Marquess Tavern Canonbury

A grand Victorian Canonbury local, calm and characterful, and a 20 minute walk through Highbury Fields to the Emirates.

Plan your matchdayGet directions

32 Canonbury St, London N1 2TB

ArsenalVictorianCanonburyReal Ale

Matchday dispatch

A longer read on what makes this place worth your matchday

Matchday dispatch from Islington

About the spot

The Marquess is a beautiful Victorian corner pub on a quiet Canonbury back street. High ceilings, arched windows and a cask line-up taken seriously. It is the kind of place Arsenal fans who actually live in N1 head for, not the matchday tourist trail. The walk up through Highbury Fields to the Emirates is one of the best pre-match strolls in London.

Grand Victorian interior, quiet back-street setting. Rotating cask line-up, properly kept. Sunday roasts that locals book a week ahead. Twenty minute walk to the Emirates via Highbury Fields. Or one stop on the Overground to Highbury & Islington. Calm crowd, plenty of seats, no big screens.

Most Arsenal fans crowd onto Holloway Road. The Marquess is a proper Canonbury local with character, real ale and a calm pre-match crowd. About 20 minutes' walk to the Emirates.

Slow pint, then the walk up through Highbury Fields

First pint of cask at the bar. A second one with a snack. Walk out through Canonbury. Cross Highbury Fields with the Arsenal crowd.

Heads up: the Marquess is busy on Sundays. Book for food, drinks are first come first served.

Walk back through Highbury Fields after the game and stop at one of the Upper Street places for dinner. Best post-match plan in N1.

What to order

On the drinks side, whatever cask is on. A glass of red from the list. A cold lager if it is warm.

From the kitchen, the Sunday roast if you are in on a Sunday. Whatever the daily special is. A bar snack with your pint.

Who it suits

Arsenal fans who live in or know N1. Visitors staying around Angel or Islington. Couples doing food and football. Real ale drinkers. Anyone who wants the walk through Highbury Fields.

The verdict

If you want the Arsenal matchday without the Holloway Road queue, the Marquess plus the Highbury Fields walk is the answer.

Suggested matchday itinerary

A ready-made timeline for your visit

12:30Step 1
Arrive at the Marquess
Pint at the bar under the arched windows.
13:30Step 2
Lunch and a second round
Sunday roast or a special, with another pint.
14:30Step 3
Walk to the Emirates
Up through Canonbury and across Highbury Fields, around 20 minutes.
15:00Step 4
Kick-off at the Emirates
In your seat with the North Bank.