Bars & Pubs

Albert & Pearl
By Ben McFarland
At the upper end of Upper Street, the Albert & Pearl occupies the site previously home to the Medicine Bar, and is owned by the same folk as the Old Queen’s Head on nearby Essex Street. They’ve torn up the bar design rulebook like a crazed schoolboy after too much Sunny D, resulting in a mellow, miscellaneous mash-up of country club wood panelling, marvellous meteoric-shaped chandeliers and off-centre taxidermy shoehorned into bell-jars and hung from the walls. Upstairs, there’s a duo of more intimate, art nouveau lounges draped in er... drapes, leather and far-out fabrics.

It gets a bit naughty at the weekends, when DJs spin wheels of steel until the early hours. There’s also a monthly Saturday sale featuring vintage clothes, accessories and 'oddities'.

The drinks more than meets grape expectations with a worldly (both old and new) wine list while the cleverly crafted cocktail list offers classics with or without a twist, vast vases of punch and grog to share and Albert & Pearl exclusives. A selection of ham, cheese and olives are served from the counter and there’s half-a-dozen 'boards' which brim with Tuscan-accented tucker taken from Liliana Tamberi of Food Lab on Essex Road.
Time Out London Issue 1998

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Posted by Alex on 15 Nov 2009 00:46
Amazing, what a place, the staff were some of the finest cocktail bartenders in London. They've done it up so uniquely and the atmosphere was outstanding! Mr Thing from The Scratch Perverts was spinning the tunes...brilliant!

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Posted by JulianCracker on 03 Nov 2009 22:28
Went here last thursday after work, fortunately for us it was 2 for 1 cocktails all night! Drinks well mixed by friendly bar staff, lots of fresh fruit and great spirits used. Lovely decor and deep comfy sofas provided much needed relaxing after grooving on the dancefloor.
All in all highly recommended!

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Posted by D M on 05 Oct 2009 12:15
Celebrated my 30th here recently. It's private room is really cosy and perfect for about 40 people, which worked out well for me as about that many turned up for my party. Their cocktails were amazing and though the food could have been better, the overall experience made up for all of it.

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Posted by John on 28 Aug 2009 12:03
Great night last weekend, Dj was really good, awesome atmosphere and defo recommend it to anyone looking for a good night out

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Posted by Catherine F on 13 Jul 2009 16:16
I had my 30th birthday party at the Albert & Pearl on Saturday night, and it really was brilliant - the private room was beautiful, the drinks cabinet was very cool (I had pre-ordered some champagne and it was well-stocked with glasses & strawberries. Staff v. helpful, and my friends were very impressed with the decor. Would definitely recommend it to people.

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Posted by Marcia Silva on 05 Jun 2009 11:23
Had my birthday party @ the Albert & Pearl last week and me and my friends had a fantastic time, great communication prior to the event and excellent service!
Highly recommended!
Marcia

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Posted by Gary on 09 Feb 2009 10:54
don't go its Islington trying to meet Miami beach= pathetic

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