Slim Jim's Liquor Store

I was there the other night and what a night we had. Big about out to the Asian dude and the guy with dread, the were epic, made us feel so welcome and part of the institution. They were running around and yet keeping calm and attentive and fun! thanks guys, be back again very soon

After reading about it as a great spot for live bands, I decided to check it out, and I’m so glad I did! The atmosphere was fantastic—lively, welcoming, and full of energy. I loved the diverse mix of people, which added to the vibrant and dynamic vibe of the place. Definitely a spot worth revisiting!

Very rude staff at the venue last night. Incredibly hostile and dismissive. The two guys behind the bar (tall Asian dude and guy with dreads) were incredibly rude and lied to a group of people regarding the bars bra policy. Let it be known that they accepted the bra. They probably now share custody of the bra- don’t expect to see it on the ceiling. Absolute weirdos!

Awesome place for lovers of Rock, Country and Bluegrass music! Great and funny bartender on Sunday afternoon + tasty happy hour ! There is live music on Wednesday night with possibility for amateurs to jam with the professionals. Last but not least, it's a place where you can meet any type of 'friends' 😈😇😉

Really awesome venue! Has a good stage and great selection of beers pouring, which includes my favourite E1 Brew Co IPA and Pilsner Lager on tap. Friendly service and love the interior. They’ve got a really good selection of branded neons and a cool bra art installation and plenty of atmospheric lighting and darker tables in corners which are perfect for weekday date nights! Good happy hour deal and love the bathrooms! Full of stickers and doodles. Great lineup of live performances on the weekends. Will be here again for a gig.

Went to this bar yesterday (22nd July) and had an extremely upsetting experience. One of the bar staff (tall East Asian guy) was immediately very rude to me. After asking him why he was being so hostile to me he called me a Paki… Would never visit this place again and am appalled by the blatant racism towards me which was upheld by his fellow bartender (dreads)

Went to Slim Jim’s early evening last Friday (23rd May) to get a couple of beers in before going to a gig at the nearby Islington academy. At that point, good drinks, great atmosphere, friendly staff - great place. However, after the gig we decided to go back to the bar to round off the night with a couple more drinks. By this point there were doormen, and as we walked in they asked for IDs - which I was initially flattered by since I’m 36 and look it, but I guess they just ID everyone as a policy. Anyway, I showed my drivers license, but the friend I was with, who is the same age as me, didn’t have any on him. I’ve seen this happen occasionally in London, but in each case if it’s a situation where there’s other people who can clearly prove they are well over drinking age, and one person doesn’t have ID is obviously in the same age bracket, the doorman will just wave them through, because that’s the reasonable thing to do in that instance. However, this particular bouncer for whatever reason just wouldn’t take it, even when my friend, who had greying hair and a wedding ring, showed the passport photo of his daughter as further proof. I literally thought this doorman was just joking around, and was basically just waiting for the punchline and to be waived through, but I guess cus he was a young guy and presumably new to the job he felt he needed to throw his weight around and impose himself, though there was really no need because there was no queue. I was also in a leg brace and clearly having trouble walking, and neither of us were being in any way disorderly. Indeed, we tried our best to handle the things in a jovial and co-operative manner, despite how ridiculous the situation was. I will say that after 5-10 minutes of this I started to get frustrated and forcefully made the point that the bouncer was clearly a lot younger than us, but even this was done in jest. Nonetheless, the guy started getting aggressive after that, so we took our business elsewhere, to another rock bar. The whole thing was absolutely farcical. It is a pity because we had a great impression of the place when we were there earlier in the evening, and would most likely have stayed until closing under other circumstances. As it is, not sure I’ll be going back. Advice to the owners - I suggest to put in place some more flexibility around IDs etc and generally reset some expectations with your door staff. I totally understand the need to ID young people, but what unfolded last week was frankly ludicrous. You are running a great place, but ultimately you’re the ones who will lose out on business when customers decide to spend their money elsewhere and are then motivated to write a negative review like this, just because your door staff have too much ego to climb down slightly and be reasonable.

