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Written by Luke Bull - 09 October 2023


The 8 best pubs near Upper Street, London


London's Upper Street acts as a major thoroughfare through the northern borough of Islington. Dating back to the 12th century, the street has been a persistent feature in London's history, witnessing everything from Henry VIII's duck hunts to the birth of London's new wave scene in the 1980s; throughout all of this tumult of bloodied feathers and smeared mascara stands, of course, the pub.


Upper Street is blessed with many fantastic pubs, each with its own specific vibe and history. To homage to the boozy boulevard we paid a visit to some of the top public houses in the area. Take a look at our favourites below and ready yourself for an afternoon of Upper Street pub bliss.


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Upper Street Pubs London  The Vineyard Islington
Upper Street Pubs London  The Vineyard Islington

1. The Vineyard Islington is one of those Upper Street pubs in London you want to tell everyone about - conveniently located, you can hire it out for yourself

Upper Street, London

Whether it’s a city centre wedding, birthday, corporate, or private event, the right atmosphere can elevate any event in London’s Upper Street pubs - and at The Vineyard at Islington, they are dedicated to providing just that atmosphere. Conveniently located across from Islington Town Hall, you can focus on making memories.


With a private room available for up to 220 people standing, you can create your own ideal experience with fantastic cocktails and excellent service.



The Bull Islington Upper Street London
The Bull Islington Upper Street London

2. Creative and relaxed, London’s Upper Street pubs don’t come more iconic than The Bull Islington

Upper Street, London

Looking for a space to flex your creativity among the bustle of London’s Upper Street pubs? The Bull Islington is waiting for you! For London gatherings large or small, they have exclusive spaces available for hire to meet your every need. Daytime functions thrive in The Mezzanine, the first-floor space for up to 50 seated guests. Your guests will be charmed by the stripped-back atmosphere and the funky spiral staircase.


Want to get a little cosier? Check out The Snug, a cosy and intimate space for 28 seating and 35 standing. The twinkling skylight offers a more intimate, informal space to connect, conveniently located adjacent to the bar on the ground floor.



The library Islington Upper Street Pubs
The library Islington Upper Street Pubs

3. The Library Islington is one of the iconic Upper Street pubs in London with a friendly vibe and private rooms

Look no further than The Library when seeking charming Upper Street pubs in London. The warm, friendly atmosphere is only topped by delicious burgers and beer. Located in the heart of Islington, they embrace rich historical roots.


You can be a part of that tapestry of history, by renting out a private upper room! Choose from any number of packages, from empty flexible spaces to fully catered meals. They offer suggested meal and drink options, and even choose your own adventure - whether that’s beer and chicken, hand-crafted cocktails and vegan meals, or the famous pies, there’s something for everyone!



Hope & Anchor pub Upper Street

4. One of the best of London’s Upper Street pubs, the iconic Hope & Anchor is a local institution

Upper Street, London

From the time they first opened our doors in 1880, Hope & Anchor has welcomed all the world to sit at their bar.


This mainstay of London’s Upper Street pubs has seen the likes of U2, The Police and Madness, with more live music events taking place every night. Here in the heart of Islington, they have watched the world go by through beautiful arched windows, and create a home for artists and appreciators alike. From a live theatre upstairs to the basement bar, this Grade II listed building makes an impression.



Famous Cock Tavern Upper Street Pubs
Famous Cock Tavern Upper Street Pubs

5. Pubs with classic credentials like the Famous Cock Tavern are the stars of London’s Upper Street pub scene

Upper Street, London

Bring the vintage pub feel with a modern twist to your next event here at the Famous Cock Tavern! This brick-built traditional building stands out amongst London’s Upper Street pubs. It is a mere eight-minute walk from Arsenal FC Emirates Stadium, conveniently located in thriving Islington. Whether you’re looking to experience the latest match with mates or organise a networking event, the cocktail bar is well-sized to hold up to 100 people and boasts quirky live music acts with a wide range of cocktails.


There is so much to enjoy here, with light bites and pub grub to keep you going while you enjoy a relaxing time in atmospheric surroundings.



