The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar, N1

A small one roomed corner pub,the dark red walls and ceiling made it feel a little gloomy inside, three pumps on the bar with the choice ofDoom Bar and Elgoods Black Dog, needless to say I tried the latter and found it a little tired and earthy.I was the only punter in at around 12.30 on a Saturday afternoon and dare say there would be a better atmosphere with a few people in. It's Ok but I wouldn't go out of my way to return.

Not a bad little place and certainly more appealing than the Canonbury around the corner and vastly superior to the Famous Cock just up the road. Quite full, and heaving on Friday and Saturday nights. My only complaint is that the gent's loo (possibly the ladies too?) opens directly into the pub.

I was drawn to this pub by the large external Bass sign, visible from some distance, after a gig at the nearby Highbury Garage, and was pleased to find a decent little pub/theatre bar with a few interesting features. The pub has a fairly standard layout, with a single bare boarded room served by a bar along the rear wall. The seating is mostly in the form of high tables and stools, with a sofa and some pouffes under a window to one side of the room and some interesting high drinking ledges which protrude from the front wall creating small table-like platforms. The entrance in the front corner retains some impressive multi coloured tiling, the attractiveness of which is offset by a stupid twig-tree next to the door – an unnecessary addition, as is the renaming of the toilets to ‘Hens’ and ‘Roosters’. There is a simple fireplace on the left hand wall, above which hangs a large, elaborately decorated mirror whilst the servery has a few pump clips dotted around plus an encouraging ‘We Love Ale’ banner and a few stuffed chickens on the bar back. I noticed glitter balls in one corner of the room and disco lights in another, but there was nothing to suggest that late night partying is a regular occurrence, especially as there were only a handful of customers in on my late night mid-week visit. A passageway and staircase to the left of the bar counter leads up to the theatre, although I didn’t take a look myself. Decent music played throughout my stay at a reasonable volume. There are three hand pumps here, but I seemingly got a bit unlucky in finding just one in operation, dispensing the ubiquitous Sharp’s Doom Bar. This was backed up by the usual keg stuff including Aspalls Cider which was supported by two bag-in-a-box ciders behind the bar. My Doom Bar was in good condition and had there been something else on alongside it, I’d have stayed for another pint. This was a bit of a random, unplanned visit, so expectations were set fairly low, but I quite enjoyed the feel of the place and would give it consideration the next time I’m in the area – hopefully to find all three handpulls in operation.

Busy little bar on a monday night with 3 beers on from Roosters-Robinsons and Sharps.Beer in good condition as well.

Official site of the Hen & Chickens - www.thehenandchickenstheatrebar.co.uk