Not everyone loves our canine pals, but here’s 14 dog friendly venues in and around Angel where they are either made welcome, or discreetly ignored, as discovered by Nicola Baird from islingtonfacesblog.com and her terrier, Vulcan
1 Dog’s Trust
For years Angel has been the home of the Dog’s Trust, which claims to be the largest dog welfare charity in the UK and rehomes 16,000 unwanted dogs each year. In 1978 its executive director, Clarissa Baldwin, dreamt up the famous phrase “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”.
To help their fundraising see dogstrustgifts.com
2 Aria
A two-floor designer furniture and gift shop, converted from a one-time music hall, Aria is happy to see dog-owning browsers. On a Saturday afternoon you might be able to play spot-the-dog-breed as well there as you could on nearby Highbury Fields.
Barnsbury Hall, Barnsbury Street N1 1PN; 020 7704 6222; ariashop.co.uk
3 Atelier Abigail Ahern
The doorway to Atelier Abigail Ahern has four splendid green moss dog sculptures surrounding it, and in the shop window there is a large rope dog sculpture. This is a store clearly run by a woman with style who is also a dog lover. No surprise then that your mutt is welcome. There’s also a very tempting leather sofa for a quick rest while your partner checks out the new bling.
137 Upper StreetN1 1QP; 020 7354 8181; abigailahern.com
4 AbbeyVET Islington
This may have 70 per cent feline clients, but AbbeyVET Islington will treat dogs, provide worming preventatives and sells Science Plan branded kibbles as well as dog harnesses and leads. The vet is a good place to pop into to give a thirsty dog a drink in the communal water bowl and you can also pick up a free poo bag in case you’ve left your own supply at home.
60 Cross StreetN1 2BA; 020 7226 8555
5 Mary’s Living & Giving
Save the Children and Mary Portas’ new venture in Islington, a nicely designed second-hand shop for the fashion forward, welcomes dogs. You may even see the shop dog heading in or out for a comfort break between naps. Enjoy the theatrical set up including a red velvet curtain and fold down cinema seats you can use to browse the books on sale.
138 Upper StreetN1 1QP; 020 7226 8840; savethechildren.org.uk
6 Criterion Auction Rooms
The Criterion Auction Rooms welcomes dogs whether you are viewing or ready to bid at the Monday sales (sellers bring stock on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). It’s a great place to go for beautiful furniture – think leather sofas, armoires and dressing tables – and of course you may be lucky and secure a bargain. Auctions are shopping theatre – it’s fun cosying into an armchair and watching who buys sporting prints or china German Shepherds.
53 Essex Road N1 2SF; 020 7359 5707; criterionauctioneers.com
7 Pubs
Not all Islington pubs admit dogs, and few close to Angel let them in on busy Friday or Saturday nights, but at other times you can take a dog on a lead into the atmospheric Camden Head, which has a central bar, wooden floors and an excellent selection of draught real ale (eg, London Pride, Marstons, Sharps) plus free comedy every night at 8pm. The spacious Wenlock & Essex allows dogs in the bar. There’s a fascinating detective scene with a stuffed alligator on the way to the loos: it’d be easy to spend the evening enjoying working out how those little shoes came to be empty… A dog-loving friend also recommended The Lord Clyde on Essex Road, which has a tasty-menu, interesting beers and a courtyard garden.
CamdenHead, 2 Camden Walk, N8 1DY; camden-head.co.uk
Wenlock & Essex, 18-26 Essex Road N1 8LN; wenlockandessex.com
The Lord Clyde, 340-342 Essex Road N1 3PB; thelordclyde.com
8 Cross Street
This is the street for dog-in-the-window action. Check out the border terrier at The Cross Street Gallery, miniature poodle at Theorem Hair Art (staff here are happy to cut and colour your hair while your dog watches), and sleek whippet at Fandango Interiors who keeps a lazy eye on cool light fittings, stuffed boar’s head wall mounts and fancy wooden desks.
Cross Street Gallery, 40 Cross Street N1 2BA; crossstreetgallery.com
Theorem Hair Art, 4 Cross Street N1 2BL; 020 7354 9717
Fandango Interiors, 2 Cross Street N1 2BL; fandangointeriors.co.uk
9 After Noah
After Noah doesn’t mind shoppers with dogs. Not only is it easy to get distracted by their vast range of furniture and gifts, you also get a good view of the work being done on the Post Office space behind Upper Street. And if you like your dogs in the miniature, you can always pick up a model one in its huge toy section.
121 Upper StreetN1 1QP; afternoah.com
10 Danny Oh
Just by Camden Passage hair salon Danny Oh is easy to find thanks to the plastic cartoon-style white mum and green and orange twin pups chained outside. Here’s a fun place you can pop into for a hair cut while walking your dog. Large selection of Bumble and Bumble hair products and Moroccan Oil on sale.
9 Camden Passage N1 8EA; dannyoh.com
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