Pub in London N1
White Swan
255-256 Upper Street, London, N1 1RYClosest station: Highbury & Islington, about 1 min walk3.7out of 5 on Google, from 2,196 ratings
Details last checked January 2025. Things may have changed since.
About White Swan
Spacious, modern Wetherspoons joint popular with football fans, offering budget drinks deals.
A bit more interesting than the regular Wetherspoon's shop conversion, the White Swan was created from disused council /union offices in 2000. It backs onto Swan Yard, the remaining part of a much larger yard belonging to the Old White Swan, demolished in the 1960s, which stood next to the post office, separated from Club Union House by the railway station. This is possibly the best place to drink at the top end of Upper Street and you certainly will not find a better range of beers at better prices anywhere in N1.
The tasteful Art Deco interior reminds one of a 1930s cinema, including elaborate banisters, panelling and mirrors, with split levels and an upper gallery floor too. There is an ever-changing range of British real ales, sometimes at least seven at one time. Regular mini beer festivals and cheap food to boot! Well worth a visit - a real community pub, which is a rarity for the area.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Outdoor Seating: Front terrace
- Sports TV
- Family Friendly
- Quiet
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Real Ale
- Cask Marque
- Disabled Access
- Accessible Restroom
- WiFi
- Good for Groups
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Tuesday
- 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Wednesday
- 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday
- 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Friday
- 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM
- Saturday
- 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM
- Sunday
- 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
As listed in January 2025. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Wetherspoon
- Price
- 1 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7288 9050
Google rating and reviews
3.7out of 5 on Google, from 2,196 ratings
5 out of 5Darren Waldenon Google, November 2024
Stopped by here before the Robert Finlay concert at the Union Chapel. A decent enough Spoons. Friendly service. Decent ultimate burger. The Mad Squirrel IPA was actually quite good.
1 out of 5Terry Leungon Google, January 2025
Have been coming here for a few years. Although I am not local but I try to come here as much as I can, especially when I am in the area. Usually good guest ale selection but food is just so so, especially the fish and chip I had this time. It’s small and a bit drier. Staff are fine, I have never had any problem with them. Update on the visit on the 2nd of Jan 2 major issues in the evening. First they sent the wrong food to our table and we didn’t realise, because me and my friend thought the counter part ordered the food and the waiter mentioned our table number when handing the food to…
5 out of 5James Won Google, October 2024
Mwahaha! The White Swan Wetherspoons in Islington—what a devilishly delicious haunt for a creature of the night like myself! I drifted through the doors, and behold! A veritable charnel house awaited! Skulls, bones, and oozing green slime draped the room as if inviting me to stay until dawn—or longer! The decorations were enough to chill the very blood in your veins...if only I could still taste such mortal pleasures! Ah, the Ultimate Burger! A monstrous stack of meat, as thick and juicy as the throbbing veins of the living! I sank my fangs—I mean, my teeth—into it, and the succulence nearly…
4 out of 5David Weatherleyon Google, January 2025
We visited for the traditional Burns Week Haggis, Neaps and Tatties though had to explain to the staff what the dish was. Also enjoyed several beers from the concurrent Wetherspoons Beer Festival, which were priced at £2.99 a pint, below what it said on the pumps. At 6 pm when we arrived it was quite difficult to find a table but it thinned out later. The 1950s retro parquetry and lighting is to be admired.
3 out of 5Harrison Tempraon Google, September 2024
The service here was excellent. I needed to borrow a phone charger, and the lady at the bar was kind enough to let us use her personal one, which was really appreciated. The bar itself was very spacious and comfortable. However, the food wasn't the best. We ordered a pizza and chips with gravy. Unfortunately, they forgot to cut the pizza, and the chips tasted undercooked. The gravy also lacked much flavor. While the service was great, the food could definitely use some improvement.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in January 2025. See the latest on Google Maps.