Slim Jims Liquor Store is a decent addition to Upper Street. It’s an American-style bar where the music is good, the drinks are plentiful, and the conversation is free.

The Venue
Slim Jims Liquor Store is located in the middle of Upper Street, parallel to Islington Green. It’s not especially easy to spot with a narrow front and a modest Slim Jims sign outside, meaning you can easily walk past without even noticing it. There are also no windows so you can’t cheekily peer in before entering.

If you do persevere, you’ll find the decor is traditional American style with a fresh, modern feel. There are a couple of booths on the ground level before you walk up a few steps to the bar itself, which acts as the main feature. It’s really neat and very well stocked with the whole back wall consisting of various bottles of beer and spirits. There are bar stools running the length of the bar and comfortable red leather swivelling stools with further booths around the edge. The booths are a great feature, consisting of dark wood with high backs creating a really intimate space. The colour scheme of the venue is a nice combination of brown and red. The walls are bare brick with booths in brown wood, red stools and a line of red lights around the edge of the bar – there are even candles in red jars on each table. This may sound a bit brothel-like but it actually works really well to subtly create a warm atmosphere. The bar isn’t huge but utilises the space well with its clever positioning of stools and booths.

The Atmosphere
Slim Jims Liquor Store is undeniably American with a jukebox and the odd American memorabilia sign here and there, but it’s not a theme pub and there is no tackiness. If there is any particular theme to the place it’s friendliness, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it got a group of Cheers style regulars. The jukebox plays a range of guitar based music - Kings of Leon, Led Zepellin and the like, but it’s not so loud that it drowns out conversation.

On Thursdays and Sundays there is live music with free entry to listen to guitar-based bands, so don’t go expecting any hip hop, bashment or electro sounds. The clientele is far from pretentious, the staff are very friendly, and the age range is mixed – you’d be hard pushed to feel too old or young. It’s not a ‘trendy’ bar in that there’s no experimental feel to it, but it has real character and there is an obvious attempt for the layout and decor to create a certain ambience, which has worked well.

The Drink
The bar is well stocked with draught and bottled beers and there is a huge amount of spirits, so you should get what you’re after here. On draught they have Strongbow, Guinness, Amstel, Heineken, Kronenbourg and San Miguel, which will set you back between £3.20-£3.50 (Strongbow being the cheapest). Bottled beers include the usual Corona and Becks as well as a range of ciders such as Bulmers and Brothers, original and flavoured. The spirits are plentiful, too, costing between £2.90-£3.50. There is also a blackboard up with a range of about 10-12 cocktails at £6.50 each, including all the classics.

The Last Word
Whilst there is an abundance of watering holes to choose from on Upper Street, few offer the warmth and character of Slim Jims Liquor Store. This bar is a happy medium between traditional pub and trendy bar; it’s modern and clean but cosy and atmospheric. For decent drinks, music and conversation, give the place a whirl.

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