London Islington
What's on in Islington
Located to the north-east of central London, the borough of Islington extends from Farringdon at one end to Arsenal at the other engulfing Angel, Clerkenwell and Newington Green on the way. It has become a popular residential area and there is a rich mix of London restaurants, shops, theatres and gig venues to entertain residents and visitors.
Upper Street, in Angel, is one of Islington’s most popular areas and provides a healthy mix of shops and bars. If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, Camden passage, tucked away behind Angel tube is home to a number of antique shops, cosy pubs and cafes.
With over 100 parks in the area there’s also plenty of opportunity to practice your ball skills before heading over to the Arsenal ground to watch a game. Or if football’s not your thing but you’re still up for an active event, visit Sadler’s Wells to marvel at some contemporary dance.
Thanks to its size, Islington caters for a wide variety of tastes and doesn’t have a defined scene like its Shoreditch neighbour. The masses tend to gravitate towards Angel, so expect it to get busy in the evenings and at weekends. Although at first glance the areas appears to be very commercial, it’s worth knowing that for every Walkabout bar that dominates the street there’s always a smaller independent bar to complement it.
Islington Venues
Tube Stops: Angel, Highbury and Islington, Arsenal
Borough: Islington
Located to the north-east of central London, the borough of Islington extends from Farringdon at one end to Arsenal at the other engulfing Angel, Clerkenwell and Newington Green on the way. It has become a popular residential area and there is a rich mix of London restaurants, shops, theatres and gig venues to entertain residents and visitors.
Upper Street, in Angel, is one of Islington’s most popular areas and provides a healthy mix of shops and bars. If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, Camden passage, tucked away behind Angel tube is home to a number of antique shops, cosy pubs and cafes.
With over 100 parks in the area there’s also plenty of opportunity to practice your ball skills before heading over to the Arsenal ground to watch a game. Or if football’s not your thing but you’re still up for an active event, visit Sadler’s Wells to marvel at some contemporary dance.
Thanks to its size, Islington caters for a wide variety of tastes and doesn’t have a defined scene like its Shoreditch neighbour. The masses tend to gravitate towards Angel, so expect it to get busy in the evenings and at weekends. Although at first glance the areas appears to be very commercial, it’s worth knowing that for every Walkabout bar that dominates the street there’s always a smaller independent bar to complement it.
Islington Venues
- Barrio North
Best for: A well mixed cocktail served in a buzzy atmosphere
- Parasol Unit
Best for: cutting edge contemporary art
- Sadler’s Wells
Best for: Watching some of the latest and best in contemporary dance - Union Chapel
Best for: Watching quality bands in a beautiful venue - Queen Boadicea
Best for: Its great mix of music and food in smart, stylish surroundings - 02 Academy Islington
Best for: Watching some well picked indie bands - Old Red Lion Theatre Club
Best for: Watching some fringe theatre - Little Angel Theatre
Best for: A family day out
Tube Stops: Angel, Highbury and Islington, Arsenal
Borough: Islington
What people are saying in Islington
3.13 PM Mar 26th "‘Making money out of murder’: Council criticised over defence industry investments http://islingtonnow.co.uk/?p=2418"
1.14 PM Mar 26th "Wenger sweats as Arsenal stars go qualifying http://islingtonnow.co.uk/?p=2375"
11.34 AM Mar 26th "Pentonville prison nearly 300 inmates over capacity http://islingtonnow.co.uk/?p=2362"
10.42 AM Mar 26th "Cash boost for cycling but pedestrians call for two-wheel code of conduct http://islingtonnow.co.uk/?p=2335"
Popular events in Islington
Matt Green: Bleeding Funny
Feb 9
(21:30:00) @
Hen and Chickens Theatre
Baby-faced funnyman Matt Green returns to preview his brand new show, 'Bleeding Funny', at Etcetera this...
Backyard Babies
Feb 9
(19:00:00) @
O2 Academy Islington
Celebrating 20 years as a band, Swedish sleaze-punks Backyard Babies bring their raucous alternative...
Lion's Den Comedy Car Crash
Feb 9
(19:00:00) @
The Cross Kings
Held every Tuesday, The Lion's Den Comedy Car Crash is a spontaneous open mic comedy night. None of the...
Latest reviews from Islington
Honestly, one of Islington's best kept secrets. Check out Thursday night's curry and quiz for £5, it's bargainorific!
Knuckleball is the best play I've seen in a long long time. Thank you.
Playing host to mainstream heavyweights and unsigned talents alike, the O2 Academy is a generous yet unexpectedly cosy music venue.
On passing a rather misleading gaggle of high street stores, those unfamiliar to the Academy will find themselves guided by the tell-tale boom of live music. My first memorable visit to the Academy took place during 2008's Hellfire festival weekend which featured a vast number of heavy metal artists. While the main arena promised the most epic performances, a modest stage adjacent to it made for an intense, frequently barrier-less experience. Death metallers, The Rotted, took full advantage of these intimate surroundings, as frontman Ben McCrow leapt snarling into a pile of near-hysterical fans.
The main arena proved slightly more civilised, with the added bonus of two bars stocked with typically overpriced, though nonetheless essential refreshment. Having since returned to the venue for solo artist, Tarja's UK show, I found it crammed almost to full capacity. As a result, trails of people shoving their way toward the bar dampened my enjoyment of the show somewhat. However, the venue's atmospheric lighting and faultless acoustics far outweighed this minor detail.
One of the best bars in Islington, The Old Queens Head has been around forever and constantly betters itself. Not content just being a local pub, they also have live music acts and well known DJ's (last week was Snow Patrol) lining up their evenings. Whether it be a casual dinner or night out, the Old Queens Head is bound to give you a good time.
Great little bar on the ever so trendy upper street in angel. I actually pass it on the home so regularly pop in for a swift beverage or 2. The cocktails in particular are outstanding, and 2 for 1 on a Thursday works out at a great cheap night out! Lovely place, great staff tasty beverages. What more could you want!
