Quick info
About Islington Arts Club
Islington Arts Club is a bar in London at 235 Upper St, with artwork on the walls that gives the room a dive-bar indie sleaze look. Classic indie tracks carry out from the venue onto the street. Two bartenders serve pints across the bar. Pizza is available to collect, and a drink purchase is required with it. The venue is due to pass to new owners and will rebrand soon.
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention rancid pints, rude bartender, indie music and overcharged tab.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention rancid pints, rude bartender, indie music and overcharged tab.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers who rate the bar highly most often point to the music, classic indie that spills out onto the street, where one sits in the sun with a cold drink. One describes the artwork as cool and the look as dive bar indie sleaze. Close behind are the two bartenders, called welcoming, funny and hilarious, and another reviewer says a few pints there made for a great evening. More than half the reviews are negative, and four describe the same incident: a pint that smelled like yoghurt or spoiled milk, then a bartender who they say shouted over the bar and told them to leave when they asked for a replacement. One reviewer says she felt threatened and found the hygiene concerning. Others report being overcharged for a single pint with no reply to repeated refund requests, and being told they had to buy a drink when collecting a pizza. Those who left unhappy repeatedly describe the same moment: a polite request to swap a pint met with yelling.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers who rate the bar highly most often point to the music, classic indie that spills out onto the street, where one sits in the sun with a cold drink. One describes the artwork as cool and the look as dive bar indie sleaze. Close behind are the two bartenders, called welcoming, funny and hilarious, and another reviewer says a few pints there made for a great evening. More than half the reviews are negative, and four describe the same incident: a pint that smelled like yoghurt or spoiled milk, then a bartender who they say shouted over the bar and told them to leave when they asked for a replacement. One reviewer says she felt threatened and found the hygiene concerning. Others report being overcharged for a single pint with no reply to repeated refund requests, and being told they had to buy a drink when collecting a pizza. Those who left unhappy repeatedly describe the same moment: a polite request to swap a pint met with yelling.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Was served a rancid pint that smelled like yoghurt. Went to the bartender to ask if I could possibly switch it for another drink, and he proceeded to shout and be incredibly rude and aggressive, and I felt very threatened as a young woman. I was polite and reasonable, and he continued to berate me over the bar and told us to leave if we didn’t like it. I would not visit as the hygiene is concerning and the owner is aggressive.”
- Google user
“Such a shame that one of the bartenders was so rude to our group when my friend said her pint was gone off and kindly requested another/alternative. The bartender continued to yell across the pub throughout the experience, so we chose to leave.”
- Google user
“Staff is weird and low-key rude. Went in to collect pizza, they said I must buy a drink??? Whatever is going on there they need new management. Weirdest vibe I’ve felt in a while”
- Google user
“Avoid this place! Not only is the atmosphere stale, but so are their overpriced pints and attitude of the staff. After ordering a pint that smelt and tasted like spoiled milk (I.e., was unfit for human consumption), we were met with aggression from the barman who protested pouring a fresh drink and ultimately demanded we leave. I can appreciate that mix-ups happen in stock and/or equipment/products may have been damaged (leading to issues with freshness), but the response from the staff was far from what one would typically expect! I cannot fathom how this place remains in business after receiving such insults following a polite request to exchange a drink.”
- Google user
“DISGUSTING place, with abhorrent service and a completely vibe-less atmosphere. The bartender was disgustingly rude to my friend, who politely asked for a replacement beer after she was served a rancid pint. He screamed at her over the bar to get out if she didn’t like it, and proceeded to get angrier whilst he was apologising. If you like to be yelled at and berated for no reason, go here! You won’t be disappointed.”
Highlights
“The venue will be under new ownership and rebranding very soon”
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Dine-in
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Food
- Live music
Show more amenities
- Sports
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Highlights· 1
- Live performances
Location
Bars near Islington Arts Club
- The Pocket4.82540.1 mi£10–20
cask ales on handpump, sausage rolls, pickled eggs and pork pies
- 0.1 mi£10–20
upstairs theatre performances, well-kept pints, match-day pub atmosphere
- The Hare & Hounds4.6820.2 miWheelchair accessible
sunday roast, roasted pork belly, private top floor hire
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islington Arts ClubWi-Fi | 3.890 | — | £10–20 | rancid pints, rude bartender, indie music |
| The Pocket | 4.8254 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | cask ales on handpump, sausage rolls, pickled eggs and pork pies |
| The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar | 4.5776 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | upstairs theatre performances, well-kept pints, match-day pub atmosphere |
| The Hare & HoundsWheelchair accessible | 4.682 | 0.2 mi | — | sunday roast, roasted pork belly, private top floor hire |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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