please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Good canal side location, more restaurant than pub. This seems to be what Young's are up to with most of their pubs these days. We did not eat here, only had a few drinks of the usual Young's beers. By now anything tasted reasonable.
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Can't even call this a gastro-pub: it's more a restaurant with a decent bar. Interesting location overlooking the canal and obviously a place to go with a gang for a meal rather than just a drink.
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Really like this place. Food is quality and the location is great. Gets very busy, but always a relaxed environment
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My firm organised a work Christmas lunch here in 2010 and I must say we were very impressed on every level. The canalside location is idyllic and the staff were friendly and very attentive to our needs. The food and ales on tap were also admirable. A very good example of how to modernise a pub well.
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This was a favourite of mine a decade or so ago when it's alternative edge made a refreshing change from the Islington set. Now it's changed sides - and is part of the Islington set with prices to match.
Beer good but limited, staff friendly, food pricey. If you like ale - go around the corner to the mecca that is the Wenlock while it lasts
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Love this pub!
Went a few sundays ago and the staff were absolutely rushed off their feet but always had a smile on their faces. The service was excellent and the sunday roast was even better!
I love the fact that it over looks the canal with a lovely blacony.
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Increasingly keen regular here. Went in on Sunday for late lunch; despite the kitchen staff being worked off their feet, the food (fish & chips) was fantastic. Fish was moist and well cooked, and the chips crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. Even the mushy peas were edible. Fantastic location though on a nice day you risk getting nudged into the canal if not careful! Still fairly small inside and upstairs not entirely full of character - though the balconies are great if you can get a seat overlooking the canal. Selection of ales was OK - two staples including Pride, plus two guest ales. Definitely recommend on a sunny day.
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We have made this a regular on our tour, the beer is a bit on the safe side, but we love the canal area and sitting out on the balcony and relaxing. Yes it's a bit pricey and foodie, but as pure drinkers we have always been well received. Definitely worth a visit.
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Does this pub know what it wants to be? It is not a local nor is it a gastropub. A real mixed bag. Good food and beer at Gastroprices, but with plasma screens and loud music. Either lose the music and tvs or do pub food. Both together do not mix. A shame as this could be either a great gastro or a great pub, the mix nearly works, but does not.
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I went to the pub last sunday for dinner with my family and i had a superb time ! the staff were friednly and the food was lovley. The new chef has done a superb job. The pudding were delicous and my children were welcomed. Great busy atmosphere and effeicent services. The food was very good quality aswell! i gave this pub a nine as nothing is perfect. The pub was definatley nicer and more friendly than the pub down the road, we went in to have a look at the menu and the staff seemed rude.
Definatley go there again ! SOON ! i reccomend this pub !
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I was surprised to read that this place has been recently extended as it is still very small and one of the narrowest places I�ve been to - Hence the name I suppose. There are a couple of small balconies overlooking the canal, but one was out of bounds and the other was rammed so I didn�t get to check out the vista.
Wandle, Pride, Black Sheep and TEA were all available alongside a selection of premium and standard lagers.
There is a plasma screen and Sky is shown, but I thought that there was a leaning towards food so I wouldn�t plan to go here to watch a match.
The barmaid was very friendly and the other patrons seemed decent enough making a nice atmosphere for a pub with a professional crowd.
Based on my early evening visit I would return here again.
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Since modernisation and extension this has lost its charm and increased its prices. On our visit recently several of the beers were off and the bar server was not at all knowledgeable about those that were available. This long thin shaped premises used to be intimate cramped and appealing. It is now noisy cramped and unattractive.
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The beer is now �3.40 a pint, a Hogsback and Adnams were on offer.
Another 'pub' designed to cater for the better off. Friendly girl behind the bar. Big comfy chairs to sit in, a couple of small balconies overlooking the canal, quite nice.
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Disappointing. Far too modern and clinical. Even the view is rubbish.
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i really like this pub. Very modern interior and nice views over the canal. 3 real ales on at �3 a pint. Very nice staff and excellent service. Well worth a visit.
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Modern gastro pub but beer decent.
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Was walking along the canal and this made for a useful resting point before continuing through the maze above the tunnel. Good pint of Harveys to be enjoyed while looking down onto the towpath.
