Upper Street · Islington
Hope & Anchor
The cradle of British punk, in a Victorian pub's basement
- Address207 Upper Street, N1 1RL
- Phone020 7354 1312
- Websitehopeandanchor.info
- OwnershipPart of Greene King
About Hope & Anchor
An 1880 Victorian building, Grade II listed, that became the epicentre of London punk in the seventies; it still programmes live music almost every night.
Behind a discreet Upper Street façade hides one of the most legendary venues in British punk: The Clash, The Damned, The Stranglers, Joy Division and even a very young U2 — their first UK gig, in front of nine people, in 1979 — played its basement through the seventies. The Damned's "New Rose", considered the first British punk single, was recorded right here.
On tap
Beer on tap and a classic bar list, built to go with the gigs.
Food
Simple bar food; the focus here is on the music, not the kitchen.
More pubs in Upper Street
- The Hare & HoundsAn 18th-century name, recently revived for Upper Street