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Submitted on Wednesday, 27^th September 2017
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The Compton Arms, N1

4 Compton Avenue
N1
N1 2XD

Phone: 02073596883

Correct details

Pub Type

Greene King

Served areas

Islington, Canonbury

Reviews of The Compton Arms (Average Rating: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

The Chairman left this review about The Compton Arms

The afternoon walk progressing, and the sense of disappointment building, it was a relief to arrive at the Compton and find a better selection of beers on offer. A Left Handed Giant Titan session pale was in good condition and went down very well, but one of the group had to return their beer (can't remember what it was) which was probably the dregs of the barrel. There is a pleasant garden area but we remained inside as some of the group "don't do gardens"! This was a good pub, that I would be happy to revisit, and is deceptively spacious inside.

On 30^th September 2026 - rating: 8
[User has posted 126 recommendations about 121 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about The Compton Arms

14th February 2018:

I first came here in August 1988 - it was the last time I bought my dad a pint, though the first time was at the former King's Arms a few hundred yards from here about 20 minutes earlier.
Named after the Marquis of Northampton's family, this is a pleasant little out-of-the-way place dating back to at least the late 19th century but rebuilt as a result of bombing in 1944, and now very much a male locals' pub. It was also George Orwell's pub when he lived in Canonbury Square and is rumoured to be the inspiration for his Moon Under Water (TV wasn't available then). The interior is fairly traditional - a bit like a village pub - with some bare beams, a low ceiling, bulls-eye glass, partly bare boarded and dark wood; furniture is in keeping with the interior. There's a carpeted lowered area to the right though the men's lav opens directly onto it which noshers may find off-putting. On the end wall there's a big TV and opposite a smaller one, catering for fans of the local league football club located a mile or so from here. There's a bijou carpeted snug of sorts to the rear which makes for a nice little den if you gather your mates round. Out back, there's a small partially covered garden, handy for fine weather and smokers. There's hot food but it's of the baguettes/burgers/fish, pie and mash or chips looking tasty enough and at reasonable prices which belies the Canonbury location.
A Greene King pub but the ale - typically five - is better than the brand would suggest so it's typically IPA, Abbot, Compton Arms Bitter (probably GK) and a couple of guests. This is a decent, traditional little find and is much appreciated if you fancy a break from the noise and glare of typical pubs along the Upper Street strip but avoid on match days. Lavs are basic too.

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Reopened after a short period of closure and now sporting a simple, tasteful colour scheme shorn of its Greene King livery. Inside, and the changes are subtle too. The 'village pub' appearance remains but it has been cleaned up a bit with the woodchip wallpaper removed. The walls are white but the wainscoting and other wooden elements are now painted in a very dark chocolate brown. There's a new wood floor throughout too, where once there was a mix of patterned carpet and dark boards. The walls have contemporary sconce lights with filament bulbs but the bar and pot shelf are new; furniture is new and fairly traditional. The ceiling beams are still - wrongly - painted black; a lost opportunity to sandblast them back to their original bare wood.
The barman was friendly and the choice of ales is now superior with Adnam's Broadside along with Purity's Gold, Mad Goose and Pure Ubu.
Some will complain that this pub (rebuilt after World War II) has lost some of its charm while others will say it's now more attractive. Either way, I think it will now appeal to a younger client base as well as women. I for one would no be more inclined to return, not least because of the improved ale choice.

On 23^rd August 2018 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2351 recommendations about 2289 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Moby Duck left this review about The Compton Arms

The Compton Arms is hidden away down a side street,a basic one roomed boozer, simply decorated with wood paneling all around the top portion of the walls and ceiling are painted in a cream colour, there are some pump clips on the overhead beams to give you an idea of past beers. It is Greene King owned and thankfully there is a guest ale policy in place, five handpumps all working with the choice of GK IPA and Abbot, Compton Ale (no doubt some re-badged nonsense), St Peters Ruby Red Mild and Blacksheep Pathmaker Pale, I tried the latter and it was in fair shape. There is a beer garden but it was "closed for maintenence " on my visit. A nice enough pub and worth a look.

On 18^th September 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2410 recommendations about 2373 pubs]

View more reviews of The Compton Arms (11)

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