Auld Shillelagh, Stoke Newington

Agreed - great pub. Never been on one of the music nights and I can't for the life of me figure out where the band would go as there just isn't room for them! Still, the place strikes me as one of those pubs where people don't mind being squeezed in as the people there are all ace. Suprisingly nice beer garden too. Also, where else in London do you get told to find a table and they'll bring the drink over to you when its ready - even if you're not a regular - nice touch.

9 Dec 2009 16:50

The Rochester Castle, Stoke Newington

Been to plenty of Weatherspoons pubs and well aware of the folk they attract but this one seems to be a magnet for those one step further removed from the average gene-pool. Saw a man hit a woman in the face when I was there too but it wasn't snowing outside so perhaps its a regular occurrance. In the end she took it well and eventually stopped crying, sat down and carried on drinking. Seems to be a beer festival on every other week but I very much doubt it matters to the regulars who can be seen queueing up from about 9.30 in the morning. Saying that, had many a pleasant one-way conversation in here and whilst it wouldn't be my first-choice destination in Stokey I wouldn't discount it either.

9 Dec 2009 16:41

The White Hart, Stoke Newington

A huge, dark pub which is trying to cater to many differing crowds at once - and to be fair does a pretty good job of it. Decent ales (Spitfire, Deuchars, Triumph) alongside plenty of lagers and ciders and one of the only places around where they know when they are going to be busy and so increase the number of bar-staff appropriately. Quality beer garden, a random music policy which keeps you on your toes, a good mix of folk and on Sundays plenty obvious casualties still forcing it down from the night before. Often frequented by that funny Mick Jagger-wannabe old dude who wears crop tops and was once spotted on roller-blades. Can get very hot and very busy though - and I feel sorry for the owners as loads of local skanks pile in for the big football games and don't even buy a drink. Definitely recommended though.

9 Dec 2009 16:31