Awwww SNAP! Mama loves a dive bar, and Slim Jims Liquor Store is the best I've found here in London. Just the right amount of Los Angeles tack complied with minimal light and endless shelves of liquor. Plywood booths: check. Red vinyl bar stools: check. Buzzing glow of neon: check. Lots and lots and lots of whiskey: check. Juke Box: check. But the kicker? Two mounted boar heads "smoking" cigs and wearing sunglasses. Slim Jims is keepin' it classy like no other. And I can certainly appreciate that. read more

Slim Jim's Liquor Store - From website - Dive Bars Near Me - London, XGL

Boobies! Okay, well... not really. I mean... yes, really. Right, there -were- a lot of boobies here, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm referring to the massive amounts of over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders that are strung up all across the ceiling at Slim Jim's. Oodles of them. All colours and shapes and sizes, you name it, it's there. Who doesn't appreciate a bit of brazier action? Between the three of four pints of pub-crawling beer I'd had before we landed at Slim Jim's, I was already feeling pretty good. One of their vaunted whiskey sours later and I was about done for the night. You know yellow people and alcohol, they don't tend to mix well. Friday night will find this joint rammed with folk. If they picked the correct tunes, I have a feeling it could be a right dance party in here. Don't expect to have much of a conversation over the blare of the sound system, but do expect to toss back a generous stiff drink or two. Then mosey your way down Upper Street for some late-night nosh. Slim Jim's has it going on; if I wore a bra, I could see shimmying out of it and hanging it up on their ceiling after a good night out, as well. read more

When I stepped into Slim Jim's, I was really excited to have discovered a proper small -town US style dive bar. But the actual experience has fallen short. The atmosphere of the bar is really chill - walls pasted with rock posters, cushioned booths, dim lights, and just the right amount of background rock music. And bras, hundreds of bras everywhere leaving the stories behind each of them for your imagination. But what's the point of a fun interior if the drinks aren't worth coming in for. For me, the point of dive bars like this is mainly the drinks - I wanted no fanciness, no fuss, just a glass of something simple and strong after a long day. The basic cocktails we ordered however tasted more like stale coke in which you couldn't recognize any alcohol (even in the Long Island Ice Tea). We didn't leave this happy hour merry at all. Despite it being Friday night, the bar was practically empty. I'd be willing to give this place a chance once more later at night if it gets busier and more fun, but overly it left me disappointed. read more

Slim Jim's Liquor Store - Bras & booze. - Dive Bars Near Me - London, XGL

200 bras stuck to the ceiling, the dirty grimy feel of those late night American bars you see on movies, hard and alternative rock music, and very dim lighting. It's a great bar! Seriously, it feels like you're walking into a film set! It's a great bar in a really nice area, and they have bouncers that check whether you're wearing a shirt and tie. If you are, you're not allowed in! The same thing goes for tracksuits and trainers. This is a no business, no chav bar. read more

I lived in Islington for 10 years and returned after 15 years in October, 2019. Many of my favorite neighborhood bars, like The Purple Turtle, didn't survive my absence. I picked Slim Jim's for a reunion with old friends and to introduce them to my wife. Around 25 of us gathered on a Friday evening at 7PM and we closed the bar down at 3AM. We didn't give the proprietors any notice of a large piss-up because none of us knew them or had been there. We had a great time.Highly recommended! read more

Jim is a sexy fella. He really is you know. He's also a flirt. He spoils me with tasty cocktails and Joy Division on the Jukebox. He also lets me snuggle his big leather booths at the back and protects me from the knobs that hang out in Angel past 9pm on a weekend. Jim apparently is slim but I have never seen any proof of that. Slim people are mean and our Jim is definitely not a mean man. In the suit driven social atmosphere of Islington this is a welcome change with the best music and cocktails around. A little pricey but you do have to pay to avoid the twats. I can not tell you how happy this bar makes me, like a home from home that welcomes me with open arms and a large gin. mmmm.... gin! read more

