Public House

How have I missed this place!
Just a beautiful little bar just on a side street off Upper Street/​Liverpool it hides itself quite nicely away from the usual Upper Street crowds as a small beautiful boutique bar and restaurant.
We only stayed here for a couple of drinks before dinner but they certainly made great house cocktails and a good old fashioned, in addition if you check in here you get 25% off all drinks… forever…bargain!

i came on holiday for the rude public house en england but it was roast chicken the late evening i arrive with a friend and wrote a friend off in the night beer was high and wine was low for most people there
very angry rememories about disguté hamburgers poor people with no money and no sense of fucking class who do they think they are they look at me as if i’m nothing but who’s got the job in the city you fucks I’m a human being and i have more than you
get out of my face
last night was a long night and i needed a beer so i came here and it was very nice, lovely stuff

Excellent drinks and their Sunday roast is one of the best in London. Make sure you book ahead otherwise you may not get a table.

How haven’t I reviewed this? It has been the home of my ‘first roast back’ in the UK both times I’ve returned from Canada.
It’s more cute, boutique bar style than old man pub, lots of mismatched sofas and chairs to sit at. The menu is pretty decent and they have a selection of roasts at the weekend. Decent pork with a little bit of crackling.
They forgot our bread so comped that for us when it arrived, which is a nice touch. It’s a quiet bar so you can enjoy your dinner and drinks without any obnoxious matches on in the background. I wouldn’t come here to get completely sauced but if I wanted a nice date environment then maybe I would.

Note 1: this review is for the cocktail bar, not the restaurant
Note 2: Unilocalers can get a 25% discount when checking in !!!
Been here a few times, and I must admit, as far as bars go in the Upper St/​Highbury Corner area, this is actually one of the better ones.
The atmosphere is chilled out, there are candlelights and ‘Chartreuse VEP’ branding everywhere, and the bar staff is very friendly (almost too friendly, as it sometimes takes a while to get their attention to order a drink, or get the bill…).
In terms of drinks, the menu is pretty decent, and the naming, quite creative.
I started off with a bombastic drink, the ‘Barrymore’s Brew’, and obvious play on words for that kid that was in E.T. back in the 80’s. This drink means business… Dark rum, oloroso sherry, maple syrup, fresh lemon and vanilla bitters. Lovely drink, pretty potent, served in a silver cup. Good, but in small, sippy doses.
My wife had the ‘Jessica Rabbit’, which is a concoction composed of green grapes, ‘molested with the joy of elderflow’, the ‘magic of oloroso’, vodka and lime. Served in a high ball, it’s an excellent drink; my wife is notoriously difficult with her cocktails (I took her to Mutis in Barcelona, one of the top bars in Europe outside of London, and she was positively non plussed). She loved it.
Where Public House doesn’t quite deliver is on some of the classics… such as the Negroni which I ordered for Round 2, or my mate’s Sazarac. The Negroni, although pretty good, was a tad on the sweet side, and slightly watered down. The Sazarac, which is a beautiful, bitter clean cocktail, typically made with rye whiskey, Peychaud bitters, and syrup, stirred, then served into an old fashioned glass that’s been rinsed with absinthe, is a beautiful drink. It was nicely executed by the bar staff at Public House, but also, like the classic Negroni, slightly watered down.
All in all, however, a great ambiance; please note that if you check-​in on Unilocal,you can get a 25% off badge for all future drinks! That actually deserves an extra star.

Buen sitio para comer algo bueno. Todo lo que he probado estaba delicioso.
Aconsejaría el Braised Herefordshire ox cheek, mustard mash y el Gloucestershire «Old Spot» pork fillet, muy buenos.
Tienen una oferta para cenas, dos platos un vaso de vino prosecco por 19,50 por persona. Particularmente creo que con un plato (main course) cenas estupendamente porque son bastante grandes, ¡yo pedí la oferta y no pude acabármelo todo!
Además es un lugar estupendo para tomar unos cocktails antes o después de cenar.
Lo único no tan positivo, quizás, es que tanto la zona de cenas como la barra del bar están en una misma sala, sin separación alguna, por lo que si estás cenando puede que el ambiente te resulte un poquito ajetreado.

Just found this place on a Sunday afternoon. Whilst we did not eat here, we did have drinks.
First off, I loved the décor. Great bar off the beaten path and away from all the regular Islington foot traffic.
The staff when we were there were very friendly and we loved the cocktails. Whilst we didn’t order one, the barman was also making a teapot of spiced warm cider. Looked good!
Will definitely go back for drinks.

