The Yard - 'Mixing Inside the Box'
What To Do?
To Visit
Arsenal Football Clubwww.arsenal.com
Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Grove, N7. Tel: 020 7704 4040
Arsenal are one of the giants of European football and have achieved much success in domestic competitions over the last ten years. For admirers of the Gunners, you can always try to get your hands on some match tickets although this can be hard to do, especially for Premiership games. For those who are not so keen, Emirates Stadium serves as a fairly large target for egg throwing (Miloco will not be held responsible for any arrests due to client hooliganism!!).
Carling Academy Islingtonwww.islington-academy.co.uk
N1 Centre, 16 Parkfield Street, N1 OPS. Tel: 020 7787 3131
A part of the Carling Academy group, the Islington Academy is one of the newest additions to the group. In the heart of the trendy area of Angel, the venue is split into two stages; the main stage hosts high-profile and established artists, and the smaller stage puts on up-and-coming artists. If you have trouble finding it after a few beers in the bars of Angel (speaking from experience here!), just try to remember that it is actually in the shopping centre. Strange, we know!!
Electrowerkzwww.electrowerkz.com
7 Torrens Street, EC1V 1NQ. Tel: 020 7837 6419
If your nightlife tastes aren't so fussed about glamour and, well, cleanliness, then this unique nightclub might be right up your street. The aptly named Slimelight night is London's biggest goth night, although you need membership to get in (they actually do check applicants out to see if their image is 'appropriate'). People who have a tendency to fall over in clubs beware: unless you want your mum to shout at you the next time she does the washing, wear clothes you don't mind throwing out at the end of the night!!
Buffalo Barwww.buffalobar.co.uk
259 Upper Street, N1. Tel: 020 7359 6191
Situated on Highbury Corner underneath The Famous Cock Tavern, Buffalo Bar is one of the top London venues for new music. With some brilliant new music every night of the week, what makes this venue even better for Yard clients is that it is basically next door to the studio, perfect for after long tiring sessions, to go and have some beers and unwind. From Kings Cross, it is one stop North on the Victoria Line to Highbury and Islington. Buffalo Bar is right next to the station.
Union Chapelwww.unionchapel.org.uk
The Vestry, Compton Avenue, N1 2XD. Tel: 020 7226 1686
Another live venue with a unique twist, the Union Chapel is both a fully functioning church as well as a venue for a wide variety of live music. In Autumn 2006, Union Chapel teamed up with learning disability charity MENCAP to put on a series of events raising money and awareness. Names as big as Noel Gallagher, Chris Martin, Lily Allen, The Fratellis, The Kooks, KT Tunstall, James Morrison and Kasabian.
The Garagewww.meanfiddler.com
20-22 Highbury Corner, N5 1RD. Tel: 020 7607 1818
One of the smaller venues of the Mean Fiddler chain, The Garage is situated on Highbury Corner, virtually opposite Highbury and Islington station. Specialising in alternative music, Creation records founder Alan McGee hosts a night at the venue called 'Now We're Off To Rehab', and Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq has a night called 'Steve Lamacq's Punk Rock Karaoke'. Confused? Well go down and check it out.
To Drink
Don't panic! There are 1288 bars within 3 miles of Highbury & Islington tube... here's a handful:
Matt & Matt112 Upper Street, Islington, N1 (020) 7226 6035
Miloco boasts two engineers trading under the Christian name Matt (Messrs Hyde and Foster) so it would be pretty remiss of us not to recommend this funky bar and namesake. Matt & Matt knocks out decent drinks and top tunes in equal measure. If you're feeling jaded then pop in for a few rounds...
The Compton Arms4 Compton Avenue, London, N1 2XD (020) 7359 6883
Small, smokey, delicious and with a superfriendly landlord
The White Swan (JD Wetherspoon)251-256 Upper St, London, N1 1RY (020) 7288 9050
Typical Wetherspoons. Does everything it says on the tin. And the steaks are particularly good, apparently.
Lush Bar235, Upper St, London, N1 1RU (020) 7704 6977
A great venue on Upper St. Excellent bar, not too packed and boasting the ever-splendid Leffe. Funky house DJs play on Saturdays and the live music 'continues to get better week by week', so they say.
The Hen and Chickens109 St Paul's Road, London, N1 2NA (020) 7704 2001
Handy-for-the-station standard pub scenario
Bar and dining house Islington2 Essex Road, Islington, London, N1 8LN 0871 075 1688
Very now, very dark laminate, very Robin Day chair-filled, very modish lighting-enhanced, this great restaurant and bar (situated alongside Islington Green) serves up some very tasty food. Add a relaxed funky atmosphere, great drinks and music and it rapidly sounds like a great excuse for a night out.