What a cool place! I can't think of a better representation of a American Dive bar in London. The dim lighting, the neon lights, the booths, the jukebox, the bras hanging from the ceiling (!), the Brooklyn Lager on tap, the rock star wallpaper, the Americana coming out of the speakers, the advertised Swing/hillbilly/rock 'n roll party they have on Sunday evenings. Wow! Even though I only came here mid-week, when there weren't many other punters around, I was captivated. I can only imagine how amazing the atmosphere must be on the weekends, which needless to say I want to be sampling at the nearest opportunity. read more

When thinking about where I should review for my 300th review, it was a no brainer. I have to review what is quite possibly my favourite place to imbibe on one too many drinks after an already long night of drinking with the mates. Slim Jim's is not slim on anything. 1) Awesome juke box rocking American classics...CHECK 2) Good selection of beer, cocktails and rockin' bartendares...CHECK 3) Plenty of room for you and your mates to sit or dance...CHECK 4) Reasonably priced drinks...CHECK 5) It's 23:30 and you still want to drink till 3am...CHECK! I could go on and on, but nothing makes me feel more like home than this precious gem of an Islington dive bar. No fail, this place is my rock, albeit a drunken one, it is true north. I am a hop, skip and a jump from here, so in any case, I can always make it home. Never have I had a bad time here and I've been here a lot! Keep it classy Slim Jim's! read more

I walked in here and instantly fell in love. This place isn't even in London I swear. The moment you pass the threshold you are transported onto the backstreets of NYC. The drinks are cheap, they have a great back bar, the atmosphere is dark, the vibe is so True Blood, I love it. I cannot comment on the food but I will certainly be back to try. Slim Jim's is the archetypal dive bar tucked away on super trendy Upper Street. Americans... This is your home from home. read more

Slim Jim's is one of those bars that gets you drunk off the stale beer smell alone. It's boozy vibe has lead to a blurry night or two but I don't regret a thing. Except miming to every song that came on the juke box. And ordering my drink in an American accent to create a mysterious persona. *Ahem* loser. Dark, dingy and loads of fun, this is a must visit for a bourbon fix in Angel. read more

Where are we? Something is different. I think we've been transported to a bar in Key West! What makes me think that? The hanging DDs from the ceiling. All we need is a dancing naked fat drunk girl begging for attention to make it really Key West. I really like the feel of this bar. It has a wild feel to it, knowing you would hit up this bar on a friday night make make some crazy new friends. This bar has a bonus: Whiskey sours! read more

I am one of them people who, sometimes, have to challenge authorities or revolt against what I find ridiculous! This is the main reason why I visited slim Jim's Liquor Store as they do happen to have a questionable dress code; basically excluding anyone dressed properly for an office job! What I found, not being denied entry despite of my apparel, was a true Islington unpolished and rough gem. On a Saturday early evening and in spite of the regulations I walked into Slim Jim dressed in dark chino trousers and especially for this occasion buttoned up shirt under a v-neck pullover. Sadly and also gladly I was not stopped nor stared at! Sadly because I wanted to hear their arguments and gladly as I came to find out this small American style dark & dirty dive bar with hanging bras, neon lights and loud rock and roll atmosphere happen to serve mean whiskey cocktails with reasonable price tags. All is forgiven but not forgotten; forgiven till the next time I visit London perhaps looking less of a tourist not receiving special treatment hence being denied entry, not forgotten cause of the kick ass unrushed rules and regulations obeying Sour, Old Fashion and Sazerac cocktails made with care and attention to details! read more

