Until fairly recently, I'd never set foot in The Barnsbury Pub on Liverpool Road. A lovely old pub away from the madness of Upper Street, it's one of Islington's hidden gems and is one of Britain's real, traditional boozers. Now under new management, it's well worth a visit, and there are some exciting goings-on that make it much more than just a place for a pint. Read on to find out what's changed!

New owner Steve, along with his two business partners and friendly pooch Dylan have been in the newly-refurbished pub for just a few weeks now, but during this time they've created a much more welcoming atmosphere in what was once a bit of a quiet bar.

The changes have brought in a whole new community of customers alongside a fair few familiar faces; some attracted by the new wider range of real ales and good quality wines; others tempted in by the brighter surroundings and tempting food menu, which is made up of good, unpretentious grub sold at honest prices. Steve and his team are enjoying getting involve with the local community, and have come up with some great regular events for punters. These include match-day barbecues for Gunners' fans, charity drinking sessions and a real ale club every Wednesday evening from 5.30 - 7.30, where all varieties of real ale are served for just £2 a pint. 

Since the refurb, everything at the Banrsbury has been restored to a high standard, from the quality of the taps in the bar to the training of the staff, who are sent on regular courses to improve their knowledge of the products on offer. This much is evident in the quality of the service, as well as the freshness of the beer. But surprisingly, one of the pub's strongest points of all has no alcohol content whatsoever: it serves a mighty fine cup of coffee that's a strong contender for the best in Islington. As one of the few retailers currently serving award-winning Nude Espresso, the Barnsbury is a must-visit for caffeine lovers everywhere.