Betsey Trotwood in Islington

Fabulous little bar, stopped for a late drink after a festival, so welcoming and friendly all the bar staff were so happy and helpful we had a great time and will defintely return when we are back in London, thank you again for making us welcome.

We booked out the downstairs area for a shared 30th birthday and it was great. Staff were very accommodating with us decorating the space and playing our own music. You can have the area until 1am, and it is a great space for dancing. Would definitely recommend!

Just the place I was looking for … traditional quirky friendly busy cosy pub for dinner while away on my own for work. Friendly staff … but real plus was the food … I seemed to be the only one eating dinner … but not sure why because it was reasonably priced and very hearty fayre … perfect comfort food. Ordered the ox cheek pie from the specials board … was actually excellent👌. As was the mash and veg it was served with. Beer was good too. Lots of meat in the pie … which tasted slow-cooked and well-seasoned. Really nice pastry. Perfect!

Great food. Nice little find. Not so good if you're disabled as the ladies toilets are down stairs. Lovely staff

I love this pub, sadly I won't be returning though. I left a pair of sunglasses here, rang up straight away and was told by a nice member of staff that they had been found and would be safe behind the bar with my name on. When I retuned to pick them up they couldn't find them. I was assured she would phone me back as soon as they'd found them and that were safe (it was the member of staff I had spoken to on the phone) but no-one ever called me. I tried emailing but have been ignored. They were £200 shades and have clearly been stolen by a staff member. Very disappointing.

First visit here for quite a while. Business lunch. Got here early. Great menu, went for Scotch egg and a side of chips, my host went for the burger. Both excellent. Really nice pub.

Arrived early afternoon and were the only ones in there. Great pint of Guinness very well poured.As it got busier the atmosphere really picked up and as more arrived we were politely asked to shift up a little which was no issue at allWill be coming back soonEnjoy

We had a great team lunch here a couple of Fridays ago - about 20 of us on a big table downstairs. Great good - shortish menu but something to suit everyone, well presented snd great quality. Burgers, vegan and scotch eggs up my end of the table were excellent. Pricing very good too. Service relaxed as it is across London due to lack of staff but friendly, and charming and didn’t tip over into slow. Will definitely return - if you’re in the area, Fridays are dead - drop in as these pubs need your business.

I visited this pub for the first time the other day and was struck by the feel of the place and the friendliness of the staff. It felt like going into a traditional village pub, but in the middle of London! There was a good choice of food on the lunch menu as well as a specials board. The service was both prompt and friendly and the lunch was well cooked and very tasty. I cannot think of anything more they could have done to make my visit more enjoyable. Thank you - and I shall certainly visit again next time I'm in the area!

Had the best night last night at their weekly 'new material' comedy night. The pub is a true gem of tradition. Will be back!

After 5 minutes of watching him repeatedly cough over drinks and into his arm without a mask as he served several people, we decided to leave. At no time did he sanitise during this. We politely made our excuses only to be chased by the barman asking why we were leaving, was it because of the wait? My friend explained politely that it we were not happy with his coughing. He replied that he’d been vaccinated and that it was an allergy. My friend tried to explain that it’s still possible to get covid, as we walked away he shouted-SHOUTED ‘ next time leave the attitude’ We were shocked, there was no attitude, just an honest reply to his question. Apart from the health and safely issues, he embarrassed us, himself and the many other customers sat outside. It’s a shame, the Betsy is a lovely place, It deserves better staff.

If I was at work I would be counting down the minutes till Betsey-time. It's a landmark in London and a landmark of my working life. When we're allowed back there we are GOING. And you should too.

Puedo ver que muchas de las críticas están desactualizadas: Betsy tiene un personal dedicado, un excelente chef con excelente comida a un precio muy razonable, vinos tintos bastante buenos (si te gustan) y una base de clientes locales de clientes habituales. que aman el lugar. Ha sido un elemento básico de la comunidad musical durante años. ¡Solo ve y pide algo de comida!

