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Detail Pages
The Alpaca, Islington, N1
N1
N1 8LU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The New Rose
A pub that looks modern on the outside but inside it seems to be much older and again has that "Islington" look. There were 3 real ales on with the Fredrisks & Clarence pale ale being in great form. Beer OK but did not feel comfortable in the pub.
On 14th August 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The New Rose
The curious mixture of modern signage and traditional green tiling on the facade is reflected inside by furniture and decor which is a bit part-this and a bit part-that. There is also a row of wooden benches outside on the pavement. A old fashioned three-room layout is partially intact, but the whole place was a bit of a scrum when I visited as there was an Arsenal home game on the large screen and other TVs. Mind you, the staff were pretty efficient and it didn't take long to get served. Beartown IPA and Red Tail Pale Ale from Red Squirrel Brewery (£3.50) available, with the third handpump in the process of being changed over. Overall, the atmosphere seemed pretty good so I would happily visit again.
On 27th November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The New Rose
The New Rose is one of the many former rough and ready boozers lining Essex Road which has been given a makeover in recent years and as such has avoided potential closure due to lack of interest.
And whilst it retains the original green tiled Victorian exterior, the current New Rose internal look and decor will not be to every ones taste, being modern plain style of wooden flooring and lots of exposed brick, and a moody lighting scheme generated by subdued up lighting and candles.
It’s now basically one internal U shaped space but almost subdivided into three distinct sections. Plenty of space to stand up the bar and the seating round the edges is comfortable.
The Food menu seems to focus on Pizza’s but can’t comment on these as I’ve only really visited here for a quick early evening beer.
And in that respect there is a decent drinks choice, with the usual array of pretentious foreign lagers that you would expect this close to Islington and three real ale hand pumps on the bar. These tend to be different from the run of the mill London choices, being usually from regional Breweries and included Moorhouse Black Cat and Keltek Brewery King on my most recent visit earlier this week. A different touch is that the Ales are always served in dimpled mugs, as opposed to the more usual straight glasses.
Strangely, and for reasons lost on me, this seems to be a big draw for the trendy student types around The Essex road.
These are also catered for by DJ sessions which are held over the weekend evenings and my Gooner mates tell me that this is also a decent place to watch the footy when the big screen gets pulled down.
All in all I think the New Rose gets the more modern touch just about right without becoming overly pretentious
On 31st October 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The New Rose
There was a decent selection of ales in here on my recent visit, including SA Gold and Mordue India Pale Ale and also a selection of premium lagers including Lowenbrau, which I've not seen for an age.
This is a large pub with three separate drinking areas and although I spotted no TVs the jukebox seemed popular and some decent songs were selected.
I found the staff to be friendly and the other punters were nice enough creating a good atmosphere to enjoy a decent pint of Guinness..
There are a selection of stone baked pizzas available and maybe I will try one next time I'm in the area.
On 11th September 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]