It coulda been any night, any town, any dive bar... but he chose Slim Jim's. A backstreet brawler, he'd seen it all, done worse and liked his bars to have attitude. Cracked leather booths, chipped wood tables and pigs' heads on the wall, the jukebox urged him to 'just do it again'. Yeah, yeah this place'd do just fine. He pulled up a stool at the bar, booze bottles lined the wall, so inviting and welcoming. Was this the kind of place you could lose yourself? Neon signs illuminated the sexy bartender, muscles flexing as she poured a Manhattan. Though he was hardly a cocktails man, he could appreciate their attention to detail, burning orange rind to enhance the flavour. Checking out the other patrons, it seemed that pants worn pulled down, exposing ass cheek, was the uniform of choice. Yuppie hipsters with Elvis Costello pretensions and expensive laptops leeching off the free wi-fi. What had the world come to... even in a dive like this, he couldn't escape them. Giving it a closer inspection, he began to have his doubts. Bras decorating the ceiling? Concert posters from the 80s and beyond slapped carefully haphazard on the walls? A widescreen TV silently replaying some organised sport? Nah, this place was trying too hard, dipping its toe in the darkside but unable or unwilling to take the plunge. Downing the remainder in his glass, he headed off into the night once more. A smiled played across his lips, he'd be back. read more

Everytime I walk into Slim Jim's I feel like I am back home in Atlanta, Georgia. This place is everything that I want a dive bar to be - - Great cocktails, loud music, and people making attempts at sexual advancements. Jim, himself, is hilarious - the guy obviously knows what it takes to bring the crowds out to have a good time. Being a 5 minute walk from my flat - - I spend much of my extracurricular time on Upper Street and I say that although I feel like Slim Jim's doesn't fit in with the rest of the establishments there - - this fact is essentially what makes it a unique venue to have a good time in the heart of Angel. read more

As a Los Angeleno living in London for the past 9 months I have REALLY missed dive bars. I did a google search and came across Slim Jims which was exactly what I was looking for. I came by on a saturday night and was pleasently surpirsed to see all of the findings of a standard dive bar in LA: dark lighting, stools at the bar, juke box, a chill bartender and a cheap stiff drink. It reminded me a lot of Gasser Lounge in Redondo Beach, California. I am planning to go to Slim Jims on my birthday at the end of August because it made me feel so at home! I really wish I lived closer so that I could become a regular. I recommend this place for anyone who is looking for a true american dive bar and please DO NOT go with a group on poncey Brits or colleagues dressed in suits.... (A couple suggestions if the management is reading this!: I would love to see Pabst Blue Ribbon, Fireball cinnamon whiskey, Bud Light and Bacardi Limon at Slim Jims - not even sure if you can get those from supplier in the UK though.... bleh). read more

I like any bar that is a throwback to 50's america. especially when it has BOOTHS! and we actually GOT ONE! but that might have been because we were late night drinking on a wednesday.... but I still want to believe it would be just as approachable on any other night of the week. It might have been the company (fellow yelpers) but I thought slim jims had a really fun vibe. When we 1st walked in there earlier in the night we walked right out again because it was too quiet. but I'm glad we returned. read more

Slim Jim's is all the things I miss about walking into dive bars in the States, complete with washrooms that look as if a brawl just broke out to bras garnishing the ceilings. Ladies, adding to the collection is highly encouraged. I will be the gentleman near the bar working my way through the various bourbons that catch my eye behind the bar. Find yourself a corner or pull up a barstool and enjoy the atmosphere and a change of music from the norm. It may get crowded on the weekend, but it's for good reason. read more

The big draw was a new york style dive keeping new york kinda hours. So we turned up after midnight on a Wednesday... and was hoping for a chill place to chat and drink. And it was far from that. The music was super-loud classic rock (ac-dc / led zep), there was some dance floor of sorts. What could have been the chill room was ruined by a speaker in there that meant it was just as loud as the dance floor / bar area. And the clientele seemed like lawyers office parties gone wild .... casual sweaters over shirts, ties loosened, sweaty red foreheads, wobbling vaguely in time and mumbling lyrics to guns n roses. Bad asses my ass. It could've been so cool. Just remove the speaker from the other room, add another server at the bar.... read more

It's as if the American dive bar just packed up and moved overseas. And thank God for it. Slim Jim's has weak lighting and strong booze - the two most important parts of a dive. But it's also got the guitar driven rock jukebox and kitschy shit bathrooms that make a good dive a great one. Of course I'm sure they've meant for it to be divey and that's cool. They've fooled my senses and that's worth 5 stars for me. It may not be Mission Bar (http://www.yelp.com/biz/mission-bar-san-francisco) and it sure isn't Snake and Jake's (world's greatest dive bar: http://www.yelp.com/biz/snake-and-jake-christmas-club-lounge-new-orleans), but I can still see myself growing old with this place. PS - where's the 'Good For Kids' option? Cuz I really want to click NO...hard...repeatedly. read more

