Reinvented as a fantastic gastro pub, this Islington-based venue greatly impresses with guest ales and Sunday roasts galore.

The Venue
The Barnsbury is a compact gastro pub on Liverpool Road, running parallel to Upper Street and a short walk from both Angel and Highbury & Islington stations. An unassuming outside seating area gives way to a bustling main room, replete with wooden floorboards, mirrors, blackboards and beer-related knick-knacks lining the pale blue walls. Tables and chairs of various sizes are placed around a central bar, divided smartly into partitions and decorated with chandeliers made from upside-down wine glasses.

A separate dining area can be found towards the back of the room - with an entire wall consisting of French windows and the remaining space painted white and made up of pews and tables for single or group seating; it is an airy and well-lit spot to while away the day, and leads onto a recently-renovated beer garden out back.

The Atmosphere
A new addition to the Barnsbury neighbourhood in its current incarnation, the pub is becoming somewhat of an institution in Islington, attracting visitors from nearby residential areas and even minor celebrities. Especially busy at weekends, when the roast-based menu comes into its own (more on that later), the main room and, weather permitting, beer garden are particularly pleasant settings in which to pass the day or evening – no bells and whistles, just good music, good company and a stack of board games in case attention spans start to wane. Although no regular events are scheduled, discounted ale evenings on Mondays and Tuesdays are understandably popular, and occasional live music nights have played host to established and up-and-coming London talents.

The Food
The food at the Barnsbury is hearty and wholesome, with a particular mention reserved for the excellent Sunday roasts, available in a variety of forms (beef, chicken, lamb) for around £14. On weekdays, main courses are filling and tasty (if a little dear) with burgers, steak sandwiches and fish & chips weighing at around £10 a serving, and more advanced dishes like seared tuna steak or pork chop with chorizo risotto costing a not-unreasonable £13.50. A seriously tempting dessert spread – including a superb mint chocolate cheesecake at £5.50 – should see you through to the end of your meal a satisfied customer.

The Drink
The staff at Barnsbury manfully keep tabs on an ever-changing roster of guest ales, too numerous to list here, and are happy to take requests from patrons while selecting the next batch. As well as Staropramen and Amstel on tap among others (at roughly £3.50 a pint), the partitioned bar holds many hidden delights, including a comprehensive wine list (try the 2009 Argentinian Torrentés, at £3.50 a glass or £18 a bottle, for an excellent companion to your roast) and all manner of spirits and liqueurs for further post-prandial indulgence.

The Last Word
Friendly, cosy and no slouch with its ales, the Barnsbury is a pub-goer’s pub par excellence, and should by rights be the focal point of every north Londoner’s weekend at some point.

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