SMALL VENUES IN LONDON FOR DRINKS?

[hifi]

about 30 to 50 people, east and north london, quirky and unusual?

What kind of budget are you thinking? Posh or more down to earth / relaxed?

I'll have a think for you, back in a bit ...

as little as poss! for a friend and going to look at places this evening, just a room off a bar or a lovely seating area.

What area are you looking in? Would venues in Islington / Hackney / the City do you?

yes, perfect.

Here are some pub ideas.

Britannia, Victoria Park www.thebritanniapub.co.uk/ This has been renovated relatively recently and they've done a really good job I think, it's a nice place to be. You can hire areas of it, and they do food. Not particularly easy to get to though. Avoid on a Sunday - it'll be packed out for Sunday lunch!

The Old Ship, Hackney Central - near the Empire
This has been renovated also, it's gone gastro-pub. It's also a modern inn now (or "boutique hotel" ). I've not spent much time in there since they renovated it, but it looks great, very impressive wallpaper! It's on the posh side (I expect drinks are relatively pricey) and I expect the food is good (but pricey too).

Old Red Lion, Islington Angel Theatre pub (theatre upstairs) with great original interior. More authentic /old-school than the two above, which are lovely but modern.

On a different angle, how about Yum Yums - Thai restaurant in Stoke Newington, near Church St. for happy hour?

They do the nicest cocktails - all freshly made ingredients. Mmmmm , the food is reasonable priced, the environment is really nice.

In happy hour the cocktails are half price, and are well worth it!

(Can't remember when happy hour is - 6-7 maybe? Or till 8? I forget).

You can book an area.

You could go onto a local pub afterwards (if this sounds good let us know and I'll suggest some)

hmm, never thought. will look into thanks

is a funny little web page on pubs with functions rooms but I like it as it has a fair bit of of info and most venues have pictures. It might take a couple of goes to work out how it works! (Select what you want then hit "find pubs")

Oops there's a "here" missing there!

Let us know what your gut feelings are on these and I'll see if any more spring to mind. (I'm really not easily offended so please don't worry about saying "no, that's not what I meant at all!")

Please could you do me one favour though ... I have to choose a venue for about 40 people in a few weeks, in Stokey / Hackney / Islington. Let us know if you find anywhere great, it'd help me with my search too!

room link working this time I hope!

Grrr. www.citypublife.co.uk/Site/function%20rooms.php

Last try!

thanks, will update you if i find anything, thanks

How did it go?

I was going to recommend the Old Red too. I loved it when I lived in London!

here its amazing

here was also lovely

The Rosemary Branch theatre pub is lovely, has an upstairs function room with bar and the food is to die for.

This used to be lovely but I haven't been there in years - seems to have spruced itself up from the look of the website!

I went here for a 40th last year and it was really nice too.