The Old Red Lion, Islington - pub details

Old Red Lion
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Address: 418 St John's St, London, EC1V 4NJ [map] [gmap]

Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 5431) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras

Nearest tube stations Angel (0.1 miles), Farringdon (0.8 miles), King's Cross St. Pancras (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations London Kings Cross (0.8 miles), London Kings Cross - Thameslink (0.8 miles), Essex Road (0.8 miles)

Pub facilities/features:
Cask Marque accreditation

  • Real ale

Pub suggested by David on 17 Nov 2003

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> Current user rating: 7.0/10 (rated by 38 users)
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other pubs nearby:

Cafe Med, Angel, Islington (0.1 miles), BRB at Arc, Angel, Islington (0.1 miles), Angel, Angel, Islington (0.1 miles), Harlequin, City (0.1 miles), Castle, Angel, Islington (0.1 miles) - see more nearby pubs

 

user reviews of the Old Red Lion, Islington

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

5 most recent reviews of 34 shown - see all reviews

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.
OldRogue - 2 Jan 2012 17:42
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.
Ladhimself - 10 Aug 2011 15:18
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!
thejollyone - 8 Nov 2010 23:51
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.

Misk. - 4 Nov 2010 16:24
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.
BlindTiger - 3 Sep 2010 14:52

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