Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Poll for Lancaster crawl June /July 2026 with Bucking Fastard
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Old Ivy House, EC1
EC1
EC1V 7DT
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Old Ivy House
Slightly eccentric corner pub with three hand pumps, just Spitfire on at the time of my visit, and another pump clip turned around. Indian food available and live music Fridays and on occasional Saturdays. Eclectic music track at just the right volume: loud enough to be enjoyable but so loud that you can't talk to anyone. My half of Spitfire was ok (NBSS 3, £6.20/pint).
On 19th March 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4733 recommendations about 4337 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Old Ivy House
Nice enough pub - had Spitfire on draught which was OK. Bit quiet on Sunday night.
On 19th January 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Old Ivy House
Much as described below, this is quite a dark and gloomy place but quite dated with the bare brick and wagon wheels on the wall and barrels as tables; it's a bit Schooner Inn.
Sport played with the sound down, thankfully but I didn't take well to the overly loud music.
The landlord (American?) was very friendly and my pint of Bishops Finger was fine (I didn't clock the price).
I'd come here again but it's a far from being the best in EC1.
On 5th March 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2324 recommendations about 2267 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Old Ivy House
A very pleasant and cosy Sheps pub,four beers on from that stable and the Masterbrew was top notch.Well worth a visit.
On 15th November 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2306 recommendations about 2269 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Old Ivy House
This is a nice old pub that's been largely modernised, although it has reverted to its original name after doing time as a Firkin pub. It's definitely moved a bit upmarket since the previous reviewer's visit. The walls are now entirely exposed brickwork, and the rustic look is reinforced by the three large waggonwheels decorating one of the walls. That's unusual, but nice enough I suppose. Other slightly odd decor includes a collection of vinyl records on the ceiling to the right of the bar counter. Seating is wrapped around a central horseshoe bar, with a couple of large barrells doing service as tall tables, with tall stools of course, but the vast majority of furnishing is normal tables and chairs. The tables all had litle floral displays on them, all having a drink from a wine glass. It's all quite comfortable and respectable in here, and although the pop music being played was reasonably good stuff, I would have had the volume down a couple of notches if it was up to me.
This is a Shepherd Neame house; the three ales they had on were Spitfire, Masterbrew, and Amber Ale, the latter being a sort of Winter ale at £1.85 a half. The menu looks reasonable, featuring several classic pub grub favourites; the steak & ale pie is £9.90; the fish n chips £9; plus they do an offer of the month for £8.50 - at the moment it's steakburger and chips with a pint (didn't specify what - hopefully something worth drinking).
The only thing that I didn't care for in this pub was the overly loud music. It's a bit quirky in places, but nevertheless I thought it well worth a visit. Mind you, I quite like Shep's beers.
On 16th January 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2621 recommendations about 2535 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Old Ivy House
I doubled the occupancy when I walked in as the governor and a regular were watching a 2008 Serie A game on a plasma screen with terrible reception. Although clean the interior looked in need of some sympathetic refurbishment, but it was great to spot a dartboard.
The old school governor was a very friendly chap who made me feel very welcome and my pint of Guinness was very well served. Spitfire and Master Brew were also available alongside a standard draught selection.
I think that the gov likes to pour beer, but a little more attention to detail like writing on the A-board outside in legible writing and not playing depressing love songs would put this place on the radar of a few more people.
On 4th September 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6626 recommendations about 6588 pubs]