Been here a handful of times! Recently had a bit of an issue with someone being a bit weird with me, reported it to the bar staff, Asian guy and the guy with locks, they sorted it straight away and got him removed by security !! So so helpful, will be back again and again I love it xx

Awwww SNAP! Mama loves a dive bar, and Slim Jims Liquor Store is the best I've found here in London. Just the right amount of Los Angeles tack complied with minimal light and endless shelves of liquor. Plywood booths: check. Red vinyl bar stools: check. Buzzing glow of neon: check. Lots and lots and lots of whiskey: check. Juke Box: check. But the kicker? Two mounted boar heads "smoking" cigs and wearing sunglasses. Slim Jims is keepin' it classy like no other. And I can certainly appreciate that.

I lived in Islington for 10 years and returned after 15 years in October, 2019. Many of my favorite neighborhood bars, like The Purple Turtle, didn't survive my absence. I picked Slim Jim's for a reunion with old friends and to introduce them to my wife. Around 25 of us gathered on a Friday evening at 7PM and we closed the bar down at 3AM. We didn't give the proprietors any notice of a large piss-up because none of us knew them or had been there. We had a great time.Highly recommended!

Boobies! Okay, well... not really. I mean... yes, really. Right, there -were- a lot of boobies here, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm referring to the massive amounts of over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders that are strung up all across the ceiling at Slim Jim's. Oodles of them. All colours and shapes and sizes, you name it, it's there. Who doesn't appreciate a bit of brazier action? Between the three of four pints of pub-crawling beer I'd had before we landed at Slim Jim's, I was already feeling pretty good. One of their vaunted whiskey sours later and I was about done for the night. You know yellow people and alcohol, they don't tend to mix well. Friday night will find this joint rammed with folk. If they picked the correct tunes, I have a feeling it could be a right dance party in here. Don't expect to have much of a conversation over the blare of the sound system, but do expect to toss back a generous stiff drink or two. Then mosey your way down Upper Street for some late-night nosh. Slim Jim's has it going on; if I wore a bra, I could see shimmying out of it and hanging it up on their ceiling after a good night out, as well.

When I stepped into Slim Jim's, I was really excited to have discovered a proper small -town US style dive bar. But the actual experience has fallen short. The atmosphere of the bar is really chill - walls pasted with rock posters, cushioned booths, dim lights, and just the right amount of background rock music. And bras, hundreds of bras everywhere leaving the stories behind each of them for your imagination. But what's the point of a fun interior if the drinks aren't worth coming in for. For me, the point of dive bars like this is mainly the drinks - I wanted no fanciness, no fuss, just a glass of something simple and strong after a long day. The basic cocktails we ordered however tasted more like stale coke in which you couldn't recognize any alcohol (even in the Long Island Ice Tea). We didn't leave this happy hour merry at all. Despite it being Friday night, the bar was practically empty. I'd be willing to give this place a chance once more later at night if it gets busier and more fun, but overly it left me disappointed.

200 bras stuck to the ceiling, the dirty grimy feel of those late night American bars you see on movies, hard and alternative rock music, and very dim lighting. It's a great bar! Seriously, it feels like you're walking into a film set! It's a great bar in a really nice area, and they have bouncers that check whether you're wearing a shirt and tie. If you are, you're not allowed in! The same thing goes for tracksuits and trainers. This is a no business, no chav bar.

The big draw was a new york style dive keeping new york kinda hours. So we turned up after midnight on a Wednesday... and was hoping for a chill place to chat and drink. And it was far from that. The music was super-loud classic rock (ac-dc / led zep), there was some dance floor of sorts. What could have been the chill room was ruined by a speaker in there that meant it was just as loud as the dance floor / bar area. And the clientele seemed like lawyers office parties gone wild .... casual sweaters over shirts, ties loosened, sweaty red foreheads, wobbling vaguely in time and mumbling lyrics to guns n roses. Bad asses my ass. It could've been so cool. Just remove the speaker from the other room, add another server at the bar....

This is a ROCK N ROLL bar. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Unfortunately I had a poor experience due to the discourteous treatment from one of the bar staff. Mr. Harrison was rude to me, accused me of being too drunk, (go figure) because I was standing up and singing at the bar. Excuse the piss out of me! Sorry for having a good time mate. When I told him he was wrong and I wanted one more pint, he had a girl with pink hair run to the doorman to have me ejected. Taking my cue so as to avoid any confrontation, I headed for the door where said pink haired barmaid tried to trip me on the way out. Rude!

