Northumberland Arms, Kings Cross, WC1

The Kings Cross area has always struck me as a bit of a ‘good beer’ wilderness between Euston and Islington, and although a few decent ale houses can be found in the area, there are still plenty of old school boozers, like this place, where lager rules supreme. The pub is split level, with the interior opened out to form one large room. The servery is to the left, with a white bar counter and gantry supported by simple pillars and a mirrored bar back with the beer prices listed to one side. High tables and stools fill most of the space opposite the bar whilst standard tables and chairs predominate in the raised section to the right of the entrance. A pool table occupies the final section of the pub – a space to the rear right where a juke box and slot machines can also be found. There is a dartboard on the back wall and a number of TV screens were showing live football, with almost everyone in attendance sat watching it. Walls are half panelled with a neutral paint scheme above and a series of amusing beer signs have been dotted around the room. Elsewhere, there was a shelf with numerous leaflets for local events, quite a few potted plants and a very fluffy pub cat. The pub was pretty busy on my mid-week evening visit, with no room left to sit, and it was very notable that, with the exception of the two barmaids, it was an entirely male turn out. As mentioned above, cask ale doesn’t seem to be of interest to these regulars, so I had a choice between Guinness and a number of mainstream lagers, with very little else of interest available. I ended up with a nondescript pint of lager which was every bit as bland and unsatisfying as I’d expected. Whilst this place didn’t really do a lot for me, it was good to see a strong crowd in on a cold, midweek evening. This place clearly serves up the right combination of drinks, atmosphere and entertainment for a certain demographic and it’s hard to begrudge them this.

Not as bad as previously described but still a pretty basic pub with a split level interior. Standard draught selection.

Don't be fooled by the reasonably-attractive exterior, this is a very much a locals pub of very limited interest. There has been a basic refurbishment inside, with light decor and a part-raised seating area. No real ale, and even the Worthington Smoothflow was off, so it was a quick pint of John Smiths (£2.85) and I was off...

A scabious dive of a corner bar near King's Cross, full of demented coffin dodgers who find normal conversation and pleasantries beyond their ability. There is a pool table which was unused and has seen better days. How on Earth does the landlady, who is actually a very pleasant person, put up with it? There is no real ale, and given its location and atmosphere, no real reason for me to return, at least until I become garulous, decrepit and olfactorily offensive, when I shall fit right in.