Best Pub Beer Gardens in North London
One of the many things that makes Electric Works the ideal office space is its closeness to all the wonderful places to eat, drink, and relax that Islington, Holloway and North London affords.
Check out our list below for our favourite beer gardens in the local area. They are a perfect way to enjoy the summer evenings after work.
The Albion, Islington
1523 reviews with an average of 4 stars
10 Thornhill Rd, London N1 1HW
Located just off Upper Street, The Albion combines historical charm with modern comfort. This beautifully restored Georgian pub sits within the Barnsbury conservation area in Islington, making it a perfect spot for relaxing after a day at the office.
The picturesque wisteria-covered terrace makes for an ideal beer garden for those precious summer evenings. Summer (or winter) rain shouldn’t deter you either, as the floor-to-ceiling French windows offer year-round garden views.
The Albion is also home to an award-winning Sunday roast. That might just be enough to tempt you in on the weekends, too.
How to get there
The Albion is only a mile away from Electic Works N7, and the journey is very straightforward. It will take you about 25 minutes to walk
Turn on to Eden Grove outside Electric Works and follow the road south. Turn right at the end, then left on to Lough Road. When you reach the end of Paradise Park turn right onto Sheringham Road, then left on to Westbourne Road.
At the end you will see Thornhill Road to your right. You can follow this all the way to the Albion which will be on your left.
The Earl of Essex, Islington
1,382 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars
25 Danbury St, London N1 8LE
Comfortably tucked between the residential backstreets of Angel and Canonbury, and less than 150 feet from Regent’s Canal, the Earl of Essex offers a vibrant atmosphere and an extensive beer selection. It may be a little out of the way, but this popular pub (with well over a thousand reviews on Google) draws beer lovers from all over.
The pub showcases an array of nearly 20 taps and pumps, offering a range of popular and microbrew refreshment. The Earl likes to mix up the selection too. With the beer selection changing regularly you always have an excuse to come back. The pub menu is focused on gastropub cuisine, but pairs this with an excellent wine list.
The Earl of Essex boasts a small but cosy beer garden too, which makes it an ideal place to sit back with your new favourite beer after a sunshine walk along the canal.
How to get there
The easiest way get to The Earl of Essex from Electric Works is by bus. The no. 43 departs from Stop SY heading south on Holloway Road and departs every eight minutes. Stay on board until Stop B between the Everyman Cinema and the Islington Business Design Centre.
From here, walk through Islington Green and along St Peter’s Street. Turn right onto Danbury Street and the Earl will be just down the road on your right. Regent’s Canal is only a minute further along the road.
The Old White Lion, East Finchley
1,394 reviews with an average of 4.3 stars
121 Great N Rd, Greater, London N2 0NW
Website: theoldwhitelionfinchley.co.uk
Next door to East Finchley tube station on the Northern Line is The Old White Lion pub. In keeping with its location next to one of London’s major transport networks, the pub is actually sited on an old toll gate.
Inside the spacious 17th century building is a mixture of historical architecture, local art, and modern pub food and drink. The pub itself contains the bar, as well as a cosy seating area and dining area.
But you are here for the beer garden, not a history lesson, and on that score The Old White Lion won’t disappoint. Their ‘secret garden and alfredo dining terrace’ is located on the south side of the building. Seating is a mixture of trestle tables with benches alongside chairs and tables, and all of it is surrounded by shrubs and bushes. The garden is visible from the street on one side (so not so secret), but private otherwise.
This one is a little further afield from Electric Works N7, but easy to get to thanks to great public transport networks. With more than 1,300 reviews it must be doing something to be worth a visit. And when it’s time to leave, you have a tube station and a bus stop right outside.
How to get there
Getting to the Old White Lion from Electric Works is another slightly longer journey, but well worth the effort, and getting home again will be a breeze.
The the 263 bus heading north on Holloway Road from bus stop SU. Stay on this for about 30 minutes and you will arrive at East Finchley tube station. The pub is right next door. What could be easier than that after a day in the office?
The White Hart, Stoke Newington
790 reviews with an average of 4 stars
69 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 8EL
Website: whitehartstokenewington.com
The White Hart’s beer garden is set in a paved courtyard surrounded by green hedges. This scenic escape provides a verdant wall separating you from your work in the office, because now is the time to relax.
In the garden you can enjoy plenty of seating, a great selection of beers, and if you are hungry, an extensive menu full of welcome favourites.
If you want to do more than simply relax, why not join one of the regular quiz nights, or take advantage of the table games and pinball machines on offer – 20th century retro in a 17th century building.
How to get there
Getting here involves a slightly longer walk than some other pubs and beer gardens on our North London list, but getting there is still only a short cab ride. Rectory Road station is also less than half a mile away.
You can take a cab and get there in about 20 minutes, but if you choose to walk, it will take you just over 45 minutes.
On foot, turn right on to Hornsy Street as you leave Electric Works N7, then head toward the Emirate’s Stadium and cross the Danny Fiszman Bridge into Marineau Road.
Keep heading north-east until you reach Clissold Crescent and follow this into Albion Road, and then right on to Barbauld Road, and then through Yorkshire Close and Victorian Grove until you reach Stoke Newington High Street on the A10. The White Hart will be on your left, just a few doors down.
The Drapers Arms, Islington
983 reviews with an average of 4.2 stars
44 Barnsbury St, London N1 1ER
This Georgian building is a neighbourhood treasure, and its striking blue pastel exterior both demands your attention and welcomes you in as you approach from the north end of Lonsdale Square.
The secluded back garden, equipped with big umbrellas, is ideal for both sunny summer days and rainy afternoons. The beer garden backs on to Morland Mews Park, which makes it less overlooked than some of the other beer gardens on our list. You may also be able to enjoy the evening sunset through the trees.
Only one mile from Electric Works N7, The Drapers Arms would make an ideal after-work destination for your team. Relax with some cold beers and a cheeseboard sourced from Neal’s Yard.
How to get there
The Drapers Arms is around the corner from the Albion, so you could follow the walking directions there and turn left on to Barnsbury Street, or take the bus instead.
Take the number 43 south from bus stop SY and get off outside Islington Town Hall. Then all you need to do is walk a short distance and turn right into Barnsbury Street from the opposite end. Walk a quarter of a mile down the street and the Drapers Arms will be on your right. Thanks to that pastel blue frontage you can’t miss it.
There’s nothing more relaxing than a cool drink after a long day, but if you are looking for restaurant instead, see our list of the best restaurants in Islington and Holloway, or the best cafes in the area if you prefer something lighter.
The other side of the work-life balance is getting things done, so if you are on the lookout for new flexible office space, see the units we have available here.
If you are new to flexible office spaces, we also have a series of articles on the World of Work.
That perfect space is waiting for you!