Old Queens Head

Pub in Islington
Old Queens Head image
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8 / 10 from 11 reviews
Address
44 Essex Road
Islington
London
N1 8LN
Map
Telephone
020 7354 9993
Region
Islington
Nearest Station
Essex Road
0.34 miles
Category
Pubs
Other Branches
Spirit Group
Opening Summary
Sunday - Wednesday 12.00-00.00
Thursdays 12.00-01.00
Friday & Saturday 12.00-02.00
Venue Facilities

Smoking Area

Food Served

Big Screen TV

Children Welcome

Credit Cards Accepted

Music Played

Live Music Played

Private Area

Outdoor Area

This famous North London Pub is well renowned for it's beautiful Victorian look, it's laid back vibe and the amazing bands and DJ's that have graced the upstairs living room. Based on two floors, the ground floor is immersed in subtle reminders of the pubs long history with an original 17th century fireplace, quirky antiques and grand regency ceiling high above the bar.

The Victorian Living Room is a fantastic music and function space for upto 120 people. With full sound and AV facilities, our private room is available day and night for business briefings, showcases, live music, and film events, product launches, wrap parties, large sit down dinners or wedding receptions.

Our extremely experienced kitchen is fully equipped to cater for dining and canapé parties of all sizes. Take a look at our selection of menus or arrange a meeting with our bookings team and Chef who will tailor make a menu especially for you.

Old Queens Head Picture Gallery

OQH front
OQH front
Function Room 1
Function Room 1
Function Room 3
Function Room 3
Function Room 4
Function Room 4
Function Room 5
Function Room 5
Function Room 6
Function Room 6
Gound Floor 3
Gound Floor 3
Gound Floor 6
Gound Floor 6
Gound Floor 8
Gound Floor 8
Food 1
Food 1

All In London Review

... parties are wild, people are young and pretty and the atmosphere embraces you.

When sat at home pondering over where to go out, The Old Queen’s Head is just the kind of venue that pops into your head with its ability to accommodate all the criteria of a good night on the town. New music? Yes. Live bands? Indeed. Gastro cuisine? Why of course. Karaoke room? Certainly. Aaaand enough of the Q&A! You get the picture - it’s a mighty grand, all encompassing fun house.

Located on Balls Pond Road on the adjacent strip to Upper Street, the large Victorian building certainly stands out. A clutch of picnic tables sit outside and there’s enough pavement for cramp free standing. Inside, the classic look is touched up with the trimmings of modernity – piled board games, irreverent pictures, disco ball – you got it. The vast ground floor deals primarily with the eaters and drinkers and it’s off up the stairs to the second floor for live bands and all you can sing karaoke (starting from £20 per hour).

When it comes to lineups, the Old Queen’s Head is no amateur hour talent show – big bands and DJs never outgrow a desire to play here. The XX debuted some shows, the Nextmen spin records, and pop in towards the end of the week and you’re likely to get a DJ set from Mystery Jets – or some other jangly indie band – along with your pint.

The Sunday Social is always a good time, with roast dinners, bloody Mary and board games for fun, alongside those weighty newspapers. The food for the rest of the week is good quality pub fare with the likes of ham, egg and chips and beer battered fish and chips keeping with tradition. There’s a solid range of beers and a surprisingly good cocktail menu – two for one on Monday evenings.

The Old Queen’s Head rarely disappoints – parties are wild, people are young and pretty and the atmosphere embraces you.

Reviewed by Leila
Published on Feb 3, 2012


Best For

Get scared in London's haunted pubs picture

Get scared in London's haunted pubs

Even Scooby would kack himself

If you’re looking to mix a little entertainment into your spooky schedule then look no further than the Old Queen’s Head. Their music nights provide the perfect opportunity for you to grab that dance with the old Tudor woman who was slaughtered in an upstairs room, just don’t get put off by the spirit of the weeping child who pines for her mother.

London's best Karaoke bars picture

London's best Karaoke bars

We check out the best...

The Old Queen’s Head is proud owner of one of London’s most intimate karaoke rooms. Complete with booze button so you don’t have to drop the mic to get a refill and a dressing up box to turn you into a star, all you have to do is bring the voice of an angel.

