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Detail Pages
Northumberland Arms, Kings Cross, WC1
WC1
WC1X 9BJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 3½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Northumberland Arms
This pub dates back to at least the 1820s, but must have been rebuilt in the 19th century. It has some fine Watney’s scrollwork brewery regalia and can be seen in the film The Lady Killers; that’s the good news.
Otherwise, the previous revies sum this place up very well and sadly, still apply. Apart from the two barmaids, this is very much an old blokes’ pub, with some cackling old men and slightly younger types playing pool, many of the drinkers staring witlessly at the TVs.
Unsurprisingly there’s no real ale, so a half of Neck Oil set me back £3.10, served by the sprightlier of the two women.
This is a very depressing pub, not just the worst in WC1 but probably in the whole of the borough of Camden; I wasn’t expecting it to be much good, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this bad.
On 24th March 2022
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Northumberland Arms
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.
On 9th December 2015
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Northumberland Arms
Not as bad as previously described but still a pretty basic pub with a split level interior. Standard draught selection.
On 29th October 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Northumberland Arms
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.
On 22nd November 2013
- rating: 2
[User has posted 3279 recommendations about 3244 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Northumberland Arms
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...
On 13th November 2013
- rating: 4
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Northumberland Arms
Corner pub, no real ales. No food at this time, the kitchen was waiting to be refurbished. Friendly manager. Has a pool table. Has disable access.
On 24th January 2008
- rating: 4
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]