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There is nothing to suggest that this pub was built in the Victorian era. As modern conversions go, this is very good indeed. Split-level bars but the street level commands immediate attention. Wooden floor as you would expect but a rather pleasant open feel pervades. The main attraction here is the view of Regent's Canal from the balcony above the towpath. Four ales on draught at time of visit - London Pride, Adnam's Broadside & Explorer plus superb harvet's Sussex.
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Alighting from the No 21 bus at Shoreditch Park we had a pleasant stroll along New North Road and joined the Regents Canal towpath, walking west towards Islington. Dodging bikes with jangling bells and Londoners out jogging in the sun, we came across the Narrow Boat Pub. Failing to gain entry through the door by the towpath we climbed up and onto St Peters Road. The pub was empty except for the young waitress leaning over the balcony taking an opportunity to enjoy the brief spell of warm weather. We chose the seating on the balcony, overlooking the water and ordered olives and a basket of bread with oil and balsamic vinegar. This was quickly served along with an excellent bottle of Chilean Sauvignon, chilled to perfection.
Service was friendly and efficient but sadly the weather also had a chilling effect as the sun disappeared. We moved inside and downstairs where the seating overlooked the canal and towpath again. Our main courses were ordered � a mixed meat platter with more olives and Cumberland sausages with mashed potato. The platter had a good variety of meat and was pronounced great by my companion. My sausages (3 of them � not the one coiled Cumberland I was expecting) were extremely tasty although they looked a bit pale and undercooked. I would recommend a bit more browning. The gravy was just right � not too thick � and flowed over the creamy mash. All washed down with a second bottle of wine as it was so good.
Downstairs, the d�cor is rather strange being a mix of pop art wall covering at each end of the room and wonderful art deco mirrors along the walls. Through the windows we viewed the tall buildings opposite resplendent with rectangles of white, grey and blue whose reflections gave the impression of paper bags floating in the canal. Narrow boats moored outside reminded us where we were. A pub we would certainly return to, sooner rather than later.
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Seems to be more of a gastro-bar than a pub. Should be a decent outlook over the canal when the noisy building work opposite has been completed. Didn't see anything interesting in the way of real ale but the Steigel Goldbrau was good. Didn't eat there but the food looked pretty expensive (e.g. �8-ish for some pretty ordinary looking chilli con carne). Service was OK-ish - I had to wait for my beer until it could be brought over to our table with my wife's coffee. OK for a stop if you are walking the toepath, but not really my type of place.
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i spent a very disappointing and frustrating evening there last night. I think the food is majorly overpriced and does not meet up to its descriptions, the whole thing a cold money-making venture with no care taken. The food sent was almost inedible, we sent it back twice and only got more horrible food. piad 8 quid for a bit of wet pasta with a few mushrooms, and little spinach, a far cry from the promised 'creamy sauce with parmesan shavings'. no parmesan, as we were told, after 15 mins of trying to get it fixed, very politely, 'it should have been taken off the menu', but it wasn't! and no one said sorry, so i felt totally shunned. we got free garlic bread that was literally inedible, and the bar manager refused to talk to me, worried i'm sure that i was going to complain. after already waiting for 35 mins for it to appear in the first place! such a beautiful place for a pub. why not just serve burgers or soemthing you can manage, or if the chef doesn't turn up, just be honest about it!
anonymous - 19 Jul 2007 14:16 |
I can report the Pure UBU ale is now in perfectly fine form. There are normally 3 or 4 ales on at any one time and I have never had any problems with them, quality wise. Hopefully the previous poster's experience was a one-off.
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Went there last week. Lovely setting by the canal although the passing bikes ringing their bells could get a little wearisome. Tried the Pure Ubu ale from the Purity Brewing Company but it was served in such appalling condition that I had to send it back. There were lots of bits of goodness knows what floating about and it was as murky as the adjacent canal.The barman had the affrontery to suggest that it was meant to be like that because it was real ale.A shame that he took that tone. On leaving I remarked to my fellow drinker that nobody else seemed to be drinking the reale ales, which may tell you something.
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Very characterful canal side pub with friendly staff and decent Harveys. Food didn't dominate but would have liked to eat here.
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Pleasant pub a short walk from Angel tube station along the canal tow path. You can actually access the downstairs bar directly from the tow path. Great views out over the canal. Nice atmosphere, and well kept beer. One to visit.