The powers that be at Yelp may take this review down, but... Once upon a time, there was someone who wasnt allowed into a bar, possibly because he wasn't "smart looking" enough, or was wearing trainers, or maybe hadnt shaved. Aforementioned person then set up a bar with a dress code of 'nothing which makes it look like you have a job'. Like, whaaat?! I and a friend got turned away from here for wearing trousers. At first I thought they were joking, to which I did reply I could take them off', but no we then got sent back out into the pouring rain. Inferiority complex much? read more

Oh my. Who transplanted a US big-city dive bar into Upper Street? Because they did a stunningly good job of it. Slim Jim's is dark, both in lighting and humour. A fun little bar, where the cracked leather booths just add to the vibe rather than act as a turn-off. Truth be told, I think we -- the small and distinctly unruly mob of Yelpers who descended on this place last night -- were all at least one and a half to two sheets to the wind by the time we arrived, but the bartenders didn't bat an eyelid -- even after Lizzie's debatable jukebox choices. A stunning find, but I think you'd have to be in the right mood for this place. Last night though -- definitely the right place at the right time. It ain't pretty, but that's it's charm. It's a down-and-dirty place to meet friends, be rowdy and drink. read more

How is this a specific dive bar when everything in Camden is worse for wear at times? The dive bars in my hometown are more back-woodsy hick bars with sawdust on the floors and bras stapled to the ceiling.. .oh wait, there's bras on the wall... well consider myself standing corrected, this IS a slice of home. Well, sans the sawdust and a parking lot for snowmobiles. They were setting up a dj area as we were leaving, but they were actual turntables! I KNOW! It made me happy too. Why are we so starved for real dj-ing?? Why do people plug their ipods in and call it a day? Oh my head is dizzy, I have no patience for imposter new-age djs, I must make a return to see some real talent spin for a night. read more

The last time I was at Slim Jim's was when I made a group of people go here for my birthday. It was clear that I wanted to go here because it reminds me of dive bars back home without being tacky or try-too-hard, plus the jukebox is hard to beat. One of my colleagues leaned over at one point and said "I feel like I'm in 'The Wire'!" If it weren't so f'ing loud, I would have explained why it was nothing like 'The Wire' because it lacked that certain je ne sais quoi of dive bars in crime-ridden neighborhoods in American cities, but Springstein was rocking and I was fist-pumping, so that conversation will wait for another day. The drinks are a bit more expensive than you'd expect and the £15 minimum for using your card is a little annoying (thus the reason for 4 stars instead of 5) and often results in doing ill-advised shots, which then directly leads to putting more songs on the jukebox. Despite being American-themed and the fact that so many of the reviews here are from Americans, it didn't feel all Yanked out in terms of clientele. It's open late on Upper Street and within stumbling distance of my flat, so we end up here fairly often. It has yet to disappoint. read more

Slim Jim's is a great place to come if you like your ladies sexy and braless, your drinks strong and affordable, and your music rock and roll. With a real "coyote ugly" feel on weekends, a tasty selection of premium liquor and cocktails, attractive and energetic staff, Slim Jim's really is worth a visit. The dress code is strict so remember to stick to casual clothes as they don't permit entry in any office or formal wear (which, by the way, is excellent!!) Slim Jim's is an organised chaos of great fun, a hidden gem amongst the pretentious wine bars and gastropubs of upper street! LOVE IT !! read more

