Despite the decent location, The Islington Tap doesn’t fulfill its potential.

The Venue
The venue comprises of two areas, a bar and a restaurant, with only a couple of steps to separate them. The restaurant area has an attractive open-plan kitchen with white tiles, and a ceiling embossed with pretty floral stucco. Walls are painted a light shade of lilac, in order to match the purple of supporting columns. The décor, quite rough around the edges and yet effective, employs different types of wood for the floor, the bar and the furniture, which comprises of church-like pews and tables. The benches add a funky, fun effect and two of them are so long ten people can sit on them.

The Atmosphere
There is a variety of entertainment available at The Islington Tap: screens show live sports and regular comedy nights take place in the room upstairs. Yet, the pub doesn’t appear very lively, even when it’s busy. The loud music clashes with the refined interiors and the combination of live sports, locals and techno tunes is unlikely to create a harmonious atmosphere.

The Food
Despite the efficient-looking open-plan kitchen, The Islington Tap does not deliver the cutting-edge, gastropub quality food you expect. On the contrary, like everything else, the menu makes you think that a change in direction could be of great advantage to the venue. The starters (£3-£5.50) include chicken wings, onion rings, calamari with tartar sauce and nachos, whilst from the mains (£6.50-£9.50) you can pick from burgers, a couple of pizzas, Caesar and Greek salads, grilled chicken breast, Cumberland sausage and fish and chips. Focaccia with halloumi cheese, and chicken and pepper pasta are slightly more exotic but, overall, the feeling is that there is a lack of imagination.

The Drink
The wine list is pretty standard, although it can be said in its favour that most will find it satisfactory. A dozen bottles are available for a reasonable £13.75-£25, with glasses set at £3.35-£4.20 or £4.75-£5.80 depending on size. Two champagnes are also affordable at £35-£45.

The beers are slightly overpriced for the experience: all bottles are £3.20 and include Corona, Becks, Peroni, Budweiser and Bulmers and Magners cider. If you prefer draught (£3.20-£3.70 a pint), your options are Staropramen, Amstel, Addlestone cider and Heineken.

The Last Word
The Islington Tap has a lot of potential but seems content on being a an honest pub. However, locals seem to like it the way it is and the area has plenty of fancier establishments if that's what you're after. One thing’s for sure – there isn’t much glamour dispensed at this no-frills boozer.

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