please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Used to be a really excellent pub. Tarted 'up' now to look like a 1970s Indian restaurant. Current manager a boor.
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Beermann was spot on. Shabby but nice.
Beer OK.
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Slightly shabby but comfortable old-fashioned pub interior; lively atmosphere; friendly, efficient service. I noticed Woodforde Wherry, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Doombar, and Harvey's Sussex Bitter on hand-pump. I opted for Harvey's as it's one of my favourite beers and the pint I had was in tip top condition.
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A great traditional Victorian pub, remains one of the best in the area. Usually 3-4 ales on, the Woodforde Wherry was in fine form when I went in the other day.
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Mo06,
I grew up in this area and the 'Old Red' was my main local (Pauline and Tony ran it...their lock-ins were legendary). I moved away eight years ago - I live by the East kent coast now - but still pop in whenup in London for work. It's changed quite a bit. It use to offer a wonderful mixture of hardened locals and fashion vicitims who were obviously up their own backsides. It wasa nice mix. We locals would laugh at their pretentions, they would simper and airkiss.
On my last visit, I am saddened to report, the fashion victims had taken over the asylum.
As for wee Bobby, I have it on reasonably good authority that he has gone upstairs to the great snug bar in the sky. I dare say he has his own stool there too.
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I used to drink here quite alot, as it's big, and was always empty, which I liked. I still pop in from time to time when there isn't too many people. Surprisingly, they have Doombar on tap. A bit shabby, Victorian style interior. Compared to the pretentious shiny harsh bars and pubs around it, its actually a bit of an oasis.
Downside is, service used to be awful, with the one young barmaid who'd refuse to respond if you said hello. It didn't really matter - just part of the novelty of an unsuccessful, though characterful pub. Last time when I went in, she wasn't there, just some really friendly chap, who offered to let our female drinking companion stay the night on one of the pub couches!
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Quite old theatre pub a million limes away from the majority of drinking establishments that encompass Angel station. Although the beer choice is fairly prosaic for this area of London, I�ve had some of the best kept pints of Landlord I�ve tasted in London in here. Impressive, as it is a beer London pubs often get wrong.
Perhaps not quite as hip or artsy as its fore bearer the King�s Head � situated a few minuets walk up Upper Street � but not necessarily any the worse for it. The Old Red Lion is its own beast, and an important part of London�s pub history.
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Proximity to Angel Tube and a decent pint of Harvey�s make this place worth a try if you�re in the area. Was a bit surprised too see it in the CAMRA guide, which I felt was over-rating it slightly.
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It seems like they had decided to restore it to a partitioned Victorian alehouse and then stopped and changed their mind after doing the front bit. A reasonable kind of pub though and the Harvey's and O'Hanlon's Red were both drinkable ales. Apparently there's a theatre as well though I didn't really notice it.
anonymous - 16 Mar 2010 20:16 |
Used to drink here a few years back, lovely boozer.
Anyone know if 'Wee Willie' still occupies his own stool at the bar ?
Mo
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Nice old pub with good range of real ales (Landlord, London Price, Sussex Best, Crop Circle). The interior is a game of two halves, the nicely-preserved screened area and the open room beyond. Dropped in for a swift one late last Saturday night - pub was busy but with plenty of helpful bar staff so quick to get served.
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Visied yesterday afternoon - very quiet, the number of staff behind the bar was greater than the number of customers! Nice old building but could do with a little TLC. London Pride, Harvey's Sussex, Taylors Landlord, GK Abbot with Crop Circle the guest. Crop Circle at �2.95 was excellent and a reasonable price for the area. The Harvey's, which had just been changed, wasn't so good and had possibly been put on too soon. �3 a pint. I'd certainly venture in again if in the area.
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I've set foot in the Red Lion several times over the last year. It's a decent, old fashioned pub with an excellent choice of beers that are kept well. The decor's tired and the layout slightly strange but the clientele are pleasant and varied and the bar staff very friendly.
A good place to quaff a few and have a natter.
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I've passed this pub many times before without venturing in. Yesterday, I finally made it through the doors. The exterior of the building is impressive. But I was left a little underwhelmed by the interior. We drank in the small glass partitioned bar area, which had its own character. But outside of this is an open area which leaves a huge gaping space in the middle of the pub. A small box office for the theatre is located in one corner. Service was fairly slow. But there were 5 real ales on handpull - Fullers London Pride, Woodforde's Wherry, Harveys Sussex Best, Greene King Abbot Ale & Taylor Landlord. Clientele seems to be quite varied - many are theatre goers. But the broad range of customers is probably because of its close proximity to Angel tube. Not an upleasant experience. Will probably return one day.
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Not the most adventurous choice of beers but what they do is well kept. The pub is old and comfy and has a good atmosphere - not many snippy types for saying it's near the Angel. Plenty of regulars too which is usually a good sign.
chick - 28 Jun 2009 16:36 |
Had a few pints in here last night. There was Harvey's Sussex, London Pride, Landlord, Abbot Ale and Exmoor Gold. Beer was well kept, maybe served a little cool. The pub itself is spacious but in need of a refresh.
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Nice pub. 6 real ales when I visited last Friday. Our round of 4 pints worked our at �3 per pint. My pint was fine. Good place to meet up as its easy to find and very close to Angel tube.