Best venues for a birthday bash picture

Best venues for a birthday bash

Not all venues in London are happy to accept guest arrivals in pink limos but these will probably turn a blind eye to it.

Take a large pub in the heart of Angel, add excellent weekend parties, famous guest DJs and karaoke rooms with dressing-up boxes and you’ve got yourself a great birthday venue. The Old Queen’s Head will book out rooms and spaces to satisfy all your party needs.

London's hardest pub quizzes picture

London's hardest pub quizzes

C'mon smartypants...

At the Old Queens Head they like to mix things up a bit by replacing conventional rounds of questions with activities like ‘dirty doodles’ and ‘kazookeoke’. Takes place every Tuesday.

Things to Try

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No Scrubs or Rave Karaoke

Get your slippers off, you're going out...
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User Reviews

Anonymous

Dec 2, 2009

Love love love the Old Queens Head! Great bands, excellent DJ's and reasonably priced drinks. The crowd in attendance are some of the hottest I've seen and the vibe in the bar is laid back, casual and perfect for a weekend night out. Though it does get quite busy very fast, this is only testimony to how brilliant the place is. It is perhaps one of the few bars in London that can alternate between being a bar, club and a gastro pub all at the same time. The service is quick and the staff quirky yet friendly. Recommended for a great night out, any day of the week.
Anonymous

Nov 18, 2009

The old queens head is definately my favourite sunday hang out/hangover recovery port! wicked roasts, friendly and helpful staff and free live music upstairs...we saw the bombay bicycle club one week, for free! i would always recommend the queens to while away your sunday afternoon and maybe even work up to a bit of a dance later!
Anonymous

Sep 10, 2009

There is really good lineups here for instance Dead or Alive,Plump djs etc its very nice venue and the atmosphere is good
one of the best places i have been to in a while
Shandolf

Nov 5, 2008

I went down this place on Sunday (2/11/08) for an event called Last Chance Saloon. They had a few really good bands on, like Helsinki which has one of the guys from Babyshambles in and Six Nation Army who were awesome. They also serve Sunday roasts til 9pm which is great if like me you get up particularly late on weekends and miss out on the roast at other pubs. There was such a great buzz in there, I'll definitely be back for some more Sunday Boozing. Lovely stuff.
Anonymous

Oct 20, 2008

If you enjoy:

1) paying to go into a normal pub/bar.
2) queuing up to get in (when inside is empty)
3) obnoxious door staff
4) being constantly told you can't stand where you are standing
4) averageness

then this is the place for you.


seanporter

Jun 27, 2007

Favourite pub in Islington.
Amazing people,food, and most importantly music!!
Trendy without being pretentious!
user name

Aug 17, 2006

In my experience, this little gem is not to be missed. I stumbled across it while waiting for a friend. Was shocked at how this bar was successfully trendy without being stuck up. The décor is complimentary to the antique stone fire place and the atmosphere is warm and cosy to match. This bar is ‘it’ without even trying! Has a great wine list that was well soaked up with the tasty pies on offer.
angel_01

Aug 16, 2006

What a fantastic pub, this place has it all, great live gigs. Babyshambles & Peaches Geldolf are just the ones I have seen. Every Friday & Saturday famous dj's rock the joint, great food & friendly, not to mention, incredibly hot staff! Defiantly one of my favourite venues!
KitKat

Aug 16, 2006

I've become a bit of an Old Queens Head regular of late - its certainly a lot better since the refurb. New Vintage decor with some original features, antique furniture and the poshest loos in London - surely!

They do great food, the staff are friendly and the events each weekend are more than note worthy. I went and saw the Scratch Perverts there a little while ago. Rediculous for a pub? A little bit, but it seems to work.
Londonfashion

Jul 16, 2006

I went to Old Queens Head before they changed it and it was quite boring. But since new management has taken over it has become great. The upstairs has great dj's or live acts each week and it is not too pricey for a fun hang out with friends. I definitely recommend it :)

x angela
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