Trundling along Upper Street, you may struggle to find a bar that doesn’t have an entrance fee or idiots clogging up the entryway. Then you stumble across Albert and Pearl. Restores your faith in Islington’s nightlife.

The Venue
Albert and Pearl has a great location on Upper Street. Positioned at the end closest to Highbury and Islington station, venues here tend to be less rammed compared to its Angel counterpart.

A bar on the right greets you as you enter complete with hanging light fixtures above with chic ‘70s lampshades. And it’s little touches like this that make Albert and Pearl so special. Behind the bar is an old school telephone that has been transformed into a light, and amidst a row of spirits are two oversized bottles labelled Albert and Pearl. Opposite the bar is a glass case filled with strange, wonderful oddities like a stuffed bird in a glass bell jar and kitsch ceramic animals. They even use cough syrup bottles for vases. A particularly striking element of the decor is the circular shaped lights made out of old gramophones.

If you want the best seat in the house, head to the front of the bar where the popular window seat resides beside two fake guard dogs. A pink neon sign saying ‘Upstairs Open’ makes you want to explore the venue further. Going up the green staircase, you’ll find an enchanted garden with exotic birds painted on the walls. From here you can peak into the second bar (mainly used for private hire) or walk to the right and sit in a beautifully antiquated living room. As you enter, there is a brown leather sofa. On the ceiling hangs a delicate glass chandelier and the shabby chic wardrobe and bijous chaise lounge complete the charming aesthetic.

The Atmosphere
Albert and Pearl is popular with locals looking to enjoy an after work drink in soothing, aesthetically pleasing surroundings. The low lighting and flickering candles offer a certain broodiness to the atmosphere, reflected in the attitude of the clientele. People chat quietly whilst a blend of jazz, electro and beat heavy music is played.

Come the weekend, expect a change in the mood as hip hop, soul, funk, ‘80s and disco tunes are propelled around the venue. On these days, people come here for good tunes, great drinks and to seriously party, so book ahead if you want to have a table. If you’re having a hard time deciding what to drink, the staff will gladly step in and help. Just let them know what sort of flavours you like and they will do the rest.

The Food
The food menu is small but perfectly formed featuring a selection of British favourites. Starting at £2.50 for olives with bread and olive oil, you may want to just go straight for the mains. Highly recommended is ‘Albert’s Favourite’ homemade pork pie, which is a steal at £4.50. You are presented with a huge slice of well flavoured, fresh pork pie with a generous serving of pickle. The thin pastry crust flakes off seductively, revealing the hearty meat centre - dense and delicious. There is a distinct pang of sage, which goes very well with the intensity of the pork.

Unfortunately, if you are a fan of macaroni cheese (£5), then you might be saddened by the quality of this dish. It is lacking in sauce and any that is present is lumpy and only has the faintest cheese flavour, making it pretty bland. Other options include a sausage sandwich (£5), mushrooms on toast (£3.50) and a British cheese board (£7).

The Drink
The way in which the bar exhibits its menu is in keeping with how the venue operates as a whole. Shown on chalkboards written is beautifully constructed calligraphy, instead of saying cocktails, the drinks are called concoctions. The majority are £7.50 and if you pop down on a Thursday from 5pm, it’s 2-4-1 on them all night.

Cocktails - sorry, concoctions - on offer include the light and refreshing Summer Breeze, which tastes mainly of elderflower, fooling you into thinking that you are just sipping on cordial. An excellent choice is the Gin Genie - a refreshing cocktail that tastes predominantly of raspberries. For kitsch value there is a section called drinks for sharing, which are presented to you in a 1.7 litre globe, starting at £22 for Pearl’s Punch.

If wine is more your thing, then there is a small but well constructed wine list with the house bottle costing just £14.50 a bottle for the Pergolino Rosso or Campo Nuevo Viura. For cold winters’ nights the Cabernet Sauvingon (17.50) is warming and has a touch of spice. The sparkles consist of Mumm at £38 a bottle, Laurent Perrier Rose (£60) and Perrier Jouet (£120). Beer comes in at an average £3.50 and includes Guinness, Amstel and Kronenbourg.

The Last Word
A fantastically quirky venue. If you want a fun night out without the hassle of Upper Street, park yourself here for the night and prepare to be wowed.

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