The home of the Business Design Centre, Angel Islington, is full of hidden gems, a wide range of entertainment and a plethora of bars and restaurants serving up dishes from around the globe. We've wrapped up just some of the great places for you to explore on your next visit...
BDC Recommends, Angel...
Introducing BDC Recommends Summer Series, where we show you just some of the amazing local businesses that surround the BDC. From theatres and restaurants to things to do, we’ve scoured Angel to give you some places to explore on your next visit.
Angel is a vibrant community with something for everyone, so we haven’t been able to capture it all in this article, but here a just a few suggestions to get you going! Head over to our Instagram and Facebook channels, where we’ll be sharing more throughout August…
Arts and Culture
The Almeida is a classy, modest space with a global reputation. Originally established as a scientific and literary society with a lab, lecture hall, and library.
Now a bustling theatre that has innovated and pushed creative boundaries to present daring, thought-provoking, and critically acclaimed stories to Islington and beyond.
The King’s Head Theatre, one of London’s oldest pub theatres, opened its doors in 1970. Now located just behind the pub on Upper Street, but for 53 years they were situated in the rear of the King’s Head Pub in an old boxing ring and pool hall.
Their stance is colourful, queer, cheerful, and irreverent, presenting a diverse array of performing genres.
Since being founded in 1961, Little Angel Theatre has inspired young minds with its use of puppetry to tell and create uplifting stories.
Welcoming puppetry companies from the UK and abroad to perform on their stages in addition to producing their own productions for kids and teens that run in-house and travel both regionally and globally.
Union Chapel has been the site of events and concerts since 1992, hosting hundreds annually. Union Chapel strives to be an exceptional quality, reasonably priced performance venue with a varied line-up of artistic events.
The facility stands out from the rest thanks to its pews, Victorian Gothic architecture, and excellent acoustics
Cafes
Urban Social, not far from Highbury, is perfect for passionate enthusiasts and connoisseurs who like their caffeine in a contemporary setting. Trendy and full of life, the independent coffee shop is a meeting place for people and a nod to long-standing customs around specialised coffee.
Pistachio & Pickle is a fusion of concepts and a culinary exploration. For many years, they have hosted dinner parties, cocktail parties, barbecues, afternoon teas, and similar events. The options are infinite when there’s a coffee store and an artisan cheese business – don’t miss their epic toasties!
With a fresh sharing menu, Ottolenghi Islington is a lively local restaurant and deli. During the day, it is bustling with selections for breakfast, lunch, and salads as well as baked products. The atmosphere changes to that of a cosy village eatery as dusk sets.
Located nearby on Upper Street is Joe and The Juice where passion and refreshment collide.
Check out the wide selection of delectable and healthful sandwiches, drinks and snacks Head down to enjoy a lively experience that combines flavour and vigour.
Restaurants
Three best friends, Alex, Arthur & Tabs, developed Brother Marcus. Introducing London to the tastes and cooking traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean. After much travel and first hand exposure to the cuisine, drink, and culture of the area, Brother Marcus offers their interpretation of the Eastern Mediterranean cuisine
Frederick’s is a modern, comfortable restaurant and bar offering a variety of private dining choices. Providing a wine list to die for, along with friendly, attentive service and innovative European cuisine. The Segal family is still in charge at Frederick’s, which takes pride in being recognised as a true Islington institution.
In the heart of Angel’s Camden Passage, experience the warm, inviting ambience of Austria, at Kipferl: the Austrian Restaurant & Patisserie.
Kipferl is the place to go if you’re searching for a cosy space to have a hearty Austrian dinner or if you just want to get together with friends for some brunch, coffee, and of course – cake.
La Divina is a popular restaurant in Islington among residents, specialising in Italian cuisine.
The restaurant is a family-run business with tasty pizza, pasta, and salads that you can eat in or have ‘to-go’ if you fancy taking Italy home with you!
The Skinny Kitchen right on our doorstep at the Business Design Centre, offers a bright and dynamic atmosphere where you can enjoy fresh, nutritious meals and drinks. Enjoy unlimited brunches, DJs, live entertainment, and unique culinary experiences akin to that of their Ibiza counterpart.
Outdoor Spaces
Arundel Square is a garden space which is surrounded on three sides by terraces of Victorian houses, and on the fourth with modern flats. The outdoor space was one of the last of Islington’s Victorian squares to be built. The central public gardens contain mature trees, beautiful flowerbeds and playground equipment. A haven for families when they want to spend some time in the outdoors.