I don't think the owners have ever been to a real dive bar. This place is a joke. Real dive bar: dark, dilapidated, good music, cheap drinks, dirt cheap beer ($1 Olympia anyone?), shots, every liquor known to man, bar staff you can talk to. Slim Jim's: dark, over decorated (the bra-ceiling is just weird and the lit up bar looks like a hotel), Tina Turner, £4 beers, Jack Daniels Honey, Southern Comfort Cinnamon, and low wage staff who don't give a shit. Go to a nice pub instead. Save the dive bars for the US.

This is like a crazy dive of a rock bar with neon lights and rock and roll music, and I loved it!! Its fabulous for a fun night out with friends. I headed over one evening around 9pm and it wasn't that busy, but the atmosphere with the jukebox and the good choice of drinks meant I wasn't disappointed. I love the randomness of this place.. They have a ceiling full of bras hanging down which I found hysterical and can only assume is to represent the bras thrown at concerts. Lolz. The jukebox is also fabulous and really old school, letting me request artists like nirvana and bon jovi... Yaaaaas.... A definite big selling point for me. Don't let the neon lights let you mistake it for a strip bar and put you off, if you like rock and roll or just want a fun night out, then this is the place..

Jim is a sexy fella. He really is you know. He's also a flirt. He spoils me with tasty cocktails and Joy Division on the Jukebox. He also lets me snuggle his big leather booths at the back and protects me from the knobs that hang out in Angel past 9pm on a weekend. Jim apparently is slim but I have never seen any proof of that. Slim people are mean and our Jim is definitely not a mean man. In the suit driven social atmosphere of Islington this is a welcome change with the best music and cocktails around. A little pricey but you do have to pay to avoid the twats. I can not tell you how happy this bar makes me, like a home from home that welcomes me with open arms and a large gin. mmmm.... gin!

What a cool place! I can't think of a better representation of a American Dive bar in London. The dim lighting, the neon lights, the booths, the jukebox, the bras hanging from the ceiling (!), the Brooklyn Lager on tap, the rock star wallpaper, the Americana coming out of the speakers, the advertised Swing/hillbilly/rock 'n roll party they have on Sunday evenings. Wow! Even though I only came here mid-week, when there weren't many other punters around, I was captivated. I can only imagine how amazing the atmosphere must be on the weekends, which needless to say I want to be sampling at the nearest opportunity.

I really wound up loving this place and I miss it dearly now that I'm back in the states. We came here with a rather large group twice, which is completely overwhelming to most of the pubs around here (I was with a bunch of college kids, 30 to be exact) and this place made us all feel really welcome the first time we walked in. To start, they have two for the price of one cocktails during the week, which is awesome, namely, I loved the parma violence, and of course the picklebacks, which I thought would be vile. The ceiling is all decked out with bras and the bartenders are all really amazing. I will say I came here twice, and I got turned away because a girl we were with had open toe shoes on and they said she wasn't allowed in. I'm pretty sure she wore the same shoes the first time we came, but owell. Its a fun bar. Don't expect it to be super fancy, its a good place to come with your mates and get piss drunk though if you're in the area!

When thinking about where I should review for my 300th review, it was a no brainer. I have to review what is quite possibly my favourite place to imbibe on one too many drinks after an already long night of drinking with the mates. Slim Jim's is not slim on anything. 1) Awesome juke box rocking American classics...CHECK 2) Good selection of beer, cocktails and rockin' bartendares...CHECK 3) Plenty of room for you and your mates to sit or dance...CHECK 4) Reasonably priced drinks...CHECK 5) It's 23:30 and you still want to drink till 3am...CHECK! I could go on and on, but nothing makes me feel more like home than this precious gem of an Islington dive bar. No fail, this place is my rock, albeit a drunken one, it is true north. I am a hop, skip and a jump from here, so in any case, I can always make it home. Never have I had a bad time here and I've been here a lot! Keep it classy Slim Jim's!

I walked in here and instantly fell in love. This place isn't even in London I swear. The moment you pass the threshold you are transported onto the backstreets of NYC. The drinks are cheap, they have a great back bar, the atmosphere is dark, the vibe is so True Blood, I love it. I cannot comment on the food but I will certainly be back to try. Slim Jim's is the archetypal dive bar tucked away on super trendy Upper Street. Americans... This is your home from home.

