Earl of Essex

I have not had beer this good for quite a few years!
Even with improved flavours generally available with craft beers, this place has topped that. The people behind the bar seem generally enthusiastic, interested and knowledgeable about the different beers they offer. The range is also great.
The décor is a modern rustic design and a perfectly comfortable place to be. Although it is more the atmosphere, from the trendy but still friebdly professionals it attracts which makes it fun.
A full recommdation, a pint is £5.40, but it is good!

This is a good pub pretty close to where I live so I’ll probably be back. There are a good selection of beers (a bit pricey) and the wine is good. It’s a spacious place which is nice but it’s really, really loud. So when you’re sitting at your large spacious table and having to yell at your friends to have a conversation it gets a bit old after a while.
But, like I said — this place is close by so I’ll probably be back.

This is a fantastic pub. The tap range is extremely eclectic, from Camden beers to Mikkeller, and they have a wide range of bottles to boot. The food is quite tasty and reasonably priced for a gastro-​pub. The inside is very bright and airy, and the aesthetic could best be designed as «hip rustic.» Staff are very chilled and friendly. The Earl also has extremely interesting artwork, which seems like a minor deal, but you’ll find yourself entranced by some of it, trust me. There’s a nice outdoor area. The layout, with the bar/​serving area occupying the dead centre, means it can get a bit crowded at peak times, but what popular pub doesn’t? If there’s a down-​side, it’s that the price of some of the more esoteric beers is quite steep, upwards of £6−7 for some of the stronger brews. You’ll find yourself ordering either halves or going for the cheaper stuff (e.g. Camden). It’s hard to say exactly what makes this such a lovely place for a pint (or four). It’s no one thing, but rather that the place is somehow more than the sum of its parts. I could compare it to this – you see a quirky, gorgeous girl at a party where you know no one. You think «no way she’ll talk to me.» But when you walk up, she smiles, introduces herself, tells you a funny joke, and you feel suddenly welcome. When you go to the Earl, you will understand. ..

Damn, this pub is right around the corner from my place and has brisket chilli cheese fries. Why have I never been here?! Thanks to fellow Unilocaler and my bff Amanda for introducing me.
We came here for after work, air-​conditioning, pints and boy, was it needed! I love the place, especially the interior design. They have huge big tables for you to chill at and amazing prints on the wall. I really wanted to see if they were from known artists or just the proprietor has a keen eye for design.
The bar staff are cheery and fun and I had a laugh with them over ordering my drink. They happily even pour tasters and recommend craft beers or ciders from their ‘wall of beer’.
I love this place. I’ll definitely be back!

The Earl of Essex is very high up on my list of favourite pubs in Islington if not right at the top. They serve 18 or so different beers, displayed on a massive ‘beer board’ along one wall as well very good food from their frequently changing menu.
I discovered The Earl of Essex last year and have been back many times since, whether it be with a group for Sunday lunch or an evening with a mate to see how much of the infamous beer board we can sample. The range of beer on offer is superb here. With porters, IPAs, ciders and more on offer, most palettes are catered for. They post a photo here each time they update the board and have recently started brewing their own beer on site, in plain view behind the bar.

I really like this pub.
I’ve ended up drinking here a few times, and we always seem to be able to find a seat at the weekend… they have a good range of beers (so my husband loves it) but I’ve always been happy with their wine and cider too. Last time I came, I felt like I’d had enough to drink, so they made me a nice cup of tea — It made my whole world better.
They have a nice terraced beer garden at the back, which is a pleasant place to relax and chat. The tables are pretty huge, so you can easily fit 8 people around them if you come here with lots of friends.
The only problems:
— If you sit near the back of the pub, they must have a damp problem as it really, really smells of damp/​mould. No-​one else seemed bothered by it… but I can’t sit there for long because it makes me feel sick. Grab a seat in the garden to avoid the smell.
— The bunting outside is soo faded — it looks sad.

Great little pub round the back of Angel, the sort of place you want as your local. A good selection of ales and lagers including a few local ones such as Camden Hells (personal favourite) as well as a host of guest ales that are equally interesting, tasty and sometimes both.
It’s a pretty spacious bar area but there are limited tables… I imagine on a Friday or Saturday night tables are at a premium. Luckily I have been only on mid week evenings or Sunday.
I haven’t tried the food (other than bar snacks) but I must admit it did look really good and I look forward to giving it a go soon, and perhaps getting that last star!
One thing to note, this place is very hipster… Make sure you’ve got your beard trimmed right and a tea cosy beanie otherwise you will stick out a mile.

What a find! I’ve lived in Islington for 7 years and didn’t even know that this place was here… i found it on Unilocal ;-)
Great for beer and good decent pub food.
The environment is very relaxed with raw rustic floorboards.
We went on Sunday, and the Sunday roast was amazing and the wine list was very impressive.
I would not recommend the Earl of Essex for dates or business meetings.
I would recommend it for causal lunches & dinners, relaxing place to meet friends and a place just to hang ;-)

Yeah, I like this place, which has a great combination of proximity, friendliness, beer selection, good finger food, and that thing that makes you want to come back and make it your local pub ;)

Came here with a group of 10 food was very good a little on the pricy side but about right for London. For a Sunday there was more on offer than just the usual Sunday roast which was nice. The menu was very eclectic with a little bit from everywhere it seemed. Also the suggested beer accompaniment to each item was a nice touch as well.
Only downfall was that our food came out at different times. So those who has to wait and watch the first wave eat their intire meal before they even got theirs.
I would definately eat there again but only in a group of 4 or less.

What a hidden gem. All about the beer and it was darn good. They have kegs, casks and a rockin’ beer menu. Lots of tables and get this – you can sit at the bar. Love it. The place had good tunes on and a good young crowd serious about their beer. Didn’t have food but would definitely check it out.

really enjoyed my visit to this boozer. very cool. in a great location near Angel tube, with a lovely back yard which i’m sure in the summer would be absolutely jumping.
huge varied selection of beers on their large wall mounted psalms style menu. limited editions, seasonal brews and classics from new and well known boutique breweries. mainly european drops, but a few US ones thrown in for good measure. no carling for you! impressive.
menu seemed decent and the burger was a good indication of that.
good crowd and pleasant, if slightly über trendy, service.
would recommend most definitely.

Beer paradise. The best range of beers I’ve come across in North London.
The only time I’ve been more excited upon entering a pub was when I walked into the Charles Lamb and the ‘nugget’ Steve Davis was stood at the bar. This came a close second — the object of my excitement was the amazing wall listing 18 ‘real’ beers.
After a knowledgable discussion with the bar man I opted for the Krombacher, a superb German wheat beer. I can’t wait to go back and try the other 17!

The Earl of Essex — Take 3.
Once again, the Earl has undergone and change and I hope that this time it sticks because it’s definitely my favorite iteration.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love beer. I’ve brewed my own and if that’s not dedication to the drink, I don’t know what is.
I especially love interesting beers. Beers sold in half pints only because they make you smack your lips make the «ohh…that’s yummy» humming noise without even meaning to. Beers like Odell’s Mash of the Titans. I used to have to go to Brew Dog for that and, although I love that place, I also like the option of sitting. Especially sitting outside. The Earl of Essex gives me all of those things plus a friendly guy manning the 12 kegs and 5 casks.
If you’re hungry, get the beef onglet. The chef will cook it a perfect medium rare and serve it with sautéed spinach, a fat, roasted mushrooms and hand cut chips for £12. The beef is so good that you won’t even bother reaching for the posh looking mustard they put on the table.