Hope & Anchor

I had a gig here a few weeks back and after soundcheck we had a lot of drinking time to kill before the actual show. Quite a casual, after-work vibe in there but I wouldn’t say it’s one of the best watering holes in the area. The bar staff seem to be there more for the music and gigs so aren’t that helpful if you need a hand with your drinks selections (of which the choices aren’t vast anyway).
There doesn’t seem to be much passing trade as it only got busy just before the show and emptied out immediately after which gives me the impression that perhaps people only come to this pub for the bands…

Comfy pub with a rock n' roll vibe, or should I say ska? Partially because of its Specials memorabilia, and also because its hosts gigs and open-mic evenings downstairs, it looks and feels like a musician's bar.
They serve Kopparberg too, so I was happy and I'm giving it 4 stars.

As the other reviewers mention, it’s a better music venue than a regular pub.

Seen a couple of good bands here, from loud rock to singer songwriter types. Haven’t seen a bad set yet!

Upstairs at the top there’s a pool table which can be a nice escape from the main bar. Downstairs is your average pub, not too expensive, not too fancy. Not too bad!

I wouldn’t go to the Hope and Anchor unless I was going to a gig there. As a pub it’s pretty ropey - the beer selection isn’t great, it’s fairly grubby and the layout isn’t great either. However, it is probably better than most of the “bars” along Upper Street, so that alone gives it a couple of brownie points.

As a music venue though, it’s good and has a long history to prove it. I’m not a big “new music” person - I only really go to places like this when it’s someone I know, but on the occasions that I’ve happened upon the bands playing here, they’ve been really good.

Bad pub - Good music venue.

Playing host to many up and coming bands, the Hope and Anchor in Islington is a great little, laid back bar which attracts as many music industry people as it does genuine fans.

The main floor is full of easy-going people who take advantage of the fairly priced drinks.

The downstairs music area is large with an additional bar and the acoustics are great.