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p13
This brief listing is a guide to the street hostelries. In our
next issue, we will be covering, in a similar manner, all the restaurants in the street.
Rose & Crown, 199 Church Street (020 7254 7497)
A popular, friendly pub, overseen by Mick and Mabel, with arguably the best Sunday lunches
in Stoke Newington, if not North London. Original 1930s wood and glass fittings. Good
selection of wines, lagers and beers (Pedigree, Adnam's). Home-cooked food served every
lunchtime, except Saturday. Children welcome. Sky TV in public bar. No music. Friendly
dog. Regular pub quiz evenings. Several spacious guest rooms at reasonable prices. British
Tourist Board recommended. No garden. 73 bus stops outside.
The Fox Reformed, 176 Church Street (020 7254 5975)
The bar/restaurant which led the Church Street renaissance. Presided over by Robbie and
Carol since the early 1980s, this justifiably celebrated wine bar offers excellent food
for lunch or dinner (AA rosette) and the best wine cellar in the area. Draught Stella and
eclectic range of spirits. Plenty of diversions including good jazz and classical music,
magazines and newspapers, chess, bridge, the country's strongest backgammon club, and a
crossword-friendly atmosphere. Home to a wine-tasting society and rotating art
exhibitions. Heated walled garden at rear can comfortably seat up to twenty. No TV. Kids
welcome. A touch of sophistication in N16.
Ryan's, 181 Church Street
On two floors, opposite the Town Hall, Ryan's has a large beer garden, particularly
popular in summer and during the Festival. Offers good filling lunch every day. Decent
Guinness and London Pride. Pool table and darts downstairs. Sky TV and jukebox. Hosts
Stoke Newington Comedy Club every Wednesday night and Film Quiz on Thursdays. Launderette
next door have a pint while you're waiting for your wash.
Stoke Newington Tup
(See review, p10)
The Auld Shillelagh, 105 Church Street (020 7275 9306)
Tiny, cheerfully scruffy, Irish-dominated bar run by brothers Angus and Thomas. No food
nor real ale, but plenty of Guinness and good 'craic'. Sky and Irish satellite TV. Get in
early for hurling and Gaelic football finals. Roscommon memorabilia abounds. No games,
occasional music. Sought-after table in street in summer, no garden.
The Blue Legume, 101 Church Street (020 7254 5975)
Immediately identifiable by the awning and blue vegetable (which looks like an aubergine)
hovering over the door, this is more a cafe/restaurant than a boozer. However, a drink can
be obtained and there is an interesting wine list. Sells good, affordable food (vegetarian
and vegan options available), beer and a variety of coffees. Open at 9.30 am, shuts at
6.30 pm, 7 days a week. Plenty of tables outside. No TV.
Parks, 97 Church Street (Alas now
closed 2002)
Again, strictly speaking not a bar, more of a restaurant/brasserie, but a pleasant place
to drop into for a drink. A relative newcomer and welcome addition to the street. Bottled
Italian beer and wine and spirits. Small bar at rear. Owned and run by Richard, Parks
provides snacks and lunch, and there is an impressive supper menu which changes daily.
Watch the goings-on in the street through the plate glass windows. And sit outside in the
summer. Don't be put off if it looks full - there are more tables downstairs. No TV.
Children welcome. Good recorded music. A haunt for young mums during the day.
Steptoes, 102 Church Street (020 7254 2906)
One of the few Charles Wells pubs in North London, selling Eagle, Old Speckled Hen and
Bombardier bitters and a wide selection of lager and spirits. Run by Alan and Amanda, this
large, pleasant, recently-refurbished pub was featured in the film 'Fever Pitch'. Pool
table (don't challenge Alan you'll lose) and beer garden. Food Sunday lunchtime only. No
children. Sizeable upstairs function room available for hire. Big-screen Sky TV. Fight for
a seat when Arsenal are playing.
Booth's, 71-73 Church Street (0171 923 9332)
The newest bar in the street. Owned and presided over by Hassan, this comfortable, modern
basement bar is opposite the entrance to the Cemetery. Named after Salvation Army founder
(buried twenty yards away). No real ale but draught Budvar, spectacular cocktails (just as
well the fire station is nearby), food at all times and TV. DJ Thursday and Friday nights.
Families welcome. Popular covered terrace facing the street, very busy in the summer. New
pizza restaurant upstairs.
Bar Lorca, 175 High Street (020 7254 5326)
Part bar, part restaurant, this very fashionable Spanish establishment serves excellent
wine, good Guinness and lager, plus bottled lagers and some interesting spirits and
cocktails. No real ale. Happy Hour, 6-9 pm, Monday - Friday. Air-conditioned and recently
redecorated. Food - tapas etc. - available in bar and restaurant. Excellent, home-cooked
paella on Sundays. Pull-down TV (Spanish football shown live). Lots of space (during the
day). Latin /salsa/ World music and dancing most nights till late. Get there early.
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