Meathouse London, Kings Cross, N1

Official site of Meathouse London - www.meathouselondon.co.uk

Official site of Meathouse London - www.meathouselondon.co.uk

This place currently seems to change its name on a weekly basis. It was originally a car repair workshop before its Gooner loving owner decided to turn it into a pub. As Shaws, it was a plastic, contrived and rather unspectacular pub and home to hordes of NatWest employees from the twin towers next door. It also regularly played host to a certain frequently saturated former Arsenal & England centre half of dubious driving ability. When NatWest moved out in the late 90’s, the bar unsurprisingly closed its doors for a few years before re-emerging in 2006 as the Kings Crown Bar and Restaurant followed by a further name change to the Long Hope Bar and Restaurant. The bottom line is that no matter what funky name it decides to call itself, it doesn’t seem to work. The last time I was here the place was a soulless hollow shell with little character. The interior wasn’t too much different from how I remembered apart from the rear section that has been knocked about a bit. The brickwork behind the bar remains as do the arched windows but the general furnishings are a lot more severe and the painted concrete floor is just crying out for something a bit softer. Some of the seating is far too low for the tables and the mix of sofas and chrome stools are a bit of a clash. Multiple Screens relay bland music TV and presumably sports when the occasion arises. The beer selection is standard at best with the usual run of lagers, Bombardier and London Pride which at £3 a pint is a bit excessive and may go part of the way in explaining why the place has been empty on both my recent visits. Don’t be too fooled by the restaurant part of the title. The food is pretty basic cheap pub grub. I get the impression that this place is being geared up to cater for the new student accommodation in the old NatWest buildings next door at which time this place will be swamped with grant laden students. Addendum 2010 - Since I wrote this, the place has undergone a further name change to the Bistro La Gare and seems to be more wine / cocktail orientated. I didn’t go in and probably never will again.