Pasé por aquí mientras buscaba un lugar para cenar en Clerkenwell. En Londres en un viaje de negocios y el Betsy parecía muy atractivo. El servicio fue muy amable y la comida deliciosa. Teníamos el pastel de carne y el pastel de pavo y lentejas, ambos estaban muy bien. 2 empanadas y una botella de vino llegaron a $ 55 US, buena relación calidad-precio para una excelente comida y un ambiente maravilloso.

Popped in at lunchtime today to check the place out for an xmas lunch with some work colleagues. Was more than pleasantly surprised! Despite being busy the staff were more than accommodating. We weren’t eating so they found us a small table in the main bar. It was warm, friendly and the sort of place you would want to spend an afternoon. A small Malbec was less than six quid and it was a decent wine. You won’t need to take out a mortgage to have lunch here, which is a massive plus on its own! We we’re shown the upstairs dining area by the lovely staff and we have now booked to go for our Xmas lunch. Although we didn’t eat today, plenty of others were. The food looked fantastic and we didn’t hear any complaints from the diners. On first impressions, this place certainly hit the spot! The staff actually look at you when they are speaking to you and make you feel welcome but they aren’t over bearing. We are looking forward to going back for sure!

You just can't bet a good old pub and this ticks all the boxes! There isn't a lot of seating but the drinks selection is good for a drink after work.

Me dirijo aquí cada pocos meses para almorzar con un ex colega. Las cosas que amo son televisión, máquinas de juego, decoración loca, personal interesante, buena cerveza y un propietario / gerente que ama su música. La comida es buena comida de pub, pero el restaurante es más un pub que un restaurante y ofrece música en vivo (no estoy seguro con qué frecuencia).

Having eaten here previously (highly recommended) we called in for drinks. Great selection, friendly staff. Overall an enjoyable visit.

Fui a ver a Rob Corcoran (recomendado) tocar en un concierto en solitario. Eso solo fue fantástico. De antemano estaba esperando a la señora. Tenía una pinta. Me preguntaron si era efectivo o tarjeta. Dije tarjeta y noté un cargo adicional de 50 p. Descubrí que puede haber sido malo cobrar extra por usar una tarjeta de débito. Yo investigaré.Anyhoo, una vez que apareció la mujer, pedimos la fuente compartida de halloumi asado, tomates cherry y ensalada de judías verdes. Esto fue muy agradable y lo volvería a elegir felizmente.En general, una buena noche y lugar.

A late lunch for us. Welcomed on arrival with Drinks & Food orders taken without delay. The wines and food were much enjoyed as was evidenced by the empty plates. Unfortunately, no time for desserts but will certainly return.

I attended an excellent performance by the Croshaw Family- folk music, in the upstairs room. Lovely pub, great beers & good service. The wine was ok too.

Es una verdadera lástima que la increíble comida de este bar quedara eclipsada por la actitud de la camarera. Nuestro equipo de 16 comen en el área de Farringdon / Clerkenwell de forma regular pero no han probado el Betsey Trotwood. Nuestro almuerzo comenzó a servirse entre 50 y 70 minutos después de nuestra llegada (la ensalada estaba siendo el último plato que salió), pero en lugar de ofrecer una disculpa, me aconsejaron que no esperáramos que nos sirvieran más de una hora (aunque eso no se mencionó). cuando hicimos la reserva).Estoy seguro de que si usted es un grupo más pequeño, es posible que le sirvan más rápido, y no podemos criticar al chef, ya que cada uno disfrutó de nuestra comida cuando llegó.Es decepcionante que la camarera decepcione este pub.

We called in for a couple of pints in passing. Eclectic decor, nice staff, nice selection of beers. Nice place. Added to my list of places to revisit next trip to Farringdon

Poco peculiar pub. Nos alojamos aquí para una comedia concierto que se celebró en una habitación que era como entrar en una sala de estar en el 1980, completo con papel de chip de madera. El menú de bebidas es bastante decente. El personal es en su mayoría agradable pero nada que yo describiría como una chica amable y era como un adolescente malhumorado. Me sentí como un amable si has estado allí un millón de veces, no tan loco por extraños. La comida era bastante decente, fresco y servidos con rapidez. Hubo un dj azar jugando la lista más extraño juego - incluyendo Benny Hill? ? Y haciendo esa cosa dj de entorno el volumen lo suficientemente alto para llenar el estadio 3. En la reflexión, quizás eso es lo que tenía el personal un poco en el borde. Buen lugar para un poco de una noche al azar pero espera a sentir como un extraño.

