Ambitious and constantly surprising, the Winchester deserves to be an Islington institution, and caters to just about every hedonistic impulse of your average pub-goer.

The Venue
An all-white building on the corner of Essex Road and Upper Street, the Winchester can be found in the heart of Islington, just across from Islington Green Gardens. It is comprised of a dimly-lit basement, which doubles as a late-night club and dancefloor and comes into its own at the weekend, and a multi-layered ground floor that acts as dining room, bar and social hub simultaneously. The decoration here is impressively intricate without being showy; the simple white and brick walls are covered in all manner of knick-knacks and curios – from typewriters to vintage books, gilded mirrors and paintings to ornate newsprint wallpaper and - why not - a giant ceramic tiger on the uppermost tier of the dining area.

The ground floor is divided into distinct zones, all available for private hire, and named according to their particular idiosyncrasies – Magpie Corner, for instance, can seat up to 10 people next to the entrance, and is brightly lit by the many full-length windows skirting the building, whilst The Snug offers unrivaled intimacy in a grand, oak-panelled side-room padded with comfortable sofas and quirky flourishes. There are two luxuriously-appointed bars, one on each floor (the basement bar also houses the resident DJ booth), and the overall feel is both comfortable and functional.

The Atmosphere
For a self-described bar-slash-nightclub, the Winchester maintains a pleasingly intimate atmosphere and is often full to bursting without ever getting too rowdy – no mean feat for one of the few venues to stay open late in Islington. Like the surrounding area, it is conspicuously young and vibrant, with obliging and knowledgeable staff and a killer soundtrack, including hand-picked DJs towards the end of the week. The Tuesday pub quiz is a major draw, and the 2-for-1 lunch and cocktail deals (on weekdays and Thursdays respectively) don't hurt attendance figures either.

The Food
The kitchen puts forth what can only be described as consistently impeccable, tasty gastro pub cuisine - from lunch (did we mention it's 2-for-1?) to dinner, via sharing platters (£14.50 gets you enough meze or seafood to keep a decent-sized group going for the evening) and light bites like nachos and calamari (£5-£6). Main courses such as the peppercorn-coated fillet of beef with sautéed potatoes and bok choi (£16.95), or lobster thermidor (£18.50) are ludicrously indulgent yet competitively priced, and there is an extremely tempting array of desserts should you feel the urge, including a generous mound of apple crumble for just £6.50. A special weekend menu includes breakfast until early afternoon (the full English is worth a flutter at £7.25) and 2-for-1 Sunday roasts. All served courteously, efficiently and with a minimum of fuss, as it should be.

The Drink
The Winchester has seemingly made its name on its cocktails, the recipes for which have been lovingly passed down through generations of barmen, or so they would have you believe. Above and beyond the established classics like the cosmopolitan and the dark 'n stormy (executed in exemplary fashion, incidentally), we get esoteric concoctions like Willy's Wonka (bourbon, blueberries and egg white served in a jam jar), Tease Me (pear vodka, peach liqueur and English Breakfast tea) and the brilliantly-monikered Stop Twisting My Melons Man (cachaca, watermelon and shredded mint), all for £7.50, or £9 for champagne cocktails. Groups may also want to check out the sharing teapots of cocktails, or ‘Teatails’, which are available for £14.50 and can be served hot or cold, lending a distinctly 1920s-speakeasy vibe to proceedings. Add to that an extensive list of wines and champagnes, and a quite staggering selection of beers and spirits, and there really is something for everyone at the Winchester – even the designated drivers get their own range of delicious non-alcoholic libations (£4).

The Last Word
With mind-bending cocktails and fantastic food and ambiance, the Winchester outdoes itself on nearly every possible level. Do yourself a favour and pay it a visit one night.

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