Hard rock, heavy metal, thrash metal... Whatever you want to call it. There was also some 80s too was being played all night. The decor in the bar suited the type of music... And so did its patrons. The barmaid was kind of a jerk... I ordered four shots to begin with and then four beers after she brought the shots and she yelled at me saying she needs the orders up front first. But the place wasn't that busy to be rushing through to serve people so I don't know what her deal was. If you come, don't forget to wear your black jeans and tee along with your black boots and black hair and black errrrthang. read more

Big Red - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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The toilets have improved a lot. They've been refurbed and are clean. Oh and we managed to get a table. That's the positives out of the way unfortunately. Beer selection is still poor. Apart from the Aspalls, but that tasted awful and couldn't manage much of the pint, so left it for another of our party to drink. I ordered what turned out to be the worst chicken wings I've ever had. Over-cooked and dry, with the hot sauce squirted randomly over the wings and plate. Presentation is not really a priority here at Big Red. My hubbys pulled pork burritos was not great. It had a good kick to it, but it also too much of this over-powering sweet sauce. Not sure what it was trying to hide, the sauce. Maybe that there wasn't much pork in it? The floor staff were just about interested. I had to ask to have the table wiped down before our food arrived, as it had a bits of the last diners food all over it. I'm not sure why I gave it four stars in my first review. Maybe because the food definitely better last time. I'm sure of it was. Oh well. read more

Great rock bar with regular live music and its always packed at the weekends. What more can a metal head ask for. The food is surprisingly good as well! All in all brilliant, I come from Dublin to goto this bar then skip up the road to the Electric Ballroom via the worlds end another great rock pub. read more

Big red is, as its name suggests, a very roomy pub that's been kitted out American-stylee with a central bar, pool tables and booths. Hot snacks and small meals are served along with the beers and other tipples, including a pretty decent nachos plate. Catering primarily to a rock/goth crowd, it's a good choice if you fancy rocking out without having to make the effort of going to an actual club. The jukebox is well-stocked if you like your music with a hard edge. There's a friendly atmosphere, with many established regulars. read more

Big Red - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Great place to see live bands and have drinks with friends. Friendly crowd of metal and counterculture people that like to enjoy their booze without any violence. I love the decor. They serve American food like wings and burgers, but I've never eaten there. Always a good time. read more

I love Big Red (which did actually used to be red, but is now black with red flames)! The music is almost always excellent (rock or some variation of rock) and the drinks are stiff. You might think, at a glance, it'd be pretentious & 'scene'y, but it just isn't. The tattooed & dreadlocked bartenders are so so friendly, and I just love the decor which includes candles in Jack Daniels bottles, mannequins dressed as cowgirls stuck to the ceiling & weird posters around the place. It's got a great atmosphere & vibe and is the only place to go in Holloway in my opinion! Maybe after a trip to the Odeon? read more

I lived nearby for almost three years before stepping into this place on someone's recommendation. The outside of it made me think it would be a skeezy gross place with disgusting clientele that I wanted nothing to do with. Instead, it was a divey, gross-on-purpose place with amazing clientele and bar staff who I want to be friends with. It's going for an American dive bar thing, but that isn't what gives this place its character. It's huge and at the same time cozy. There are pool tables in the back. We had nachos that were surprisingly really good, and I was drooling over a nearby somebody's burger. The music was fun. The whole experience was fun. I can't wait to camp out here with local friends on any miscellaneous Saturday. And an anecdote: upon telling a neighborhood friend that we had been to Big Red that weekend, I was met with the reaction "ah! Awesome. Were they playing porn on the big screen over the bar?" Hm. read more

Could be a lot better. Could be a LOT worse. Big Red is decorated like the inside of an American chain restaurant - with a ridiculous milieu of random articles and artifacts on the wall, from a Mudhoney poster to license plates (though one of the plates is for my home state back in the US, which I liked). Its dark and loud in Big Red. I had to yell to talk to my friend who was sitting across from me at a very small table. Of course, that is part of the atmosphere for a place like big red. Its not a bad place by any means. I intend on going back at some point, but it is more of a "night out" type of bar as opposed to my preferred "lets chill low key and enjoy some pints" pub. The atmosphere is pretty unique, which I find a quite endearing. It tends to attract a more youthful, underground type of patron, which can be a refreshing change of pace from some of the other places in North Central London. read more

