<![CDATA[Greater London - Islington - Holloway - Eating, Drinking and Nightlife - Reviews]]> http://www.welovelocal.com Reviews from welovelocal.com en El Molino http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/spanish-restaurants/el-molino-n70rn.html#r47053 A wonderful little tapas place - unpretentious, friendly waiters, great food. Busy weekday nights and weekends. I've lived around the corner for 8 years and have been cominghere many many times. A local gem.

]]> Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:41:19 BST Terrible http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/pubs/the-coronet-n76nj.html#r27255 Awful place. The exterior gives the impression of an elegant past but this is quickly betrayed by the inside as you realise the full horror that awaits you. Yes the drinks are cheap but the interior is charmless, the patrons all have grey hair (try to spot someone that doesn’t) and as a result has that uninviting old-man stink throughout the venue. The toilets are naturally disgusting, so much so that when I was bursting I ran in to use the toilet it actually smelt nicer after I’d finished. There is nothing about this sorry place that makes you want to stay inside. Alongside The Holloway, possibly the worst pub in the area.

]]> Sat, 03 May 2008 00:19:13 BST If looks could kill http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/bars/big-red-n70ry.html#r21026 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.

]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:37:46 BST Make this place your new local (but go elsewhere for food) http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/pubs/the-landseer-n194ju.html#r12847 This is a great pub to have on your doorstep. Lovely-looking and somehow combining airiness and cosiness in equal measure, The Landseer is the ideal place to meet friends for a convivial evening spent lounging on big squashy sofas with a bottle (or three) of good wine and a game of Trivial Pursuit. The food can be a bit hit-and-miss at times, though, to such an extent that I've stopped going there to eat (preferring the cheaper and far superior fare served up round the corner at North Nineteen). That said, as a place to hang out on a sunny summer evening The Landseer is hard to beat.

]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:22:53 BST Not there anymore http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/fast-food-takeaway/chicken-spot-n76jp.html#r10440 Has actually shut down and become a workman's cafe...it was rubbish anyway and had to be real drunk to be in there...a bit like Destiny's in Watford, but thats another review...

]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:46:30 BST Nice chicken, shame about the service... http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/fast-food-takeaway/kfc-n76ag.html#r10439 Sometimes after some progressive drinking nothing can hit that hunger spot for me better than fried chicken, and no-one does it better than KFC. Just what are those 11 herbs and spices?!

However, if you feel the need to get your fried chicken fix from Holloway on a Friday/Saturday night beware of KFC Holloway. They shut at 11pm (yes, 11), so by the time you get there after the pub don't expect to get a Zinger Tower ("No more Tower..." - I love hearing that). In fact, on many occasions I have been there no later than 10:15, a full 45 minutes before closing and still won't do a Zinger burger. I can only assume it takes literally ages to take the chicken out of the freezer and place it in the fryer...

If you like your fried chicken late-night and franchised, walk 10 minutes up the road towards KFC Archway, they're open til 1am. KFC Holloway is big for nothing.

]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:42:43 BST Homely Chinese Takeaway http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/fast-food-takeaway/holy-chinese-take-away-n76jp.html#r10411 Absolutely love their chicken curry, and never have to wait too long for the food to be ready. After a few drinks on a Friday night and fried chicken just won't fill that gap, their delicious food really is worth looking forward to. I'm pretty sure that they deliberately use flimsy bags so that the flavours seep through it to make you walk home faster! And really friendly staff, make you feel at home whilst waiting and seem to know everyone who walks in personally.

]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:26:33 BST Is This Pub Actually In Holloway?! http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/pubs/the-landseer-n194ju.html#r10039 Once upon a time many, many years ago this pub was very much the epitome of an inner-city dingy hole of a venue. Black on the outside, even blacker and covered in blood on the inside. Since then the pub has undergone an incredible metamorphsis, split into two areas, restaurant in the conservatory and eclectic drinking in the other. So much so that I still wonder if it is actually situated in Holloway. Top selection of newspapers, it remains the only place to get hold of The Telegraph in Holloway. Actual books and board-games on the bookcase, including Jenga! Very chilled atmosphere and this is probably attributed to the fact that the patrons are 'Non-Holloway' people (I can tell, I've had the misfortune to spend 30 years grow up with actual locals!). Good community spirit too, always gets involved with the free Summer Party the council organises for the kids in Landseer Gardens opposite. Food's abit pricey, but they do a sumtuous barbeque in the summer. Great, friendly staff, always go in there for some post-Quays/pre-Angel drinks, or just chilled evening beveraging. Must warn, can get surprisingly busy on a Saturday night! North Nineteen has recently taken a leaf out of The Landseer's book and its nice to see these non-chain no-attitude pubs springing up in Holloway. The thinking man/woman's Holloway pub.

]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:21:00 BST Good Saturday afternoon pub http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/pubs/the-quays-n194dd.html#r9989 If you're after a good old-fashioned all-dayer then The Quays is the place only place in Holloway. Used to be a crusty old-man's pub (The Half Moon) and renovated it about 6 years ago and did a good (if not unusual) job of it. Other reviews have noted the very different parts of the pub and they are spot on - in fact I feel this replicates the clientel. Some days it can feel very studenty; others very family-orientated; sometimes its got alot of blokes I used to go to school with, whilst (mostly) its very football. On a Saturday at there are usually three football matches at once(Arsenal are ALWAYS on the big screen!) and you can pretty much sit there from the 12:45 kick-off until the Spanish full-time at 9pm.The atmosphere for big Arsenal (and Celtic!) matches is amazing, so good its the closest thing to the Emirates Stadium if you haven't got a ticket. Food is fantastc stodgy fare, although the much-missed chicken, ham and mushroom pie was divine and they don't do it anymore! If I'm drinking on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon its my first port of call.

]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:54:01 BST Good Saturday afternoon pub http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/holloway/pubs/the-quays-n194dd.html#r9989 If you're after a good old-fashioned all-dayer then The Quays is the place only place in Holloway. Used to be a crusty old-man's pub (The Half Moon) and renovated it about 6 years ago and did a good (if not unusual) job of it. Other reviews have noted the very different parts of the pub and they are spot on - in fact I feel this replicates the clientel. Some days it can feel very studenty; others very family-orientated; sometimes its got alot of blokes I used to go to school with, whilst (mostly) its very football. On a Saturday at there are usually three football matches at once(Arsenal are ALWAYS on the big screen!) and you can pretty much sit there from the 12:45 kick-off until the Spanish full-time at 9pm.The atmosphere for big Arsenal (and Celtic!) matches is amazing, so good its the closest thing to the Emirates Stadium if you haven't got a ticket. Food is fantastc stodgy fare, although the much-missed chicken, ham and mushroom pie was divine and they don't do it anymore! If I'm drinking on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon its my first port of call.

]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:54:01 BST