Big Red in Islington

This used to be the best metal place in London. Unfortunately the old owners were forced to sell and the new owners stole the name, the brand and everything. I've been here a few times because I missed Big red and wanted to remind myself of good memories here, but unfortunately except for the name and the interior being the same, it's nothing like the old place. The staff are incredibly rude, especially the owner, he will literally roll his eyes at you when you order. I guess he doesn't like metalheads? The music is also not metal anymore, the throw in metal song here and there, the rest is pop music like Whitney Houston, Backstreet boys!!(they played it several times when I was there on a Saturday), the rest is bad "rock" like Green day and Nickelback. I guess they are trying to sell the place to the big mass, people who wants to feel different in a place with metal interior but just listen to mainstream music. Extremely disappointing. No live music anymore either. The worst of it is definitely the staff though, not creating a friendly environment which metal is all about. It used to be an amazing place to hang out. RIP Big red 💔

Brilliant place with cheap beer, £14 a pitcher of 4 pints till midnight, and three pool tables £1.50 a party and you can pay contactless You can get pizza delivered in the pub, board game available, and a foosball Close late as well

My friends and I used to all be locals at this place, probably around 20 of us. It used to be a great place to go. My girlfriend and I still go occasionally to play pool on our days off, however recently the staff are so insanely rude to every single customer that walks in I feel as though I have to post it online. We've watched one man specifically, the skinny white guy with the long hair (usually tied in a bun). I have genuinely never seen someone be so rude to customers in all my life. If the owner of this pub is reading this, seriously consider firing this guy. I've worked in multiple pubs and been to plenty. I've known many bad workers and many good workers, this guy is the worst. He was whistling aggressively at people to tap their card faster on the card machine. So loudly that everyone in the pub stopped and turned around, completely humiliating this poor guy for no reason. No one was waiting to be served, nothing, the staff member was just being a dick. I've watched people request him music, change volumes etc and instead of politely declining I have literally watched him look at them and walk away without saying anything. All 20 of my friends hate this guy, I hate this guy, everyone hates this guy and I know a LOT of people who don't attend this pub anymore specifically because if this guy. Also, whenever he opens he opens the pub almost half an hour late. If you want proof of this, one day is Thursday 14th November. Pub has potential, but the guy with long hair behind the bar needs to be sacked. Sad

One of London's best known rock bars...Good place to shoot some pool.

When I arrived at the place with my friends it seemed perfect, good music, pool tables... I felt comfortable. When I went to the bathroom (I wasn't even in the bathroom for 5 minutes) the manager told me that I couldn't be in the bar anymore because according to her I was doing something in the bathroom, it's clear that the lady was quite drunk, so she insisted in taking me out of the bar... I don't know if it was really because she was quite drunk or because of some type of xenophobia, since I am a foreigner from Latin America. A shame!

Women with the tattoos behind the bar is awful bad attitude vaping instead of serving customers and drinking out of wine glass. Service took about 20 minutes for two drinks and overall just rude to anyone that came to the bar but for the guy with the ponytail behind the bar was genuine.

Good dive bar and can order good pizza there

I used to come to Big Red years ago, and while people say it’s changed a lot, I haven’t noticed much besides a slightly more mainstream feel with some of the newer promotions. It may not have quite the same dive-bar vibe that everyone loved before. To be fair, I mostly came here for pool and pints rather than live bands. Last time, I stopped by early on a Sunday, and although they weren't officially open yet, the barmaid kindly let us in as they finished setting up. This was around 5:45 (I believe they open at 6). I've found the bar staff to be friendly. The beer selection was solid, with the usual lagers and some interesting American options. I’ve always liked the bar's setup – it has cozy booths in the corners, tables out front, and a large, dimly lit bar area. Out back, there are several pool tables that draw a crowd. It started getting busy around 6:30. Overall, I’ve always enjoyed coming here when I’m in the area, and I hope it sticks around. Big Red is a bit of an institution amid a lot of sameness, and I'm glad they still host live music.

