Often imitated but never equalled, the Auld Shillelagh continues to blaze its unique trail. The pub's intimate and friendly atmosphere, the best Guinness in London, the helpful bar staff, the themed music nights and the Mediterranean garden combine to make it a drinker's haven. ‘On good nights it's the best pub in Stokey' Time Out London, Bars, Pubs and Clubs Guide.

Abney Public Hall
73a Stoke Newington Church Street, N16
020 7923 9332
abneypublichall.co.uk
A splendid venue in Church Street, converted recently from a 150-year-old church hall. Regularly hosts a number of varied events including karate, kickboxing, yoga, table tennis, children’s parties, playgroups, meetings, dance and concerts. Contact Emily Ovenden for details on how to book the space.
Friday night: Cinema club. Double bill for adults and children. Membership £3.

Saturday afternoon: Children’s party with clowns, face painting, magicians etc
Saturday night: Polish evening in Booth's Bar next Door, 7.30pm-2am

Barracuda
125 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16
020 7275 0400
Barracuda's exotic décor and laid-back, Zen atmosphere makes it one of the trendiest bar-restaurants in the area. The restaurant menu has recently been revamped, while the wine menu is fresh and modern and offers some interesting new world wines. Many well-known artists have performed in the basement. It's a perfect place to have private parties and the secluded garden is also ideal either for just drinks or enjoying dinner.

Saturday night: Jazz and poetry with Penny Rimbaud and friends
Sunday afternoon: Luddy Samms plus support, 2pm, back garden

Sunday night: Tad and Goldie comedy night, 8.30pm

Birdcage
58 Stamford Hill, N16
020 8806 6740
Lively, spacious and laid-back bar in Stamford Hill, bar with DJs Friday and Saturday and offering a comfortable mix of good drinks and music.
Saturday afternoon: Laurie Grandi, Spekki Chris, Liam Bailey, Marc Meon, 4-7pm. DJs till 12am
Sunday afternoon: Dan Chester, Fables, Paul Mosley, Cesarians, 4-7pm. DJs till 10.30pm

Bodrum
61 Stoke Newington High Street, N16
020 7254 6464
A popular, comfortable Turkish-owned cafe-bar on the High Street, Open from 7am till 8pm every day, licensed. Basement accommodates up to fifty people.
Friday night: Big Fibbers

Kynaston Konnections
55, 57 and 59 Kynaston Road and 54 Chesholm Road, N16
The Prince, Hollywood Design, Studio 55 and Kronan UK. Four venues, one location – architecture, art, furniture, music, photography and Swedish wheels. A summer celebration of new works in Stoke Newington. Noon-5pm (evenings tbc – see website)
Saturday and Sunday, The Prince, Kynaston Road, N16

The Lion
132 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16
020 7249 1318
The Lion is a vibrant, trendy pub in the centre of Church Street with an upstairs room for open mic and for hire. Decent beer, cold lagers and wines. Friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Beer garden. The Lion is putting on live music over the weekend.
Saturday Evening: Diasporians (reggae band), Liam Bailey (soulful funk & blues), Aerius Pep (piano/vocal duo), Andrew Clarke (singer/songwriter)
Sunday Evening: BallaLouda (funk/rhythms/jazzy band), Touchy Two (singing duet), , Izzy Gaon (singer/songwriter), Sam Carter (blues/folk singer/songwriter))

Mercado
26-30 Church Street, N16
020 7923 0555
Mercado-cantina.co.uk
A newly-opened and already hugely popular Mexican cantina and cocktail bar on the site of the previous Yum Yum. Authentic Mexican cooking and street food plus Mexican beers, tequilas, cocktails and South American wines.
Saturday afternoon: party and Mexican barbeque in back patio from 11am
Saturday evening: Mariachi Mixteca band, from 5pm

Rochester Castle
145 Stoke Newington High Street N16
020 7249 6016
Huge Wetherspoon’s pub, offers the cheapest drinks for miles. Extensive range of real ales, with regular beer festivals and a garden area. Good-value wine list, daily menu and Sunday roasts. Non-smoking area. The Rochester is hosting an exhibition of representational art by local artists, curated by Colin Murray and Donnie Weir, which will be launched at 6pm on 10 August to coincide with the Fringe and will continue for one month in the pub.