Slim Jim's is one of those bars that gets you drunk off the stale beer smell alone. It's boozy vibe has lead to a blurry night or two but I don't regret a thing. Except miming to every song that came on the juke box. And ordering my drink in an American accent to create a mysterious persona. *Ahem* loser. Dark, dingy and loads of fun, this is a must visit for a bourbon fix in Angel.

This is one of my favourite places to go out at the weekend. Having looked for an American-style dive bar to rival the ones we have in Dublin, I finally came across this place late at night after our pub had closed. It looks the part--neon signs, band posters and donated bras hanging from the ceiling. There's a steady stream of rock n' roll usually played by a scary-looking but friendly and accommodating DJ. The drinks are pricey-ish, but their cocktails are tasty and the bar staff know what they're doing. They are always on form and are friendly and quick. I haven't had a pizza from Slim Jim's but I hear they're pretty good, especially when you've had a few. Great spot, great atmosphere. I always have a good night when I go here.

I am one of them people who, sometimes, have to challenge authorities or revolt against what I find ridiculous! This is the main reason why I visited slim Jim's Liquor Store as they do happen to have a questionable dress code; basically excluding anyone dressed properly for an office job! What I found, not being denied entry despite of my apparel, was a true Islington unpolished and rough gem. On a Saturday early evening and in spite of the regulations I walked into Slim Jim dressed in dark chino trousers and especially for this occasion buttoned up shirt under a v-neck pullover. Sadly and also gladly I was not stopped nor stared at! Sadly because I wanted to hear their arguments and gladly as I came to find out this small American style dark & dirty dive bar with hanging bras, neon lights and loud rock and roll atmosphere happen to serve mean whiskey cocktails with reasonable price tags. All is forgiven but not forgotten; forgiven till the next time I visit London perhaps looking less of a tourist not receiving special treatment hence being denied entry, not forgotten cause of the kick ass unrushed rules and regulations obeying Sour, Old Fashion and Sazerac cocktails made with care and attention to details!

Where are we? Something is different. I think we've been transported to a bar in Key West! What makes me think that? The hanging DDs from the ceiling. All we need is a dancing naked fat drunk girl begging for attention to make it really Key West. I really like the feel of this bar. It has a wild feel to it, knowing you would hit up this bar on a friday night make make some crazy new friends. This bar has a bonus: Whiskey sours!

It coulda been any night, any town, any dive bar... but he chose Slim Jim's. A backstreet brawler, he'd seen it all, done worse and liked his bars to have attitude. Cracked leather booths, chipped wood tables and pigs' heads on the wall, the jukebox urged him to 'just do it again'. Yeah, yeah this place'd do just fine. He pulled up a stool at the bar, booze bottles lined the wall, so inviting and welcoming. Was this the kind of place you could lose yourself? Neon signs illuminated the sexy bartender, muscles flexing as she poured a Manhattan. Though he was hardly a cocktails man, he could appreciate their attention to detail, burning orange rind to enhance the flavour. Checking out the other patrons, it seemed that pants worn pulled down, exposing ass cheek, was the uniform of choice. Yuppie hipsters with Elvis Costello pretensions and expensive laptops leeching off the free wi-fi. What had the world come to... even in a dive like this, he couldn't escape them. Giving it a closer inspection, he began to have his doubts. Bras decorating the ceiling? Concert posters from the 80s and beyond slapped carefully haphazard on the walls? A widescreen TV silently replaying some organised sport? Nah, this place was trying too hard, dipping its toe in the darkside but unable or unwilling to take the plunge. Downing the remainder in his glass, he headed off into the night once more. A smiled played across his lips, he'd be back.

Everytime I walk into Slim Jim's I feel like I am back home in Atlanta, Georgia. This place is everything that I want a dive bar to be - - Great cocktails, loud music, and people making attempts at sexual advancements. Jim, himself, is hilarious - the guy obviously knows what it takes to bring the crowds out to have a good time. Being a 5 minute walk from my flat - - I spend much of my extracurricular time on Upper Street and I say that although I feel like Slim Jim's doesn't fit in with the rest of the establishments there - - this fact is essentially what makes it a unique venue to have a good time in the heart of Angel.

