Slim Jim’s Liquor Store Review

Geez, we Brits go ga-ga for the US, don’t we? We love to high-five our evangelical TVs and smother our naked bodies in hot, buttered Americana. We’re so American we constantly teeter on the edge of a ‘Yee-haa’ and a slap of the thigh wherever we may be (meeting, funeral, B&Q). Well, if you yearn for the sweet pancake aroma of Freedomville USA, you’ll absolutely have kittens for the hometown diner-cum-brothel that is Slim Jim’s. Here, the rock n roll is free and the late nights are compulsory.

Wedged half way between Angel and Highbury & Islington – a decent walk from the tube for any wandering pilgrim – Slim Jim’s is thin, dim and just big enough to accommodate around a hundred drunken highway poets. There’s a healthy dose of weirdos – the good, nouveau-mod kind – both in front and behind the bar, wearing anything from leather jackets to sharp suits. These patrons are as rugged as the walls. Secretly, they all believe they’re Jack Kerouac and these dark, covert nooks and crannies are for beatnik poses, not usurped dictators-in-hiding (if you have such a problem).

Look around the hazy, red, neon-hued liquor store and it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped through the Stargate into Back To The Future: 1950s bar stools, high-backed booths, a plaque on the wall that proudly states “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada”. And the night proves decidedly more American once a drink ordered. This is pure movie script stuff – “Hit me again, bar tender”.

There are beers, but for goodness sake don’t be such a Philistine. Get in there and do it properly. There’s 15-year old scotch, 17-year old Japanese whisky hibiki, bourbons and rye from the deep South, Trinidadian and Guatemalan rums; the back bar intimidates with its sheer size and range but the staff are on hand to learn ya. Each drink has to be drunk in a specific way and even though there are cocktails available, real men don’t dilute their poison.

Music is integral to this outfit and any self-respecting dive wouldn’t be worth its desolation if it didn’t possess a jukebox. That the manager is the former head of Camden’s paragon of iniquity, The Hawley Arms, is no coincidence. The box of formidable sound-colour is comprised of almost 100 choices to entice a wide stance and air guitar: for the classic rock Dads amongst us, the Lej status is turned to up to 11 with names such as The Clash, Queen, Led Zep, and Hendrix to thrill; equally, for those with more of a contemporary gait, you’ll be as pleased as a fat kid in a sweet shop when you smell the Kings, the Killers and the Kaisers wafting round the bar; all bluegrass and country lovers, give it until the beginning of 2009, they should have something for you by then. Fans of Morrissey beware, though – it’s strictly forbidden to chose more than three Smiths tracks in a row. No need to explain why, really. There are rumours that Slim Jim’s will be attempting to stage live music at some point in the future, but where they’re going to put the band is anyone’s guess. And as for the planned monthly burlesque evenings......

In conclusion: long, drawn-out, boozy, school night shenanigans consisting entirely of sitting, talking and perhaps the odd bit of listening. So, can you function fully at work whilst still drying out from last night? This is Islington, USA. State capital of Escapism.
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Christian Rose-Day 06 Dec 2008

Slim Jim’s Liquor Store Description

Slim Jim’s Liquor Store is the brain child of 30 year old Irishman Niall Donnelly, a successful entrepreneur who has ventures in New Media, Property Development & Investment, TV, pubs and clubs. In the 12 years that he has been in the bars and clubs industry, Donnelly has owned the Anam bar in Chapel Market and was nominated for the Evening Standard Bar of the Year award. He currently owns rock and roll gastro pub, The Woodbine in Highbury and has various projects in the USA including Roof, a roof top club in Hollywood due to open Spring 2009 and an of?cial Playboy Sports Rock Bar – the ?rst of its kind in the world – opening in Hollywood in Summer 2009.

General Manager Adam Pervoe has been bartending in premium cocktail bars for the past 10 years and has consequently gained an impressive knowledge of world liquors. He has opened bars in Leeds and London, including the celebrated Hawley Arms in Camden, one of London’s most successful and talked about venues of recent times....read more

Customer Reviews for Slim Jim’s Liquor Store

Average (based on 8 votes): 8 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Slim Jim’s Liquor Store.

“Just read some of the reviews and had to post a response because I love this place. Yes it gets busy, but doesn't that tell you something about the place? I also wanted to point out to the people ordering cocktails that this is a whiskey bar, not a cocktail bar. Ask them about the many different whiskeys and bourbons on offer and they will be much better than when they attempt a cocktail. I always have a great night when I go to slim jims and the drinks are no more expensive than any of the other small bars in Islington. Love it.”
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Lisa, Romford (4 months 25 days ago)

“I won't be going here again. I know this is a dive bar, but comon, the glasses weren't even clean. The urinals in the men's toilet were obviously leaking as there was water on the floor. Plus, I heard this place was known for cocktails. But I asked for an Old Fashioned and they looked at me like I was from another planet. The bar person then had to look up how to make it from their own cocktail menu and spent 10 mins making one of the worst Old Fashioned's I've ever had. And I've had a lot!!! There's so many better bars than this in Angel. Don't waste your time.”
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Richard James, Richard James (11 months 5 days ago)

“Do Not Go! Prices are ridiculous, bar staff rude and they cannot make cocktails for love nor money! I had to wait over 15mins for my drink as they "forgot" to give it to me after I had paid. It was the most disgusting Mojito I have ever had, when I spoke to the lady behind the bar I got an arrogant surly response! You could find a much nicer bar!”
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Jenny, London (2 years 3 months 26 days ago)

Show all user reviews for Slim Jim’s Liquor Store

Additional Information

• Dress Code: Not Specified
• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)