Big Red

If looks could kill

23 Apr 08, 18:37 As expected

Looks like a dive from the outside but actualy aside from the rather battered look inside, its a very football friendly pub, with loads of pool tables out the back and big screens for watching the Arsenal. Matchday its always busy so get there early to grab a table in front of the screens

All the staff seem to be in a competition for the most tatoo's and piercings but they serve you quickly and theres a no frills menu for a bite to eat before the game.

A rough pub, with a gentle heart

12 May 07, 14:57 Beyond expectations

So many people have said to me that I must be nuts to love this pub. They drive past it in their cars and they look at it's rough exterior and they cast it off as some flea pit hell hole. The thing with this place though is that whether you think that or not, and lets be honest here, it's hardly the Ritz, if you spend just one night here, you find yourself hooked. The Big Red is a King amongst pubs. Rough and ragged, and full of so many different types of people, it can easily be cast aside. It does though have some of the best features a pub should have. It has FOUR pool tables, the most amazing jukebox you will find anywhere in London, a big screen for sports and a cult food (my friends are in love with the cheesy chips). The Big Red has everything you should want from a pub. It also amazingly never seems to have much trouble. I'm probably cursing myself now, but in the eighteen months that I've known of this pub, I've never once seen a fight break out. The mixed types who visit often appear to have a mutual respect for each other. You can have goths in one both and men in Arsenal shirts in the next one. There are regular faces, and there are new faces. In conclusion, the pub is perfect, and the landlord is a legend. You need to try this place!

4 Pool Tables

07 May 07, 21:00 Above expectations

For me, Big Red's quality lies in it having 4 pool tables. I have yet to find a pub with more than two in London. Big red also has quite a few fruit and pinball machines but alas no quiz machine. The Big Red gives the impression thats its a mid west theme bar but thats deceptive. Big Red always has an unusual selection of people from goths and punks to students of all ages. Jonny Burrell from Razorlight was in there the other week. There aren't that many good places on Holloway Road but this is one of them.