please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I have been to this pub on two occassions, once in the evening and once for a friends birthday during the day. Both times I was completely stunned at how rude the bar staff are, it's as though they are paid to be as surly as possible, to the point of offence, I felt impelled to write about this as my memory was jolted by a friend who went there this weekend and complained of the same treatment. The lady who served me refused to give me a single bloody mary, insisting that she could only charge me cocktail prices and nothing less even if I was to have a single. She then forgot the order and immediately began to serve someone else, when I asked what the issue was she offered no apology and instead stuck her nose up at me. All the punters surrounding me were also visibly shocked by her attitude, if you don't like dealing with people, don't work in a pub. The only upside was that the food looked quite nice, other than that I'll never visit again and will advise my friends the same.
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This pubs does exactly what it say on the tin, great music, great people and great times. I always have a brilliant night out whenever I'm there. Excellent stuff!
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I am a regular at The Old Queens Head, bar staff are always great and me and my friends frequently visit the pub for the DJ's at the weekend. Highly recomended for a quiet drink in the day or a massive party at the weekend!
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I love this Pub, it is so easy to pop in for a drink and get carried away and end up in there for hours!
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Good music, comfortable quirky interior upstairs and not too bad down, beer ok considering London prices but Fullers London Pride had run out. Got talking to Germans and a Canadian. Friendly atmosphere.
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Sat night really wanted to go out but without having to commit to the full night of raving till 6 in the morning . . . after a few bars and pubs ended up in the queens head, it’s got that party atmosphere, music was on point . . . . . finished around 2.30 a bit early for me but perfect for going out without having to go all out. . . .
Solution to early closing time, lil get there earlier next time
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Am at my desk, just minutes away from the weekend, waiting for the time to pass where I can meet my mates at my local
That is how much I love this pub
anonymous - 2 Nov 2007 18:31 |
Just read that Weatherall's playing down here on Sunday 26th August.
Islington needs more of this - DJ legends playing on Sunday afternoons for free!
Even if you don't know what he looks like, you can't miss out!
Pub's really nice too.
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Been here a few times for the music they have upstairs.
Not I hasten to add for the people, who can be too cool for school.
Did finally get to hear Andrew Weatherhall DJ.
Though I had to have him pointed out to me.
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The Old Queens Head has to be my favourite pub in the Islington area. If you're into your music there is literally nowhere else you can go along and see DJs of that calibre playing in a pub.
Along with that, I've never had a bad experience with the staff or service there and would definitely rate the food. The speed dating night is always a laugh aswell.
It also has a really cool crowd of people and a lot of hot women!
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In context, this is an excellent little place. Yes it's popular, and as with most places that have a queue after a certain time you should get there early. It also costs nothing this way, and a member of staff stamps your hand if you're sitting out the front. The outside space is sufficient for a pub in this location, but get seated early to avoid disappointment or loiter with intent.
The club upstairs is a comfortably intimate venue with a good mix of professionals and student types, and a cosmopolitan vibe. bar service is acceptable (smile - don't wave a twenty) as is the choice of music.
Only major complaint is that one of the DJs the night I was there was truly dire and amateurish. I'm just glad I didn't pay to get in. Good venue if you're organised.
duffy - 12 Jun 2007 20:25 |
Queues literally 20 feet long to get into a pub at 9pm mean its become a victim of its own success. The only winners in this situation are the owners. There better, less crowded places nearby.
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The pub looks fantastic and is a relaxed place to go on a sunday. However, the bar staff are slow and the kitchen is disorganised and far too pricey for the food served. Very disapointing. It used to be better.
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Used to be fantastic. Less so now, still a great bulding with lots of chacater but often crowded, with bouncers and pay on the door at weekends. Better on a quiet afternoon when you can sit down (or at least stand unjostled) and enjoy yourself.
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A great pub in most respects, one of the best in the area, although the food is pretty average and there being nothing on tap upstairs is a bit of a pain.
