Angel: comedy upstairs, canal at the bottom of the hill
Free comedy above pubs, small theatres, and the most reliable midweek dinner scene in north London.
The brief
Angel is a hill with a canal at the bottom and a comedy room above almost every pub on it. It is the best value night out in London, and most of it is free.
Comedy
Angel Comedy Club at the Camden Head and The Bill Murray on Queen''s Head Street are the two rooms that made London''s comedy scene what it is: free or nearly free, seven nights a week, and the line-ups regularly include names playing arenas next year. Turn up early, buy drinks, tip the bucket.
Where to eat
Sanjugo for the counter dinner that costs less than it should. Upper Street and Essex Road carry the rest — Angel''s talent is that a good weeknight dinner is never more than three minutes'' walk.
Theatre
The small houses around Islington do the interesting work first. Check what is on before you book dinner, not after.
The walk
Regent''s Canal from City Road Basin towards Broadway Market is the best flat hour in north London. Do it on a Sunday morning and finish with coffee somewhere on Upper Street.
One rule
Comedy Tuesday. Free room, full line-up, and you are home by eleven with the best story of anyone in your group chat.