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It was back to The Narrow Boat for there regular Sunday night quiz which gets under way by 9pm costs a pound first prize is usually �40 or �50 in cash and lots of beer for the 2 runners up prizes. Missed out on the �100 jackpot about some custard pie throwing shenanigans in Bolton in 2004. Great quiz cos we won compared by Colin down from Rugby for the weekend. Real ales London Pride Adnams and Harveys Sussex where all in top form. Didn't eat but the food looked delicious.
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This morning before going to work I was watching an episode from the second series of underrated BBC comedy "Operation Good Guys". In it they had lunch on the old terrace of the Narrow Boat, now a conservatory affair as described by RogerB. I am a fan of this pub but didn't see it in person before its refurb - all I can say having seen it on the telly is that covering over that terrace was vandalism, looked lovely.
anonymous - 13 Apr 2006 09:17 |
Returning here after an absence of 4 years, it is hard to believe the transformation of what I always remembered as a bit of a rough and ready pub whose main feature was a pool table taking up most of the main bar. It has now been fully refurbished and, if my memory serves me right, extended (I am sure there was an open terrace at the back where there is now a sort of conservatory and I don�t remember there being a downstairs bar before). It is now a bright and breezy pub with full length glass windows that overlook the canal and the towpath. There are several candlelit window seats to idle away the evening and watch the barges, joggers and dog walkers pass by. Friendly staff serving 3 Real Ales (Adnams, Pride and a rather unseasonal Jack Frost when I visited), cocktails at �2.95, decent looking wine list and a range of teas and coffees � basically, drinks to suit all tastes. Main courses on the menu range between �6-�11 (can�t remember any specific details and didn�t notice anyone eating to comment more). Decent sized plasma TV. I am generally not a fan of pubs trying to be too trendy but the Narrow Boat�s transformation is quite refreshing and tastefully done. It is universally appealing enough for almost anyone to have a pleasant evening and is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the trendy bars that have sprung up in the Islington area to be worth making the effort to find.
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What can I say, sitting in the sun with my feet in the canal drinking pimms, if it gets any better than that then I don't want to know about it.
The Sunday night quiz, hosted by local legend Keith, is not to be missed!
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Had a wonderful Valentines here! Live, soft jazz trio playing in the downstairs part of the pub with a moonlit view over the canal.
Excellent food (halibut with spicy veg and chips). A misunderstanding when the original order was placed by my partner (chips come separately) was rectified efficiently and within five minutes! We found the staff here very friendly and would definitely visit again.
The Adnams was in very good condition.
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Twice now I've been to the nearby Island Queen on a Saturday night and been exasperated by the sluggish approach to service behind the bar. On both occasions I left without ordering anything and went to the Narrow Boat instead. I can't say I'm keen on the style of decor (a bit too 'bar'-like for my taste) but it's a pleasant enough place and the beer was good (Fullers 'Jack Frost' last night, 'London Pride' on a previous occasion).
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Had a great pint of Adnams Broadside in here last night upstairs, and the whole place had quite a nice atmosphere with a good mix of people. So I am getting on with it better now!
anonymous - 8 Jan 2006 12:08 |
Can't really get on with this place - the interior is bare and featureless. It should be lovely, being on the canal, but that tends to attract families with kids. Only seems to do (ropey) curry on a Sunday which is annoying. Good Adnams beer on tap however.
anonymous - 3 Jan 2006 12:40 |
Didn't order food so can't comment on previous, but the real ale (Broadside & Sussex) was great! It is modern but in a great location and it is worth noting that when it says it opens at 11:00 on Saturday, it means it. Unlike so many other pubs!
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Went here on Bank Holiday Monday with three friends, location is great but that unfortunately is as far as it goes. We ordered our food which took way too long and had to go back twice to ask for the cup of tea and olives that we ordered. 20 min later one meal came out,17 minutes later the other three came by which time the one we had was cold. Upon pointing this out the bar waitress said quote "what do you want me to do about it" After gathering that the bar waitress had made a mistake we were offered no apology, we decided to leave and asked to settle our tab - the person in charge offered no apology and charged us just for the drinks we had. Upon inspecting the bill we realised that the food order was incorrect anyway!!!!!!
I have never been treated so badly, this place has no grasp on customer service and for that reason I will not be recommending it to anyone.