Big Red is an excellent place to go for an evening, whether it's for a quick drink (which always seems to turn into one or two more than expected), a meal with friends, or a special occasion, Big Red can accommodate it all. Centrally placed on a junction between Holloway Road and Seven Sisters Road, making it a ten minute bus ride from Highbury, Camden, Finsbury Park and Archway, Big Red screams attitude from the moment you see it - the black exterior painted with flames and rock chicks, and the inside carries on the message - a large central island bar surrounded by heavy tables and booths, with an extensive rock and metal jukebox and a clientele ranging from bikers to teddyboys. The rear area has four large pool tables, and the staff are friendly and polite, without losing that hard rock edge. The bar's quite well stocked, with a range of beer, but could do with a few more ciders in my opinion. There's also plenty of spirits, and the prices are just above mid level, for a bar just outside Central London. The food is excellent value for money, as portions are rather large - serious warning here: don't buy the ribs unless you're really hungry, or have brought a small starving family to help you finish them off. They're so large, I'm surprised you don't see a trail of cattle lining up to go in the kitchen. One word of warning also - being close to Arsenal means this place cab fill up with footy fans on match nights, and the frequently put the match on a large screen and turn the volume up, making conversation on those nights somewhat tricky. Otherwise, it's a damn good bar - as anything with Megadeth, Killing Joke and Metallica on the jukebox certainly gets my vote! read more

American type dive bar, definitely getting all coyote ugly again, with the attractive mostly female bar staff. Dingy, red lights, neon signs, pool tables, and damn decent tracks on the juke box. There are booths, which are great when they're free, but a good group of you will fill them, go i there in small numbers, and either you're going to make some excellent random friends, or you are going to get people trying to totally and utterly scam on you. The toilets aren't great, but better than many other rock venues I've been in, and the bar is basic, kind of caters for the stereotypical rock and metal fan, jack, basic beers, the usuals, but they do also have alcoholic slush puppies, which are freaking excellent. Don;t expect these every night though, they do often seem to have issues with the machines. Open late. I've never tried the food, not sure if I will in a dive place! Haha! read more

I absolutely love big red, its my staple night out if I can't be bothered to travel far from my home. However that said I've spoken to a lot of people who have traveled far to come for a night out here. The crowd are mainly rocker/metal types but all seem very friendly and chatting to some randoms is easy. It looks a bit unappealing to the average person and have to admit the first time I went it was for a bit of a joke. I'm glad I did now I'm a regular. The drinks are good, average prices and the bar staff friendly. Pool tables and football tables for fun and a interesting rock soundtrack. Negatives are: The toilets are rank. And if you go later than around 11pm the bouncers can give you a hard time even if you're stone cold sober Worth a visit if your in north London or into the rock type scene. read more

It does what it does well. So I am not a big fan of thrash metal/hard rock but if you love a good dive bar that attempts an American feel (with weird porn on the TV screens - yeah don't take your kids there) then this is the place for you. I have been a few times in the past, it's loud dark, has pool tables and table football, last time I was there I made the mistake of asking for a Sauvignon Blanc (the barlady went 'we have one white wine') haha not really a wine place. It's a good place for beer, I've never had the food but the menu looked fairly average. Ladies toilets are obviously quite new and really clean which is very different compared to most dive bars. read more

It might be in an out there location, but coming from North London it isn't to me. Up the road from Holloway Road station this is a famous pub that does the 'dive bar' mentality well. It's nice and dark inside, has bouncers outside, loud, pool tables, fussball, beer, goths, sticky floors rockers you name it. Not the friendliest of staff though, always seem to be growling you as you serve. It's actually quite big for a dive bar too. Good for a late night drink up. I like this place a lot. read more

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Had a vey nasty experience last weekend at the Big Red. I am going to quickly explained what happened so maybe I will be saving someone a nasty trip to this UGLY pub. Well I had a very good night overall until me and my friends decided to go to the Big Red for a last round, so everything was good and all untill me and one friend decided to go for a smoke outside. We accidentally used the wrong exit (FIRE EXIT). We were drunk at that point so we didn't realised that was a fire or emergeny exit. Well we were not allowed back in by the bouncers and they didn't even let me in to get my stuff to go home (probably suable for theft, retention of my property). Until I was able to talk some sense into the door bouncer and they allowed me in escorted (like if I am some sort of criminal) to let my friends know I've been kicked out and get my stuff to go home. My boyfriend was inside with a freshly bought beer so he decided to come outside with me, they took his beer (again some sort of theft, because that beer was alredy paid so the least they can do is let him drink it) because you're not allowed to drink outside. Yes we know you are not allowed to drink outside but you should let your customer drink their beer inside if they've already spent money on it. Overall the most ridicoulous thing that's ever happened to me, as I have never been kicked out of a pub before, let alone for a reason like that one. I'm not a troubling person, I don' get into fights or piss people off. I tried to talk sense into the bouncer that was escorting me to get my stuff but he was just following orders... so I guess if his boss tells him to jump out of a bridge everytime someone uses the wrong exit he will. NOTE FOR THE OWNER OR WHOEVER RUNS THE PUB: I am not the only one that has had a nasty experience for nonsense like that with your bouncers, if you are really behind of these stupid rules, I strongly recomend you re-think your strategy as a business owner. That is no way of treating your customers who choose to go to your pub to spend their money. I am never going back as I don't like being treated like some sort of criminal for making a mistake like that. I would have understood if I was actually causing an altercation or done that on purpose but it wasn't like that. They just ruined a very enjoyable night out with friends for practically no reason. So thank you Big Red, very kind customer service. read more

