The Green Man (Islington), pool in Islington (N1)

Photo: PubsGalore

The Green Man (Islington): Pool & Snooker in London

FreeWalk-in2 tablesPool leagueLive sport

144a Essex Road, Islington, London · N1 8LX · Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-23:00

The Green Man is a no-frills Victorian corner boozer on Essex Road in Islington, and it is a proper pool pub. Two tables sit at the back, it is the home of a Chalk Farm Pool League team, and the most useful thing to know is that pool is free on Sunday evenings after 6pm. It suits people who want a casual game, a pint and live sport rather than a polished bar. Expect Sky and TNT-style coverage across nine screens, real ale, a jukebox and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. There is no kitchen, so come for drinks and a game, not dinner. It is walk-in, drink-led and well placed if you are around Angel or Essex Road and just want to rack up.

The pool setup

There are two pool tables at the back of the pub, where the room was opened out and the bar shifted to the right to make space. The Green Man runs a team in the Chalk Farm Pool League, the long-running North London competition that started in 1978, so Monday nights are given over to league matches. The rest of the week it is casual play on a coin-operated table. If you want a guaranteed free game, Sunday after 6pm is your slot. Turn up, put your coins down or wait for the Sunday session, and you are away.

Good to know

This is a drinks-only pub, so there is no food, but you get real ale, a wide range of drinks, a jukebox and air conditioning. Sport is a big draw: nine screens show live football and horse racing, including Rangers games. Friday and Saturday nights bring DJs from around 9, plus karaoke and disco, so it gets lively at the weekend. There is some outside seating. It is available for party hire and birthdays too. No booking needed for a casual game; just walk in.

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Common questions

What is The Green Man in Islington?
It is a Victorian corner pub on Essex Road with two pool tables, real ale and nine screens for live sport. It is a drinks-led local rather than a food pub.
Is pool free at The Green Man?
Pool is free on Sundays after 6pm. At other times the table is coin-operated, so you pay per game.
Do you need to book a table or can you walk in?
It is walk-in. There is no booking for casual pool; just turn up and play, or wait for the free Sunday evening session.
How many pool tables does it have?
There are two pool tables at the rear of the pub.
Does The Green Man have a pool team?
Yes. It is the home pub for a team in the Chalk Farm Pool League, with league matches on Monday nights.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Thursday and Sunday 12:00 to 23:00, and Friday and Saturday 12:00 to midnight. DJs run from around 9 on Friday and Saturday nights.

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