Given that it's hidden among some of N1's most covetable residential streets and the barbed-wire-decked back of Pentonville Prison, the Hemingford Arms has to cater for a wide range of locals. It does so beautifully in its own kooky way via the means of drag bingo nights, an out-of-tune piano, Thai food and a scrappy pub dog. The building is made extra beautiful on the outside by leafy swathes of ivy and pretty hanging baskets, but it's as much a sight to see inside, too; its walls and ceilings covered with dusty old curios. Prosthetic legs wearing old trainers stick out of a treasure chest; a pair of taxidermy ducks preside over a pew; vintage film posters and beer adverts tile the wall behind a big screen that shows the football on mute.
It's pretty standard pub fare, drinks-wise, though the selection of cask ales is well-curated, presumably to appease the jumble of old men and trendy young locals who take up the majority of the bar stools and tables. The outdoor benches are a popular spot to soak up some afternoon sun during the summer months, but make sure to spend some time inside, too – between the countless treasures and the ivy-vignettes on the windows you could be sinking a pint in a Lewis Carroll poem.