As a Los Angeleno living in London for the past 9 months I have REALLY missed dive bars. I did a google search and came across Slim Jims which was exactly what I was looking for. I came by on a saturday night and was pleasently surpirsed to see all of the findings of a standard dive bar in LA: dark lighting, stools at the bar, juke box, a chill bartender and a cheap stiff drink. It reminded me a lot of Gasser Lounge in Redondo Beach, California. I am planning to go to Slim Jims on my birthday at the end of August because it made me feel so at home! I really wish I lived closer so that I could become a regular. I recommend this place for anyone who is looking for a true american dive bar and please DO NOT go with a group on poncey Brits or colleagues dressed in suits.... (A couple suggestions if the management is reading this!: I would love to see Pabst Blue Ribbon, Fireball cinnamon whiskey, Bud Light and Bacardi Limon at Slim Jims - not even sure if you can get those from supplier in the UK though.... bleh).

I like any bar that is a throwback to 50's america. especially when it has BOOTHS! and we actually GOT ONE! but that might have been because we were late night drinking on a wednesday.... but I still want to believe it would be just as approachable on any other night of the week. It might have been the company (fellow yelpers) but I thought slim jims had a really fun vibe. When we 1st walked in there earlier in the night we walked right out again because it was too quiet. but I'm glad we returned.

Slim Jim's is all the things I miss about walking into dive bars in the States, complete with washrooms that look as if a brawl just broke out to bras garnishing the ceilings. Ladies, adding to the collection is highly encouraged. I will be the gentleman near the bar working my way through the various bourbons that catch my eye behind the bar. Find yourself a corner or pull up a barstool and enjoy the atmosphere and a change of music from the norm. It may get crowded on the weekend, but it's for good reason.

It's as if the American dive bar just packed up and moved overseas. And thank God for it. Slim Jim's has weak lighting and strong booze - the two most important parts of a dive. But it's also got the guitar driven rock jukebox and kitschy shit bathrooms that make a good dive a great one. Of course I'm sure they've meant for it to be divey and that's cool. They've fooled my senses and that's worth 5 stars for me. It may not be Mission Bar (http://www.yelp.com/biz/mission-bar-san-francisco) and it sure isn't Snake and Jake's (world's greatest dive bar: http://www.yelp.com/biz/snake-and-jake-christmas-club-lounge-new-orleans), but I can still see myself growing old with this place. PS - where's the 'Good For Kids' option? Cuz I really want to click NO...hard...repeatedly.

The powers that be at Yelp may take this review down, but... Once upon a time, there was someone who wasnt allowed into a bar, possibly because he wasn't "smart looking" enough, or was wearing trainers, or maybe hadnt shaved. Aforementioned person then set up a bar with a dress code of 'nothing which makes it look like you have a job'. Like, whaaat?! I and a friend got turned away from here for wearing trousers. At first I thought they were joking, to which I did reply I could take them off', but no we then got sent back out into the pouring rain. Inferiority complex much?

Oh my. Who transplanted a US big-city dive bar into Upper Street? Because they did a stunningly good job of it. Slim Jim's is dark, both in lighting and humour. A fun little bar, where the cracked leather booths just add to the vibe rather than act as a turn-off. Truth be told, I think we -- the small and distinctly unruly mob of Yelpers who descended on this place last night -- were all at least one and a half to two sheets to the wind by the time we arrived, but the bartenders didn't bat an eyelid -- even after Lizzie's debatable jukebox choices. A stunning find, but I think you'd have to be in the right mood for this place. Last night though -- definitely the right place at the right time. It ain't pretty, but that's it's charm. It's a down-and-dirty place to meet friends, be rowdy and drink.

How is this a specific dive bar when everything in Camden is worse for wear at times? The dive bars in my hometown are more back-woodsy hick bars with sawdust on the floors and bras stapled to the ceiling.. .oh wait, there's bras on the wall... well consider myself standing corrected, this IS a slice of home. Well, sans the sawdust and a parking lot for snowmobiles. They were setting up a dj area as we were leaving, but they were actual turntables! I KNOW! It made me happy too. Why are we so starved for real dj-ing?? Why do people plug their ipods in and call it a day? Oh my head is dizzy, I have no patience for imposter new-age djs, I must make a return to see some real talent spin for a night.

