The Princess, Old Street

Our rating: FAP Rating 2 - Click for an explanation of our ratings User rating: Community Rating 4 - Click for an explanation of our ratings (2 reviews)
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FancyaPint?'s review...
FAP Rating 2 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
The success of the Princess - a veritable cliché of a one time old boozer gone upmarket - is predicable but rather unwarranted. Sure, it's a pleasant enough gastropub but hardly breathtaking: stripped-out with wooden tables and equine-related wallpaper liable to give small children nightmares, its remarkably similar to numerous places dotted around North London. Indeed, it's overtly sparse interior is already looking somewhat dated, not faring well against other more opulent, sympathetic and warm pub refurbishments. Still, its popularity abounds - being a gastropub on the edge of the City means its become popular with those tired of square mile vertical chain bars. Upstairs there's a restaurant which has worked many a restaurant critic into a frenzy of superlatives, but you can also eat downstairs, if you're lucky enough to get a seat, at least. Our most recent visit was thankfully on a Monday, when a few seats were available, but don't expect such luxuries during the latter part of the week - the gutter is often where one ends up. At such times it would be cheaper - and create the same effect - to grab a can of lager from a nearby off-licence and stand outside.
Reviewed by 11 Nov 2007    Helpful? yes/no
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23 Dec 2011
Rating 4 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
Redcat must have got out of the wrong side of bed on the day he wrote this review. I don't know how much has changed in the last four years - certainly there was no nightmare-inducing wallpaper in sight - but what we found was a perfectly decent "one time old boozer gone upmarket", and what's wrong with that? On a Thursday close to christmas we were lucky enough to get a table and avoid the herds of braying yahoos that every other pub nearby seemed to be full of. We didn't try the food but a decent beer selection - on our visit they had Wandle, Adnam's Yuletide, and an excellent ELB Pale Ale - and crucially, music that wasn't at an ear-insultingly loud volume means I would be more than happy to return here. It may be remarkably similar to numerous places dotted around North London, but I would be happy to visit those places too. Not every pub can be a shining jewel of uniqueness, merely creating a decent drinking environment is enough to aspire too, and this place hit the bullseye for me.
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76 Paul Street, Old Street, London, EC2A 4NE

0207 729 9270

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How to find the The Princess pub

Head south down City Road and take your first left along Leonard Street. When you come to the junction with Paul Street, turn left and you'll see the pub on your right.

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History
23 Dec 11 Updated by ledginator