The Steam Passage, 44 Upper Street, Islington

The Steam Passage, 44 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0PN

All looks normal upon entering this establishment. There is a low front lounge from which you can pleasantly watch the world go by, or watch the football, when it is on. However, pass through to the backroom and you enter a psychedelic sports bar nightmare from the 1980s. A canoe hangs from the ceiling, random battered brass instruments line the walls, a rank of televisions blare Transworld Sport into the gloom, bizarrely reflected by mirrors to create a second rank of televisions blazing the out the same scenes, only upside down. Foolhardy drinkers either sit gallantly pretending there is nothing abnormal in all this, or stagger back out again, ashen faced

Reviewed by Fred Flange

Telephone: 020 7226 5882

Nearby pubs: The Red Lion, 418 St John's Street (370 metres), The York, 82 Islington High Street (190 metres), The Kings Head, 115 Upper St (390 metres), The Castle, 54 Pentonville Rd (370 metres), The Agricultural, 13 Liverpool Road, Islington (180 metres)

Nearest station: Angel, Zone 1 (210 metres)