The Open Guide to London: the free London guide - Differences between Version 3 and Version 2 of Hemingford Arms, N1 1DF
Contents are identical
- Address: 158 Hemingford Road, N1 1DF
- Locale: Islington / Barnsbury
- Nearby tube stops: Highbury and Islington / Caledonian Road
- Bus: 153 from Finsbury Park (stops outside pub) City or 17, 259, 91 from Kings X (stop outside Caledonian Rd. Baths then 5 min walk)
The Hemingford Arms
Quite a trek from the tube station, though fairly simple to get to, is The Hemingford Arms. It's a bit odd in here. Nice odd mind. The kind of pub that you'd go to for a quiet drink.
Each time I've been here there's been a collection of people down one end of the pub playing the fiddle and banjo and occasionally singing. Quite pleasant music (and importantly not too loud to easily talk over.)
Drinks
Hmm. Guinness. Best Bitter. Strongbow. Stella. Kronenburg. Apparently, Boddingtons. Websters and Flowers IPA too.
Layout
The outside of the pub is covered in vines and plant-life which on entering causes the pub to be dark and cosy. The overriding colour-scheme is red, and is complemented by large collection of dark wood furniture. The pub has a large wooden bar that is in a circle in the centre of the pub, surrounded by a collection of small pokey tables that can hold between four and six people. It's a cosy kind of pub which easily gets quite cramped - but not uncomfortably so.
The decor is quite quite odd. The most notable point is the large collection of random items hanging from the ceiling. The walls are covered in old movie posters and advertising. In one corner there's a bookshelf containing out of date books. Check out "Inside Europe Today" (1963) - it's quite funny.
The male toilets are located on the ground floor. They're small and cramped (noticing a theme). Upstairs is roomy and may be hired for a very small fee. Very nice bar staff, and generally fewer wankers than elsewhere in islington.
food
Very good vietnamese food can be bought there every evening, but it ain't cheap.
Entertainment
Wednesday = quiz night (avoid) fun kicks off on Thursday and Friday with live music and 50-60% chance of a lock-in quiet Saturday and kicks again on Sunday (0% lock in).
You can play the 'guess what's not on the ceiling' game. That's my favorite. The bookshelf in 'hangover square' also contains some unlikely classics.
Pubs nearby (if you fancy a crawl)
Where to eat afterwards
Menelik Ethiopian Restaurant, N1 1EF
Kigi Turkish Cafe, N1 1BB
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