Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Kings Cross, London, United Kingdom

Smithy's Wine Bar - Victoriana by chrisp

chrisp — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:41:04 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7278 5949

Website: http://www.smithyslondon.com

Tags: live music, young professionals, gastro pub

Deservedly popular, this attractive and historic space near Kings Cross serves a good selection of wines and some well kept ales. A full review will have to wait until I've tried the food, but the signs were encouraging from what I could gather from a quick read of the chalk board menu. There's some decent competition in this part of town, but Smithy's stands out as a unique and characterful place for a drink.Deservedly popular, this attractive and historic space near Kings Cross serves a good selection of wines and some well kept ales. A full review will have to wait until I've tried the food, but the signs were encouraging from what I could gather from a quick read of the chalk board menu. There's some decent competition in this part of town, but Smithy's stands out as a unique and characterful place for a drink.

Somerstown Coffee House - New management, new leaf. by messydesk

messydesk — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:11:48 +0000

Review by messydesk

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7387 3649

Tags: cool, friendly, relaxed

The Somerstown Coffee House is a really wonderful place, recently taken over by two sisters from France. They have hired a fantastic, dedicated waiting staff who really know their stuff, devised a very good French menu and serve real ale. There's a restaurant in part of the pub which is sectioned off, but you can eat the restaurant menu in the main bar if you'd like or choose from the interesting bar menu if you're after something smaller.
The food really is excellent and unusually for a French place, there are good choices for vegetarians. The food is mainly French bistro style and of a much higher quality than a normal gastro pub. Of particular note is their lavender crÃ¨me brulee, which is really quite remarkable.
Importantly, the interior is very comfortable and low key without being soulless or seeming corporate. The lighting is warm and restful and the front and back gardens are lovely.
It's usually quite quiet apart from after work type times when it's crowded. Having only recently started to open at the weekends (as of September 08), it's very peaceful then, although it gets busier the more people get to know about it.
They welcome dogs too, an increasing rarity, and always bring over a bowl of water and the occasional snack for my battle-scarred staffy.

Best place around, no contest.The Somerstown Coffee House is a really wonderful place, recently taken over by two sisters from France. They have hired a fantastic, dedicated waiting staff who really know their stuff, devised a very good French menu and serve real ale. There's a restaurant in part of the pub which is sectioned off, but you can eat the restaurant menu in the main bar if you'd like or choose from the interesting bar menu if you're after something smaller.
The food really is excellent and unusually for a French place, there are good choices for vegetarians. The food is mainly French bistro style and of a much higher quality than a normal gastro pub. Of particular note is their lavender crÃ¨me brulee, which is really quite remarkable.
Importantly, the interior is very comfortable and low key without being soulless or seeming corporate. The lighting is warm and restful and the front and back gardens are lovely.
It's usually quite quiet apart from after work type times when it's crowded. Having only recently started to open at the weekends (as of September 08), it's very peaceful then, although it gets busier the more people get to know about it.
They welcome dogs too, an increasing rarity, and always bring over a bowl of water and the occasional snack for my battle-scarred staffy.

Best place around, no contest.

King Charles I - King of Greasy Spoon Pub Lunches by Niamheen

Niamheen — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:58:28 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7837 7758

Tags: traditional pub, relaxed, friendly

The King Charles was a regular lunch time haunt for me for many years. As k_thrn says - it's a pub and it's grim BUT they've a good jukebox, a fire in the winter, even a cat at times. But what really makes it for me is that you can order in food from anywhere you like, you can bring your packed lunch in if you wish!

Recommended if you fancy a drink and any of the cheap and cheerful food from the area - be it African, Thai, Malaysian or some fried eggs and chips from the Blue River Cafe across the road. There's seats outside too. I always found the staff really friendly and I enjoyed those occasional Friday lunches. Be warned, it's only open for lunch on Fridays, otherwise go in the evening.The King Charles was a regular lunch time haunt for me for many years. As k_thrn says - it's a pub and it's grim BUT they've a good jukebox, a fire in the winter, even a cat at times. But what really makes it for me is that you can order in food from anywhere you like, you can bring your packed lunch in if you wish!

Recommended if you fancy a drink and any of the cheap and cheerful food from the area - be it African, Thai, Malaysian or some fried eggs and chips from the Blue River Cafe across the road. There's seats outside too. I always found the staff really friendly and I enjoyed those occasional Friday lunches. Be warned, it's only open for lunch on Fridays, otherwise go in the evening.