Oh, and this place DOES NOT have Sky TV.
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Not my favourite place in the area... I found it very overpriced and pretentious. Lots of posers when I went in.
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This is an outstanding boozer. It's a bit funky and has lots of character. Gets going on Friday nites with good tunes and some good looking ladies. It also does excellent food.
Don't listen to the morons who complain about it overly trendy and too like Hoxton. That's what makes it good in the first place. Thank god the ben-sherman shirted hordes tend to shy away from here. (Though the odd one or two seem to stumble in here and do their best to look sour faced.)
All in all, the pick of the bunch on Essex Road.
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this pub has become a firm lunchtime favourite for me, quick service & food is great value for money. It also suits for those after work bday celebrations especially on a fri when there is DJ's and dancing upstairs.
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I enjoy drinking in this pub, it has lots of charm that is carried by the good mix of people inside. the trendy kids sit side by side with the less fashionable folk (myself included) & dont feel out of place!
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All these reviews seem a bit negative! This Boozer is great place to drink day or night. It takes more than real ale to make a pub! This place hosts Live music & Dj's to suit all music tastes, has a great wine list and a tasty menu too.
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Terribly up its own arse place where even the non-alcoholic drink is frighteningly expensive, no real ale, very different to the Winchester down the road.
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Is a little bit of Hoxton, in Islington, such a great thing? If you want Hoxton then just go to Hoxton.
I wasn’t all that sure if this was a gay pub. It was full of well-dressed-max-effort and groomed blokes (tight adidas tops, expensive haircut, dainty hand hang of a cigarette), and like below mentioned, a small sprinkling good looking women. Beer selection contained all the imagination of an interview with a footballer though.
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More flange than you can shake a stick at.
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A little bit of Hoxton in the heart of Islington. Gets packed at weekends thanks to its 2 a.m. licence. The bouncers might want to consider being slightly more proactive at turning away the big groups of drunken lads but generally the atmosphere is good.
anonymous - 1 May 2006 03:51 |
Reopened on 09/02/06. New telephone number: 020 7354 9993. No real ale. Will do bottled beers soon. Kitchen not yet up and running. Will start doing food in mid to late March 2006.
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I am a fan of this place but recently have been disappointed by the lack of any real ale. The tap is always off. This is a great shame because the rest of the pub is grand.
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I think it is a gem.
anonymous - 16 Aug 2004 16:15 |
This boozer is at the bottom of Essex road and is an easy way to escape the chain establishments of newrby Islington Green. Bit pricey but they do have Pride on and the interior is cool. Benches outside for those warm eveings.
Dan - 14 May 2004 10:47 |
This pub has Brave New Word upstairs each month - an evening of music and poetry, with an open, humourous vibe. The downstairs isn't that cosy though and I only drink there when I get the wrong night for BNW! bravenewword.co.uk
Joe Campbell - 9 May 2004 19:16 |
Going rapidly downhill. Now has bouncers on the door and consistently fails to stock enough of any beer except lager. Try the Mucky Pup down the road for a far better pub experience.
deb - 20 Jan 2004 09:20 |
I'm happy to report that draft London Pride is now available. A huge improvement.
kelly - 15 Dec 2003 11:50 |
I used to work here...and since it is an Arsenal favoring pub-its my fav place to be during a game or after. I miss all my regulars.
Lynn - 3 Nov 2003 05:02 |
Was here last Friday. I don't usually go out around Upper St cos it's too busy (how sad!) but this nice little boozer had just the right number of people in to be lively but not uncomfortable. Very impressed I was. And I could get a bus home.
G - 16 Jun 2003 16:06 |
A very cool and laid back pub, one of the best in the Islington area. Busy, with a cool vibe most evenings. Nice place to read the paper on a Sunday. Shame it doesn't sell draught bitter.
Alex - 15 Jun 2003 12:48 |
