Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Old Queens Head, Islington, N1
N1
N1 8LN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Moby Duck left this review about The Old Queens Head
A striking green exterior and an even more striking interior with some pretty plush brightly coloured tilework, the pub seems to have changed direction more than once over recent years going on previous reviews, the decor dominated by mounted busts of Roman Emperors etc, of historic interest the ceiling and fireplace seem more authentic. It's keg only now with beers from Camden, Goose Island and Kahoona among others, despite what I would term mid-range beers it's a decent pub with a good feel about it, I'd happily return.
On 17th March 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Old Queens Head
The current pub dates from 1830 but is recorded as existing from the early 17th century. Indeed it has been written that Walter Raleigh drank here and smoked some of the very earliest tobacco, without having to do so outside. Some of the interior décor is stunning and dates back to the original early 17th century pub and includes both a moulded plaster panelled ceiling as well as grand fireplace. Some of the other décor is of questionable taste but may perhaps be held in high regard 400 years from now.
A return visit the other night and the loud music wasn't in evidence - perhaps it was too early in the evening - instead being replaced by squealing children; I'm not sure which is worse. It's still very gloomy though and features stuffed animal heads as well as a human skull in a glass jar. The metal-topped, turquoise-coloured glazed bar is interesting and furniture is conventional and mainly quite low.
CAMRA says that the availability of real ale is sporadic and we picked a night when it wasn't available, just unclipped pumps on display.
Historic interior aside, this pub is a bit hit and miss what with ale being on or off with a soundtrack of either loud music or loud children.
Worth a look just for the interior alone, but otherwise I wouldn't spend time here, especially if the ale's off.
On 10th November 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1984 recommendations about 1950 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Old Queens Head
Bit dim inside. Couldn't see any real ale but there was craft on offer. Won't be returning.
On 19th January 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Old Queens Head
Must have changed since the last review as its a laid back gastro -ish sort of pub.Large high ceilinged but rather dull brown colours.Stags heads ,antlers and a big chandelier.Unusual ceiling above the bar might be original.Busy. Two cask beers on Hophead and Trumans -swift.
On 20th June 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Katey Anderson left this review about The Old Queens Head
I have quite a different story to tell about the Old Queens Head!
Quite far from the pub of hell ... it actually is a new found gem for me and my friends. I have just moved to London, and have been looking for places to go - mid week & on the weekends. The Queens is great as there is live music nearly every night - big names like Rob da Bank, The Mystery Jets and the Maccabee's ... there is folk music - and I love it as it's not a cheesy hang out like half the other bar's out there playing rubbish!
They serve good food, but the best is a Sunday roast - with a pint! So I don't have to go far to enjoy a good time. The Queens Head is my local, it's cool and I salute it!
On 16th February 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Old Queens Head
There is a second bar upstairs in this place, but the main bar area is basically a large single room and the pub is a bit of a music venue. The doormen didn’t charge me any money to enter, but I think that there is a charge after a certain time in the evening. My stay was brief as I found the young crowd in attendance to be self obsessed and the bar staff indifferent whilst handing back the change from the expensive pint on a silver tray. The music was brain damage loud meaning that people were having to shout at each other to be heard.
Maybe I am getting old, but even so this is my idea of pub hell.
On 8th September 2009
- rating: 2
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]