This place has become a firm favourite, in large part due to its seemingly instinctive self-​awareness and joie de vivre. It has an ability to perfectly pitch itself and set a mood that feels both relaxing and decadent.
On arrival you’re quickly poured a glass of water which is kept topped up throughout the evening. This is a nice touch, generally considered standard service in American bars and restaurants, but somewhat rarer in the UK.
The regularly evolving «fancy drinks» menu features innovative cocktails as suggested aperitifs and digestifs, so even if you’re not eating in the excellent restaurant, it’s an ideal place to start or finish the night, and if you have the opportunity to get a stool at the bar then there’s always some repartee on offer from the bartenders.
While the eccentric collection of furniture and almost pyromaniacal obsession with candles could give the impression that you’ve stumbled into a gothic French brocante with its own fire hazard classification, it all contributes to the individual charm and quirkiness of the place.
The staff are personable and attentive, and possess the engaging ability to convey the impression that they know you and are welcoming you into their own front room. This is one of those places which feels like a reunion with an old friend, and where you can be confident of a very satisfying evening.

Public House featured on an impromptu bar crawl in Angel. It’s tucked away down a side street from the main drag and easy to miss if you don’t know what you are looking for. And missing it would be a tragedy!
Despite the name, it’s actually an upscale cocktail bar with a small restaurant section in the back. I can’t comment on the food as I’ve only been for drinks, but the drinks are delicious and very addictive. I’ve run my way down a good portion of the cocktail list and the bartenders have consistently put up a quality product in short order. You can even discuss your tastes with the bartender and they’ll make something up for you to suit. That’s always going to be a win in my book!
Given the very limited space, it can be hard to find a spot to chill and I would recommend this for small groups of no more than 4 if you don’t have a reservation in advance. If you can grab a spot at the bar, hold on to it as otherwise it may be a while before you can push back in to get another drink in. And that’s pretty much all I remember — those cocktails pack a punch!

I will admit, looking fot the Public House was a bit of a struggle as there is no sign outside. So my hint here is to trust what your map tells you.
The menu had a nice selection, and there were a few starters I would have loved to try but the steak tartare won my eye early on and was delicious. My duck main was severely overcooked, which was a shame, but the other mains at my table looked nice.
Our poor waiter was absolutely fantastic, and one of the few that understand proper serving etiquette, but was rushing around like a mad man behind the scenes due to a lack of help. I was a little surprised the bartender made himself a nice cocktail, had a smoke and did not think of helping his co-​worker.
A nice place to meet friends, or go on a date, but I was not overly impressed with the food so not necessarily a place I would go out of my way to frequent. That being said though, the drinks were well made, the waiter brilliant and the steak tartare delightful.

This is my favourite bar on/​around Upper Street. I like to sit at the bar and watch the bartenders mix inventive cocktails from the seasonal cocktail list. However, it is also nice to be able to reserve a table as an alternative — just give them a call. The cocktails here are great. Whether you want the classics (Negoroni being my favourite) or the bar’s more modern creations they are expertly and presented with flair.
The front half of the venue is very much a bar (with snack food options). The back is a restaurant. I haven’t eaten their yet but it always seems pretty busy when I am there — it strikes me as particularly good for groups as they have some big tables.

I was a bit sad to come here for the Sunday roast to discover that they didn’t have a vegetarian option. I ordered the salmon instead which was nicely cooked but I didn’t find it very filling. I did however enjoy my Bloody Mary. It wasn’t the best one that I ever had but it was still pretty damn good.

My Sunday beef was well done (as in not medium or rare), judging from pictures posted above, sometimes it seems to be a lot pinker than what I had, shame. It wasn’t a bad roast, but I can make much better myself. The chicken was a bit small and didn’t look appetising but my partner said it was fine for what we paid.
I think, honestly, I was expecting a ‘gastropub’, but the food here was more like ‘typical boozer’. The service was friendly enough if a bit uncoordinated (cutlery arrived after the food, then my food was taken away so they could bring it out with the rest of the food).
I probably won’t come back to eat I’m afraid, there are better roasts to be had. But a drink? Maybe. I can’t really pass up that 25% off check-​in offer now can I?

Once upon a time, there was a girl living in London in search of the perfect bar. She looked far and wide and could never find her soul mate (bar mate, if you will). Until one day, she happened upon the Public House in Islington in search of Whiskey and a friendly environment. When she stumbled upon the Public House, and rant hrough her checklist of requirements:
Shabby Chic yet comfortable furniture — Check
Quirky decorations all over the walls (including solid gold bicycle and assortment of masks) — Check
A wonderfully attentive and skilled bartender — check
Drinks that are described in naughty terms, such as ‘grapes being molested by the juice of a lime’ — Check
Drinks that will knock your socks off while deing delicate and delicious — Check.
A special keychain that gets the holder 25% off drinks if you’reREAAAL special — check
The girl was overjoyed that she had met the match she dreamed of. She spent the entire first meeting drinking herself silly with friends and went to work the next morning with a massive headache but happy from the memories.
You can find her living Happily Ever After, every #WhiskeyWednesday at the Public House :)
The End.

