Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Guess who I met today? with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
King Charles I, Kings Cross, N1
N1
N1 9BL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 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 5562 recommendations about 5543 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 4293 recommendations about 3948 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 1571 recommendations about 1551 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about King Charles I
A pub I've been to a couple of times in the past but omitted to leave a review for some unknown reason,well documented below with several recent reviews to which I concur. A great proper boozer with decent beer, my latest visit three weeks ago saw a lineup of Southwark LPA, Twickenham Daisy Cutter, Siren Memento and an excellent Park Field Haze, the fifth handle was dispensing Seacider. An easy 8/10 pub and a must visit when in the area. Oh and the jukebox is pretty good as well.
On 10th July 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about King Charles I
An excellent traditional and basic boozer in a side street, with a good range of ales and lots of old wood panelling. Quite amusing that they seem to have simulated an old nicotine-stained ceiling, which of course is not something you find nowadays! On handpump were Neptune Abyss and White Horses, Kent Maia, Siren Memento and Seacider. A good pub worth visiting.
On 27th May 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3648 recommendations about 3583 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about King Charles I
Lovely little off the beaten track pub filled with interesting objects and tat.Busy on my quiz night visit..3 cask beers and not the usual suspects.I particularly liked the Elvis Presley leaded light.Toilets are minging .Great atmosphere on my two visits.
On 14th January 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about King Charles I
Dating from the mid-19th century, this looks like a 1930s’ rebuild, which for a brief period was known as the Craic House, before reverting to the original name; this would probably explain the high mounted Guinness sign and emerald green fascia. This is no longer an Irish pub, which has an interior listed by CAMRA as being of Some Regional Importance. It has been community-owned since 2015, is very LBGTQIA+ friendly and has a ‘…strict no-wankers policy’.
I came here once before in May 2016 and didn’t fully appreciate the place. Well described below, the interior is mainly wood panelled, with a multitude of knickknacks and brewery regalia, all visible on the pub’s website. The crowd here is mixed, with some people perhaps waiting for a gig at the Scala, office workers and probably students, given the close proximity to the two, large student accommodation blocks nearby on Pentonville Road.
There were two ales on: Southwark Brewing’s Routemaster Red and Twisted Wheel’s Technicolour Beat and forgetting that I really don’t like TW’s offerings, foolishly plumped for this horrible ‘juicy’ pale ale at £2.25 a half, served by a very friendly old-school landlady, who was assiduously watching out for short measures.
This is a very nice pub, one of the best in close proximity to King’s Cross; however, it does get very busy later in the week, so time your visit wisely.
On 17th November 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2215 recommendations about 2172 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about King Charles I
Haven’t been in this one for a fair few years, so thought I’d look it up again last Saturday evening and great to find it in rude health. Yes it’s only a small one roomed affair internally and it was Saturday evening, but still good to find all internal seating and the external benches being fully utilised. But we were fortunate to be blessed with an unseasonably warm evening so perfectly happy to stand outside with an excellent pint of Hophurst Brewery Sonnet Pale Ale. Hophurst Brewery APA and Hammerton N7 were on the other two ale pumps with the fourth pump double clipped with ciders (Ascension Mothership from the pump and Seacider Blood Orange from a Polypin in the fridge).
Friendly pub with lots of conversation and amazingly (given the space available) a couple of local musicians were setting themselves inside at the far end up to provide a live music set. I’m a great fan of local musicians demonstrating their art in a pub on a Saturday night, but I do understand there are philistines who are not. Sadly we had another engagement to get to and couldn’t stay long enough to find out if they were any good.
On 1st November 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2241 recommendations about 2101 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about King Charles I
The King Charles I is tucked away on a side street just off the Caledonian Road. Looking for a swift pint before taking a train from King's Cross, I noticed that I'd scored the pub a 7/10 on my last visit in 2011. So, I thought we should give it another try.
Thinking back, I vaguely recall being here before and indeed, I will still score it a 7/10. It's a lovely traditional boozer which has a single bar with lots of wood panelling. A couple of customers were stood at the bar, but most others were sat outside the front.
Three real ales were on - Greene King Abbot, Park Killcat & One Mile End Salvation. The cider was Pulp Apple Craft Cider.
I catch trains often enough from King's Cross to come here more often. So, I must make more of an effort!
On 1st September 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3064 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about King Charles I
This is a really nice, compact back street pub with barely room to swing a cat. There is some nice wood panelling and some well-worn furniture. Some seats and tables have been placed on the pavement in front, but I didn't see a notice saying how late in the evening this would be allowed. There are four hand pumps on the bar counter, with a cider and three real ales, from Twisted Wheel, Siren and Hammerton. The barman mentioned how good the Siren Memento was, and I surprised him by commenting that it was good to see modern brewers having a go at traditional beer styles. And it was indeed a very good beer, well kept and served. I amused myself while enjoying my drink by observing a number of animal heads around the walls: it's all a set up, of course, with the punch line being a mock up of the head of King Charles I, looking suitably affronted. This pub is a reasonable walk from Kings Cross station and an excellent option for a pre- or post-train beer.
On 13th May 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 4293 recommendations about 3948 pubs]