Spacious and well worth a visit.
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Largish traditional single bar pub with a pub theatre upstairs. Shows most nights seemingly.
The pub is in the 2009 GBG and proudly displays this fact together with its Cask Marque Accreditation.
5 real ales on yesterday evening - GK Abbott, Broadside, TT Landlord, Harveys Best and the ubiquitous London Pride. The TT Landlord was first rate, the Harveys a bit disappointing.
Note the glasswork and screens effectively creating a public bar within the pub
Worth seeking out - close to Angel Tube Station
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Friendly barman offered to close windows to reduce noise from building site opposite. Nice drop of Harveys Sussex Best.
Spacious pub - a good resource in the area.
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Not a bad place to stop off for a pint. The ale range is fair and the quality was fine.
The old wood panelling and glasswork is well worth a bit of anyone's time - you don't see much of this any more.
Could do with a spruce up in some areas though, the seats weren't great.
Atmosphere was a bit lacking on a Friday afternoon.
Worth popping in for a swift pint.
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nice enough, bit old fashioned and smells a bit musty - not good for spotting any hot chicks and/or if you want to have a fun night - bit staid.
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This is quite a renowned old boozer and very fine it is too. Makes for a good stop off on a Farringdon to Islington pub crawl, too.
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I can't believe I've forgotten to review this for so long. The other reviews are spot-on, a brilliant place and totally unspoilt for the area, plus handy to meet in from the tube. An absolute must.
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I love this pub!! It�s a time warp!!! Great pint of London Pride, served by a very friendly barmaid!!! This pub is a definite visit for everyone!!!!
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Very good beer, decent unpretentious pub. Been meaning to go to the upstairs theatre for years...
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Great pub, one of the best in the area. Unlike the majority of the drinking holes on and around Upper Street, this place has managed to remain a regular no nonsence pub. Always has a couple of well kept ales on tap, and I have always managed to find a seat. Friendly staff and regulars, plus a little (not very exciting) beer garden out the back. Definitely a pub to visit.
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Funny experience in here last night. For a change I fancied a couple of pints of Guinness. Experience slow and surly service but didn't really mind - she poured the pint correctly and sorted out the girlfriend's G&T while the pint settled. When going up to the bar for the second round, despite the pub not being busy and me staring at her intently, the bar maid simply would not top up my pint which stood on the drip tray. When I finally asked her to do so, and got my pint, I stood waiting to be asked to pay. She just looked at me with a look that said "what do you want now". So I sat down. We drank our drinks at our leisure. And left without being asked to pay. Bonus. 10/10 - they give away drinks for free in here.
(My review of this pub - scruffy and charming theatre pub, good selection of drinks including real ale, Leffe on tap and some interesting bottles. Cheap. Especially when they don't charge you at all.)
anonymous - 30 Mar 2006 13:43 |
Still a good pub in that the beer is reliable and the food is good if narrower in range now. It's not as crowded as before but that may be because the welcome is more functional than it used to be - even for regulars.
The decor is very knocked about - be wary of the bench seats they are very damaged in places.
The theatre upstairs is always good value.
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The beer in here really is very good. Lively place, full of character (and characters). You could do a lot worse round Angel than come here.
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Decent enough pub theatre. The beer's a bit pricey. The theatre upstairs has some good stuff on sometimes, but used to be a lot better.
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Have to back up all the praise here.A lovely pub with a great atmosphere and very friendly staff.Very historical site as well.Had the pleasureof attending Silver Bob's Disco Meltdown as well.Best disco in a pub I've ever been to!
Dean - 11 Oct 2004 16:39 |
Lovely pub and great bar staff. Turned up one night and there was a bi-monthly night on called 'silver bob's disco meltdown' (who i found later was the bar manager) a lovely selection of old funk/soul and disco was being played to a very friendly crowd... top marks!
terry - 11 Oct 2004 14:49 |
best bitter in islington for years.....it got a perfect score in a recent Cask Marque spot check!
Declan - 3 Aug 2004 17:42 |
Great Theatre Pub. I have not seen a bad show there. saw John Hegley there last month (who is the poetic comic genius of Britain). He performed in the bar FOR FREE!!! They have started doing excellent DJ nights...very different, very chilled, and with a beautiful dog!!!
Larry Mullens - 4 May 2004 17:20 |
Visited on our monopoly pub crawl. From what I remember it was lovely, we went in the back entrance and got a little scared by the lion and union jack mural on the wall. As David mentioned, the projection screen is huge...like king size bed sheet huge.
Friendly staff and good mix of customers. Good relaxed atmosphere and they were playing Lemon Jelly (great music).
smuj83 - 19 Mar 2004 13:38 |
Great Theatre. Best boozer in Islington. A quality Pub in a desert of second rate ones
Dave Spencer - 9 Mar 2004 16:11 |
It's an old theatre pub with nice soft furnishings, friendly staff and a funny little old man called Bobbie who will bite your head off it you take his stool (he literally has a metal plaque on it with his name).
Great place for a proper pint without posers - dogs allowed (canines, not mingers).
Also has the biggest projection screen I've ever seen.
Quality boozer.
David - 17 Nov 2003 15:46 |
