The Auld Shillelagh Irish Pub in Highbury

105 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0UD

About This Pub

Oh, let me tell you about The Auld Shillelagh, it's one of those pubs that just captures the heart of what makes an Irish spot so special right here in London. From what I've gathered from the buzz around it, the Guinness is a real highlight – poured to perfection and served up quickly, with folks raving about how it's the best in town and won't set you back too much. The atmosphere is spot on too, with that authentic Irish warmth, live music sessions that have everyone joining in, and a general vibe that's just infectious, especially during events like their seisiúns. The staff come across as genuinely friendly and attentive, making you feel like you're part of the gang from the moment you walk in. But, and I say this as a mate giving straight advice, it's not all smooth sailing – the place gets absolutely heaving, particularly on busier days, and without the option to book a table, you might find yourself queuing or standing, which could put a dampener on things if you're not up for the hustle. Still, for anyone looking for a proper pub crawl or a night of good craic, it's well worth the effort; just pop in early and you'll likely have a brilliant time. All in all, it's a solid choice that nails the classics while keeping it real, though it might not suit if you fancy something more low-key.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The Guinness is absolutely spot-on, with quick service and great value that makes it a standout choice in London.
The atmosphere is wonderfully authentic Irish, full of lively vibes and live music sessions that really get you in the spirit.
Friendly staff who go the extra mile, like bringing your drink right to your table, making every visit feel welcoming and personal.
Regular events and seisiúns add a fun, community feel, perfect for soaking up the craic without it feeling too forced.
It's open seven days a week with late hours, so you can pop in for a relaxed pint or join the buzz whenever suits.

Cons

It can get incredibly busy, especially on weekends or for events, which might mean waiting around or struggling to find a seat.
No option for table bookings means you have to plan ahead and arrive early, or risk missing out on the full experience.
The space is a bit on the snug side, so if you're after a quiet, laid-back evening, it might feel a tad overwhelming at times.

Contact Information

105 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0UD

+442072495951

Irish pub

Opens at 11:00

Opening Hours

Monday	11:00 - 00:00
Tuesday	11:00 - 00:00
Wednesday	11:00 - 00:00
Thursday (Today)	11:00 - 01:00
Friday	11:00 - 01:00
Saturday	11:00 - 01:00
Sunday	11:00 - 00:00

Location

Recent Reviews

The atmosphere on St Patrick's Day was amazing.. Everyone joined in on the music .Staff were very pleasant.

Annie Boyd

Best pint of Guinness in London. Great atmosphere even at 11am on a Saturday. Most of the taps are running Guinness so service is quick. Totally worth a visit.

William Lapinskis

Hands down the best Guinness you can find in London… also excellent value compared to any Guinness you’d find south of Stoke Newington. The service is excellent too… you don’t find many pubs that’ll bring your Guinness to your table when you order.

James Williams

🚇 Stoke Newington 🍺 £6.00 Guinness The Auld Shillelagh is located on Church Street in Stoke Newington close to Abney Park Cemetery. The nearest station is Stoke Newington overground. This pub used to be a dairyman's shop before it became The Horse & Groom, licensed 1871. The Auld Shillelagh came to be in 1991, opening as a home from home Irish pub. This is a long and narrow pub that has been extended three times over the years. The decor here is traditional with beautiful wood panelling, fireplaces and mixed traditional furniture. The servery is located at the front right and is lined with red leather bar stools. Just to the right of the servery is a prime location where you can sit by an open window and watch the world go by. Throughout the pub is a plethora of Irish memorabilia, Hurley sticks, rugby balls and as it is customary, the flag of the pub’s owners county in Ireland, in this case Roscommon. At the rear of the pub is a decent sized beer garden with a retractable roof. The beer selection is a diverse mix of mainstream, London and Irish brews, good to see @sullivansbrewco_ on the taps. One of the litmus tests of any Irish pub is how good the stout is. I decided on a Guinness, my pint was superb, price point was respectable. There is no food served here, but there are plenty of bags of Tayto’s to feast on if you’re peckish. I arrived around 1pm on a pleasant Saturday lunchtime in June. The pub was starting to fill up with a good mix of punters of all ages. The atmosphere was upbeat with a nice buzz about the pub. The service was exceptional, the team member who served me was pulling pints, changing barrels and engaging with locals at the bar and took it all in her stride. The pub shows GAA, horse racing, rugby and the footy. There is also live Irish Trad Music at the weekends. On leaving the @auldshillelagh , I had a big smile on my face and thought to myself “I need to visit this pub more often”. This is a fantastic pub, a true authentic Irish pub experience. ☘️ This is a must visit London Pub. Visit @londonpubmap for more London pub info. 🍻 📅 8th June 2024

London Pub Map

Really great Irish bar, Guinness is good and flows well, Very busy on Saturday afternoon with good atmosphere but I imagine could be just as great on a quiet weekday afternoon

Danny Terry