Metimos en un viernes por la noche por un par de copas. Bonito pub con una clientela ecléctica y personal muy amable. El ambiente era muy buena, quizás ayudado por el clima! Lo mejor. . . Escocés. aceptación de mi nota sin dudarlo £20 o pregunta, a diferencia del lugar al otro lado de la calle! Su pérdida fue de ganancia. Betsey

A great little pub, friendly staff and manager. They serve an amazing scotch egg! Worth a visit just for that! Enjoy

La ubicación y el interior del pub era muy bonita, sin embargo, nos decepcionó increíblemente la actitud y la naturaleza poco profesional del personal, especialmente cuando los camareros nos gritaban. ¡su enfoque total al servicio al cliente era inaceptable y evitaría este pub a toda costa! ! ! !

Absolutely loved this place. We stopped by for lunch, and spent most of our time rubber-necking at the ornaments, plants, posters etc. There was a good atmosphere, the beer was good, and the food was excellent.

Came for a gig in the upstairs room and arrived early for a drink or two prior. Buzzing pub, full of punters inside and out on the patio and pavement. Good range of ales and decent looking food menu although we didn't eat. The upstairs room is great for a gig, small and intimate so you get up close to the act. Holds about 60 people. All round great atmosphere.

Voy a este pub mucho después de trabajar y es encantador - gran variedad de bebidas, gran vino blanco de la casa, la comida es estupenda también. Lo mejor de todo es que siempre hay un asiento en otros pubs cerca tienes que luchar por un espacio permanente en la acera. . .

Cerveza, comida, pub, el personal es agradable pero. . . una semana antes de que yo mandé a asientos para seis, confirmaron la recepción de correo electrónico de confirmación de reserva, pero no después de una semana, escribí pidiéndole confirmación, sin respuesta. Aparecimos en el pub pero vaga sobre reserva reclutan durante pero no fue problema ya que muchos asientos. No estaba lleno el bar porque era el único pero los dos personal en este pequeño bar desconocen, uno estaba delante de mí interesado en ella otros sabrosos canastas estantes ganadera. Después de comer la comida la factura estaba completamente equivocado y el doble de lo que debería haber sido. Las bebidas se ha añadido a pesar de nuestras bebidas siendo comprada con dinero en efectivo pagado en el bar, pero añadido a una ficha que no habíamos establecido, además de dos botellas de agua añadida a la factura que no tenía ni ordenados, la ley pasó de £138 a £62. Así que ten cuidado de hielo pub y potencialmente costoso pero dozzy.

Beautiful young people.Had a pint there at eleven pm . Very animated on a spring Friday night.Many people at the terrace outside even though it was cold.

Nos llamaron para una copa rápida en un té el viernes. Recomiendo esta vieja pub chic peculiar. No es su promedio de pub. Buena variedad de productos y el menú parece bueno.

We were here for a book launch by the Emma Press. Arriving tight for time due to train issues, we found the downstairs absolutely rammed and buzzing - great atmosphere, though not very poetic! Upstairs was quiet and ideal for purpose. Atmosphere: lively Service: hard...

Great atmosphere with good food and company! FYI we found best value nearby parking at Amwell St, EC1R 1UL!

Me gusta este lugar ha sido muchas veces, pero el vino tinto es terrible he probado todos ellos y todos te dan una resaca después de dos copas! Una lástima, ya que como es un pub en todos los otros aspectos, bien el tipo de...

Metimos en una noche de jueves para una obra de partido. salir Amigos tenía una mesa no muy lejos del bar, lo que significaba que no había que ir demasiado lejos para servirte. El personal era atento, amable y eficiente, y la cerveza también era...

