Earl of Essex, N1

http://questforasundayroast.com/2011/10/30/earl-of-essex-islington/ we went there, the pub has just been refurbished from that old ugly red and white Arsenal pub. It is now more of a wannabe gastro effort and the owners are trying hard to make things right.

This pub has now re-opened, and has clearly been given a thorough makeover since I was last around this neck of the woods. It’s now bare-boarded with light coloured replica boarding, with some sofas, tall tables/stools, and some normal tables and chairs. They have retained the old Watney’s bar back though. As it’s been completely opened up, a central island bar remains. There was some interesting decor on the walls, dominated by an enormous gilt-framed mirror, plus an assortment of musical instruments. The predominant colour (walls and ceiling) was duck egg green, which is one of the typical pastel shades favoured by madeover pubs. The pop music was being played too loudly (in my opinion) which seemed at odds with the laid back feel that the management seemed to be trying to create. But there were what appeared to be a number of regulars in, and if they like the loud music then fair play to them. They do food at lunchtime, but I guess I was in too late at around 5.00 PM to see a menu. There were two real ales on – Courage Directors and Deuchars IPA. The Deuchars was £3.30 a pint as I recall, which is the going rate in many London pubs these days. I doubt that I’ll go out of my way to visit again, but the Deuchars was quite good.

Whilst most of the pubs in this area were busy this pub only had four people in attendance who were all sitting together at the bar and one of them was the landlord. I felt a little uneasy as I first walked in, but it was unwarranted as I was welcomed by the friendly barmaid and made to feel welcome. There is a very small pool table at the rear of the pub and also a plasma and projector screen, but I saw no sport advertised. The music was at a decent volume, but the song choice was aimed at the over sixties. The decor is pretty basic as is the drinks selection as only a standard draught range is available alongside San Miguel. This place is like another world to the Duke of Cambridge which is an organic gastro pub found over the road, but I preferred it in here even though it is nothing special.