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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 15th June 2025) with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Moby Duck
Submitted on Monday, 10th July 2023
With picture contributions to 1197 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (46 more images)
Detail Pages
King Charles I, Kings Cross, N1
N1
N1 9BL
Served areas
Reviews of King Charles I (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about King Charles I
A long old time since I was last in so thought this would make for a nice finish to my day out coming back from Herts. It remains a nice traditional pub with five ales on. However, it all went downhill rapidly as my choice of Portobello Mayflower was utterly flat (NBSS 1.5) and the haughty staff tried to pass it off; I politely stood my ground and eventually got a better H&H Kimberly (3); though the female staff clearly were not enamoured at having done this and obviously took the piss out of me unsubtly when my back was turned. I don’t much like being treated like an idiot by people who have no idea about the product they’re serving so I won’t be going back and urge the rest of you to do likewise.
May 2011
A recent re-visit found that this place is becoming a victim of its own success - it was quite literally rammed inside and the crowd outside on an early Friday must have numbered at least 50. Unsurprisingly the ales were beginning to run short. So file this one as being a worthwhile visit outside of peak times! Rated 8
March 2010
Situated up a side-street off Pentonville Road, this feels like a long way away from the bustle of Kings Cross. On entering, you find a deceptively un-spacious, ramshackle interior which is a little on the dark side, giving the African tribal masks on the far wall a bit more of a scare factor. There's a bar billiards table (with house rules) as well as a small selection of literature. A real fire is often lit and there was background music over the general hubbub of conversation. Four ales usually on from Brodies Brewery in the East End, in good condition from the handpump but be careful about the barrel on the bar as it isn't kept cool very well and can turn quickly. Service behind the bar is good - when I nipped into the gents one time and found it was swathed in darkness due to a broken bulb the barman had it fixed within a minute. It's also dead near the Scala so this is a clever place to get a couple of decent beers beforehand, without being squished in the pre-gig crowd on the main road. There's no food available but you are positively encouraged to bring your own (pub will provide cutlery on request, if I recall). One let down are the aforementioned traps - very small, pokey and not in the best state of repair. All in all, a really good find and my new favourite pub for the area.
On 10th May 2025
- rating: 3
[User has posted 5589 recommendations about 5570 pubs]
Will Larter left this review about King Charles I
This has become my regular pub when I have a train to catch from either Kings Cross or St Pancras - allow about 10 minutes for the first one, about 15 for the second. Beer is always good and always interesting. My latest visit seemed to coincide with a delivery from Kent Brewery - three of their beers on hand pump, plus one from Southwark Brewing and a cider. I went for Kent Goldings Bitter 4.1%, which is the sort of beer that makes me wonder why I never ended up in Kent rather than Yorkshire. This is such a friendly and informal pub, which encouraged me to change my Luton Town shirt for a non-sporting one for my train north - no point going to the gents toilet, there's not room to swing a cat in there. This brought a puzzled glance from my neighbours of a similar age on the next table: I explained that orange is not my colour and I only wear the shirt out of loyalty, which got me an appreciative acknowledgement. I hope to be back before too long, and I promise not to strip off next time.
On 13th April 2025
- rating: 9
[User has posted 4348 recommendations about 3996 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about King Charles I
If there was ever a reason to promote the good beer guide - this would be it. I would never have considered it, if there wasnt the recommendation. And hour on a Saturday afternoon and I consider it one of my favourite pubs.
Loved the interior - small, wood panelled, interesting nick nacks and a although not a fan of signs banning things, I can make an exception for "No racists, sexists or fascists".
The beer was interesting - with four for five casks not previously seen. I tried a couple - the pick, Southwark Brewery Vista - an American Pale Ale. Prices the cheapest of three pubs visited today.
But it the people that make pubs and this is a real locals pub. Included in three conversations in my visit - one that was eye watering.
Entered as a stranger. Left as a friend :-) I should work in marketing.
A great pub.
On 22nd August 2023
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1607 recommendations about 1584 pubs]
View more reviews of King Charles I (24)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of King Charles I - kingcharles1st.co.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - King Charles I entry
- Local press article about community buy-out and ACV status in 2021 - www.islingtontribune.co.uk
- CAMRA WhatPub :: King Charles I - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
London St Pancras International, 0.53 miles, 10 min walk (show)
London St Pancras International, 0.53 miles, 10 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 07 March 2023 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 07 March 2023 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No - Limited pavement seating. - last updated 07 March 2023 by Tris C
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 07 March 2023 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 07 March 2023 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Function Room : No last updated 07 March 2023 by Tris C
- Hot Food : No - You can bring your own and they provide cutlery etc - last updated 12 October 2015 by Strongers .
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 01 October 2015 by hondo .
- Karaoke : No last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Live Music : Yes - Saturday, Sunday and Monday. - last updated 07 March 2023 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : Yes - First Tuesday of the month, 20.00. - last updated 14 November 2022 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 10 May 2025 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 01 September 2022 by Blue Scrumpy
- WiFi : No last updated 07 March 2023 by Tris C
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