87 Noel Road,
Islington,
London,
N1 8HD
0872 148 3206
The ViewLondon Review
This is a fine London boozer with plenty of serene and quirky charm. It takes its name from a boat, and judging from the paintings and colours, we are talking about islands which are hot and lush and far away, not this one.
The décor is endearing in that it looks like it was someone’s pet project long before the career of interior designer actually existed. If someone took the criteria and repeated it now, it would probably look garish and nasty, but the Island Queen is a little subdued by time and looks calm and dignified.
Detailed paintings of foliage of the kind seen in Victorian parlours in costume dramas, like Aspidistra and spider plants, adorn the large wall mirrors in a thick, almost plasticine-like medium. Paintings of ships seem about to steer their way through the screens of leaves on the walls.
Handsome, solid lamps hang from the ceiling, and along with the hazy whirr of the wooden fans, add to the atmosphere of a pub in a colonial plantation or ranch.
Back to the 21st Century, there is a side room with pool tables, and the upstairs will soon be open as a Lounge bar, with squashy sofas and more pool. Pavement seating is also popular, as the pub is in a residential road and there aren’t too many cars.
Customers are generally locals, or office workers from nearby businesses, talking about their holidays and whatever road-kill reality TV is on at the moment, or quietly gossiping.
The average age is definitely more sedate 40’s than thrill-seeking 20’s, and I wouldn’t describe it as hip n’ groovy. This is no criticism at all - the Island Queen has plenty of personality and has no need of trendiness to supply its composed brand of relaxation. The food looks good too.
The bar staff are friendly; special charm points go to Ben. The manager Craig has also won all manner of prizes like the Casque Marque Certificate of Excellence, which apparently proves you are an extra-good innkeeper.
It’s not fusty, it’s not frosty, and like Long John Silver it’s a trrrrusty establishment.
Island Queen has been reviewed by 5 users