Angel Girls' Night: Best Upper Street Cocktail Bars and Wine Spots

When you’re looking for a night out that feels like a warm hug from your best friends, Upper Street in Islington delivers. It’s not just another row of pubs and chain restaurants-it’s a stretch of hidden gems where the cocktails are crafted with care, the wine lists tell stories, and the vibe? Pure magic. Angel Girls’ Night here isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the real deal: laughter echoing off brick walls, clinking glasses, and that moment when you realize you haven’t checked your phone in two hours.

Where the cocktails feel like a celebration

Start at Bar Termini a stylish, no-reservations Italian-inspired bar on Upper Street that’s been drawing crowds since 2015. It’s not fancy in the stiff-collar way-it’s lively, loud, and full of people who know their negronis from their amaros. The bartender doesn’t just pour; they ask how your day went, then shake a drink like it’s a personal gift. Try the Spicy Orange Negroni-it’s got a kick of chili that lingers just long enough to make you smile. They don’t have a menu. You tell them your mood, and they make it. That’s the kind of place where you leave with a new favorite drink and a new friend.

Just down the road, The Clumsy Bar a two-time World’s Best Bar finalist that turned cocktail innovation into an art form is where the science meets soul. They use house-made syrups, smoke-infused spirits, and even edible flowers. Their Islington Sour-made with gin, yuzu, and a foam of aquafaba-tastes like a spring morning in a glass. It’s not cheap (around £16), but it’s the kind of drink you remember for months. If you’re with a group, order the Three Sips tasting flight. It’s three mini cocktails, each a different story, each better than the last.

Wine spots that feel like a private cellar

If cocktails aren’t your thing, or if you want to switch gears after a few rounds, head to Vagabond Wines a cozy, unassuming wine bar that sources natural and organic bottles from small European vineyards. No neon signs. No loud music. Just wooden tables, soft lighting, and a staff who can tell you why a Slovenian orange wine tastes like dried apricots and wet stones. Their Wine of the Month changes every 30 days, and they pour by the glass or bottle. You can grab a cheese board with aged cheddar and quince paste, and sit there for hours without feeling rushed. It’s the kind of place where you leave with a new bottle tucked under your arm and a new favorite region on your mental map.

For something a little more unexpected, try The Wine Kitchen a wine bar with a kitchen that turns simple plates into something unforgettable. Their Pinot Noir from Oregon pairs perfectly with their truffle mushroom toast-thinly sliced sourdough, wild mushrooms, and a whisper of garlic oil. They don’t have a wine list you can scroll through. Instead, they have a chalkboard with handwritten notes: "This one makes you want to dance in the rain." That’s the kind of honesty you don’t find in chain wine bars.

Where the energy shifts as the night goes on

Upper Street doesn’t sleep the same way all night. Around 9 p.m., the crowd shifts from dinner crowds to post-dinner wanderers. That’s when The Old Man a hidden speakeasy-style bar behind a fridge door in a basement comes alive. You need to know it’s there. You won’t find it on Google Maps. Look for the unmarked door next to the pharmacy, knock twice, and say "Sashi sent me." (Okay, you don’t have to-but it makes the bartender smile.) Inside, it’s dim, warm, and packed with people who came for the cocktails but stayed for the conversation. Their Smoked Maple Old Fashioned is served with a single ice cube and a twist of orange peel that’s been charred over a blowtorch. It’s not just a drink. It’s an experience.

By midnight, if you’re still going, The Eagle a classic British pub turned late-night hangout with live jazz on weekends is your next stop. It’s got mismatched chairs, a jukebox full of 90s R&B, and a barkeep who remembers your name even if you only came once last year. They close at 2 a.m. on weekdays, 3 a.m. on weekends. The cocktails here are simple-gin and tonic, whiskey neat-but the company? Priceless.

What makes Angel Girls’ Night on Upper Street different

This isn’t just about drinking. It’s about being seen. It’s about the way the barista at Vagabond remembers you like your wine with a splash of soda. It’s about the way The Clumsy Bar’s staff will sneak you a free bite of their house-made olives because they saw you were laughing too hard to order food. It’s about the fact that no one checks their phone here-not because they’re trying to be cool, but because they’re too busy being present.

There’s no velvet rope. No cover charge. No pretense. Just real people, real drinks, and real connection. That’s what makes Upper Street the go-to for Angel Girls’ Night in London. It’s not about the name on the bottle. It’s about the name you’ll remember from the night.

Pro tips for your next girls’ night

• Go early. Bars like Bar Termini and Vagabond Wines fill up fast after 7 p.m. Arrive by 6:30 for the best seats.
• Ask for recommendations. Staff here know their stuff. Tell them your budget, your mood, and what you usually like. They’ll surprise you.
• Share plates. Most places offer small bites-cheese, charcuterie, olives. Ordering a few lets everyone taste more.
• Walk between spots. Upper Street is only 1.2 miles long. Walking between bars is part of the ritual. Wear comfy shoes.
• Don’t book ahead. Most of these places don’t take reservations for small groups. Walk-ins are welcome, and that’s part of the charm.

What to expect on a typical night

Start at Bar Termini around 6:30 p.m. with a negroni and a bowl of marinated olives. Move to The Clumsy Bar by 8:30 for a tasting flight. By 10 p.m., head to Vagabond Wines for a glass of something unexpected. Grab a bite at The Wine Kitchen if you’re hungry. End at The Eagle by midnight with a whiskey and a song on the jukebox. You’ll leave at 2 a.m., tired, happy, and already planning your next visit.