they love the free publicity! This is a 1930s’ rebuild for Watney, Combe & Reid with its faience tiling recently painted a contemporary shade of grey to make it look more Islingtonian. However, it’s definitely not a gastropub but a very traditional locals’ boozer – I don’t even know if they sell food here. Situated in an increasingly gentrified area, internally it’s all very pubby with a large bar, carpeted floor, muted music, games machines and two TVs showing the news with the sound off. There are swag curtains and furniture is traditional, as you’d expect. Décor is traditional too with brewgalia and the like. There was just one customer in when I arrived, served by a very friendly barmaid. Fuller’s London Pride and an unused pump delivered the ale, not sampled as I failed to notice it until after I’d ordered my half of Foster’s at £2.10. This is a good locals’ pub, pretty much unchanged and all the better for that. I hope it survives, but this isn’t really my format.