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The Drapers Arms
★ 4.0(1 review)Bar
cozylocal-crowdwine-focused
About the Vibe
The Drapers Arms is your go-to neighbourhood pub in Barnsbury where the food actually matches the wine list. Skip the tourist traps and come here for their extensive Star Wine Guide selection paired with dishes like the artichoke that show real kitchen ambition. It’s not just a pub—it’s a proper restaurant with a garden and that rare Islington blend of local charm and serious culinary intent.
Known For
- •extensive wine list
- •artichoke dish
- •garden seating
- •takeaway service
Best For
date nightwine tastingfamily dinner
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 1, 2026
A wine-lover’s pub with serious kitchen credentials
The Drapers Arms in Barnsbury is one of those rare pubs that actually earns its restaurant credentials. You’ll find a warm, unpretentious atmosphere where locals mix with foodies, all drawn by a wine list that’s genuinely impressive—enough to catch the attention of the Star Wine Guide. The food is where they really stand out: think artichoke dishes done right, seasonal menus that show effort, and a kitchen that treats pub grub with restaurant-level care.
The space itself is a real treat, with a lovely garden for summer evenings and a snug interior that feels like a proper neighborhood hangout. It’s not the loudest or trendiest spot in Islington, but that’s part of its charm. You come here for the wine knowledge, the quality of the food, and the sense that you’re eating somewhere that actually cares about what it serves.
If you’re looking for a place to unwind with a good glass of wine and a meal that doesn’t feel like an afterthought, this is it. Just be prepared to book ahead—especially for garden seating in warmer months.