Bars
The 6 Best Bars in Angel
Angel after dark: the backstreet cocktail dens, Irish whiskey rooms and wine bars that drink far better than Upper Street lets on.
In short: our top picks are 69 Colebrooke Row, Little Bat and Homeboy. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Angel hides its best drinking off the main drag, and that is the whole point. Skip the Upper Street chains and turn down the side streets, where you find one of London’s most influential cocktail bars, an Irish whiskey room that feels closer to Dublin than Essex Road, and wine kept by people who actually know it. This is a neighbourhood for a slow crawl rather than a big night out, and it pays back the walk.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 69 Colebrooke Row | Angel | £££ |
| Little Bat | Angel | £££ |
| Homeboy | Angel | £££ |
| Humble Grape | Battersea | ££ |
| The Brougham | Angel | ££ |
| Simmons | Angel | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
69 Colebrooke Row
Why we pick itTony Conigliaro's tiny film-noir room, marked only by a lantern, where white-jacketed bartenders build the famous Prairie Oyster and other precise classics.
hidden cocktail bar
-
Little Bat
Why we pick itFrom the Callooh Callay team, a pretty plant-filled bar where punchy signature cocktails meet a kitchen built around chef James Cochran and a side of live music.
cocktail bar, small plates
-
Homeboy
Why we pick itAn unpretentious Dublin-style room built around Irish whiskey, where the cocktails and a hip-hop soundtrack pull a loyal Essex Road crowd.
Irish cocktail bar
-
Humble Grape
Why we pick itA neighbourhood wine bar and shop just off Upper Street, pouring more than 500 mostly organic and biodynamic bottles alongside cheese and charcuterie boards.
Worth knowingService is unhurried by design, which suits a long evening working through the list but frustrates anyone wanting a quick glass and a fast exit.
natural wine bar
-
The Brougham
Why we pick itA handsome pub just off Islington Green with craft beer, wine and hand-shaken cocktails, plus Chloe's basement bar for late dancing at weekends.
characterful pub-bar
-
Simmons
Why we pick itA small bar with neon, a shark's head on the wall and a four-time award-winning happy hour, running late with DJs until 3am at weekends.
quirky late cocktail bar
Before you book
Angel station on the Northern line drops you a few minutes from most of these, with Little Bat a slightly longer stroll up towards Islington Park Street. Book ahead for 69 Colebrooke Row and Little Bat, which are small and fill fast; Simmons, Homeboy and The Brougham take walk-ins most nights. Aim for an early-evening start midweek, and use Simmons’ long happy hour if you are watching the bill.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
69 Colebrooke Row is our editor's choice: Tony Conigliaro's tiny film-noir room, marked only by a lantern, where white-jacketed bartenders build the famous Prairie Oyster and other precise classics. 69 Colebrooke Row, Little Bat and Homeboy lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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