The Hanbury, Islington, N1

A large L-shaped pub dating from at least the 19th century and rebuilt (probably) in the 1930s for Charrington's (an old ceramic Toby motif can be seen on the façade). Patronised by a pleasingly mixed crowd, the pub is interesting in that it is wood panelled; a modern pizza oven now takes centre stage. Not surprisingly, free Wifi is offered, the loos are good and there's an extensive and free jukebox. Certainly worth a visit if you're in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to make a pilgrimage here.

I wondered if this place had experienced a recent make over when I came across it this week tucked away in the back streets of Islington. It’s a large red brick corner pub with a very clean, bordering on sterile, light wood interior with a very bright and very modern feel. Lots of wooden dining tables and a few large sofa around the edges. With its open stone bake Pizza oven the main focal point of the large bar area and an extensive advertised wine list it struck me to be more of a Pizza restaurant than a traditional pub, but I guess this is the ploy to try and pull the work crowd from nearby Essex road and Old Street, because it’s back street location means it does not benefit from passing trade. But if that’s what saves it from being another closure casualty then so be it, and I wish the venture well. For the record there are the usual Lager dispensers on the other half of the bar along with two real ale hand pumps. These look like they are usually Youngs and Adnams bitter, but the Adnams was off on my early evening visit, and the remaining Youngs was drinkable but not the best it could have been. Didn’t venture upstairs, but I’ll take the comments of the enthusiastic reviewers below that this is a good bar in which to watch the football with its large HD screen, but I can’t imagine how it can be less traditional than the modern downstairs area. Next time I am in the Essex Road / Old Street area and I fancy a Pizza I will definitely search this place out again. But if you just want a pint, there are better beer options not that far a hike away.

Since opening in October last year this has become a bit of a regular haunt for me. I often meet up with my mates here for pizza and a few pints while we watch footy in the upstairs bar. There's always a good friendly crowd up there and the HD projector and big screen ensures a great view of the action! The downstairs part of the pub is a bit more traditional but also quite family friendly, I brought my nephews here for lunch and the kids set menu was a real godsend as were the board games! I highly recommend this pub!

This is a lovely new local; traditional interior with comfy leather sofas and wood panelling and an excellent choice of lagers and real ale. The food is also very good, the wide selection of stone baked pizzas easily eclipses the muck you get from pizza hut/express! I've also popped down a few times to watch football in their bar upstairs and the atmosphere was really good, not your typical football pub at all. All in all, a good night out whether it be a quiet drink, a meal with family, or watching a match with the lads.