Lincoln Lounge - a bit weird by ricoeurian

ricoeurian — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:20:53 +0000

Review by ricoeurian

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7837 9339

Tags: independent pub, live music, cool

Lincoln Lounge is as close as a pub gets to the office without waiting for you in reception. It's a nice pub, but personally I think it's appeal is undermined by weird decor (shaped wire female torsos, car mark badges glued on canvas, etc.) and the slightly edgy vibe you get from the staff. The selection of beer and other drink is good though (Deuchars IPA on tap), and it's a very short hop to Kings X underground.Lincoln Lounge is as close as a pub gets to the office without waiting for you in reception. It's a nice pub, but personally I think it's appeal is undermined by weird decor (shaped wire female torsos, car mark badges glued on canvas, etc.) and the slightly edgy vibe you get from the staff. The selection of beer and other drink is good though (Deuchars IPA on tap), and it's a very short hop to Kings X underground.

The Champagne Bar - Trainspotting with a tipple by mazphd

mazphd — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:34:22 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 3006 1550

Website: http://www.searcystpancras.co.uk/

Tags: young professionals, cool & smart, posh

Kings Cross St Pancreas, is not really known as a 'high end' classy joint, but a bar set above the main station does give the dash to the platform a certain vava voom (or that could just be the proximity of the French and less than two hours to Paris Eurostar.

There's a certain charm to sitting on high and being able to survey all that surrounds you whilst supping on champangne. Just one small qualm, unless its a balmy day do make sure you take a cover up, as in the words of 'your mother' things can get a tad chilly and drafty.

Otherwise enjoy take the departure announcements, take in the rush, rush, rush of other passengers and gaze lovingly into your companions eyes before being whisked away on your own journey. Oh the romance.

Sadly my own stopping here was not for a romantic interlude. My train was delayed by two hours, and this seemed more exciting than the local Starbucks.

;-)

Oh and do not be caught out by the lack of a late liscence. One feels the powers that be are missing a trick here. When else would a champagne bar be in more high demand than later on at night... So only three stars, for now.Kings Cross St Pancreas, is not really known as a 'high end' classy joint, but a bar set above the main station does give the dash to the platform a certain vava voom (or that could just be the proximity of the French and less than two hours to Paris Eurostar.

There's a certain charm to sitting on high and being able to survey all that surrounds you whilst supping on champangne. Just one small qualm, unless its a balmy day do make sure you take a cover up, as in the words of 'your mother' things can get a tad chilly and drafty.

Otherwise enjoy take the departure announcements, take in the rush, rush, rush of other passengers and gaze lovingly into your companions eyes before being whisked away on your own journey. Oh the romance.

Sadly my own stopping here was not for a romantic interlude. My train was delayed by two hours, and this seemed more exciting than the local Starbucks.

;-)

Oh and do not be caught out by the lack of a late liscence. One feels the powers that be are missing a trick here. When else would a champagne bar be in more high demand than later on at night... So only three stars, for now.

The Big Chill House - Great tunes! by tomc

tomc — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:21:18 +0000

Review by tomc

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7427 2540

Website: http://www.bigchill.net/house.html

Tags: cool, friendly, trendy

If you fancy something slightly more buzzing than the bigchill bar then head to the bigchill house. Regular top quality DJs across 3 floors makes this a great place to go if you like chilled and funky music!If you fancy something slightly more buzzing than the bigchill bar then head to the bigchill house. Regular top quality DJs across 3 floors makes this a great place to go if you like chilled and funky music!

The Driver - good food and Beck's Vier by ricoeurian

ricoeurian — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:55:26 +0000

Review by ricoeurian

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7278 8827

Tags: relaxed, friendly, food

The Driver is a nice pub with quite sassy decor inside, despite the ghastly green exterior.

There are 'casual' tables against all the windows, giving you a commanding view of the traffic along Wharfdale Road as it turns into Caledonian Road. There are sofas and armchairs beside the fire, and smarter 'dining' tables with dark leather chairs around back, where the black glass chandelier , black and white florentine wallpaper and large elaborate mirrors really change the mood.

Beer: London Pride and Landlord
Lager: Beck's Vier, Staropramen and other continental delights

The food is generally excellent, and is certainly a good option for this part of town, being better than average but cheaper than the best.

The chunky chips served with lashings of mayonnaise and ketchup are always good, but I've recently sampled the mezze starter platter and the handmade lamb samosas, both of which are superb.