Great playlist for contemporary rock and indie. Super lovely staff and great clientele apart from the late night boomers falling over. On the plus side. Cheap entertainment.

Great vibes! manager is a total knob though, very rude brings a bad energy to the bar, rolled his eyes at me when i asked him to check my ID (on my 18th birthday as a bit of fun that takes all of 10 seconds and a smile) been in there multiple times since and his attitude is the same. The female bouncer is also one to be wary of very rude and almost always on a power trip

Staff absolutely ruined this venue. The concept is great, but the team behind the bar are terrible. The bar staff are slow, don’t understand how to serve a queue, and charge for drinks you didn’t order. On top of everything, you aren’t able to take a drink into the smoking garden but, if you leave your drink inside, a glassy clears it away. Terrible experience and there are so many better pubs in north London that you should go to before even considering this one.

Hideous place. The security were a disgrace. Aggressive and on a massive power trip, especially the female one. Will never go again. Awful experience all round

A cool place to eat and drink with friends

the only pub in the area that plays decent music, ie. metal and hard rock. Cheaper than most pubs too. And Jo is the best - even if the manager is a bit uptight!

This pub has rude staff and security that question your “real” gender when going to the bathroom. Even if you’re not transgender, it seems. Could have had a nice evening at this pub were it not for being stopped and asked my “real” gender on the way to the ladies bathroom. I am a cis woman and have never been asked to prove my gender in nearly 30 years of being on this planet. But this is beside the point: if i WERE trans, i would have felt absolutely horrible being cornered late at night minding my own business trying to go to the bathroom. under the gender equality act, you can’t really do this. what would have happened if i were trans or if they didn’t “believe” me? force me to go to the men’s? it seems like this pub is badly managed with insensitive staff and i won’t be going in there again and none of my trans friends will either.

Went on a Tuesday which looks like that is DND games night. About 6 tables playing. Not a lot of atmosphere otherwise. Beer and service ok......

Great venue for a late drink. Friendly staff and the right atmosphere. Regarding the few negative reviews I’ve seen here: The bar staff sometimes have to deal with punters up past their bed-time but I’ve always found they try to be as kind as possible in the face of idiocy.

This used to be my fave pub when Ben was the owner. Under the new management, it’s just “a pub”. Taking the time to write a review of Big Red after having been verbally attacked by some person whom turned up to be the assistant manager. Zero customer service, zero social skills, aggressive individual. They managed to verbally attacked myself and two friends of mine (in different occasions during the same night) for being in the bathroom or for commenting about a poster hung on the toilet door. This person knocked aggressively on my toilet door (whilst the other toilets were empty) demanded angrily that I had flushed already (30 seconds before) and therefore I had to exit the cubicle immediately. This was not the behaviour or someone who’s concerned, it was the behaviour of a bonafide bully. This pub can’t afford nasty people working in it. Venues should stop hiring frustrated people who become bullies the moment they are given an inch of power. Bouncer on the other hand was very nice.

Great drinks. Great games. Grear atmosphere

"Terrible experience. The security staff acted arrogantly, refusing to cooperate with customers. They allowed random people in without checking IDs, while I, with a valid passport ID, was denied entry. The bar's management is unfair, and the security team is egotistical. I strongly recommend avoiding this place."

Love it!!! Great late night venue. Loved the atmosphere and beer selection.

This is a great place for music and good company in a big ol' pub with eclectic decor. There are plenty of spaces for a big group or a cosy booth. The staff are super-helpful and friendly. There are pool tables at the back or social spaces at the front. The range of drinks is pretty good and they have an arrangement so you can order pizzas from Yard Sale Pizzas to be delivered.

We came to Big Red after a picnic and had alcohol in our bag so were more than willing to allow the security team to take it away. We weren’t preparing to come to a pub so hadn’t dropped the alcohol off at home. When they took it away they put it in a store cupboard and said we could have it when we left. When we left, we asked for it back which is when we found out it had all been given to another person. The bouncer dealing with the situation gave us a bottle of someone else’s booze as a trade which we reluctantly took. When we left the venue, the female bouncer came out and said the booze we had been given was not ours to take. When we said we had been given the alcohol and we were off the premises, she ripped it from my hands with some aggression. The manager and other members of this bar are the only reason we are not providing a 1 star because the apologised for this Frankly weird behaviour. This bouncer should have no responsibility around people based on her completely unnecessarily aggressive nature. She was trying to prove a point of authority but totally embarrassed herself and everyone involved in the process.

