The Sekforde Arms, Clerkenwell

Youngs have sold the lease back to the freeholder, and the pub will probably be converted into a restaurant.

5 Feb 2014 18:26

The Lord Wolseley, Islington

Craft Beer pub, leased from GK. As reported below, knocks the you-know-what out of the other pubs around Angel. It's more of a 'pubby' pub than the one in Leather Lane, this one has carpets and furniture. There is seperate seating space, with a little 'nook' around the back for those intimate liaisons ! Amazing how they squeezed all the pumps and taps into such a small space. The cask ales are served from a sort-of 'double-decker' beer engine, with two rows of taps, one above t'other. When things are busy it resembles three people trying to play one piano !
As to beers, similar to the range at Clerkenwell, with the addition of a couple of Cromarty offerings. Late opening (1.AM?) Friday and Saturday.

27 Nov 2012 17:44

The Pig and Butcher, Islington

The old 'Tap' is now fully open as the Pig and Butcher.
It's one of those 'gastro-ish' places with a seperate dining area and an open kitchen. There are three handpumps, but only one working on my visit, so just the ubiquitous Doombar. I was told that Wandle and Bath are cellared. I rather like the place; it's not so full of the 'Gilded Youth' crowd found on Upper Street, and most importantly, they have a cellarman who knows his beer.
(Cellar at 11 degrees, I was told, with jacketed beer-lines)
Any football afficionados who used the old pub en route to Arsenal are in for a shock when they see what's become of the 'Tap' ! No rating yet, let's see some more beers on first.

25 Jul 2012 15:40