The Three Kings

ben1982

Archetypal boozer 10th September 2008

1 found this helpful

This pub just feels great; a little bit dark and dingy (in the best possible way), a healthy post-work bustle and a slight creative twist, particularly the upstairs rooms with its Fifties decor, which mirrors the Clerkenwell clientele...when it gets dark the candles come out and the food has a pub-grub quality lacking in many similar places. A place to return to again and again.

MichalD

27th July 2007

2 found this helpful

There's even a The Three Kings Pub appreciation Society Group on Facebook - that should tell you a lot.

I like the upstairs bit, in fact, the whole place is great.

Frankie

Happy Pub 25th July 2007

4 found this helpful

This is a very friendly nook and cranny pub with an arty feel - music posters on the wall and the pub sign shows Elvis for one of the three kings. The owner chats with people around the place. They do some tasty spicy indian snacks.
What else? Nip upstairs for some space (especially now all the smokers are outside on the other side of the street). There's a snow dome collection and sort of balcony type windows lovely for a balmy evening. Laid back arty crowd.

girlswear

8th June 2007

2 found this helpful

It's a cozy little pub. You can book upstairs for private function. I love the little room with the juke box. Lovely decor. Another afterwork hotspot if you work in the Clerkenwell/Farringdon area.

Lacrimosa

Designs on Clerkenwell? 16th May 2007

3 found this helpful

The clue is in the signage. Situated as it is in the heart of Clerkenwell, The Three Kings has long been a favourite with creatives: reflecting this, each letter of 'THREE KINGS' outside was crafted individually by a different designer.

Inside tends to vary a bit, but it's always an eclectic mixture of almost spit-and-sawdust traditional pub combined with low-key hipness. Stuff by local designers sometimes appears on the wall - papier mache creations or things made of glass and wire - which will be for sale, but if no one buys them they just stay there until they fall to bits. Or fall on someone's head. It's that kind of place.

Downstairs the tiling of what used to be the men's latrine is still up along one wall, between the front doors. The two little rooms upstairs are a relatively new thing (I remember it as living quarters) which provide extra space to escape to if it gets too crowded downstairs. On warm days everyone spills out onto the pavement or onto the steps of the church opposite, which drives the vicar crazy.

The food is very good, but only available at lunchtimes, and I think I'm right in saying that they still don't open at weekends. However you can get the best Bloody Mary in London here, with freshly grated horseradish and a dash of dry sherry - just make sure the landlord's son makes it if he's still working there. Lock-ins have been rumoured, but naturally I can't confirm or deny that. ;-)

Nearest tube is Farringdon.

--- UPDATE 17/05/07 ---
Okay, I haven't been to The Kings for a while, so - thinking I'd better check my information is up to date - I dropped in at lunchtime today. Everything is reassuringly as it always was. Not only did the barman recognise me instantly, I recognised some of the creative types propping up the bar. John, the landlord, is still in residence. Strange things, including a rhino head, still adorn the walls. However! New and temporary signage is currently up outside (I'll keep the old photo uploaded for posterity) and the urinal tiling has mysteriously disappeared. More importantly, they now open on Saturday nights, with either live music - maybe jazz - or a DJ, and there's a fancy juke-box upstairs. I'm no expert on music, but you can expect it to be happening stuff at this place.

walid at 16/05/07

Are the Bloody Mary's better than the one you've had at the Gaucho Grill?

Lacrimosa at 16/05/07

Oh my! You've noticed my fondness for Bloody Marys. They're different, but both excellent. Having one at the Gaucho Grill would be a safer bet, though, as it does entirely depend who makes it at The Three Kings.

Incidentally, in July 2005 The Three Kings hosted a Bloody Mary Competition which is, I think, a regular feature of the annual Clerkenwell Festival. Not to be missed!

walid at 16/05/07

Ooooh, that's one for TrustedPlaces to participate in for this year... Did you know our offices are actually just 10 - 15 minutes walk from Clerkenwell.

Lacrimosa at 16/05/07

Yes, close to Fabrizio's, right? I hope you've tried the fresh juice stall in Leather Lane...

walid at 16/05/07

Not quite that close, we're at the end of Kings Cross Road beginning of Farringdon Road, so bit of a walk. The fresh juice stall in Leather Lane... afraid I don't know it... you going to review it ;-)

Lacrimosa at 16/05/07

I'm not sure there's much I could say about it apart from "great juice, reasonable prices, friendly people"! Besides which, it probably doesn't have a name.

Looks like you're up the road from the Mount Pleasant PO? That's a wide, windswept area. I hope you wrap up warm. ;-)

walid at 16/05/07

....and the past few days a very rainy and wet area ;-)

Lacrimosa at 17/05/07

Yikes, you've made this 'review of the day' today! I'd better swing by The Three Kings today - check that it hasn't been turned into a big screen sports bar while I wasn't looking. I'll take my umbrella...

walid at 17/05/07

...and if it has been turned into a big screen sports bar make sure you tell us ;-)

Add Comment