User name:

Password:

Login


Sign in with Facebook


Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW


Chat about:
Cambridge PuG Crawl, Friday 5th April 2024 with Gann on the Pub Forum

The Woodbine, Highbury, N5

215 Blackstock Road
N5
N5 2LL
Phone: 02073541061

Return to pub summary

Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Woodbine

On 4th February 2022 - rating: 6

Built at the end of the 19th century, this started life as a beer retailer before becoming a Charrington’s house by at least the 1930s.
I too was a bit baffled by this pub’s apparent Irish inclinations; yes, there are some toucans painted to a wall and a shamrock on the website, along with the word ‘craic’ to be sure, but thereafter this didn’t come across as a propaganda machine for Guinness; customers were decidedly young professional, well-spoken locals; the real clincher was that real ale was sold; what kind of ‘Irish’ pub sells real ales? Otherwise, the interior can be seen in detail on the website and it’s quite conventional, with lots of knickknacks and no unexpected surprises.
Just the two ales on, with an unused pump: something from Siren hidden behind a Thai menu, then Landlord at a quite reasonable £4.80 a pint and on good form.
This place recently featured on a list of London’s Top 25 Most Boring Pubs; actually, I thought this is one of the best pubs in N5 and I’d be quite happy to pop in when in the area, making for a good double with the Bank of Friendship, but it’s probably best avoided on match days.

-------------------------

A return visit a couple of nights ago and the place was better than expected with a good vibe and an excellent half of Siren Broken Dream, price forgotten, but it wasn't much more than a fiver; score upped accordingly.

On 3rd October 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1955 recommendations about 1922 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Komakino . left this review about The Woodbine

Not much evidence of Irishness on my visit, this long, rectangular room has a long bar running along its left-hand wall and offered London Fields Hackney Hopster, Sambrooks Wandle and Crouch Vale Brewers Gold (with three clips reversed) and Camden Wit, Hells and Pale Ale and Blue Moon for the kegheads. Some interesting paraphernalia included a chandelier above the front window and a large, gilded mirror hanging from the ceiling over the left-hand entrance.

On 26th September 2016 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1074 recommendations about 1074 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Woodbine

Although a little dark this is a pleasant enough pub with a standard draught selection and two hand pumps which were pouring Pride and Landlord on my recent visit. I was served a decent pint of Guinness, but it was a tad expensive for the area. Food is served and there are signs for Woody’s famous brunch which is served from midday until 17:00 and roast lunch is served between the same hours on Sunday’s.

This is a shop conversion which has been well done with the odd bit of Irish paraphernalia on the floor board lined walls, which included some Baptist Church times. Some other out of the ordinary things can also be spotted including a stuffed boar’s head, chandelier and a huge angled mirror that hangs above some decks placed at the front of the pub. I didn’t spot any advertisements for sky sports, but there is a plasma screen and a small projector screen that was rolled up during my visit.

There was a friendly crowd in attendance and although I wouldn’t make this a destination pub I would pop in again if passing.

On 27th March 2010 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5178 recommendations about 5147 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


train man left this review about The Woodbine

They should get rid of the idiot barman who refused service to ‘away fans' – no colours, northern accent -(25Aug), despite the bar being quiet ~18:00. A friendly couple outside couldn't believe their ears and kindly offered to go to the bar for us, but I politely declined and took our custom elsewhere.
Shame, as the pub had a nice aspect from outside and within; horseshoe bar, wood floor, choice of real ales, can't recall what they were as I didn't get to sample any!

On 12th September 2007 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]