Rather amused by all the negative comments. Went in yesterday during a pub crawl around this part of Islington. Had Landlord, Porter and Starpramen whilst the Missus has Schneider Weiss. All beers served in excellent condition with a decent sized head and in the correct glassware by happy to oblige staff. No problems whatsoever. Beautful gin-palace-esque interior. A boozer I will definitely return to.I, in all good conscience, and out of respect to the other users of this website, cannot allow a positive review of this diabolical pub to be the first thing you read.

I implore that if you are thinking about going, think twice! I have done it myself. Toying with the idea of going to the Island Queen is a bit like playing with an elastic band, actually going is like loosing an eye.

Despite my fear of high ceilings I have great affection for the Island Queen. There is a magnificent range of wine and beers and I am slightly addicted to the spinach and lentil burger. The staff have spunk and are nice to look at.

Very friendly local pub (save for one dickhead attention seeker), compact and cosy interior with some interesting local history photos but as mentioned, it's expensive at 3.50 a pint. If you want to watch a football match in a pub I'd recommend it.This place was very expensive. A pint of 'propper job' bitter and a single G&T cost �8.20. I know London is expensive - I live here - and you might pay that in a West End tourist trap, but its too much for a pub like this. What�s more, the bar man was very rude. He wouldn't serve the bloke who came in behind me with his choice of beer, because it took too long to pour. ??? It�s a pub. You�re a bar man. Have you got something better to do? You're there to serve beer?!?

Maybe I caught it on a bad day, but this pub was a real let down and I will certainly not be going back. I have absolutely no idea why this place has halfway decent reviews.
As others have said, a nice pub in a quiet area. But the prices will keep me away - �3.70 for Tribute? GK IPA was �3.35 and Abbott �3.50, which seems almost to be good value compared to the others.

Won'r be back purely because of the prices.

At least this one has decent beer. Seemed a friendlier place than the others around there as well.Very relaxed pub. Pleased to see a rugby pub in Islington. Enjoyed the Brains.

I have yet to see Louis Le Prince in concert, mind.

That might alter my view of the Landlord!Twenty yards or so off Upper St and tucked in behind a petrol station the Florence lacks the pretentiousness of many of the pubs and bars on the main drag itself. A sign on the wall outside bills it as "a proper pub" and it does indeed fit that description.

I wouldn't describe it as a "Sky Sports hell hole" like the previous reviewer but it does have a rugby angle as evidenced by some of the memorabilia on the walls. I found it a relaxing and pleasant place for a pint. It also has a dart board which always marks a pub up in my estimation.

It did let itself down on the ale side a bit with 2 out of 3 clips turned round and only Pride on offer. I stuck to the premium lager.

Other than that I can well recommend the Florence - much more relaxing place to drink than many of its nearby rivals.

Visited here whilst walking the Regent's Canal from Little Venice to Limehouse. the pub is usefully just about halfway. And a pleasant little place it is. What I would call an archetypal London pub. Heavy dark fittings, dark mauve wallpaper and a bar built like a battleship.

Smaller thgan other pubs of its ilk that we have visited, it had a good range of real ales - eight I think. Being a sucker for a stupid name ( I know, I know, I'm an advertiser's dream ) I had some pints of Seven Giraffes and very pleasant they were too. All of our beers were fine.

Fish and chips at �9.95 was very good value when you consider that for this you get TWO pieces of fish. And it's hake, not the much persecuted cod. Not a vast quantity of chips but after all that fish I wasn't too worried about that.

Would happily visit again if in the area.A standard Nicholson�s establishment, you probably know what to expect by now. The walls are blanketed by a number of large screen TVs, dominated by football. Kicking out time involved being plunged into darkness at 11:20. Subtle.
Not a bad pub, but I doubt I�ll be back given the abundance of superior choices in the area.
Visited this pub on Saturday evening 24th Oct

The place was very busy but yet the service was painfully slow. Could double it's takings if the staff speeded up a bit. I saw people give up and walk out after waiting so long to get served.

Guinness was average but drinkable. A very good selection for the Ale drinkers.

excellent meal here yesterday lunchtime. beetroot soup was awesome, and 'eco warrior' pale ale was well kept and very tasty.

my second visit and wouldn't hesitate to go again.

oh - i've never seen this before - i ordered an espresso for after lunch and got a whole hob-top espresso machine full of great coffee. very good value and a really different way of serving. Great atmosphere, service and food.
The ales were well kept and the staff actually knew a thing or two about them! My wife enjoyed her wine and was impressed with the staff offering her to try a few. Price wise we found it less expensive than other pubs in the same area.
On the down side the loo's were only accessible via very steep stairs.
I have to congratulate the Duke of Cambridge on a job well done, I look forward to returning soon. Visisted on monday night. A lovely space, but draughty due to doors being wedged open for whatever reason. However these were closed on request by the friendly, relaxed staff. The selection of drinks is good, but I have to agree with the previous poster, I was very surprised when every pint I was served was flat as a witch's tit. Tasty, but flat. I will return but this needs to improve.

Only staff member truly terrible. Asked him whether they sold sparking wine "no" was the answer as he disappeared round the corner only to reappear several minutes later to pick up his mobile phone then clear off again. On return had no idea of who had been waiting an served the pushiest. When we go a glass of red it was stale as the bottle had been open too long. Considering the prices charged I would expect better quality and service. Theatre was good - just go somewhere else for pre and post drinksA Unique pub that has as much character you would expect from a london pub and a warming atmosphere. Unlike the previous poster, I would say that the welcoming I had by the landlady Lucie was second to none. The food was traditional pub classics with a few south american delights. I had the fish and chips ( which was so fresh) and my partner went for the enchilladas with steak which again I can not fault. Yes the beer prices are not as cheap as your general JD Weather, but there is such a great selection and that with almost 8 different types of gin and whisky. I friendly place with a great atmosphere says it allThe venue is as cold as the staff who finally served us. Drafty and I am not talking about the ales. If serving people is too much effort, get another job. One cut I would welcome from the coalition.