Steam Passage tavern angel pub
Steam Passage tavern angel pub

6. Cosy and familiar, traditional Upper Street pubs in London like Steam Passage are the heart of Islington

Upper Street London

For the times you want a little taste of the familiar Upper Street pubs in London, Steam Passage is right around the corner. When you stop by this pub, you’ll be greeted by friendly faces and a wide array of delicious, traditional English pub grub.


Highlights include the Cask Marque accredited ales and the new Pimm’s Sundowner. And don’t forget they also offer party catering! Whether you’d like to watch the latest match or just get together for a work or private event, Steam Passage Tavern is a solid pub choice on Upper Street.



King's Head upper street pubs
King's Head upper street pubs

7. Perfect for theatre lovers, the Kings Head Theatre Pub is truly a change from other Upper Street pubs in London

Upper Street, London

If you would rather watch Hamlet than West Ham, then this is the Upper Street location for you. Look no further when it comes to pubs - Kings Head Theatre Pub is a solid favourite among the HeadBox staff.


Founded in 1970 and best known for being the first theatre pub in the area, Kings Head provides both delicious meals and fantastic entertainment. Tucked away near the many iconic Upper Street pubs of London, and are here to bring a delightful twist to your private party or event. The future of fringe is here, and the Kings Head can’t wait to bring you along.



Flight club islington upper street pubs 1
Flight club islington upper street pubs 1

8. With a competitive streak, Flight Club Islington leaves other Upper Street pubs in London in the dust when it comes to social events

Upper Street, London

Pubs and parties get a glow-up at Flight Club Islington. Whether it’s team building, a holiday party, a company social, or just because, your inner child will release their competitive side in the electric pub atmosphere. Gamemasters are here to help you throw tournaments with your friends and make sure your event runs seamlessly, without you having to miss out on all the fun.


The charming, old-fashioned feel familiar to lovers of London’s Upper Street pubs gives you both indoor and outdoor seating, with delicious food and drink packages to soak up the city atmosphere. Don’t leave your event to chance at other pubs; roll the dice and find your way to Flight Club.



The best pubs near Upper Street

Everyone loves an Upper Street pub, and booking your own exclusive space in a pub or hiring out the entire venue is a great idea for an event. With so many great pubs near you to choose from, it can be hard to find a boozer to accommodate your private booking. We've rounded up the best in Upper Street, with a selection of traditional British pubs, vegan offerings and football. Have a look at all our top pubs, with private hire options near you. Alternatively, tell us exactly what you need and we'll make sure the very best Upper Street pubs respond to your enquiry.

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How to hire a pub near Upper Street

We know that finding a venue the old-fashioned way (where you trawl the internet, contact 10 venues or set your heart on one, only to find that they're out of your price range and not even available on your dates) is a pain, and there are a few pitfalls between you and booking your perfect pub. Getting the venue-finding process down to a professional art is what we’ve made our mission ever since we took on the events industry. We often get asked the same questions, so here's what we recommend to quickly and easily hire a space on Upper Street.

Frequently asked questions

For pub on Upper Street, you're spoilt for choice. Here are a few extra special ones that we vouch for:

The Canonbury Tavern - This classy pub has an outdoor space that is perfect for a small dining experience with friends or a relaxed business event.

The Old Queens Head - Looking for a fun place to go with friends? The blue tiled bar and 16th century fireplace of this venue provides a quirky atmosphere when partaking in the weekly pub quiz or sitting down for drinks with friends.

There really is no one answer to this question: so many variables come into play when understanding the cost of exclusive hire of a pub or a private space in a pub. How many guests are you planning for? Is the venue for the day, an afternoon, or the night? The good news is that you can find a venue for pretty much any budget (okay, almost any budget). Instead of letting the venue dictate the price, our advice is to be proactive and set a budget that you feel comfortable with – this way the right venues can reach out to you through HeadBox.

There are lots of ways to book a pub on Upper Street. You can do the old-fashioned thing and pick up the phone, or email the venue directly. Unfortunately, lots of venues are busy and may not get back to you in time. That's where we come in. Give us your enquiry and we'll reach out to the best pub on Upper Street and let you enjoy your free time. Easy.

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