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The Kings Head, Carlisle
Carlisle
CA3 8RF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Kings Head
Carlisle's main town centre is deathly quiet during the week but there's some life here after Tuesday. Located in the narrow pedestrianised area and the building looks tidy. Relatively nice place though the dreaded snot green paint has been glooped over the 70’s style beams and trim. At the far end is a cosy upper level with banquettes. A very nice Cumbrian Esthwaite Bitter (NBSS 3.5) offset by a horrendously pitted glass and the epilepsy inducing flashing of the fruit machine. GBG listed. Almost a classic, and could be with a couple of small changes for the better.
On 16th February 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Kings Head
on first approach it looks like an old historic pub and probably is, but inside it’s quite uninspiring with sparse decor and only limited character. But as a pub I quite liked it - friendly staff and local ales on the bar, including a decent Carlisle Porter. Good jukebox and a typical unpretentious town centre pub atmosphere. For Carlisle, it’s good.
On 11th December 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Kings Head
Bar hangers are alive and well in Carlisle. Thought the plague had put pay to them.
As a result, its very hard for the uninitiated to get a glimpse of what is on offer.
What was found was a good pint of Esthwaite Bitter. Good Beer Guide 2021.
The pub is a bit identikit old pub. Some bench seating, some high tables/stools. A small, very plain ourside courtyard.
Clean and functional. Won't stay in the memory for long.
On 16th September 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Kings Head
Slick restaurant style or perhaps over zealous, plague management; table service only and you can’t see the pump clips. The “conductor” rattled out the beer choice a bit quick so other than a sub 4% bitter I haven’t a clue what I drank. I was assured, Monty Python cheese shop style, it was very popular in these parts. Well kept but not a beer I’d make efforts to find again. The interior you ask? Well an old place, the outside promises much, internally it’s sanitised oldness , carpet on the upper level, tidied up woodwork, the odd plastic beam or two. Old photo decor, there’s a juke box but no screens or machines I could see. GBG listed but then there’s a lack of candidates in Carlisle.
On 20th September 2020
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Kings Head
This is an old pub in the largely pedestrian centre of Carlisle. It's fairly small and open plan with wooden floors and the bar set in the middle. There are areas with seating and tables either side of this. On a Saturday lunchtime it was packed.
It was difficult seeing what was on the five hand pumps but there were two Yates beers, a Theakston's bitter, a cider and Fuller's Firecracker. I had failed to spot the name George Gale on the pump clip so it was only when I returned to London I discovered it had come all the way from Chiswick. I didn't note the price but it was over three quid.
I thought this was a decent enough pub but would probably have enjoyed it more if a seat had been available.
On 30th November 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tex Icecubes left this review about Kings Head
My favourite pub in Carlisle. In a side street off the market square makes it popular with shoppers grabbing a bite to eat on an early afternoon.
The Yates bitter is always in superb condition, and there are 3 other guest beers, yesterdays choice was Dark Star Pale, Dark Star Seville and Merry Monkey (an african seasonal beer).
The staff and the landlord are always friendly and efficient. Just a stride away from William Hills, but no sky tv, just background music.
On 25th March 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 28 recommendations about 26 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Kings Head
Nice old pub in the city centre, with very traditional furniture and decor. Several small seating areas, with the rear one located up a couple of steps. Three of four handpumps in service, offering the fine local Yates Bitter (£2.65) plus beers from Mordue and Loddon. Justifiably busy on a Saturday night, but with a pleasantly convivial atmosphere unlike many other hostelries around Carlisle.
On 9th March 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Sam Millar left this review about Kings Head
Visited in June this year (2012) Have not been there for several years and the pub has improved one hundred fold. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and the real ales are kept perfectly. Well worth a visit if you are near Carlisle.
On 11th July 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 24 recommendations about 21 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Kings Head
Visited this 2010 Good Beer Guide pub yesterday, and it is a nice clean pub with 3 ales on the bar. Had Yates bitter and Rudgate Summer Hop. The other beer was Theakstons Grouse Beater. Raised seating area at the back with an area for darts, and door outside to a good patio area. There was no music and the TV screen was off while we were there early afternoon. Good cheap food menus on the table.
On 26th August 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tex Icecubes left this review about Kings Head
On a narrow street in the shopping precinct. Saw it in the good beer guide so I thought I'd give it a try.
Its like a 70s version of Olde Worlde. I love Yates bitter so it scored a plus. 3 real ales altogether.
Oldish crowd this side of the bar, one or two diners. Young crowd the other side. Dont think they wanted to be there.
Hall and Oates playing in the background followed by ozzy.
Present building dates back to the 17th century but it is understood that ale was sold here as far back as the 10th century. Found this out on the back of a menu.
In 1916 the running of the Kings Head was taken over by the Liquor Control Board. These are fascinating facts.
Menu looked Ok (green and white with a touch of red) Didnt try the food, but it looked affordable, perhaps even cheap.
The beer was pretty good.
So its an OK pub worth popping in if passing.
On 27th April 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 28 recommendations about 26 pubs]