Pubs in Islington: the thinking drinker's guide to N1
Last updated September 2026 · 6 pubs · Curated by drinkers, not advertisers
Islington is where London's media class goes to drink, and they have opinions about everything: the beer, the decor, the exact temperature of the wine. The good news is that the pub scene here is genuinely excellent. The bad news is that some of the glossier places on Upper Street have discovered the service charge button, and not in a good way.
This is a curated list of Islington pubs that do the job properly. Proper ale, proper food, proper pricing. We have walked past the cocktail bars and gone straight to the pubs that still feel like pubs. If you spot a service charge ambush, tell us. If you find a saint, nominate them.
Islington pubs at a glance
In a hurry? Match what you are after to the right pub, then jump to the details.
| Pub | Best for | Where |
|---|---|---|
| The Draft House | Keen beer lists and honest pours | Upper Street, Islington |
| The Islington | A proper meal and a proper pint | Liverpool Road, Islington |
| The Fox | A quiet pint off the main drag | Popham Street, Islington |
| The Filling Station | Drinking by the water | City Road Basin, Islington |
| The Old Queen's Head | Live music and a lively crowd | Essex Road, Islington |
| The Craft Beer Co. | An absurd number of beer taps | Whitecross Street, Islington |
The Draft House: Islington's beer enthusiast's pub
Craft beer pubUpper Street, Islington · 277 Upper Street, N1 2UQ · Best for: keen beer lists and honest pours
A beer-focused pub on Upper Street with a rotating cast of keg and cask lines. The staff actually know what is on, which sounds like a low bar until you realise how many pubs fail it.
Pricing is clear and upfront. No service charge on the card machine, which is exactly the standard we are here to encourage.
The Islington: gastropub done right on Liverpool Road
GastropubLiverpool Road, Islington · 155 Liverpool Road, N1 1HE · Best for: a proper meal and a proper pint
A handsome pub on Liverpool Road that takes food seriously without forgetting it is a pub. The dining room is separate enough that drinkers do not feel like they are in a restaurant, and the bar area is comfortable in its own right.
Prices are what they say they are. No card machine surprises, which is increasingly rare for a gastropub of this calibre in N1.
The Fox: the Islington local that feels like a secret
Traditional pubPopham Street, Islington · 28 Popham Street, N1 8JJ · Best for: a quiet pint off the main drag
Tucked away from the Upper Street traffic, The Fox is a proper local with a loyal crowd and a garden that catches afternoon sun. The kind of pub where the bar staff remember your order.
Honest pricing, no frills, no service charge nonsense. A reminder that Islington still has proper pubs if you know where to look.
The Filling Station: canal-side drinking at City Road Basin
Canal-side pubCity Road Basin, Islington · 8-9 Wenlock Basin, N1 5SA · Best for: drinking by the water
Sat on the City Road Basin with a terrace over the water. The regatta of narrowboats passing by is free entertainment, and the beer garden is one of the best in the area for an afternoon session.
Watch the bill. It is a popular spot and we have heard mixed reports. If they add a service charge without asking, report it.
The Old Queen's Head: Islington's music pub
Music pubEssex Road, Islington · 1 Essex Road, N1 2LR · Best for: live music and a lively crowd
A Victorian pub on Essex Road with live music most nights, a decent kitchen, and a Sunday roast that draws a queue. The interior is all wood and stained glass, the kind of room that makes you feel like you are in a proper London pub.
Pricing is fair for the area. No service charge ambushes reported, which is a good sign for a pub this busy.
The Craft Beer Co.: Islington's tap wall
Craft beer pubWhitecross Street, Islington · 81 Whitecross Street, EC1Y 8QE · Best for: an absurd number of beer taps
If your idea of a good pub is one with more taps than you can count, this is it. The beer list changes constantly and covers everything from local microbrews to Belgian rarities.
Prices are per-pint and clearly listed. No hidden charges, which is exactly how a beer bar should operate.
Islington pubs: common questions
Are Islington pubs expensive?
Islington is not the cheapest part of London, but the pubs on this list offer fair value. The trouble is the bars on Upper Street that add a service charge without warning. Stick to the pubs here and you should avoid the ambush.
Where is the best canal-side pub in Islington?
The Filling Station on the City Road Basin has a terrace right over the water. It is one of the best outdoor drinking spots in N1, though it gets busy on sunny weekends.
Which Islington pub is best for food?
The Islington on Liverpool Road takes its kitchen seriously without losing its pub character. Book ahead if you want to eat, but the bar works fine for a drink.
Do Islington pubs add service charges?
Some do, particularly the busier bars on Upper Street. The pubs on this list have been chosen partly because they play fair with the card machine. If you get ambushed anywhere in Islington, file a report and we will put it on the register.
Pubs in other areas
More guides: the best pubs in Camden, pub walks and quiet pubs in London.