Vibrant, fun and larger than life, the Junction is the Islington venue of choice for sport fanatics and foodies alike – not bad for a pub named after a roundabout.

The Venue
The Junction can be found just off the Highbury & Islington roundabout, on Corsica Street. An imposing wrought-iron gate, and large outdoor seating area complete with overhanging balcony, leads into the enormous, multi-tiered main room. Tastefully lit, and with mirrors, candles, pot plants and framed pictures decorating the various booths around the outer perimeter, the wooden-floored space is decked out with all manner of tables, stools and sofas capable of seating a fairly large percentage of the local population, which comes in handy on busy nights and for notable sporting events – the room is equipped with enough TVs and projectors to ensure a prime vantage point from anywhere in the venue.

Pillarbox-red supporting struts provide a semblance of thematic consistency, and lead from the padded bar on the left hand side (all pretensions of grandeur playfully punctured by the large ventilation duct overhead) down to the recessed dining area and the open-front kitchen at the back of the room. Visiting the restroom involves a fair trek up two flights of stairs, but otherwise the venue handles the vast space at its disposal with impressive efficiency and grace.

The Atmosphere
The Junction pulls off the neat trick of balancing the mass appeal of its televised sporting events, always a big hit with the nearby Arsenal faithful, with the subtler charms of its dining area, frequented by locals, City workers and students alike. Due to its lay-out and general roominess, one cannot help but compare the venue with the chains of faceless, impersonal sports bars that populate so much of central London, but the comparison is definitely favourable, and whether you're looking for a fun, relaxed evening with your friends or a nail-biting sporting showdown, you'll probably leave satisfied at the end of the night. The customers are friendly, the staff are attentive and the atmosphere is usually electric.

The Food
The open-front kitchen specialises in delicious stone-baked pizzas (£4-£9) that come in differing sizes – the 6" is unassuming but surprisingly filling, whilst the 12" is recommended for the those with a raging appetite - and they come with a bewildering variety of toppings: chilli con carne, barrel-aged Greek feta and Moroccan tajine, to name but a few. Strength in depth is demonstrated by excellent nibbles, such as quesadillas (£5), burgers (£8) and salads (£7), whilst the dessert menu is short but sweet – the cherry Bakewell cheesecake (£3.50) is a wonder to behold.

The Drink
As well as a comprehensive list of beers and ciders sourced from four continents, the Junction boasts a hefty wine and champagne list at reasonable prices (£3 for a glass of house white, all the way to £50 for a bottle of Laurent Perrier), and a catalogue of in-house cocktails (£6 – two for one on Thursdays!) including the Ringo Starr, which combines rhubarb and Zubrowka and comes in a jam jar, and a strangely appealing gingerbread and cinnamon martini. All of which is very much above and beyond the call of duty, and yet another reason to check this place out.

The Last Word
At a geographical and stylistic crossroads, the Junction lives up to its name with something for everyone: great food, a cracking atmosphere and all the sport you can handle.

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