Ryan's
181 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16
020 7275 7807
ryansn16.com
Bright and airy bar opposite the Town Hall, with the biggest beer garden in Church Street. Wide range of spirits, beers (including Hoegaarden) and wines as well as excellent Thai food. Ryan's is one of the nerve centres of the Fringe with a full programme from Thursday evening till Saturday night See listing on centre pages for details.
Thursday night: Dr Blue, Spaghetti West One, John Paul Holt III
Friday night: Weird Love, Creepy Morons, Mystery Meat
Saturday: Corn Rocket Club punk all-dayer

Sunday afternoon: Acoustic Jukebox Showcase, 3-8pm

St Mary's Old Church
Stoke Newington Church Street, N16
020 7254 6072
The 'old' church of St Mary's was built in 1563 by Sir William Patten. It is the only church of the Elizabethan period left in London, and one of only a few in the entire country. The Fringe is delighted to present Martin Simpson, one of the world’s leading folk singers and acoustic guitarists, on Friday evening, along with a range of local talent on Saturday. Licensed bar.
Friday evening: Martin Simpson, doors 7pm, £10. Tickets on door.
Saturday night: Washington Rays, City Farmers, Luxury Condo, Mysterious Benefactors, doors 7pm, free

Stage B
98-100 Church Street
077 3217 7553
stageb.co.uk
A new, air-conditioned, popular bar in the centre of Church Street, with plasma screens, cocktails, dancing and good food. The Stage B downstairs stage will transform into a world of dance and music for the Fringe. Most events will be free entry, however Stage B is also fundraising for Breast Cancer. So, for those who wish to make a donation, all contributions will go to the Breast Cancer program at Haven, Fulham.
Thursday night: Arabian Night, 8.30pm, free
Friday night: Swing Dance Exhibition & Freestyle dancing, 9pm, free
Saturday afternoon: Jules and the Gamblers, West Coast Chicago Rhythm N Blues, 3-6pm

Saturday night: Chilldren of the Sun, Funk, Rock, Soul, Blues, 9.0pm, £ with flyer, £5 without
Sunday afternoon: Live jazz with Brian Iddenden’s Jazz Troubadours, 3-6pm, free
Sunday evening: Live R&B and Jazz with burlesque dancer, 8pm-late

Vortex
Unit B9, Bradbury Street, N16
020 7254 4097
vortexjazz.co.uk
One of Britain's best-loved and respected jazz clubs which one year ago moved from Church Street to Dalston, just off Kingsland High Street. Jump onto one of the several buses or stroll down the road to sample excellent jazz in the bright, new upstairs room with a view over Gillett Square.
Friday night: Paloma Faith, £8
Saturday night: Esther Bennett, £10

The White Hart
69 Stoke Newington High Street, N16
020 7254 6626
whitehart.info
A spacious bar with comfortable seating, pool table, table football and large-screen TV. Quality bar food, barbecue and Sunday lunches. Huge beer garden (with petanque ground), ideal for lazing, eating and drinking outside in the summer. The White Hart is another major Fringe venue, with music and Djs playing over the weekend. Promoted in association with Falcone Records.
Friday night: Dogs, Great Bear, Soixante Neuf, Scintilla
Saturday night: The Hells, Pockets, Plakka, Thundercrack, Barbosa

Yum Yum
183-187 Stoke Newington High Street N16
020 7254 6751
yumyum.co.uk
Europe’s largest Thai restaurant with room for over 250 guests, recently opened round the corner from Church Street in a magnificently-restored, listed building. By some way the largest restaurant in the area, with an enormous cocktail bar and highly-praised menu. The Fringe events will take place in the recently opened downstairs Orchid Lounge, a mellow venue for over 100 people to enjoy fine eclectic music and jazz live with DJs. The evenings are presented in association with ‘Auybowan’ (Hello). £3 entry, 9pm-1.30pm Friday and Saturday, 3pm-10pm Sunday.
Friday - Sunday: SriVibe, Jazz Reloaded Trio, Darren Taylor and Julie Dexter.

Yucatan
121 Stoke Newington Road, N16
020 7254 6198
A large, bustling bar with decent Guinness, pool tables, five big TV screens, eight plasma screens and eight other TVs. A perfect venue to watch all sports. Outdoor tables to watch the A10 go by.
Saturday night: Hickey