Compton Arms

Wish people would stop writing reviews on here telling the whole world how great this place is. As some reviewers have mentioned, it’s small and we don’t want it getting overly crowded! Otherwise we won’t have a seat to sit and drink the fabulously well stored and served Greene King IPA.
While it won’t be everyone’s idea of a great pub, it’s my go-​to «local» when I’m in Islington.

Love it here. Brilliant staff and a fantastic atmosphere compared to most of the madness happening on upper street. A top little gem!

What a pleasant surprise to find this traditional London boozer tucked away in the side streets behind Upper Street. Although it’s a Friday and busy, it is not as chaotic as you would find on the main Islington streets. I loved wiling away an evening here catching up with a good friend. I was taken aback because the wine was actually decent, not something you would expect in a normal pub after all. But everything else seemed very traditional, including the friendly local pub dog. There’s even a beer garden. I’m really glad to have discovered this place, and will be coming back next time I need to meet up in the area.

We were mooching around Upper Street, killing time before a nearby appointment, and when BOOM, it began to rain. So what to do?
Pub. Obviously.
Rather than head to one of the pubs on the main road, we went slightly out of our way and headed for The Compton Arms (that’s what happens with Unilocalers… always opting to try something new!).
Well, all I can say is that my fellow Unilocalers have hit the nail on the head with this one.
It definitely feels more like a country pub than a London pub.
Untrendy, yet not unwelcoming, as many «old fashioned boozers» can feel. There was a really mixed crowd of young and old enjoying themselves and having a good banter, and you don’t find that very often in London. Rather than feel like an intruder, I thoroughly enjoyed the buzzing atmosphere and even joined in and watched a bit of sport… and I’m not even a sports kinda girl!
Must come back for a burger and a lounge in their beer garden some time.

Nice little pub. No frills yet decent staff, bringing back memories of what a real pub should be all about. Great for a drink after a match at Emirates especially considering the pub selection closer to the stadium.

I went to see an Arsenal game with Mike A. and suggested this place (that strangely I’d never been to before). It’s a great place to watch an Arsenal game as long as you don’t mind being nearly outnumbered by the opposition support. Place actually empties as people go to see the actual match. So whilst games like Machester Utd pack the place out, you’ll find the place pretty empty when Arsenal are playing at home.
The bar staff are great, super friendly with a sense of humour. The tv is a little rubbish. Commentary was in german with the video cutting out at times :0.
Food was fab. The pork chorizo burger excellent, and drink prices sensible.
My new favourite local and it only took me till now to discover it. There’s also an outdoor bit which would be quite nice in the summer.

Fab tiny pub off the beaten track but still a stones throw from upper Street. Great for rainy afternoon drinks.

Lovely little no frills pub with a great friendly atmosphere. Great spot for a casual drink.

Tucked away off Upper St. in Islington, the Compton Arms feels more like your perfect local pub in the countryside. Real ales on tap, small tables and a cosy feel. It’s quite small inside but not too crowded. There’s even a small beer garden at the back.
Refreshingly un-​trendified and just a proper pub which is just what I am looking for.
As another reviewer noted the only thing I would improve is the bright white lights (I suspect its those low energy bulbs we all have to use now).

Let’s be clear, there is nothing particularly ‘out-​of-​the-​ordinary’ special about this pub, but that is why it is so great.
The owner is amazing. He is just the sort of person you want to own every place you go to. I haven’t walked into a pub in London and been kindly approached to find out what beverage or food I might be after in a long time, normally it’s a matter of fighting your way to the counter and demanding some sort of attention, which is normally reciprocated with aloof service. Not here. It’s like being at home.
He suggested the ales he thought I should try before ordering, and recommended things off the menu too. They have an incredible burger selection– which are all home made and come with a generous pile of hot fat chips. We went for a brie and bacon burger, and the mexican burger which was loaded with chili con carne (as well as the burger) and sour cream– amazing, double beef is a lot to handle though.
So unassuming in this quite village-​like location to the back of Upper Street. The Compton Arms has its priorities all sorted.

A hidden gem — stumbled in here to watch an Arsenal game and was impressed by the service, comfy atmosphere, ale selection, and food (Thai pie — effectively Green Curry Chicken in crust — and cheesy fries were both unequivocal wins). I’ll be back for a casual drink (or to catch the next football game) very soon.

