Can't get over to Dublin? Tap that Oyster card and jump on the Northern line, 'cos Homeboy has brought all the craic to Islington. This is the first bar from the Irish duo Aaron Wall and Ciarán Smith (their second Homeboy location is south of the river). These lads use to be found behind the bars at Callooh Callay, London Cocktail Club, The Dorchester and Waldorf Astoria NYC, so you know you can expect good times and even better drinks. 

The bar has a chilled living room vibe. There's exposed brick, painted features and tiles dotted about the place. They've done a solid job; it's so homely we didn't wanna leave. They also have a wicked little secret out the back that you'll want check out; a hidden miniature Irish pub, with cosy nooks, old-school Guinness posters and space for epic whiskey masterclasses. 

Naturally, there's a focus on celebrating Irish producers. Don't even mention Scotch here, not when they have a decent variety of Irish whiskeys served neat, on the rocks or in their tasty collection of cocktails. No Irish bar is complete without Irish beers and Guinness on draft. Their Irish Coffee is f*cking ace, up there with the likes of Bar Swift & NYC's Dead Rabbit. It's creamy, sweet and all grown-up. Home comforts with a healthy dose of Irish flavour is key at Homeboy, and there are some decent home-cooked dishes served up with a soundtrack of hip-hop and RnB. Their sinful snacks include the one of the best goddamn bar snacks we've ever had: a Kerrygold & Tayto crisp sandwich. It's a mess of salty, buttery, crunchiness in soft white bread - genius in its simplicity. We're hooked. Pair all of this with that epic Irish hospitality, and you've got a new favourite local.