King Charles I, Kings Cross, London

Hidden away on a cute crescent off the Cally Road, this is a small but beautifully formed pub full of quirky charm. Dark, wooden and with open fire. A mixture of folks from all walks. Often busy, often empty. Lager sometimes has the dreaded “dirty pipes” smell/taste, but other than that, it’s a hit. Thai takeaway delivers at reasonable rates. A keep it to yourself kind of place. Oops. Well you get the idea. Private hire with late licence also available.

A good friend with exquisite pub knowledge had her bday party her the other night. Friendly atmo. Quality pub. Excellent beer (I loved the Theakston's Ale).

Just a short saunter from the mayhem of King's Cross Station but seemingly a world away (and a very quiet and residential world at that), this is a brill lil pub worthy of a few sets of elbow bends.

From my one visit (so far), I can say with some confidence that I dig this pub.

It's cosy, traditional without being drab and it serves a couple of decent ales. The bar billiards may be an attraction for some, but I prefer to sit at one of the 'rustic' wooden tables and enjoy my beer and the atmosphere.

The gents toilets are the smallest I have ever seen in a pub, but they're in an acceptable state nonetheless.

They don't do food, but I'm led to believe that they have an understanding with one or two local takeaway places who will happily deliver there. (I've also heard rumours that they have a similar 'understanding' with a local house of ill repute, but I wouldn't know about that.)

2010

I said I would come back...I did...and now I have to add a star. A stop for a pint turned into 3 pints thanks to the delicious Brodies Californian that they were serving. And there were other choices too. Sat inside this time and got chance to really take in the lovely interior.

Yes this is the best pub round Kings Cross.

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2009

Cosy pub with a fire but only 2 out of 4 ales available on my visit, which was a bit of a disappointment

There is a cosy fireplace and a much talked about décor, but unfortunately I didn’t really get a good chance to look them as it was nice enough to sit outside.

I will need to come back for another look at this one. I certainly detect potential.

An answer to the age-old problem of "where can I drink in King's Cross?", don't wait in the station for your train, come here instead! It's usually pretty busy, and since it's the best place in the area, it's no surprise. There's a small but reasonable lineup of ales, and I seem to recall a very extensive selection of bar snacks. Pickled egg anyone?

Although not much to look at on the outside, it's very nicely appointed on the interior, and very far from gastro. Lovely.

A pub I liked so much that it nudged out Smithy's wine bar as my favourite Kings Cross boozerama and I've been looking for an excuse to be back in the area ever since, just to visit it.

The chaps behind the bar were hugely welcoming and the other old fellows who seemed to be regulars were good for a laugh too.

The place gets crowded quickly if it's busy but it's worth bearing with for the quirky decor during the daytime and the late opening at night.

Varied choice of beer and I just know I'll be using Qype to find the best takeaways nearby.

A decent pub with plenty of real ale and only a 2 minute walk from Kings Cross station. There's a friendly crowd here and the landlord doesn't mind you bringing in a local takeaway which is always nice!

Hmmm.... What else is good - jukebox, open fire, outdoor seating... This pub ticks alot of the right boxes and is certainly one of the best boozers around the station. I'll be back!

Tiny old pub full of character, and characters, just one room but what a room. Lots of weird stuff hanging from the walls, a proper bar billiards table, chess, backgammon, A selection of very expensive bottled beer and reasonable draft. You can order food and have it delivered or pop into tesco round the corner and pig out on choc ices and grapes. Fantastic juke box and a real fire add up to a really good pub. And then you step outside…. ‘sigh’

Just off Caledonian Road on a side street a stones throw from King's X, this is a great find. Ok, so there's not much elbow room when it gets busy, as it is a fairly small venue - BUT, it has the finest (and inexplicably, the rarest) pub game out there; BAR BILLIARDS! There's a damn good range of bottled beers too. I would recommend this place for folk who are looking for a cross between a young/funky and local vibe. It also stays open till 1am at the weekend, which is fairly good going for a small pub.