Dragged down to this bar by my flatmates I was slightly surprised at how much I loved the place. I mean, Holloway's hardly glam and I'm not really a rocker so I expected it to be quite dingy and depressing; how wrong I was. The Big Red is huge. It has loads of tables, couple of pool tables and a large island bar which is adequately staffed so service is quite and polite. The decor is a mixture of signs and classic film posters and memorabilia and the whole place looks like some 80's road movie location. The atmosphere is great. I met lots of long-haired heavy metal fans from around the world who were all lovely. My Finnish friend and I slammed lots of shots and rejoiced in the late opening hours of the venue. Truly, a good time was had by all. A brilliant, unpretentious and friendly bar that those in the area should check out! read more

The Big Red is a pretty cool rock venue on Holloway Road. Pool tables, dim lighting and lots of rockers drinking beer, it's a great after-work venue for drinks and a cheeky game of pool with friends. It's one of the better bars in Holloway Road, which seems to be filled with discount clothing and variety stores. Check it out. read more

I love this place! It's actually what I feel a rock bar should be like! With an American dinner/ roadhouse bar feel this place has a good relaxed vibe, table football, snooker and lots of places to sit. I felt the drink menu was a little limited and some of the music was plain cheesy, bit I really like the themed and quirky decor and both my friends and I had an amazing night there. It's open late on Friday and Saturday what more do you need! read more

Holloway may not have many great places to it's name and certainly doesn't look the part but it does have one alternative gem which many may like to try out. Situated on Holloway Road is this huge, unpretentious pub which attracts those with a love of rock or heavy metal. The decor consists of lots of signs and film memorabelia with loads of booths and tables to accommodate this vast numbers it attracts. Not being a rocker myself i thought i'd hate it but actually i love this place. The clientele may look scary but everyone has always been approachable and lovely, probably loving the decently priced drinks and shots all served by tattoo'd girls you'd expect in a burlesque club. Late opening times all week also make it handy when you just don't want to or can't sleep. read more

Good fun and a proper alternative night out in London. A little out of the way from the city centre or where you would traditionally associate with alternative (if you will excuse the irony) this place is well worth the detour The prices are amenable, the atmosphere is top notch and the staff are all friendly and willing to please Well worth the visit read more

Big Red on Holloway Road qualifies as the last true Rock'n'Roll place in London's northeast and is more exciting than anything that might be on at around the corner Odeon. Being one of the only pubs in the area with a late license this is the melting pot of all party-people, students and other freaks, so people watching is highly recommended. Bar staff is leading the way with an estimated 5 square foot of compulsory tatooed skin and piercings at visible and (supposingly) hidden places. Besides enough seating, some cosy niches and hot food, there is billiards, foosball and pinball available. And most importantly a long bar to grab hold of in case you miscounted your drinks again while singing all the old indie and hard rock classics from the jukebox. P.S.: Bus drivers on the N29 are great in gently waking you up at Wood Green, if you have missed your stop again. read more

Waited 1 hour for food. Got our order wrong. Then were served really poor quality quesadillas and chips really late. Really bad food :-( read more

The Juke box is well stacked with Hard Rock classics and the gigs on weekends are generally of good quality. Staff is good and so is the service. There are few pool tables, table football and other pub game machines. You'll always find someone to play pool with on case you end up going to the pub alone. Grubs are of good quantity and are available until 2300 (I guess) in case you missed diviner and were running hungry. Tattoos and leather seem to be the common thing among people frequenting this place. You'll fit right in if you are in to either of them. Even if you are not, it still is a good place to hangout and enjoy the music. read more

The best bar in North London. Absolutely awesome! So many great nights spent in this bar. Beer is reasonably priced staff are always fun. The food is good, wings, burgers, nachos and ribs. The fact they got 4 pool tables is great hours of playing pool drinking beers ant go wrong. They often have live bands playing now too and they do not disappoint in particular the KISS cover band are freaking awesome. read more

I night out in Holloway tends to end here for a few games of pool. Good atmosphere that is actually a breath of fresh air compared to all the many pretentious bars in London. Drink prices are variable but generally reasonable. Not the cleanest toilets, or the friendliest staff, but I'd say thats all part of the experience! read more

good beer, good music, friendly barstaff and pool. you can't really ask for more than that. oh you can? well, there's great nachos, cheesey chips and burgers; it's open late, late; there's booths & plenty of tables to rest your weary limbs; it shows football and to top it all there's a total mix of characters. If that doesn't satisfy you then you're a fussy little fusspot. read more