The last time I was at Slim Jim's was when I made a group of people go here for my birthday. It was clear that I wanted to go here because it reminds me of dive bars back home without being tacky or try-too-hard, plus the jukebox is hard to beat. One of my colleagues leaned over at one point and said "I feel like I'm in 'The Wire'!" If it weren't so f'ing loud, I would have explained why it was nothing like 'The Wire' because it lacked that certain je ne sais quoi of dive bars in crime-ridden neighborhoods in American cities, but Springstein was rocking and I was fist-pumping, so that conversation will wait for another day. The drinks are a bit more expensive than you'd expect and the £15 minimum for using your card is a little annoying (thus the reason for 4 stars instead of 5) and often results in doing ill-advised shots, which then directly leads to putting more songs on the jukebox. Despite being American-themed and the fact that so many of the reviews here are from Americans, it didn't feel all Yanked out in terms of clientele. It's open late on Upper Street and within stumbling distance of my flat, so we end up here fairly often. It has yet to disappoint.

Slim Jim's is a great place to come if you like your ladies sexy and braless, your drinks strong and affordable, and your music rock and roll. With a real "coyote ugly" feel on weekends, a tasty selection of premium liquor and cocktails, attractive and energetic staff, Slim Jim's really is worth a visit. The dress code is strict so remember to stick to casual clothes as they don't permit entry in any office or formal wear (which, by the way, is excellent!!) Slim Jim's is an organised chaos of great fun, a hidden gem amongst the pretentious wine bars and gastropubs of upper street! LOVE IT !!

Slim Jim's is a bit cool, with a great, chilled, non-pretentious vibe which seems to be the antithesis of all things Angel at the moment. Bar staff are knowledgable but cute, and stock a good range of all things whisky and Jack Daniels-esque. Nothing super special, just a decent bar that serves decent drinks.

There is a big problem with this bar, it is in Angel. This means that it is full of clientele who who haven't got enough of a sense of adventure to go outside of Angel (or Clapham). So if you want to be around a bunch of braying white yokels who are estate agents or some other form of profession come here. That said, in the context of Angel bars it is right at the top.

As a lover of NY dive bars I was keen to check this place out. The decor is spot on. Every cliche of a dive bar is present and you could easily forget you were in London. That is until you look around at the people that you are drinking next to. The kinds of people who would never be seen dead in a proper NY dive bar but come here because it is a cool/different place to be. I went on a Saturday night so had to queue for a short while and there was very little room inside. I think on a weekday this place will have great potential and perhaps even in a few months weekends will be fine once the trendy people have moved on to the next cool thing... I will revisit for sure but on a quieter night.

I'm giving Slim Jim's three stars, even though it probably deserves four. For what it is, Slim Jim's is a great little place towards the Northern end of the Upper Street/Angel area. Its just that I am not often in the mood for the kind of place that is Slim Jim's. It was small, but not in an oppressive way. My friends and I managed to get a nice comfortable booth in the back and ended up passing the time watching everyone drink, dance and be merry. The music is louder than what I normally go for (9 times out of 10 I'm a quiet pub guy). However, all the music that was blasting was soooooooo good. The Ramones, CCR, Paul Simon, etc. And Slim Jim's has Brooklyn Lager on tap. As someone from the Northeastern USA, this is always a wonderful connection to home.

This bar has a true laid-back attitude, you can popping on any given evening and enjoy a great whisky, and they have many to choose from. It has a kind of blues bar Americana feel to it, and apparently it is what they have been trying to do. When you go in you are transported to maybe LA, or some California joint, but this one has its luxurious touches, which can be seen in the decoration and also in the prices. They have live bands and sometimes burlesque shows for all those who want a bit more than a show.

This is pretty much a plastic dive bar. Atmosphere is a strange one and I'm never sure what to get from this place. I've never heard a bad song played by the various DJs but crowd-wise it's hit and miss. Also management could do a lot more to improve the place but think there are too busy thinking up more pretentious ideas to make money from punters. They have tried to give off a 'we don't give a f*ck' attitude but fail. This isn't the greatest place on Upper Street, but if you want to stay out past 1pm and still drink it's a possibility.

If you like American bars from the 90s this is it. As an American I can verify that yes, this is an American-style bar. Every song from the jukebox was a slice of Americana reminding me of those o-so-long-ago college days. Freebird, AC/DC, all the classics which I abandoned years ago. Didn't love the bouncer and the line and the fact that when we got in it wasn't that crowded--maybe a mystique technique? Definitely a time warp, but I could see if you were in the mood it would be a good time.

