The Three Johns, N1

This pub has variously been known as Jay Cubed, Hobgoblin and Fallen Angel in recent years, before reverting back to its original name in May 2014, having been taken over by the same people behind the likes of the Well and Bucket in Shoreditch and Harrild and Son's near Fleet Street. The pub has an extremely basic two room interior. You enter into the large, bare boarded main bar with the servery down one side and standard tables, chairs and hard fixed benches around the perimeter. This leaves a huge open space in between - great for vertical drinkers during busier moments, but a strange void space when quieter. A couple of quirky large art prints similar to those found in other branches of this chain, adorn the walls, as does a large painted pub advertisement sign. At the far end there is a door through to a much smaller second room which has black padded banquettes around the perimeter, supplemented by some old church/school chairs. Large candelabra style light fixtures can be seen around the walls, along with one more of their signature portraits. Rather tatty looking wood panelling with bare brick above give the place a traditional, if rather neglected, look which is further enhanced by an attractive square panelled ceiling which can be seen in both rooms, although the smaller room also has a skylight. Every table had a beer bottle on it, full of colourful flowers, which brightened the place up a bit, whilst a 50's music soundtrack played throughout my visit. There were three handpulled beers at the bar - Magic Rock Retrospect, Liverpool Craft Toast and Northern Monk Monacus NZ. Keg options included the likes of Roosters, Northern Monk, Camden, Aspatch & Hobday, Tiny Rebel and Rouge. This was further complimented by a strong bottled range and my pint of the Retrospect was in pretty good shape. A pizza menu is available, with most (including dessert pizzas) coming in at around £8-9. I thought this was a strange pub, with a unusual combination of traditional pub décor crossed with drinking barn layout. The good beer options would certainly tempt me back but I'd hope to arrive at a busier time, as the atmosphere felt a bit flat with all that empty space.