As a frequent drinker and beer connoisseur, I love quaint little pubs with a friendly atmosphere and this pub has it all. A wide selection of beers on tap, plus a selection of spirits to satisfy even the most adventurous of thirst quenches. (Singapore Sling, anyone??) If you are drinking in the Mucky Pup for the first time, it really does feel like you are a guest in somebody’s house.

The Mucky Pup is a dog-friendly pub, something which we are seeing less and less of in London these days. And unlike other pubs that are simply dog “tolerant”, the Mucky Pup is actually dog-friendly and openly welcomes punters wishing to bring thier pets along. They are more then happy to provide refreshments for your canine chums as well. As the sign on the door reads: “Strictly no under-18s unless they’ve got four legs”!!

At the Mucky Pup you’ll find the complete pub experience; the games room at the back has a pool table and dartboard, and for the more cultured gamer they also offer a couple of chessboards and other board games. The jukebox is free and has a great selection of old-school rock, ‘80s music and miscellany.

Unfortunately I have yet to sample any of the food on offer, but I have heard that the Sunday roast is the best in London and the vegetarian option also comes highly recommended. Even the bar snacks are a little different; the aptly named Salty Dog crisps are sold here in a variety of flavours and are very tasty. They also offer a range of other bar snacks including the now endangered pickled egg, and a few newer beer-accompaniments such as chilli rice crackers, mixed olives and biltong.

In short, it’s the perfect pub. The absence of a TV screen means that it is a safe-haven from the high decibels and spilt beer of the latest premiership clash or six nations game, offering those who are just looking for a quiet-to-sometimes-medium drink the perfect venue. The pub also offers a heated smoking area out the back in the small beer garden. The one downside is that the toilets aren’t the greatest I have ever been in, but it’s a small price to pay for a pub experience just how it should be.

It may be slightly off the beaten track (two blocks behind Essex Rd) but the Mucky Pup is a special pub indeed.

Firstly, it has a house dog - always a good sign. Secondly, the people behind the bar are always friendly and never give you any grief or attitude. Thirdly, the food menu is perfect for a pub - good basics (chips, doorstop sandwiches, Sunday roasts) with none of your gastropub bollocks. Add to that a good dartboard and pool table out the back, and a well stocked proper jukebox, and the Pup is well worth seeking out.

The Mucky Pup is an excellent pub tucked away from the drunken mayhem of Upper Street, but is only 10mins from Angel Tube. There is plenty of space and they have an excellent range of fairly-priced bar meals.

There is a great jukebox and the back bar has a choice of pool or darts. It is very relaxed and a great way to while away a saturday or sunday afternoon. Although it gets very busy on a friday evening, it is always cheerful, with none of the attitude that taints so many other pubs in angel.

I would recommend this pub for drinks after work, or as a place to have a few pints before moving on to a club.

Great pub tucked away off the Essex Road.
Staff are friendly and easy-going.
Atmosphere is welcoming and chilled.
Good bar snacks (nachos were delicious and the portion was very generous).
They have a dog and punters are allowed to bring in their canine friends too.