Hippo Inns are pleased to announce the launch of their latest venture, The Islington Townhouse. The venue features an open bar, an inventive food and drinks menu and stylist surroundings, offering customers the chance to experience something different from a traditional pub. Hippo restore former pubs and inject them with new life and their newest chapter, The Islington Townhouse consequently is both a local gem and a destination venue.
Located around the corner from the iconic Chapel Market and set in the heart of Angel, a vibrant, diverse and stylish area, The Islington Townhouse features a large bar area and 42-cover dining area upstairs. Guests are able to enjoy a selection of seasonal small plates, craft beers and creative cocktails in a charming setting that makes you want to linger from day to night.
The light and spacious venue features three floors, including a snug, open bar area and upstairs dining area available for hire for up to 26 covers. Combining both the contemporary and the classic, the modern light fittings and artwork are juxtaposed with traditional British pub features including wooden beer pumps, wingback chairs and original features from the building. The space features artistic attractions such as a life-size mannequin, ornamental birdcages and gold metallic globe lights. The snug area at the rear of the building brings a cosy and intimate feel to the venue.
The long ground floor bar provides a focal point to guests from the moment they arrive, where they can choose from many traditional and interesting craft beers, whilst relaxing on inviting leather banquets. Customers can choose from the secret snug, the open bar where drinks are poured by an accomplished mixologist, the downstairs bar, mezzanine floor or take themselves up to the top floor to enjoy their meal in surroundings that merge both plush and industrial elements.
The diverse food menu signals a new era for pub food with a selection of small plates featuring modern and creative dishes alongside loyal favourites. A twice-baked Gruyère soufflé, octopus carpaccio, monkfish kebab, 35-day aged steak tartare and burnt sugarplums with marshmallow crumble feature. Head Of Food Zoe Reed and Head Chef Stan Perry have mixed tradition with invention, creating a unique offering. With accomplished General Manager Gavin O’Brien at the helm, The Islington Townhouse is the perfect pit stop, whether it’s for a drink, a quick bite or a leisurely meal.
The drink offering at The Islington Townhouse is as vast as it is diverse. With a long list of craft beers including Beavertown Neck Oil Session IPA, Goose Island IPA, Redchurch Shoreditch Blonde and Fourpour Beathrooth Brown. The Islington Townhouse also hosts a comprehensive wine list created by Hippo Inn’s very own Master of Wine, John Clevely, featuring wines from both the new and old world and a cocktail menu with old favourites and new creations such as The Pirate, a delicious mix of Sailor Jerry rum, almond syrup, chocolate bitters and fresh mint, The Shoreditch Blonde, a creation of Beefeater gin, Aperol, mango juice, lemon juice and beer and an Irish Martini featuring coffee, coffee infused vodka and Guinness syrup.
Hippo Inns believe and want to ensure, that their pubs are the best and one of a kind within the neighbourhood each venue is set in. Their pubs are seen as the hub of the local community, a home away from home for locals and destination customers alike, where food and drink service is exceptional and The Islington Townhouse is sure to follow suit. The name Hippo Inns has come about as a result of Hippo Inns founder, Rupert Clevely’s three daughters saying, “Dad, you’ve been wallowing around doing nothing for far too long.” Rupert and his interior designer wife Jo were founders of Geronimo Inns, which they sold to Youngs in 2010. Hippo Inns have strong family values and are dedicated to delivering great food and drink at a sensible price in glorious surroundings.