Staff are friendly and efficient.The Driver is a nice pub with quite sassy decor inside, despite the ghastly green exterior.

There are 'casual' tables against all the windows, giving you a commanding view of the traffic along Wharfdale Road as it turns into Caledonian Road. There are sofas and armchairs beside the fire, and smarter 'dining' tables with dark leather chairs around back, where the black glass chandelier , black and white florentine wallpaper and large elaborate mirrors really change the mood.

Beer: London Pride and Landlord
Lager: Beck's Vier, Staropramen and other continental delights

The food is generally excellent, and is certainly a good option for this part of town, being better than average but cheaper than the best.

The chunky chips served with lashings of mayonnaise and ketchup are always good, but I've recently sampled the mezze starter platter and the handmade lamb samosas, both of which are superb.

Staff are friendly and efficient.

The Cross Kings - unusual pub with good cheap organic food by WillPerrin

WillPerrin — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:17:23 +0000

Review by WillPerrin

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7278 8318

Website: http://www.thecrosskings.co.uk/

Tags: live music, music, food

huge character in this winning remake of diabolical old backpackers pub on york way in kings cross. good cheap organic food a wholly independent feel - the complete antithesis of a brewery chain pubhuge character in this winning remake of diabolical old backpackers pub on york way in kings cross. good cheap organic food a wholly independent feel - the complete antithesis of a brewery chain pub

Ruby Lounge - Cute but nothing special by Sami

Sami — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:22:00 +0000

Review by Sami

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7837 9558

Website: http://www.ruby.uk.com

Tags: relaxed, small, food

I've been here twice so far; once to meet up with some people I had gone traveling with, and the second time was this past week-end as a friend of mine from Canada was djing there.

Ruby Lounge is part of the Ruby family of lounges scattered across the city; I've been to Ruby Lo (a sister bar in the West End) before and quite liked it, so I was interested to see what it would be like when I went.

For once I really don't have much to say about a place I've visited; it struck me as a boring, standard, London watering hole... dark wood, a few cozy benches, and of the course the centrepiece of the venue being the bar, but there wasn't really much to Ruby that drew me in.

It's unfortunate because the location is great, being a 5 minute walk away from King's Cross, and the space itself is a nice size which generally tends to generate a vibe or some warmth to the bar, but it didn't seem to be happening here.

On Friday and Saturday nights they generally bring in a DJ to liven up the place and give it a bit of week-end "glamour," if you will, but there seem to be too many places in London that try for the exact same thing and end up coming across as a nondescript bar with boring music and a terrible soundsystem to boot.

Drinks are standard London prices and the bartenders can be pretty rude; while I do have sympathy for the pint pullers who deal with drunkards all night long, there's no reason to be rude to someone who understands your pain and approaches you with a smile on their face!

http://www.ruby.uk.com/ is their website if you're interested in taking a look - but if you decide to go to any of their bars, try Ruby Lo for after-work drinks one day. It's pretty cute and sometimes they have hot female DJs which is always a bonus!I've been here twice so far; once to meet up with some people I had gone traveling with, and the second time was this past week-end as a friend of mine from Canada was djing there.

Ruby Lounge is part of the Ruby family of lounges scattered across the city; I've been to Ruby Lo (a sister bar in the West End) before and quite liked it, so I was interested to see what it would be like when I went.

For once I really don't have much to say about a place I've visited; it struck me as a boring, standard, London watering hole... dark wood, a few cozy benches, and of the course the centrepiece of the venue being the bar, but there wasn't really much to Ruby that drew me in.

It's unfortunate because the location is great, being a 5 minute walk away from King's Cross, and the space itself is a nice size which generally tends to generate a vibe or some warmth to the bar, but it didn't seem to be happening here.

On Friday and Saturday nights they generally bring in a DJ to liven up the place and give it a bit of week-end "glamour," if you will, but there seem to be too many places in London that try for the exact same thing and end up coming across as a nondescript bar with boring music and a terrible soundsystem to boot.

Drinks are standard London prices and the bartenders can be pretty rude; while I do have sympathy for the pint pullers who deal with drunkards all night long, there's no reason to be rude to someone who understands your pain and approaches you with a smile on their face!

http://www.ruby.uk.com/ is their website if you're interested in taking a look - but if you decide to go to any of their bars, try Ruby Lo for after-work drinks one day. It's pretty cute and sometimes they have hot female DJs which is always a bonus!