This is my favourite place!!! It's an American themed dive bar. It's very dark inside, tables are lit with coloured lights, most of the ladies behind the bar are tattooed and there are lots of vintage cheeky posters on the walls. I just think it's so unusual and fun. I can't get enough of the Margarita slushies: very sweet and tasty, but pricey. I've eaten there too and had honey and mustard chicken wings. They came in a pool of honey and were just awesome. Probably my favourite place to be in Holloway Road =] read more

Stopped in here for a few drinks and loved the atmosphere! It's a fun, unpretentious pub with a load of scary looking, but nice rockers inside. Although we only had drinks, the smell of BBQ was overwhelming and made me want to come back for food one day. read more

Big Red as described by one punter is "WICKED"! It has a good atmosphere, great music, and it is the kind of place where you can go by yourself and end up leaving with a new group of friends at the end of the evening. It is aimed towards mainly a rock crowd but anyone is welcome. There are pool tables, live bands, themed nights at the weekends such as Hawaiian and girls wrestling in jelly. There is a full bar and do really good cocktails such as the Jagermeister. Do make sure to bring cash because they charge you 50p to use your card at the bar. It is absolutely mobbed at the weekend so I prefer to go during the week where you get the same atmosphere, a table, and can get to the bar. read more

The Big red was good fun, a semi bad ass atmosphere (tatoos all around the place). Good drinks and possibility of playing pool. Good address in North London! read more

An American-ish themed rock/biker/leather/fauxdive bar. Service is a bit hit and miss. Food is very yummy. The ladies' toilets were disgusting, however. They were "fixed" part way through the night, but the plumbing work left rather gross things all over the floor. Not cool. That means they only get 3 stars instead of what might have been 4. read more

I used to live near the Big Red and discovering it was the best thing I could do. Cheap drinks, friendly atmosphere, great music selection and nice deco, plus I never had any problem with the staff. One of the best places around Holloway Rd. read more

good beer, good music, friendly barstaff and pool. you can't really ask for more than that. oh you can? well, there's great nachos, cheesey chips and burgers; it's open late, late; there's booths & plenty of tables to rest your weary limbs; it shows football and to top it all there's a total mix of characters. If that doesn't satisfy you then you're a fussy little fusspot. read more

My absolute favourite pub in North London. From the outside it looks like a place you'd normally avoid but on the inside it has everything a good pub needs. A great selection of music, a large bar with friendly bar staff, pool tables, big tv's, plenty of room to sit down (although it does get pretty busy at weekends) and a good mix of regulars. The food, particularly the chilli, is brilliant too. read more

Very popular during the weekends, really alternative, retro atmosphere, with a great jukebox selection, and dim ambient lighting. They also do food, but it's pretty much totally burger based, so not a very good selection. There's a big bar, as well as comfy booths, and the interior has really mad decor all over the place, including an old school pinball machine. Plenty to keep you entertained here, four pool tables and a big screen for football viewings. Gets really busy in the evenings, really social atmosphere. read more

Simply put, Big Red is almost my favourite pub in London. I say almost as Holloway is a bit far out of the centre. Aside from the geographical situation, this is the best rock and metal pub I've been to. It attracts everyone from well heeled rockabilly fans to bearded doom metallers and everyone in between. Good food, drinks, pool tables and attractive bar staff. Big Red, I salute read more

Big Red is most likely the most authentic rock bar in London. The employees and the guests together create a sometimes intimidating, but always rock'y feel to the place. Their food might not be absolutely awesome, but with a nice pint and some rock'n'roll on the speakers, the food sure tastes delicious. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! My favourite bar in London, and no ego like some other London metal bars. Good food, and good service too. The toilets can get a bit skanky towards the end of the night and there is often a queue out of the door but I don't care. I LOVE IT. read more

Great bar, like the atmosphere, I know, I know, Im way too old to be a complicated misunderstood rebel type, but you know, I like to live in the past... Crowd is really mixed and really quite convivial, striking up conversation is not difficult at all, and the crowd seems to WANT to socialise, which is fairly unusual in London. Maybe its the music. One major irritation however is the attitude of the bar staff, who clearly have been watching waaay-y-y too much American goth / vampyre stuff, and are way too forced in their attitude of "Im so complex, you simply wouldnt understand me..." - Bit annoying really having some 20 year old come over with the "Ive seen it all a million times and Im so unimpressedt" attitude. Try hanging around with me down in Soho for a weekend and youll realise how little youve seen. No really. Lets hang out. Great bar, but the staff should lose the attitude. read more

This bar has a real American feel to it. Great rock 'n' roll(ish) vibe, a few pool tables and decent food. Would definitely recommend!

Not a bad spot for a quiet drink and a game of pool. Although when the live music starts, reach for the earplugs...it gets loud!