Albert & Pearl London Review
I’ve often found Angel’s watering holes a bit….meh (apologies – my lack of enthusiasm and slightly hungover state leave me unable to commit to an adjective). The bars and restaurants clustered around the tube can verge on naff and, at best, generic. Saturday night revellers will generally include a higher calibre of estate agents and hairdressers, staggering from one well-known chain pub to the next. I’m a dreadful snob, I know, but it’s my review and I’ll stereotype if I want to.
Venture towards the Highbury end of Upper Street however, and venues start to become less homogeneous. Sister pub to The Old Queen’s Head and formerly the Medicine Bar, Albert & Pearl retains the feel of an independent establishment and has more clearly defined identity than say, The Slug & Lettuce.
A hip joint, embracing all things Victoriana, the interior is an eccentric mish mash of wood panelling, statement wallpaper and kitsch ornaments. This burlesque-ish theme is extended to the cool, albeit small, private rooms upstairs. Pearl’s Parlour is decked out like a Victorian ladies’ drawing room, with elegant period furniture, where you can sit, poised around the fireplace and gossip about your men folk. It’s also got a wicked drinks cabinet. Just pre-order your wine and bubbly, and you’re set for the night.
Albert’s Bar across the hall is the unofficial male domain, though I preferred this room. Plush, rich fabrics, dim lighting and a fully stocked bar – it’s the perfect place for a 1920s themed bash or even a poker night. A&P run regular themed nights in this room, including a monthly vintage sale so keep an eye on their website.
The food here– mushrooms on toast, Welsh Rarebit, pints of prawns and homemade crumpets – makes a refreshing change from standard pub grub offerings. My mushrooms were beautifully presented, served on cute floral crockery and a hefty wooden platter, and the ingredients used were quality, but the chef was far too liberal with the balsamic vinegar, which ruined an otherwise spot on snack. The meals are cheap too, with most dishes under a fiver.
But (you knew it was coming, right?) the cocktails are pretty disappointing. My mojito was weak and watery. Call me old-fashioned, but a cocktail bar should serve decent cocktails. The Victorians may have shunned alcohol, but there’s no need for us to share in their moral probity.
Albert & Pearl is grand. And I mean this in the Irish sense of the word. It’s OK – not by any means, splendid or impressive. It’s a fun pub and a bit different but this is still Angel so you have to question the authenticity of its edginess. Still, a party here would be good craic – again, I’m employing my ancestral mother tongue. Please note I am not suggesting that you can purchase narcotics here. Get with the programme, people.
Alix O'Neill (22 11 2009)
Albert & Pearl London Description
Albert & Pearl, with its bohemian and vintage inspired look, is the perfect setting for your special occasion. Albert and Pearl can accommodate 200 people including rooms upstairs which you can hire exclusively and discover a 2nd Bar. Albert & Pearl’s most loved treasure is The Drinks’ Cabinet a unique party detail for you to show off to friends. You can also personalise your party with a hand tailored collaboration alongside their chef, creating the best Tuscan inspired menu. Party the night away with no limitations as they have a 3am license and the required equipment to bring your own DJ.
Customer Reviews for Albert & Pearl
The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Albert & Pearl.
“One of the bouncers at Medicine Bar is absolutely beautiful, and the music isn't bad either..... what more could a girl want?!”
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Natalie Bamber, London (3 years 1 months 10 days ago)
“I am a regular visitor to the medicine bar and have been coming here for just over a year. I can honestly say that its probably the best bar in london.
The drinks although on the expensive side are well worth it and the cocktails are simple yet delicious!
Dj's play from wed to sat and the music is well planned and atmospheric, my particular favourite being wednesday when the fantastic looking dj's get you in the right worknight mood.
The bar staff go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the perfect medicine bar experience and although they can sometimes appear a bit cool for school you soon realise that they are a great bunch of genuinely nice people and very skilled bar tenders. They are all intimidatingly beautiful especially the girls and it would be easy to hate them if they weren't all so nice!
The Interior is stunning and the atmosphere is electric. The clientele are trendy yet grounded. All in all i have to say it is a pleasure to step through the wonderful medicine bars doors any day of the week and i would recommend it to anyone!”
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Naomi , London (4 years 5 months 16 days ago)
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