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Nice place. Always a couple of well-kept real ales. Great location by the canal. Interior is a bit modern for my liking but is always clean and tidy. Quiz is good as well.
One problem I have noted a couple of times is the bar getting overrun with rather rough and aggressively drunk types. However I think the landlord's aware of the problem.
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A good clean airey pub with a fine choice of Real Ale London Pride Adnams Broadside were the two I had both in excelent condition. The Sunday night quiz was great (If a bit slow) we didn't win maybe I'm bitter. Not sure what it will be like when and if the summer does come service was good although it wasn't the busiest of nights.
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We visited on a hot Friday evening. The pub is a short stroll along the towpath from the Islington tunnel mouth on the north side of the canal. About 50 people were outside, mostly sitting on the towpath � a few more seats would be welcome. Inside it was fairly full, mostly with Islington �20- or 30-somethings� but a few Eastenders too. Very loud thumpy music was piped to all parts of the upstairs bar (including the toilets). This was unwelcome and quite unnecessary given the volume of people trying to talk to each other. Fortunately it did not extend to downstairs but the real ale here was off when we arrived and still off when we left 2 hours later. The Adnams Broadside from upstairs was good but rather pricey for an inner-city pub at �2.80.
Food was good and reasonably priced at about �7 for mains. Service too was good and friendly. I wouldn�t make it my �local� but it might be worth a try for a change as it is nice to sit and look out at the canal and boats, maybe midweek or winter when it may be quieter - particularly if you could get them to unplug the loudspeakers!
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Bit too modern and trendy for my liking - not really a pub goers haunt. Should too well in summer though, given the canalside location
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lovely sunny day spent there good sunday roast, friendly staff. Need to make up their minds though - was doen up all posh and family friendly for yuppy islington types, but then full volume aresenal match on. Two don't seem to go together to my mind.
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Nice Pub ......bit modern as a contrast to The Wentlock Arms 5 mins away....shame they don't ban smoking here. My wife and I visited The Camden Head, The Prince Albert, The Wentlock Arms and ended our short pub crawl befor going back to catch a train home to sunny Milton keynes......Mitch
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What was wrong with the old decor?
Makeovers are so 1990s Will visit again.
anonymous - 16 Jan 2005 02:17 |
This is now on the up. Will do very well in the summer I guess. Go and check it out
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This pub has been reopened for a few months following a comprehensive refurbishment. Last night I visited with a friend, and we were both pleasantly surprised.
The floorboards have been rubbed down, air conditioning installed, and the pub is now bright, airy and spacious. The landlord is warm, welcoming and informed, and the pub now attracts pleasant, friendly clientele.
Four handpumps serve Adnams plus changing guest beers (Adnam's OLD in good condition last night). Food is served 12-3 and 5-10 Mon-Fri, and all day Sat & Sun.
Picture windows afford panoramic views of the Grand Union Canal, and there are plans to build a balcony. I challenge all contributors who have posted negative comments to visit this pub and see for yourselves how it has changed. You will not be disappointed.
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recently refurb opened up downstairs great view of canal several pints of harveys, salmon all v.good didnt see van dam see previous comments.
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This pub is probably easiest to get to from Old St and is a refreshing change from the filth and fashion of 'the Ditch'. You can sit watching the Swans and barges pass, good beers and plenty of room. TIP: If you walk west on canal and pass under New North Road you can crawl along to the Rosemary Branch at the bottom of Southgate road which is a great place to.
Dan - 6 Sep 2004 12:41 |
appears to now be closed and boarded up, and looks like it has been like that for a while
michael - 3 May 2004 14:04 |
Was in here once and the place was overrun by a gang of baseball-capped two can Van Dammes involved in various cretinous antics including kicking the furniture over and leering at every female in there. I got the impression they were locals. Avoid.
ck - 24 Dec 2003 13:23 |
Nice to sit by the peaceful canal, but went inside for a sunday roast to find the tele blaring and the smell of disinfectant from the toilets wafting up the stairs and putting me off my lunch - destroyed the ambience of an otherwise nice, unpretentious pub.
Jilly - 29 Jul 2003 10:35 |
Great place to sit by the canal on a sunny afternoon.
Alex - 15 Jun 2003 12:41 |
This is everything I want in a pub - Next to a canal with faded paintwork and wooden floors. Friendly but not too friendly staff and never too busy. Do food too I think.
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