There's something hiding behind this small, discreet, almost politely reserved exterior on Upper St. Ironically, it's an unashamedly loud late night dive bar with bags of character. It's just as great to start off your night with its 241 cocktails and cheap beer from 4-8pm each day to ending it singing along (badly) to the cool jukebox filled with timeless classics or live bands playing! It also has hundreds of bras hanging from ceiling! How very rock and roll. There are not many Americana bars like this in London. We got a Whole Lotta Love for Slim Jims. It's a small dive bar with lots of character. Has hundreds of bras hanging from ceiling for a start! Like it a lot. Would like more places like this in London to be honest.

Grimy American style bar with loud music, small booths, great spirits selection (and cocktail menu) plus many bras hanging from the ceiling. The very functional skin coloured variety, too.I loved the atmosphere in here, I've not been to America but I like to think it's a convincing American style grimy dive bar. I was pretty impressed with the pizza guy at the front, although we didn't actually try any. They had Angostura rum (1919 and the other one.. 1849?) which was great, as that's my current favourite. A seriously good selection though. Staff look a bit like they could do with some sleep, and maybe a shower, and I wasn't sure how good the cocktail making would be, but I'm reliably informed that they are pretty good, and actually the ones I saw being served were good. Don't come if you want a chat though. Or a seat... But you don't need a seat, or a chat. it's all good as it is. Maybe staff could be less forward (ok, one guy). Maybe some people like that. I don't. But still, I'd come again.

This is a fabulous bar if you're looking for something a little different. Upon walking in, it immediately gets dark, and loud, and 5 degrees warmer (at least). As you head up a few steps, the first thing you should see is a large number of bras adorning the ceiling (awesome). If you dare venture down (or can make it through the crowds) to the WC's, you see decorating that could have (and probably was) done by locking 3 sworn enemies with packages of sharpies, paint, and stickers and watching the carnage. All of this adds up to a certain charm that makes Slim Jim's a place you really can't miss. I'd really like to see a punk band perform live there. I'm not really sure where they'd play, but it would be epic.

Update: the staff ARE pretentious! And they have a ridiculous dress code whereby you can't be dressed as though you have an office job. The doorman even gave us some ridiculous story that they'd turned away a group of men who offered to put £1,000 behind the bar, because three of them were wearing suit jackets. YEAH, OK. Well, excuse me for having a job. Guess I'm not 'starving artist' enough. That being said, they do make MEAN cocktails & the other parts of my review still remain true. Ho-hum!

A little biased review until I return to give it another try. The two stars rating comment is accurate this time. I have "experienced better". What's funny...or sad...is that I experienced better at Aces and Eights which I hear is owned by the same people. I was here for the Yelp half price drinks event in April. They had a special menu for lil ol me to choose from with half price tasties. Whiskey sour no question! (Maybe I should add one more star because the drinks were indeed tasty. Just the right amount of tart without any fake lemon after taste yuk.) I gave the bartender money and he gave me the wrong change for the price it should have been. I ask him about the price, he proceeds to ask me where my voucher/ is and then once he confers with his coworkers that I am in fact a yelper he tells me that he already closed the register and mumbled something about next time...that I would get my money back next time or that you would give me cheaper drinks next time? not sure, too perturbed to ask for clarification.

Pretty sure the dangling bras pose a fire hazard. And mind your step, it's dark as hell in there. Imagine the Coyote Ugly but seedier, with a 70's biker bar vibe whose owner might be a vampire. That's Slim Jim.

A great place for great American cocktails. I've been going to Slim Jim's for awhile now. You walk in the door, and you're automatically transported to a NYC outskirts bar. It's brilliant. And the people there also look the part. It's always crowded, so if you want to have a decent conversation, don't go. The music is pumping, though there's nowhere to dance. The cocktails are extremely well mixed and the staff are freely and fast. This is not a good place for a party or to meet and chat with friends. It's a great place to have great drinks, small chat and meet new people.

