The George Orwell

You’ll find the George Orwell on Essex Road, neither close enough to Islington or Angel to make it convenient which is probably why it works so hard to be as good as it is.

This pub has changed hands so many times over the years and until it became the George it sat empty and abused. After renovation and a little TLC it’s now a lovingly restored paragon of pub fun. The high ceilings inside can’t be hidden and so instead of an attempt at intimacy it goes all out on the space. Full length self-standing mirrors, big wooden tables and small huddles of chesterfields and armchairs half fill it and leave space for dancing and whooping about. The original fireplace is a good focal point for the arrangement of sixties lamps around it as well as board games and a selection of Orwell’s novels. So far, so good.

The landlord works hard to keep people coming through the doors and the weekly DJs, film clubs and jumbles are as much of a draw as the lure of a tranquil pub itself. The bar serves Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen and Becks as well as Timothy Taylor’s Landlord but there’s no food, which is a shame.

While Angel has a typical crowd, they don’t seem to be here and instead you’ll find the usual creatives who appreciate their pubs a little more than just a pub. It’s all just quite friendly with a super nice landlord too and while the location isn’t great for the footfall it’s a journey worth making.