The Medicine Bar181 Upper Street, Islington, N1 (020) 7704 8056
The original Medicine Bar (there's now another one in Shoreditch) has one of the best music policies in town, and is a sure bet for music celeb spotting. Great drinks too.
The Duke of Cambridge30 St Peter's Street, Islington, N1 (020) 7359 3066
Unlike many of the local pubs scattered in and around Islington, the Duke of Cambridge takes pride in its beer. This comes courtesy of the St Peter's Brewery, and is utterly sublime. Everything is organic here, and the food is a winner too.
To Eat
Mem & Laz8 Theberton Street, London N1. Tel: (020) 7704 9089
Serving a wide selection of dishes at great value for money, Mem & Laz is a small Mediterranean brasserie packing a full house on most nights due to its simple combination of great food, fantastic service and a very laid-back atmosphere, reflected in the vintage decor.
Desperados127 Upper Street, London N1. Tel: (020) 7226 3222
This Tex Mex restaurant/bar thrives on the vibrant and colourful character of Latin America. It boasts a vast menu of Mexican food complimented with a choice of native beers and an impressive cocktail list. Look out for their tequila-flavoured beer!
Gallipoli Bazaar102 Upper Street, Islington, London N1. Tel: (020) 7359 0630
Gallipoli Bazaar is a Turkish restaurant on Upper Street that knocks out some damned tasty food at great prices. Fresh and exotic dishes are the order of the day.
Giraffe29-31 Essex Road, Islington, London N1. Tel: (020) 7359 5999
This charmingly peculiar restaurant is famed for its tasty and, dare I say it, healthy menu. Popular with young parents (Giraffe is well-known for its kid-friendly tendencies) and young at hearts generally, it's definitely worth a visit.
FredericksCamden Passage, London N1. Tel: (020) 7359 2888
One of Islington's best restaurants (if not the best), Fredericks serves up fantastic modern euro food, and the 200 plus bottle wine list is exceptional. It should be right at the top of your list!
Le Mercury140a Upper Street, Islington, London N1. Tel: (020) 7354 4088
Le Mercury is a friendly and fairly romantic French restaurant on Upper Street. It's pretty popular, and can be pretty busy in the evenings. Still, a candlelit table for two should still ensure maximum brownie points!
The North Star188-190 New North Road, Islington N1. Tel: (020) 7354 5400
This excellent gastropub is always a winner. Great menu in nice relaxed surroundings ensure that it's always pretty busy. Recommended.
Le Montmartre196 Essex Road, London N1. Tel: (020) 7688 1497
Le Montmartre is a very fine little bistro - expect an extremely French menu! From frogs' legs to snails, and from cassoulet to wild boar sausages, you'll find it all here. Recommended.
Thai Square347-349 Upper Street, London N1 0PD. Tel: 020 7704 2000
Arguably one of the most established Thai restaurants in town, Thai Square instantly makes an impression as soon as you walk through the door, with its striking golden decor and far-eastern ornaments. The food is exquisitley cooked from starters through to desert. The service always seems to tick the right boxes and the Harbin beer certainly goes down the right way!
Rooburoo21 Chapel Market, London N1 9EZ. Tel: 020 7278 8100
If Chapel Market is the rough, then this Indian restaurant could well be the diamond in it. Not often does this place have a quiet moment, which is testament to its high standards. Considering the very reasonable prices, the food is excellent. In the daytime they have an outside stall for the real Rooburoo-o-holics!!
Masala Zone80 Upper Street, London N1 0NP. Tel: 020 7359 3399
This restaurant is more at the budget end of the Indian cuisine spectrum, although the food and atmosphere remain at a consistently decent level. There is a large outdoor terrace at the front, so you can eat your curry as you watch the hustle and bustle of Upper Street pass you by.
Ah-So206 Upper Street, London N1 1RQ. Tel: 020 7704 1890
Widely acclaimed Japanese food a short walk from The Yard.
Itsuka54 Islington Park Street, London N1 1PX. Tel: 020 7354 5717
A hop, skip and jump from Ah-So is another fine Japanese restarant. The tuna dishes and selection of Japanese beer seem to be particularly popular.
Young's154 Upper Street, London N1 1RA. Tel: 020 7226 8760
Young's has been many people's first choice Islington Chinese restaurant over the last ten years. It has an extensive menu offering plenty of options, and the service is well-renowned as being very efficient.
Rodizio Rico77 Upper Street, London N1 0NU. Tel: 020 7354 1076
You won't find many places like this. Rodizio Rico is one of the only Brazilian Churrascaria (barbecue) restaurants in London, and what makes it really unique is the rotation of their passador waiters moving from table to table carving delicious selections of meat - cooked to your taste - onto your plate. You probably won't need to eat again for a week!!