Great layout, great staff, great prices. I didn't buy food, so can't comment.

Used to be great, unfortunately I won't ever go again, I went to open the door, and the Jamaican girl security was the most foul mouthed disgusting woman I've ever heard, how this woman works on any door anywhere is beyond me, she was insulting and as far as I'm concerned off her head totally won't be returning no thanks.

We loved this place! The staff and other customers were so friendly, the rock music was great, and the prices were perfect. It was so refreshing to find a nice place open until late in London too!

Great atmosphere and music. Perfect for a catch up. Pool tables at the back.

Fantastic rock bar - great music and drinks selection, run by the nicest staff possible. Highly recommended.

No food served, but there's a lot of nearby places to get food. Very friendly and welcoming staff, and decent prices.

Great music, great vibes! Awesome venue 🤘

This is a brilliant rock-steady pub for anyone who likes a warm welcome and amazing atmosphere. It might look a bit dark and scary from the outside but the staff are so nice and friendly. There are plenty of nice cosy booths and nooks and crannies where you can get comfortable. They have a wide range of drinks and cocktails and they pour Guinness with practised expertise. The music is loud and proud. If you want to eat there, they have a very smooth hitch-up with Yard Sale Pizzas. You can order and get delivered to their door. (Good price and great pizzas.) And there is stuff going on... plenty of pool tables in the back area, life drawing group, role playing games night, quizzes or just stay for a drink and chill until the early hours. We love 'em.

The vibes are really cool, the space is nice and the staff is very friendly. Really enjoyed the pub and would definitely recommend (they don't serve food but you can bring your own!)

Cheap, late-opening place with a good atmosphere and a roaring D&D club attached! What's not to like?

Great atmosphere, really friendly staff.

This is a brilliant rock-steady pub for anyone who likes a warm welcome and amazing atmosphere. It might look a bit dark and scary from the outside but the staff are so nice and friendly. There are plenty of nice cosy booths and nooks and crannies where you can get comfortable. They have a wide range of drinks and cocktails and they pour Guinness with practised expertise. The music is loud and proud. If you want to eat there, they have a very smooth hitch-up with Yard Sale Pizzas. You can order and get delivered to their door. (Good price and great pizzas.) And there is stuff going on... plenty of pool tables in the back area, life drawing group, role playing games night, quizzes or just stay for a drink and chill until the early hours. We love 'em.

Seems to be a place with a particular target demographic, and they are very unfriendly otherwise. Made to feel very unwelcome from the moment our party got in, staff were rude and snappy when we were ordering drinks.

Really rude staff. I went with a group of friends for my birthday, as it was the only late night bar in Holloway. It was clear as soon as we entered that we weren’t welcome, the staff were aggressive and hostile. I wouldn’t recommend the Big Red.

Great place for lads night out with pool and beer. Great music and atmosphere. Helpful and friendly staff. Highly recommended

Pool tables, fairly priced drinks, nice staff! Open late and always fun.

Great bar with great vibes and music.

I've just been shouted at by a tatootes old lady whom definitely trying way too hard to fit in amongs the youngsters by being/wearing "cool" to hurry up when ordering a beer. Just poor the pint you old hag haha

Grungy dive bar vibes with two pool tables and loads of beer choices. Grunge and metal are played all night. A great bar to counter faddy gastro pubs

Great place with great people. It is definitely one of London's rock landmarks. Worth a visit.

A dive bar nr Highgate, pretty much does what you think, a dark grimy feel, American décor, license plates on the walls, spicy wings on the menu and an eclectic jukebox, poll tables etc. Good if thats your crowd/thing.

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and customers, and 3 pool tables in the back.

