"For much of its modern life, The Compton Arms was a bungalow-like neighbourhood pub behind Upper Street, almost solely serving local Arsenal fans. Then, things got a bit gastro, with changing chef residencies like the guys behind The Plimsoll who created a now-legendary cheeseburger here. The carpets came out and the cod’s roe came in. Yet miraculously, despite all that, it’s remained a brilliant pub. These days, whoever’s in the kitchen is usually worth checking out. But even for a noisy Friday night pint or a quiet Tuesday evening catch-up, this pub remains a destination. A night spent in one of The Compton's low-lit corners is usually a very good one. During winter, hold onto your seat like your life depends on it. But come summer, the deceptively well-sized garden comes into play. The demographic skews younger in the evenings, although there’s still a mix of old heads at the bar. Especially on match days. photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli" - Jake Missing
