Homeboy Bar - Islington

Exceptional Cocktails and Warm Irish Vibes

Stepping into Homeboy feels like being whisked away through a portal that mixes old-school Irish charm with the slick sophistication of a New York cocktail bar. It's as if the whole establishment is built from warm embraces and twinkling eyes, with a soundtrack that rivals your cousin's impeccably curated Spotify playlist. The ambience is an intriguing harmony of cultural fosters, a lively conductor orchestrating a modern Celtic mishmash with a reverberating echo of villagers at a snug pub — it’s mid-evening, and already it feels like we are regulars welcomed by name and memory. On my visit, the gracious Odhrān presided over our experience, not only delivering top-tier mixology but doing so with a bonhomie that merited an encore bow.

Impeccable concoctions set sail among some of the finest homages to Irish culinary tradition. Opt for the beef stew if you want sustenance reminiscent of one's granny's cooking on a biting winter's night, every bite steeped in warmth and flavorful nostalgia. Or perhaps leap towards the fried chicken baguette, which is blessedly worth every delightful descent into indulgence. Jamie, attentive and intuitive to a tee, complemented our dining perfectly with distinctively energetic recommendations from a menu harmonizing traditional flavors with contemporary flair. While their whiskey selection might be another grown beast to wrestle with for the uninitiated, they artfully crafted alternatives such as the peach cocktail served playfully in a dog-shaped ceramic, ensuring every guest finds something pleasing to the palate. If heaven exudes gentle giggles and murmurs of clinking glasses, then surely, we spent an evening there – bookmarked by exquisite drinks, harmonious service, and rich conversation. — Clarissa Cuisinier