I really wound up loving this place and I miss it dearly now that I'm back in the states. We came here with a rather large group twice, which is completely overwhelming to most of the pubs around here (I was with a bunch of college kids, 30 to be exact) and this place made us all feel really welcome the first time we walked in. To start, they have two for the price of one cocktails during the week, which is awesome, namely, I loved the parma violence, and of course the picklebacks, which I thought would be vile. The ceiling is all decked out with bras and the bartenders are all really amazing. I will say I came here twice, and I got turned away because a girl we were with had open toe shoes on and they said she wasn't allowed in. I'm pretty sure she wore the same shoes the first time we came, but owell. Its a fun bar. Don't expect it to be super fancy, its a good place to come with your mates and get piss drunk though if you're in the area! read more

Slim Jim's is a bit cool, with a great, chilled, non-pretentious vibe which seems to be the antithesis of all things Angel at the moment. Bar staff are knowledgable but cute, and stock a good range of all things whisky and Jack Daniels-esque. Nothing super special, just a decent bar that serves decent drinks. read more

There is a big problem with this bar, it is in Angel. This means that it is full of clientele who who haven't got enough of a sense of adventure to go outside of Angel (or Clapham). So if you want to be around a bunch of braying white yokels who are estate agents or some other form of profession come here. That said, in the context of Angel bars it is right at the top. read more

As a lover of NY dive bars I was keen to check this place out. The decor is spot on. Every cliche of a dive bar is present and you could easily forget you were in London. That is until you look around at the people that you are drinking next to. The kinds of people who would never be seen dead in a proper NY dive bar but come here because it is a cool/different place to be. I went on a Saturday night so had to queue for a short while and there was very little room inside. I think on a weekday this place will have great potential and perhaps even in a few months weekends will be fine once the trendy people have moved on to the next cool thing... I will revisit for sure but on a quieter night. read more

I'm giving Slim Jim's three stars, even though it probably deserves four. For what it is, Slim Jim's is a great little place towards the Northern end of the Upper Street/Angel area. Its just that I am not often in the mood for the kind of place that is Slim Jim's. It was small, but not in an oppressive way. My friends and I managed to get a nice comfortable booth in the back and ended up passing the time watching everyone drink, dance and be merry. The music is louder than what I normally go for (9 times out of 10 I'm a quiet pub guy). However, all the music that was blasting was soooooooo good. The Ramones, CCR, Paul Simon, etc. And Slim Jim's has Brooklyn Lager on tap. As someone from the Northeastern USA, this is always a wonderful connection to home. read more

This bar has a true laid-back attitude, you can popping on any given evening and enjoy a great whisky, and they have many to choose from. It has a kind of blues bar Americana feel to it, and apparently it is what they have been trying to do. When you go in you are transported to maybe LA, or some California joint, but this one has its luxurious touches, which can be seen in the decoration and also in the prices. They have live bands and sometimes burlesque shows for all those who want a bit more than a show. read more

Slim Jim's Liquor Store - Dive Bars Near Me - London, XGL

This is pretty much a plastic dive bar. Atmosphere is a strange one and I'm never sure what to get from this place. I've never heard a bad song played by the various DJs but crowd-wise it's hit and miss. Also management could do a lot more to improve the place but think there are too busy thinking up more pretentious ideas to make money from punters. They have tried to give off a 'we don't give a f*ck' attitude but fail. This isn't the greatest place on Upper Street, but if you want to stay out past 1pm and still drink it's a possibility. read more

This is a ROCK N ROLL bar. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Unfortunately I had a poor experience due to the discourteous treatment from one of the bar staff. Mr. Harrison was rude to me, accused me of being too drunk, (go figure) because I was standing up and singing at the bar. Excuse the piss out of me! Sorry for having a good time mate. When I told him he was wrong and I wanted one more pint, he had a girl with pink hair run to the doorman to have me ejected. Taking my cue so as to avoid any confrontation, I headed for the door where said pink haired barmaid tried to trip me on the way out. Rude! read more

This is one of my favourite places to go out at the weekend. Having looked for an American-style dive bar to rival the ones we have in Dublin, I finally came across this place late at night after our pub had closed. It looks the part--neon signs, band posters and donated bras hanging from the ceiling. There's a steady stream of rock n' roll usually played by a scary-looking but friendly and accommodating DJ. The drinks are pricey-ish, but their cocktails are tasty and the bar staff know what they're doing. They are always on form and are friendly and quick. I haven't had a pizza from Slim Jim's but I hear they're pretty good, especially when you've had a few. Great spot, great atmosphere. I always have a good night when I go here. read more