Popped in after local restaurant meal. A small traditional pub, not many tables but a good atmosphere. Although it was ok not sure I would book in for a meal, due to table types and layout. Great for a few social drinks though!

A lovely small pub with a big heart. I love the beer selection here, not your usual line up and very reasonable.A must go venue.

Popped in for a beer and a spot of lunch whilst I was in the area on a bit of business. The sun was shining so I sat outside and had a nice cold beer. I had a wrap for lunch which was nice and fresh and tasty. Barman was friendly and helpful. Good value nice pub.

I love this area of London. Had a busy morning in and around Clerkenwell on business and decided to stop at The Betsey for lunch. Glad I did as was a very pleasant experience. Can well recommend the Fish Finger sandwiches. Welcoming staff and a nice traditional style of pub. Worth a visit.

The pub itself is very popular but is very small and gets very cramped after work.The food is ok, but there are better bars and pubs nearby.

We booked an upstairs room last night for a surprise 70 th birthday party. It was a great success. The food provided was very good and the room perfect for the event. The staff were consistently helpful and friendly. Thank you to all for making it a night to remember.

A small, intimate pub. Not extensive range of ales but good enough. I haven't experienced the problems some have spoken of. I found the women behind the bar pleasant and friendly. If you're in the Farrindon area it's worth a try. Bar food menu on line. Stairs to toilets.

One of the measures of a pub is the welcome you receive... The Aussie guy behind the bar was the perfect balance of friendly and helpful with a good dash of humour thrown in.A decent selection of ales and a small but more than adequate menu.I ordered the fish finger sandwich which did not disappoint. Served on a board, which is the current trend, crispy fish goujons with fresh salad leaves and a homemade tartare sauce. What more could you ask for?Another one one.I'd happily take clients there the next time I'm in Farringdon.Good venue, good food and a warm welcome. Nice.

Simply the worst experience in years. The food was not great however the customer experience was the worst I have ever experienced. I eat out 4 nights per week. The "manager", who would not provide his name, was grossly inadequate, refused to provide his name and resorted to "get the f..k out of here"..simply astonishing and totally out his depth. I was at all times respectful, this establishment simply didn't care.You should avoid. Unless the leadership is changed, this establishment has no chance of success, no interest in the customer, shocking experience and I am a veteran, and this is the first negative review I have written. Awful place.

The bar has a great feel to it good food good selection of bear. We have been a few times and cannot think of anything negative to say about the bar

Busy pubReally buzzing atmosphereUpstairs great venue for comedyGood drinks menuSmall bar area for service Very enjoyable

Have been here for lunch twice and the barman and his staff are always friendly. The food is basic pub grub and is decent enough. I had the pie and it was tasty. The biggest problem with this place is the food takes an eternity to arrive at lunchtimes. Either they need more staff or to cook faster as waiting 40 minutes at lunchtime when you have to return to the office is not on!

This place is a good place to have a happy hour drink. I've never been to a musical performance there, supposed to be nice and intimate, nor have I ever had food that wasn't chips or nuts there, but the beer service is fast and the staff are generally friendly.There is a lot of character in the pub, and it seems authentic, which is really nice. Pretty cool that you can feel the trains running underneath, but I could see other people getting annoyed by it.

We really enjoyed this pub and despite some disparaging comments about it we opted to eat there for convenience as we were attending a function upstairs in the evening. The food is bar food so that's how it should be judged. Two of us had sausages and the wife had a burger. They were not expensive and the food was quite acceptable. There's a decent range of ales and the wife thought the Cotes-de-Rhone was acceptable. The drinks are not cheap, however. Nevertheless, the bar staff were friendly and the service was very good.

Great little pub with some interesting recent history. Interestingly located and run comedy nights downstairs.Would recommend for the occasional pint, quiet when most pubs in the area are rammed. Serve massive servings of nuts :)

Spent a Saturday evening here and found the two bar men to be very abrupt and rude. Service without a smile. Completly uncalled for. Seemed to be a bit of a "locals local" with the bar men only saving their smiles for the bearded, thick rimmed glasses hipster customers who loitered at the bar. Quite an unsavoury atmosphere, really unfortunate as I have been here in recent times and have enjoyed it.

