Dissent on draught at Newington Green

Agreeable: The Dissenting Academy. Photograph: Berny Torre

One month after it re-established itself as a hangout for young professionals, things are looking promising for one time football pub, The Dissenting Academy, with a growing number of new faces coming through its doors – and staying.

Situated in sight of Newington Green, the large corner bar takes its name and inspiration from a notable local history of non-conformists and radical thinkers. Daniel Defoe and Mary Wollstonecraft are among the figures in this heritage.

The setup includes an eclectic collection of decorations and furniture, and the upbeat club and world music works with the relaxed and bubbling atmosphere.

One pub-goer described the place as “ablaze with blazers” and “Hoxton’s sense in Newington Green”.

Round the bend of the bar is a dining area. Its core menu is pub food and there is a specials board for a changing set of mains options.

The walls have a number of paintings of non-mainstream figures, and some of the quirkier items on display include a church pew, a timpani-mirror-table and a cow suspended from the ceiling.

A pint costs around £4 and the bar has Hackney’s Redemption ale as its regular on tap and in bottles. Also on tap are a few other ales and decent ciders Old Rosie and Scrumpy.

There is free Wi-Fi, a 1am closing time on Fridays and Saturdays.

The pub holds a quiz night on Wednesday, an acoustic night on Thursday, and a free film club, (with complementary popcorn) on Sunday.

All in all, the new-look Dissenting Academy is a welcome addition to the Hackney-Islington fringes.

The Dissenting Academy
92 Mildmay Park
Newington Green
N1 4PR