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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.
my pal, who has lived in angel for 6 years, said slim jim's resembled a sf dive bar. i had to judge for myself being a sf native. the glasses don't stick to the bar, but the atmosphere is definitely similar. reminds me a bit of the make out room or elbo room.
i like the high back booths and the wee hours before the crowds descend after neighboring pubs have announced last call.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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/bi...) and it sure isn't Snake and Jake's (world's greatest dive bar: http://www.yelp.com/bi...), 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.
It's a decent dive bar with all that entails. Seating isn't bad, drink selection isn't bad, the crowd is varied and relatively interesting.
If I lived in Islington it would be my mainstay, but otherwise it's another good dive bar, nothing special.
This place is very cute and the cocktails are great! However, it gets really busy on weekend nights to the point where I would probably avoid going, but that's just me. Not cheap, but pretty typical London prices. However, our bartender seemed to know what he was doing and spent a long time making our two cocktails, which made it seem more worth it :)
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.
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.
I'll be honest - I rolled in here with some friends after some drink had already been taken. I asked for a Brandy Alexander and not only did they have to look up how to make it, but they failed to find this mysterious recipe. Pretty poor form for a joint with a sign behind the bar proclaiming "Cocktails".
I'm slightly ashamed to say I walked out in a sulk, but not before I had noted the delightful decor and soaked up some of the chilled-out atmosphere. So, you know, I should probably give it a second chance.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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