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Detail Pages
King's Head, N1
N1
N1 1QN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about King's Head
Compact theatre pub on the busy Upper Street, which was packed when I arrived and still remained busy when the evening’s performance began in the back room. The pub has a U-shaped layout which wraps around a centrally positioned servery. Nice old dark floorboards, half panelled walls with plain painted uppers and an anaglypta ceiling with a large skylight to the rear, help to give the pub a traditional feel, despite the modern, opened out layout. Tables and chairs with a few low stools run around the perimeter, supplemented by some decent tub chairs over to the right. The servery has a chunky dark wood counter and partially retained bar back that incorporates some smart etched glass panes along the top, another in the access door and a partially obscured etched glass mirror. The bar extends to a white tiled rear space which houses the coffee and tea making station. The walls have been decorated with loads of photos and posters relating to the theatre, plus a few mirrors and an unused TV screen, whilst cool old soul tunes played quietly in the background. The theatre seemed to be very popular, and I liked the fact that only half the crowd vanished when the production began, suggesting that this pub is more than just a holding area for theatregoers.
Just two cask ales on the go when I arrived – Youngs Ordinary and St Austell Proper Job. I took a pint of the latter from a fairly friendly barmaid, which set me back £5.60 and was in reasonable condition. A few, relatively mainstream cask options were also available, and I enjoyed watching a group of young French men taking a chance on a few of them and deeply regretting their decisions!
I’m usually not much of a fan of theatre bars, but this place came across as a pub first and foremost, which just so happens to have a theatre attached to it. Whilst the ale range wasn’t the most thrilling, I nevertheless enjoyed my brief visit here and would consider using it again if in need of refreshment in this part of town.
On 20th September 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about King's Head
A single roomed Theatre pub with all the regalia that goes with it, busy when I got there but almost emptied out shortly after when the doors to the theatre entrance opened.The four pump handles were occupied by Youngs Ordinary doubled up, a Youngs jubilee beer All Ale The Queen (see what they did there) and St Austel Proper Job. Can't really say this pub managed to float my boat.
On 12th June 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about King's Head
Dating from 1543, the pub was rebuilt as this commanding terraced edifice in 1864, home to a theatre since 1970, supposedly the first theatre pub revival since the time of Shakespeare. It’s also listed on CAMRA’s inventory of pubs with historic interiors, this being of Some Regional Importance, which I’ve been visiting since the 1980s, fancying a visit last night.
It's quite a large single roomed Young’s pub, with a high ceiling and central rear bar, with some attractive cut glass panelling. There's a central column, with ornate capital. Walls are half wainscoted painted black, with walls above painted a pea green colour, covered with framed theatre flyers of yesteryear, as well as prints of famous actors of stage and screen, who it assumes, have appeared here, albeit at the dawn of their careers. The floor is bare boarded and now tidied up somewhat, the furniture is fairly conventional as is the lighting, which is Victorian in style. Most attractive of all, are the two opposing white marble fireplaces, both home to real coal fires which add to the ambience. Furniture is conventional and customers tend to be a mixed bunch.
A friendly barman presided over: Original, Special and Proper Job at a stiff £5.35 a pint and in great nick.
Upper Street is supposed to have more bars, pubs and restaurants along its length than any other UK street; this is the best of them and is a must-visit if in the borough of Islington.
On 19th February 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Kings Head
One of the fine tradition of pubs with theatres above, and still going strong (with two performances on the evening I visited). The bar itself forms a 'J' shape around the central servery which is partly divided by a screen, and given that the side door has etched Saloon Bar glazing the seating areas must have been sub-divided at some stage. Mixed furniture and decor naturally based largely on pictures of famous thespians who have trod the boards here over the years. As a seemingly unbranded Youngs house, it was no surprise to see the Ordinary on one of the four handpumps, with the other real ales being Proper Job, Sambrook's White Gold and Pilcrow Pale from Dorking Brewery.
On 21st September 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Kings Head
A fine frontage to this theatre bar now owned by Young's pubco.It's a single room with some attractive features and many photos of actors who have performed here.The central bar has 4 handpumps but on my Saturday afternoon visit all 4 clips were reversed.The barman apologised but gave no reason and I couldn't be bothered to order an unispiring multinational keg beer so left.Even if the clips were to be turned at some stage,non descript Young's beers don't float my boat,so I can see no reason to return.The pub was also very quiet and appears unloved.
On 20th August 2018
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Kings Head
We called in here for a bit of nostalgia, as I haven't been in here for a good few years. The interior hadn't changed one bit. The clientele were still respectable and atmosphere was jovial. Four handpumps with three in use, two Young's bitters and a Young's Hummingbird, which I hadn't come across before. I went for the Hummingbird, which was bland and not worth the money they were charging for it.
On 17th June 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Kings Head
Nice enough place with a decent real ale on offer. Liked the two fires that were lit.
On 19th January 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Kings Head
Young's pub serving 4 real ales. The pub has a theatre and pictures of various stars adorn the walls. Live music advertised.
On 19th March 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Kings Head
Still a scruffy pub and the beer choice of Duechers and Doombar was uninspiring.nuf said.
On 26th October 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Kings Head
The handpumps were clipped for Timothy Taylor Landlord, Black Sheep Bitter, plus St Austell Tribute and Proper Job, but unfortunately due to a gas failure problem they couldn’t serve any real ale. Oh well, these things happen I suppose. There’s no doubt that this is a theatre pub, with its small stage on the left, and with theatrical posters and photographs covering just about every inch of the walls. It’s now been opened up to one room, with a central horseshoe bar, but the traditional signs – e.g. for the Saloon Bar – remain on the doors.
There’s a fair degree of scruffiness about the place, but this doesn’t seem to diminish its pub character. This is a nice enough little pub, without being anything very special, but I’d happily drop in again in the hope of getting a pint next time!
On 17th September 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]