This place has a serious attitude problem. We were having a good time having early evening drinks when my friend arrived after work. He was smartly dressed - nothing over the top - and was told he wouldn't be served as this was against their dress code. My friend who was wearing jeans was allowed to buy him a drink, but we were then told by a manager that we would need to leave after our round because his appearance could upset customers. What didn't help was that a female bartender kept pointing and glaring at us. What was most amazing was that a woman was - for most of our stay - passed out at the bar. In between her little naps, staff continued to serve her. Apparently this is OK, trousers are not. We tried to explain how ridiculous this was to a man claiming to be a manger, but he was having none of it. Lots of talk about trying to preserve a scene. Message to management: you're not a New York hipster bar. You're in London. In Angel. People need jobs to pay your surly staff. Get over yourselves. What is a shame is that we're huge fans of Slim Jim's sister location - Aces and Eights. Sad that we won't be back.

I know I could have/should have liked this bar a lot more than I did, but we went on a saturday night for a friend's birthday and it was just unbelievably packed, where we were all just being constantly pushed and getting irritated. I've never been so intimate with so many strangers in such a short space of time! It's probably the shape of the bar, being quite long and narrow, so people were pushing past us all the time. It did look like a cool bar and obviously it is as it was so busy. The toilets were pretty disgusting though! For the moment I'll have to give it two stars, but when I'm in London again I might check it out just to see if I can up the stars.

To whom it may concern, I bloody love Slim Jim's Yours, Craig. In all seriousness... when I start to miss the USA this is where i'll come. Give me a pint of blue moon with an orange in it, some gaudy neon lights and I'm yours forever. They were playing hillbilly rock! Fuck yeah.

This is a place for any prospective Americans who find themselves a little homesick in London. Slim Jim's Liquor Store located on Upper Street and pretty much equidistant form both Angel and HIghbury and Islington tube stations, really plays up its American Flavour. To someone who has never drank in a bar in the States I was quite excitied by the booth-style seating, long bar complete with comfortable stools, and American-style jukebox. In spite of its fervent display of Americanness, it doesn't really feel all that tacky though. Periodically this place offers live music, I've yet to hear any but I'd expect something very guitar driven given the nature of what the jukebox offers. The bar offers a good selection of beers, cocktails, and spirits all of fairly standard pricing for this part of town. The bar staff are polite and friendly. This place is a great novelty but doesn't feel overdone, it's the sort of place I feel I could come back to quiter easily, definitly one to show your mates.

A very different proposal to the pubs and gastro pubs you tend to find on the high street. It is very American, like a posher version of the diner in Grease. Booths, long bar with !950's style stools, metal frames and very red cushions, red neon lights, a jukebox, rock and roll, and many obscure liquor brands. This was my favourite bit, they have so many different tequilas. In other places you tend to get Jose Cuervo, an acceptable tequila but not the best, here they have the 'Patron' range or the Reposados and Anejos from Herradura and Don Julio. They also specialize in whisky and rum, try the Barbados Rum 'Doorley's its sweet, tender and lovely. Their cocktails list is exciting as well, many of the usuals but also some of Slim Jim's own creations. Walking into this place is like walking into another world, extraordinary as it is in a very hectic and busy road, you can easily miss it if you don't pay close attention. I wanted to take a photograph from inside but I didn't for two reasons: First of all, it was an acoustic night (Sundays at 7pm) and flash photography would have been really disturbing and secondly I wanted to retain the anonymity the place conveys.

If you want a break from the Islington yuppies, head out to the super smooth fun loving, new rock and roll dive bar called Slim Jims Lacquer Store. Situated half way down the fashionable Upper St, heart of North London's nightlife. Slim Jims bar is layered upon layer with an impressive range of liqueurs to set the drum rolling for an excellent night out. I started my evening off with their girlie speciality called Slim Jane, rose vodka based cocktail. A delicious choice if you want a gentle kick to guarantee your first dazzling smile for the evening to follow. The bar staff were genuinely lovely, bearded chequered shirt folks, with a laid back attitude and but a hard working mentality. The perfect hospitality tonic, of 40% chilled, 30% party shakers, infused with a soft blend of enthuasim. I got chatting to a few of the locals here, and they said this place had rejuvenated their Islington nights out. Great people, good music, soft red lighting, and a chilled and relaxed atmosphere welcomes good conversation, without needing to shout! Chilled it maybe, but the word is getting out this is a cool spot, as Lilly Allen is holding her record launch party their next week... Slim Jims is open to 3am, which makes it a flexible option as a starter drink or an ending destination.