Great place, great staff Makes a lovely change to my usual rounds 😁

We came in and found the staff very rude. Don’t know if it’s a case of my face doesn’t fit? I have many times drank in The Tollington and was told it’s owned by the same company. I cannot see how at the tollington the staff are super friendly and inviting, And you feel welcome here I found there was more issues with drugs and staff who don’t know how to speak to customers shame as The big red is the only place in Holloway to have a late beer! Maybe the owners can talk to the managers and staff and see if they can teach the staff to run an establishment where customers feel welcomed and respected instead of feeling like we’re an inconvenience!!!!!.

Always come for the pool tables and free foosball! Staff are friendly and pints are reasonably priced too

Ambiance sympa, cadre agréable mais musique beaucoup trop forte

Ridiculously cheap drinks for this part of the world. A 4 pint pitcher of Bud Light for £12.

Great bar staff, but rude and aggressive security tarnished the evening

Great rock themed bar. Come on a Tuesday night for RPG (DnD) night.

Great bar with a brilliant atmosphere, pool tables available. Enjoy ;)

They have a dedicated takeaway that delivers pizza, the pizzas didn't look appetising, atmosphere was dead, if they had better food options and live bands it would probably be rocking. Nice decor and friendly staff though

Good pub, friendly staff and three pool tables which take card.

Rubbish service, miserable staff. Plenty of fights and stealing of drinks and the staff couldn’t give a damn.

Nice and dark atmosphere. Still a rock bar, although I can't say if the music is any different compare to years ago. A little empty the past few times I've been. Didn't eat anything but they now have Yard Sale deliver pizza to the place which is a great idea.

Fun, cool music, friendly staff

Friends got beaten up and touched up, partly by staff. Definitely wouldn't reccomend as a girl. Management v unhelpful, security even worst

Good service and good stuff and good beer 🍺 👍 👌 😀 👏

Barry was very rude and completely ignored my order when he was calling last orders. Kept shouting us to finish our drink. Barry called last order at 1 which is crazy because they close at 2am. But Tiernan was really nice and kind to us. Rlly helpful.

So I was playing pool, and when I was about to drink my beer there were a few flies in it. I took it to the bartender and he said that he "could fish them out". I thought it was hilarious hence the extra star, but it would have been nice if the customer service was not a joke. I wasn't expecting a free beer but at least he could have said something that Gordon Ramsay would not have screamed at him about. Very nice pub otherwise, the pool tables are awesome and they have Yard Sale. Shame about the flies.

Chill environment, 3 nice pool tables at the back. Great bar staff

A joke of a bar staff need sacking! They don’t belong there rude and disrespectful formal complaint made to the manager

Big red is open again with great prices and cool music! Definitely worth visiting, polite staff, American style bar with pools, clean, music is great too and beers start from £4.50!! We had a lovely time.

Visited when local in London. If I was local this would definitely be my local pub, good selection of drinks, fantastic bar staff and nothing but good vibes. Shall definitely be back if local again.

Cool bar with pool tables and great service and staff

Decent, with nice sticky floors and cranky dive bartenders

Just played pool plus a few drinks. Nice venue,pleasant staff. Would visit again...

Good bar! The cider was a little bit expensive (for me) but good ambiance and well-spaced, hope to go there again someday :)

THEY ARE THE WORST STAFF I HAVE EVER CAME ACROSS... 1 WOMAN IN PARTICULAR SHOULD B SACKED... THINKS SHE OWNS THE PLACE ... BADLY NEED TO SACK THIS WOMAN. NO MANNERS WHAT SO EVER CHEEKY AS THEY COME.. SHE THINKS SHES GODS GIFT BUT REALLY NEEDS TO LEARN SOME RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE AS LONG AS THAT WOMAN IN PARTICULAR IS WORKING THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a really cool pub. Really east to get to from Holloway Road station and the drinks are cheap! Sometimes they have events on the support bands, such as a mercy pop up. The decor is really cool and modern with an awesome sound track!