If you like American bars from the 90s this is it. As an American I can verify that yes, this is an American-style bar. Every song from the jukebox was a slice of Americana reminding me of those o-so-long-ago college days. Freebird, AC/DC, all the classics which I abandoned years ago. Didn't love the bouncer and the line and the fact that when we got in it wasn't that crowded--maybe a mystique technique? Definitely a time warp, but I could see if you were in the mood it would be a good time. read more

Grimy American style bar with loud music, small booths, great spirits selection (and cocktail menu) plus many bras hanging from the ceiling. The very functional skin coloured variety, too.I loved the atmosphere in here, I've not been to America but I like to think it's a convincing American style grimy dive bar. I was pretty impressed with the pizza guy at the front, although we didn't actually try any. They had Angostura rum (1919 and the other one.. 1849?) which was great, as that's my current favourite. A seriously good selection though. Staff look a bit like they could do with some sleep, and maybe a shower, and I wasn't sure how good the cocktail making would be, but I'm reliably informed that they are pretty good, and actually the ones I saw being served were good. Don't come if you want a chat though. Or a seat... But you don't need a seat, or a chat. it's all good as it is. Maybe staff could be less forward (ok, one guy). Maybe some people like that. I don't. But still, I'd come again. read more

This is a fabulous bar if you're looking for something a little different. Upon walking in, it immediately gets dark, and loud, and 5 degrees warmer (at least). As you head up a few steps, the first thing you should see is a large number of bras adorning the ceiling (awesome). If you dare venture down (or can make it through the crowds) to the WC's, you see decorating that could have (and probably was) done by locking 3 sworn enemies with packages of sharpies, paint, and stickers and watching the carnage. All of this adds up to a certain charm that makes Slim Jim's a place you really can't miss. I'd really like to see a punk band perform live there. I'm not really sure where they'd play, but it would be epic. read more

Update: the staff ARE pretentious! And they have a ridiculous dress code whereby you can't be dressed as though you have an office job. The doorman even gave us some ridiculous story that they'd turned away a group of men who offered to put £1,000 behind the bar, because three of them were wearing suit jackets. YEAH, OK. Well, excuse me for having a job. Guess I'm not 'starving artist' enough. That being said, they do make MEAN cocktails & the other parts of my review still remain true. Ho-hum! read more

I don't think the owners have ever been to a real dive bar. This place is a joke. Real dive bar: dark, dilapidated, good music, cheap drinks, dirt cheap beer ($1 Olympia anyone?), shots, every liquor known to man, bar staff you can talk to. Slim Jim's: dark, over decorated (the bra-ceiling is just weird and the lit up bar looks like a hotel), Tina Turner, £4 beers, Jack Daniels Honey, Southern Comfort Cinnamon, and low wage staff who don't give a shit. Go to a nice pub instead. Save the dive bars for the US. read more

A little biased review until I return to give it another try. The two stars rating comment is accurate this time. I have "experienced better". What's funny...or sad...is that I experienced better at Aces and Eights which I hear is owned by the same people. I was here for the Yelp half price drinks event in April. They had a special menu for lil ol me to choose from with half price tasties. Whiskey sour no question! (Maybe I should add one more star because the drinks were indeed tasty. Just the right amount of tart without any fake lemon after taste yuk.) I gave the bartender money and he gave me the wrong change for the price it should have been. I ask him about the price, he proceeds to ask me where my voucher/ is and then once he confers with his coworkers that I am in fact a yelper he tells me that he already closed the register and mumbled something about next time...that I would get my money back next time or that you would give me cheaper drinks next time? not sure, too perturbed to ask for clarification. read more

Pretty sure the dangling bras pose a fire hazard. And mind your step, it's dark as hell in there. Imagine the Coyote Ugly but seedier, with a 70's biker bar vibe whose owner might be a vampire. That's Slim Jim. read more