EDIT: Much as I love the manager and sound chap at this establishment, the décor and events they put on, there's now been a few occasions where the stroppy demeanour and sulky expression of the bar staff have deflated the entire evening and caused many a comment from attendees of the events I've organised. Snapping at me when I ask about an item listed on the menu or sharply saying it should be obvious you don't serve tea ("Do you see a kettle?" "Well no, but I also can't see the kitchen you're dishing up food from, and with it being a kitchen, I would have thought it likely that there was a kettle in there..."). It just comes across as bad-natured and unnecessary, and makes me want to go elsewhere, which is a shame as the manager and co are lovely and oh-so-accommodating. Hmm...
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As one of the organisers of Ladyfest Ten, I spent almost an entire weekend here recently as part of the three-day festival we put on. And of all the Holloway Road venues that we worked with, I have to say that the Horatia was by far and away my favourite.
First of all, the sound chap was a total dream to work with; dapper, friendly, completely calm while we were all flapping around him like headless chickens, and warm, helpful and patient with our thousands of questions.
The pub is small enough to feel cosy and intimate (seeing Envy, Gracious B, Lykez, Lady Leshurr and Patricia Panther perform their together last Friday felt like a history-making moment), but large enough that you can still hole up on a squashy sofa at the back and have a natter while there's comedy and cabaret on at the front without feeling caught in the conversational crossfire.
I don't venture to North London often (wrong side of the tracks for me, and means an epic, Lord of the Rings style quest to get home if I stay out past the last train), but next time I do I'll be checking what's on here. And since it's super close to both Highbury & Islington and Holloway Road tubes, you'll be sorted even when the Victoria line is buggered. Sounds good to me! read more