Lovely Manageress and Manager? Very kind to me and my Mother when we were upset yesterday. Amazing Venue so atmospheric, fab music-my record collection ☺ Reminds me of the American bars I visited many years ago.

Large and crimson, lives up to the name

It's a great pub and you can vape inside

Great place to hang out with friends and play pool, good thinks and shots selection. Good music and you can order food in from a takeaway.

Best place for pool around, it has 3 tables but the cues aren't great. Pay with contactless

Good pool tables, cheap beers but a bit dark and dingy

It’s not a dive bar or a rock bar. It’s just the only bar on Holloway Road that’s open late. And beware of the opening hours - they stop serving an hour before they close - ever heard of this before…?!?! And it’s still listed as a halls of residence on Google..,

Staff here are so lovely and really feels like they're looking out for you. I went there with a friend last night and we were being harassed by a random guy. Sarah and Barry (bar staff) quickly came over to sit with us to make sure we were okay. They removed the guy from the pub and let us leave by the staff exit to make sure we didn't bump into him on the way out. Really sweet, handled beautifully. Big up the big red!

Great service. Large selection of drinks. 3 pool tables. Epic bar

Staff were respectful and toilets were kept clean. The place has other amenities like 3 pool tables and 1 table soccer. The space is big enough too. Additionally its in a very good location close to lots of places to eat.

They really deserve more than 4 stars 😍

Good place. Its a shame it doesn't have live music anymore

Nice rock pub with pools inside. Very slacious.

It's not the same as it was in its last iteration but this 'downtown dive bar' is still great. It is a late-night venue (closing at 2am) with pool tables, good music and a good selection of drinks (including some cocktails on tap). The decor is great, including a motorcycle hanging above the bar. It is full of students, off-shift pub workers and drunken night owls and it is the best fun you can have after midnight in Holloway. And it's reasonably priced.

Came early Friday 21st Oct, started quiet, love the decor, slowly got busier before we left around half 7, seemed like a nice crowd, lady behind the bar was great, very welcoming, pool tables and foosball at the back, decent toilets (men’s at least!) Hopefully can get a food menu going again soon, otherwise pretty much my ideal bar!

Brilliant bar, Paul is a 10/10 legend. Would recommend for a Friday/Saturday !! Lotta love xxx

Paul is the best, such a great vibe and bouncer. Absolutely love this bar would highly recommend

Big man Paul is an absolute G, rate him 10/10 the beers were nice and the staff are class. Elijah Weatherup is a #1 customer, massive legend.

Some flippin boi Paul is! Man on the door is like heimdall - wouldn’t pass this dude without permission, cracking all round dude. 10/10 would recommend xx

It's big, it's red, what more could you ask for???!!!!?!?1111

Great for a late drink when your just not ready for rhe night to end

Great pub! Lots of space, good music, good beer and pool tables!

clean four pool tables music and good security friendly staff

Amazing place with ALL the tunes 🎉

Muy buen pub! Está abierto todas las tardes hasta las 02:00h. de martes a domingo y los fines de semana cierra a las 04:00h. Cervezas variadas, buena música y billar para los que quieran más entretenimiento. El ambiente es muy agradable y se puede conversar mientras se disfruta de la música. Disponen de una amplia carta para los que desean cenar y se puede pedir a domicilio también. Un sitio muy recomendable al que suelo ir cada vez que voy a Londres.

Used to be a great pub, now unfortunately has been ruined. No stage, poor selection of beers, and to order food you actually have to download an app that charges the service on top of your food (why paying a service charge of the app does everything is beyond my understanding) and you have to give all your data to be able to pay… get a grip and learn how to run a pub.

It's not quite the same but it's pretty similar to how it used to be, just not a very alternative crowd anymore, but still worth a visit.

Burgers fell very short of the price tag. They used to do one of the best tower burgers in London pre-pandemic - would not order food here again. Kitchen is now run as a different business to the bar and they blamed each other for miscommunications and screw ups. Overall atmosphere not what it used to be years ago. Also no dogs allowed now under new management. Plenty of better choices nearby.