The Three Kings

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.