From Charlie XCX to Dua Lipa, Islington Now reveals the pubs where you are most likely to see as many public figures as pints.
Emerald green tiles line the windows and doors of The Old Queen’s Head on Essex Road, Islington. An enticing bar to the left is illuminated by intricately patterned turquoise flooring, while Renaissance-style marble statues separate the liquor bottles behind the bartender. The smell of fresh Yorkshire puddings and roasted lamb straight out of the oven greets entering customers – along with, of course, slight wafts of Guinness.
Despite many pubs offering a similarly warm welcome, they are facing some challenging times.
In 2024, 412 pubs shut down in England and Wales, averaging 34 closures per month, according to data company Atlus Group. More than 2,000 pubs have closed their doors over the past five years.
To add further strain to the industry, Gen Z is consuming less alcohol than any other generation. According to Mintel’s industry report published last month, around 30 per cent of people aged 18-24 do not drink alcohol, and the other 70 per cent tend to drink as a treat, form of relaxation, or to mark a special occasion. In contrast, people over the age of 65 have a 25 per cent higher drinking rate than the national average.
Despite this, certain pubs have been experiencing an increase in footfall and sales. Many of them have one thing in common – they are the favoured haunts of the rich and famous.
So, is charming a celebrity the secret to success? According to our research, the answer is slightly more complicated.
Business for The Old Queen’s Head is “pretty consistent and doing very good”, according to bartender Craig Mamahan.
The pub recently sparked the attention of Gen Z when actor Paul Mescal proclaimed it was his favourite pub in London. It was even featured in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, released on 13th February.
However, the key to a thriving pub is a focus on customer service and products, according to Mamahan, who has been working at the establishment for over seven months. “Everyone here is very friendly. We make good drinks, creating amazing vibes for diners,” he said.
The best form of advertisement is word of mouth. If diners enjoy their experience, they will recommend the pub to their friends, or even make it go viral like Paul Mescal. In order to ensure longevity, it is key that the atmosphere is just right for visitors to sip their pints or tuck into a dry-aged roast beef.
After the pandemic, Mamahan believes many people were scared to revert back to their old social habits. Although people are now getting more comfortable in public settings, he nevertheless thinks the pandemic has had lingering effects on some pubs’ ability to stay afloat.
Charlotte, a local resident, said: “Coming to this pub in the springtime is the best. The sunlight streams in and makes all the tiles glow a bit more. Even sitting outside to enjoy a pint is absolutely lovely and watching the hustle and bustle on the streets.”
However, Paul Mescal is not the only celebrity to have a soft spot for pubs in Islington.
Joe Jonas, Charlie XCX, and Dua Lipa have all said their favourite pub in London is none other than The Albion on Thornhill Road.
Manager Jake Dunne said: “We have been a lot busier post-pandemic. Our sales have risen by 20 per cent.”
Its sister pub, the Pig and Butcher, made a video that went viral on TikTok, garnering over 1.3 million views. Dunne believes this helped to create more attention for The Albion.
Despite troubling forecasts, he thinks that word of mouth and a strong media presence has led to the pub’s success. “We have really good food and a lot of returning customers. Really, it comes down to maintaining a high-quality experience for patrons,” he said.
Other celebrity guests that Dunne has served include Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, and Amelia Dimoldenberg.
In Canonbury, The Compton Arms, which has been around since the 1800s, became George Orwell’s favoured watering hole. It is believed to be the inspiration behind his 1946 essay The Moon Under Water, in which he wrote that the perfect pub is “always quiet enough to talk” and the staff “know most of their customers by name”.
Resident politicians in Islington, including David Cameron’s inner circle, have previously been spotted discussing policy over pints at the alehouse, which was declared by Time Out to be the UK’s second-best pub last year.
The establishment’s artwork is one of its most memorable attributes, one of which is a framed image of three cowboy hats with “Secret Plans” written below in funky font. A truly puzzling riddle to decipher.
Moreover, it is the go-to spot for Arsenal fans, given that it is a mere 20-minute walk from the stadium.
In 2022, the pub faced a closure threat from four locals after they complained to the council that high noise levels made it a “public nuisance to the community”.
However, supporters of the pub came together and fought back against the complaints. As a result, the back garden is seated only, and a maximum of 20 people are allowed to stand outside the pub.
William, a local father, said: “I am so glad this pub fought back. It is a true heart of the community, and it will continue to thrive against potential national pub closures.”
Shakespeare’s Head, nestled near Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Arlington Way, proudly displays photos of its celebrity diners. Decorating almost every inch of the walls are signed autographs of VIPs who have paid it a visit. One of the most eye-catching additions is a newspaper clipping of Australian singer Kylie Minogue walking into the pub.
Other famous patrons over the decades have included John Cleese, Bob Hoskins, and Michael Hutchence. Even French mime and actor Marcel Marceau has stopped by the alehouse, leaving a signed autograph in his wake.
Despite its star-studded audience, Samuel Amsworth, a regular, said it is still one those “fancy, swanky pubs.” It may be “hidden away from the bustling high street”, but it still “makes you feel so welcomed,” he added. Perhaps here, after all, is the real secret of its success.
My name is Abigail Glickman and I am a postgraduate journalism student at City St. George's, University of London. I have reporting experience from my college campus's newspaper in the US, my hometown's magazine in New York, and many more.