The Snooty Fox is a loungey pub that's just got better as time has gone on and is obviously a hit with the locals.

When we were last in, there were small groups of people dotted about the place having a chat or meal with a bunch of friends while a duet played quiet jazz on guitar and clarinet.

It's easy to lump this one in with a lot of other places trying maybe too hard nearby, but there is something about the Snooty Fox - a freshness and originality to the place, that sets it apart.

Perhaps it's in part due to the pub's old fashioned vinyl jukebox: there're not many of these left in London - you can cram a lot more MP3s into a cabinet than 7" vinyl discs. There's also the promise of regular DJ nights to be enjoyed here as well as the live music.

Service can sometimes be a bit haphazard and you can end up waiting for quite a time for a drink, it's not rude though, just feckless, and quite a few drinks were off last time we were in and for that the 'Fox gets marked.

Relaxed and stylish is probably the best way to describe this place and there are some nice touches on the dˇcor front - the wooden cabinet for the spirit bottles was a particular favourite.

It's hard to be too critical of a bar where posters of Debbie Harry and Marianne Faithfull, amongst many other famous faces, adorn the walls. The Snooty Fox is still one we be come back to.

NEAREST STATION: Canonbury station

FEATURES: real ales, function room available, DJ,live music, outdoor seating, TV