About This Pub
You know, I had a great time at the Compton Arms the other day, and it's one of those places that really hits the mark for a proper pub experience mixed with some excellent grub. The kitchen's got this fantastic residency with fresh, no-frills seafood that's spot on – think high-quality dishes that leave you wanting more, all at fair prices for the area. The drinks selection is brilliant too, with plenty of craft ales and ciders to choose from, and the staff go out of their way to make your visit enjoyable, whether you're there for a quick pint or a full meal. It's got that warm, classic boozer feel, and the beer garden or snug area is ideal if you fancy something a bit more relaxed. On the downside, it does fill up quickly, especially on a sunny Friday, so you might find yourself jostling for space or waiting around if you haven't planned ahead. Plus, with the no-kids-after-7pm rule, it's not the best for family evenings, but that's just how it is sometimes. All in all, it's a solid choice for catching up with mates over good food and drinks, as long as you're up for the buzz – I'd say give it a go if you're in the area!
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The food is absolutely fantastic, especially the seafood dishes like ray wing tenders and beer battered cockles – it's all cooked to perfection and brings back that nostalgic seaside vibe.
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The staff are really lovely and put so much care into everything, from preparing drinks like a well-made Old Fashioned to making sure you feel welcome.
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There's a great selection of craft ales, ciders, and even a solid whisky menu, with reasonable prices that make it feel like good value in London.
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The atmosphere is spot on for a classic boozer, with a cosy back room snug and a lovely beer garden that's perfect for quieter moments or enjoying the sun.
Cons
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It gets incredibly crowded, especially on sunny days or during events, which can make it feel a bit overwhelming and hard to find space.
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They don't take reservations for just drinks or groups larger than six for dining, so you might end up queuing or missing out on a table.
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No kids allowed after 7pm due to licensing rules, which could be a downside if you're planning a family outing, though weekend lunches are fine.
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The pub is quite small, so on busier times it might not be the most relaxed spot for a proper catch-up.
Contact Information
Compton Arms, 4 Compton Ave, London N1 2XD
+442073548473
Pub
Opens at 12:00
Opening Hours
| Monday | 15:00 - 23:00 |
| Tuesday | 15:00 - 23:00 |
| Wednesday | 15:00 - 23:00 |
| Thursday | 15:00 - 23:00 |
| Friday | 15:00 - 00:00 |
| Saturday (Today) | 12:00 - 00:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 - 22:30 |
Recent Reviews
A little pub hidden behind the Union Chapel, we had a pint here while waiting for the venue to open. The place is small with a little beer garden behind, and was very crowded the whole time we stayed (sunny Friday). Nice choice of craft ales and cider.
Great experience at Compton Arms – really lovely staff, atmosphere and fab prices for the quality of the food.
Would recommend to anyone!
Had dinner here one evening to try the new menu by Rake.
The food was absolutely fantastic, high quality seafood cooked to perfection with nostalgic flavour that for me was very reminiscent of a day at the seaside. Highlights had to be the ray wing tenders and the beer battered cockles, but everything was superb. My only criticism is that portion sizing is a bit inconsistent for the prices, for instance the cockles are a very small portion, but the winter tomato salad at approximately the same price was huge.
Service was very friendly both from the restaurant wait staff and also the bar staff. We sat in the garden and it was a cold night but they have heaters and it is sheltered so still comfortable overall.
Small local pub.
Really sweet and stylish but also gets really crowded really quick.
They have many great options on the menu, all executed well. And an extensive wine menu for a small pub.
Winter tomato and radish salad was amazing!!
Staff put so much care into preparing drinks. Old fashioned was on point.
I would definitely visit again.
This a really nice pub just a five minute walk from Highbury and Islington tube. I was here at 3.30 on a Thursday afternoon and it was not busy, however on Arsenal home games it gets very busy. They had 3 cask beers and I ordered a London Pride at a very reasonable £5.30. I noticed a good whisky selection of around 15 varieties. It is not a large pub but they do have a nice beer garden. They do offer food and tables can be reserved (see their website for details). The pub is tucked away in a small side street so is very much a local pub. The service was excellent. In summary well worth a short detour from the ever busy Upper Street.
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