Nice independent lagers and ales - doesn't look much from the outside but cosy and compared to the other pubs round here is quiet. It probably suffers from it's location surrounded by roads so isn't as nice to sit outside as others but pleasant.

Haven't been here in a few years and always previously for gigs. Met a friend for a few midweek drinks and sat outside for most of the time. Bar staff quick and smiley, good pint of Sam Adams, other customers friendly. Job done!

On Tuesday 25th March 2014 Henning Wehn did a gig at the Betsey Trotwood pub. This was one of his rehearsal nights for his forthcoming Eins, Zwei, DIY tour and took place in the Assembly Room of the pub, a small, cosy little room which had a capacity of 50 for the night. As the German Comedy Ambassador, he was trying out new material and building the show. My wife and I both love Henning and he didn't dissapoint.The doors to the Assembly Room were scheduled to open at 7:50 so we decided to arrive an hour or so early and have dinner and a pint (or two). The menu wasn't vast but it looked very interesting. One of the dshes was 'Award Winning Pie' mas, peas and gravy. I was toying with the idea of a big burger and chips but, when the nights pies were described, one was lamb and chorizo. My decision was made. The order was placed and about 15 minutes later dinner was served. The mash was smooth and tasty, the peas were perfectly cooked, the pie? Oh yes! Absolutley gorgeous. If you go to the Betsey and lamb and chorizo pie is on the menu, go for it- you won't be dissapointed. The only people dissapointed by the lamb and chorizo pie on Tuesday evening were those that asked for one after they had all gone.A nice pub wih freindly staff, good food and a good comedian.10/10

The place is in desperate need of a make over. It's a Shepard Neame pub but only had three of the ales actually on.The place is apparently famous for its burgers. If you have a look at the state of the lift that transports the food from the kitchen to the pub you may not be so keen on eating there. It was grubby and not hygienic to say the least. It's worth a visit only to see some of the entertainment on. Otherwise, frankly it's worth giving a miss.

Das Betsey Trotwood erscheint auf den ersten Blick wie ein Pub wie jedes andere. Es ist indes doch ein wenig anders, weil es zum einen einer besonderen Musik-Kultur huldigt und man immer wieder gigs von Gruppen veranstaltet, die man auf diese Weise überhaupt erst entdeckt. Zum anderen sind die Mitarbeiter sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend, darum bemüht, alle Wünsche zu erfüllen, die Besucher so haben könnten. Das gilt insbesondere für das Barfood, das auch besser ist als in anderen Pubs in London. Insbesondere die Suppen, kleine oder größere Portionen, sind hausgemacht und ansprechend.Ich war im Betsey Trotwood, weil ich Besprechungen im nebenan gelegenen Free Word Centre hatte, bin aber froh, dass ich dieses Pub durch diese Gelegenheit kennengelernt habe.

We went here for a gig and were pleasantly surprised by the pub which was full to brimming, folk standing and eating and a really lively atmosphere. Food was very reasonable and delicious. The upstairs venue fits in about 70 people and was also full. Gigs here are regular and popular. A great place to spend a mid-week evening.

Many London boozers have tried to attract more people by having cheap booze and losing their individual character. Not this place. It has character; atmosphere; friendliness; good beer (not tried the food but they are apparently very good - popular as outside caterers). Don't get me wrong, this is not an 'old geezers' place. It is alive and willing to think outside the box for customers. See http://www.thebetsey.com/events for a list of what they do - a real eclectic mix or events or a friendly drinking hole - what a pub SHOULD be.

My band did a gig at this pub, which was the only reason we were there, but as soon as we walked in, we felt a very pleasant friendly vibe from this venue.The staff were friendly without being over-friendly, and hip without being cold. The pub itself is quirky without being overly-forced into a pose.The food was decently-priced and really good. My sausage and mash was fantastic!The gig venue downstairs is quite small, but we had an attentive, helpful, non-patronising soundman so it all went quite well.I would definitely go back, and if you're in London and there's a gig or poetry reading or whathaveyou on, do go because it's a gem, worthy of your support.