I have a new favorite bar.
I have a new favorite bartender.
I have a new favorite drink.
I have a glass of water on my desk this morning staring me down.
I love a good cocktail menu, sometimes it can be such a pain trying to find somewhere to go for drinks that isn’t trying too hard or charging too much for a glass of ice with a lot of syrups in it. These are some well-​crafted drinks with a punch, and quite possibly the best descriptions you’ll ever read on a menu.
If the drinks haven’t won you over, the amazing smelling food will. You’ll find yourself crane-​ing your neck everytime something gets whisked by you. (we’ve already pencilled in plans to come back for the roast!)
It should come as no surprise then that the service is what you long for after a busy day at the office. You’ll get drink recommendations, a bit of a chat, and lots of love being put into that cocktail shaker… nothing is worse than a bartender on gap year that can only pull a pint!
Basically, you should come here often. Unless you’re unpleasant, then don’t, because I plan on coming here often and I won’t want to deal with you.

Can’t miss Sunday roast and with a Unilocal offer, no less. Good service, I was able to find a table with a power outlet so that I could surf while I ate and drank my way through a £20.
Now, when I say «can’t miss», this place is actually really easy to miss. Very little signage out front, I walked past it twice before noticing the «54» in the window. It’s the place that appears like it was a fashion shop but it’s now a proper restaurant and bar. Eclectic tables and chairs look like they’ve been rescued from thrift shops, but that’s a good thing because it gives a certain comfortable «not a chain restaurant» character.
Sunday roast was on the mark, with a healthy slab of barely dead beef (which I what I requested), spuds and veggies. Sadly, the Yorkshires were only okay. I got the impression they were frozen, but it’s likely I’m wrong.
Regardless, a great meal and a good time. I’m very glad I made the trip!

With a Unilocal offer for £10 Sunday roast and a Bloody Mary, you’d expect to have to set expectations on the quality of food and drink to be quite low, right? Well, at Public House, you’d be wrong.
For having been around for about three years now, I don’t know how people stumble upon Public House. It’s off the main drag of Upper Street, across the way from Canonbury Lane. In fact, the storefront is so subtle that I walked right past the door before realising where it was. Look sharp so you don’t miss it!
Once inside the cool, calm interior… it wasn’t long after we were seated before someone came by to immediately offer a Bloody Mary. Well, don’t mind if I do! Since we’d booked with the Unilocal offer, I guess that’s how he knew the sauce we were in store for.
And as for the food? Beyond reproach. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t Hawksmoor’s Sunday roast we’re talking about, but it sure beats the pants off the one at The Holly Bush or even Garrison. With your option of beef or chicken and all the fixin’s, including crunchy broccoli, tender carrots, and savoury Yorkshire pudding, you can’t go wrong. Ask for a helping of horseradish sauce for your beef to kick it up a notch, too, just for good measure.
I don’t know how long they plan to run the Sunday roast deal, but it’s truly that: an absolute knock-​down-​the-​doors too-​good-​to-​miss offer. Make your reservations early and often, folks. I can’t imagine this one sticking around for long!

Hugely disappointing meal here. The pub itself does have a very quaint and interesting interior, but the food was just extremely typical pub fare and not very nice, despite the high gastropub and restaurant-​like prices. Better to eat at one of Upper Street’s excellent restaurants nearby for a similar price, and then head here for drinks. After all, drinks taste pretty much the same everywhere, don’t they?
My squid ring starter was way overburnt and smokey, to the point of having this extremely charred and bitter taste. The lamb rump was ok, although the shepherd’s pie it came with could have done with more seasoning.
Interestingly, they do quite a good ginger beer — and its homemade as well, the first I have seen in London.
Reviewed by The London Insider

Really cute bar.
Soft lighting, velvet couches, dripping candles, antiques, flowers and knick-​knacks — the whole effect is per-​itty girly, I gotta say. The men in the place looked kind of incongruous in those charming settings.
Cocktails are delicious: house combos are unusual and fresh-​tasting (aperol and freshly-​squeezed pink grapefruit, for example), and they also do the classics well.
Their quirk is that they don’t stock vodka. you what?! I’m not opposed to vodka (I’m an equal-​opportunity drinker), but I like a place that takes a stand. This is a bar that knows what it wants!

Can’t believe I’ve only just stumbled into this place! Unassuming from the outside, the interior of this place is something else: a shabby-​chic paradise full of lovely old furniture finds, arranged to assure your night out is as stylish as it is comfortable.
I had to sample one of the cocktails on the menu, and was completely blown away by it. Delicious! The restaurant looked well worth checking out, too.

Public house is a somewhat up-​market bar and eatery located on in islington.
I’ve been there a couple of times after work, and there’s just something about the place that means I find it hard to relax and have a good time there. I’m not sure whether it’s that I felt like I was being constantly scrutinised by my fellow patrons or what. You might say that’s me being paranoid, but I have never been anywhere else and felt like everyone there was full of themselves.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice, expensive-​looking bar with a good drink selection, but in my travels I’ve seen both nicer looking and better stocked places with lower prices and less of that weird snobby attitude I mentioned earlier.
It’s probably also worth mentioning that when I used to live near there I would walk past regularly, and could not tell you how irritating it is to have the smoking bar staff give you wary looks almost every time you pass them, as though a bloke wearing old trainers and clutching armfuls of groceries is even remotely interested in sipping overpriced drinks at 8pm on a weekday evening! Keep your attitude, cheers