Culpeper Garden is surrounded by tall trees and concealed by towering walls. It doesn’t reveal its mysteries until you step within the garden. Culpeper is a communal garden maintained by the community, used by the community, and the site of several annual events. In 2012, Culpeper, which was one of London’s oldest community gardens at thirty years old, was designated a heritage site.
Islington Green is an open park bordered by vibrant flower beds, immaculate grass, and stately trees. Visitors may unwind and take in the views of the local hustle and bustle of Angel from benches that line the path.
It is also a hub of Islington’s cultural life, frequently hosting outdoor performances, artisan fairs, and community gatherings.
Islington Square has it all, from quirky concept bars, independent restaurants or unexpected shops. A variety of modern and old buildings provide a varied selection of living possibilities and history outside the busy shopping arcades. This energetic neighbourhood skilfully blends entertainment, culture, wellness, and the arts to create a genuinely dynamic environment.
Activities
With five oches and ample seating, Flight Club Islington is a cosy spot with a darts legacy that mixes the fun and excitement of a fair with the cosiness and memories of a British pub.
Grandfather clocks create a visual backdrop in the Orangery behind the bar, and admire the magnificent painting known as Devil’s Mile.
Look no further if you’re searching for mini golf, a good time, and some amazing, indoor fun in Angel… Birdies brings you a world of unrestrained fun with the visually stunning and mentally challenging courses. With iconic Birdies drinks and mouth-watering burgers, you’ll find it on the top floor of our next door neighbour – Angel Central
North London’s Angel Central Shopping Centre offers cuisine, clothes, and more. Choose from labels like Office, Monsoon, H&M, Uniqlo, Mango and Oliver Bonas to update your wardrobe or grab food at one of their many on the go and sit in restaurants. All this and more is wrapped around an outdoor courtyard that holds regular events of it’s own.
Pubs and Bars
Barrio Angel is a lively local bar that hosts late-night events, themed bottomless brunches, happy hour with 2-4-1 cocktails, and serves delicious tacos and amazing margaritas.
There is also a chance to book a 90-minute cocktail masterclass where you can shake, stir and pour your own concoctions.
Humble Grape, a unique wine bar with an emerald-tiled bar and a bright, airy eating room is tucked away amid Islington’s sophisticated brickwork. Find carefully chosen wines from more than 400 countries, all obtained straight from enthusiastic wine producers. Don’t miss seminars and wine tastings every month.
Bubba Oasis, A casual and adaptable neighbourhood clubhouse brings together aspects of art, music, entertainment, hot desks, and food in one location. The farm-to-table menu features a variety of quality food. After unwinding on the roof terrace upstairs, they turn up the music and celebrate life as the sun sets.
With its unique blend of quirky charm, uniqueness, and Great British pub hospitality, The Bull is the ideal place for a casual yet distinctively memorable experience. Whether you’re planning a post-work get-together or a leisurely lunch, The Bull provides delectable and flavourful food, and an innovative drink selection.
Fox On The Green is a public house with a Grade II listing that has been serving the communities since 1872; operating as a family-friendly pub with a classic, high-quality cuisine that suits all palates during the day. As night falls, the music picks up and celebrations begin. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the wide selection of beverages.
Next door to Birdies in Angel Central, is Northwood, a great place to watch sports. With ultra-high-definition, crystal-clear displays, thunderous sound it serves delicious cuisine, and flawless drinks. In addition to having a sizable sundeck, Northwood’s mood is ideal for matchday and shows as many sports as possible.
The Old Queens Head is an inviting neighbourhood pub in Islington that hosts live music events, club nights and karaoke. It houses a playroom with beer pong, and your own sound system, and serves award-winning burgers and Sunday roasts to compliment the variety of drinks.
411 in the daytime is a laid-back bar and kitchen serving comfort dishes that deliver naughty indulgence and big flavours, with great music and something ice cold to sip on the side. In the evening they turn it up a notch, with vinyl DJs playing their signature sound until late.
These are but a few places that you can visit in and around the BDC. To find out more of what our wonderful community has to offer, head to our Local Area Guide page and discover Angel for yourself!
Got somewhere you’d like to recommend? Email us at local@bdc.london and share your suggestions…