These days if you find a pub in the back streets somewhere, then (even in almost central London) it must be good to have survived without the passing trade.
This is mostly the case here too. While initially disappointed to discover that this proper looking pub is a Greene King pub I was buoyed by the sight of a couple of their lesser known beers (usually far better than their staple offerings in my experience). Decent beer but a little bit pricey.
A sign in the toilets said to report any problems you find, but the response to my informing them of blocked urinals was the exasperated response of someone who is sick of hearing about it. Won’t make that mistake again.
‘Compton’ conjures very different images depending on whether it is said with an English or an American accent.

Came in town on business and my boss insisted we find a pub to watch the Arsenal/​Barca match. I wasn’t sure we’d find a place that met his odd criteria:
a) took reservations on busy soccer nights
b) was close to the train station and
c) served decent food
I put Unilocal to the test and it did not disappoint! Compton Arms was such a charming little pub that lived up to everything the boss was looking for.
Andy — the manager is excellent. Even though the place doesn’t normally take reservations and they definitely don’t take them on busy soccer nights, he was compassionate when I told him my boss was dead set on having a reserved table (wow, I must have sounded desperate). Andy made an exception and even printed a «reserved for XXX» sign that scored me major points with the bossman!
There’s a small room in the back with one long table a few small tables — close to one of the TVs. So while everyone was out front of the bar stacked on top of each other, we had a nice relaxing time in this private back room and enjoyed the game.
Food is traditional British fare — the steak and merlot pie was to die for (and comes with mashed potatoes and peas). My friends had the lamb shank and ribs which also looked delicious. Meals are fairly inexpensive — then again everything seems inexpensive when you’re on an expense account :)
Service was excellent, Andy was attentive all night and kept all the pints filled. Thanks for a great time — and we hope to be back on our next trip!

This is an fantastic boozer. It is indeed a country pub in the middle of Islington. The owner/​bar man is fantastic & knows (and clearly loves) his ales.
Green King ales with a guest (also Green King– Phoenix– when I was there).
It’s filled with all sorts of things that Wetherspoons try to get to make it look «pubby”– mismatched chairs and whatnot. This place, however, mixes in 60s laminate tables and everything.
The only potential downside of this place is that it’s a bit on the bright side. I think it seems worse as it’s those compact flourescent, so the light seems a bit cold.
When we were there, the man seemed up for sticking round after closing time so we could have another few rounds. Fair dos… except for my poor sore head the next day.
Round a corner and away from Yupper street. Get here.

Great pub… outdoor patio… order the Landloard

«local» pub for local people, although the courtyard is suprisingly modern and had a lot of non locals in it! Worth a visit to make your own mind up.

This certainly is a village pub, which attracts the village idiots. If I want to be surrounded by inane conversations about the second world war, I’ll go to the Royal British Legion… the place is pretty threadbare and £2.60 for a regular sized coke is a disgrace. Given the mass of nice venues in Islington I don’t see why I’d have to cross this place’s threshold.

I have been in here a few times when I visit England and feel right at home. It’s a no frills pub, but definitely has a great atmosphere and great company.
When I visit, I feel like this is «my bar» and everyone’s my friend. Hey it sounds a bit like the Cheer’s theme song and you know what? It is like the Cheers Bar (segway to cheesy music):
«Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.»

A few things I observed during my few visits:
Fact 1: They have a lot of pride on their beer taps. I saw the bartender cleaning and polishing them for like 2 hours until you could see your face in them.
Fact 2: There quiz nights are on Sundays.
Fact 3: It’s a bar for The Arsenal. You better be a fan and you better call it «The Arsenal» and not call it simply «Arsenal.» This may sound common knowledge on this team’, but cut me some slack– I am an American and I learned the hard way by calling the team just «Arsenal» in this bar. This leads to Fact 4.
Fact 4: If there’s a «The Arsenal» game away, come early to watch it at the bar. If there’s a home game, come super duper early. Even if you do, you will be standing outside.
Fact 5: There is a garden in the back. I would have never known because I like sitting at the bar– but there is nice little garden for drinking and smoking in the back.
Compton Arms is definitely a bar I would recommend!

A ‘village’ pub in the centre of London. Full of locals and bar staff that remember you from previous visits, once you have been in there a few times. I love this pub, it is a proper pub with proper pub grub. Serves good Guinness and real ale.

You are likely to walk past this little gem, if you happen even to be walking down this particular street, which runs parallel to Upper St, near Highbury and Islington station.
The reason fo this is that it is tiny and unobtrusive. It also resembles a small country pub, which is something that adds to its uniqueness.
And, like a country pub, it has an impressive array of real ales. I often come here when I want a (very) quiet pint, for instance when I want to read the paper or work on the laptop.