Historical version 8 of King Charles I, N1 9BL (view current version)
- 020 7837 7758
- 55-57 Northdown Street, N1 9BL (streetmap) (osm) (gmap) (bingmap) (streetview)
A fine little pub just off Pentonville Road near King's Cross Station.
The emphasis should really be put on the small, as this is a simple one-room pub with a bar facing the front doors. At off-peak times, it is a lovely, quiet place for a drink off the beaten track, but after work and especially on a Friday (as on Ewan's January 2010 visit) the place gets completely rammed, though when the weather's nice there's plenty of spillage out on to the street outside.
Inside are a few small tables around the edge of the room, the largest probably holding at 6-8 people. There are also some tables outside for smokers but not covered. There's a (gas-fuelled) fire for warmth in the winter months, as well as a good juke box.
There are four handpulls for ales, with a strong emphasis on Brodie's ales (brewed at The King William IV in Leyton). On a January 2010 visit, the ales were Everard's Tiger, Deuchars IPA (off), and Brodie's Doppel Dunkel Weizen Heizen and Christmas Tinkle, all well-kept. They also have the range of cooking lagers and basic bar snacks.
On Ewan's Friday evening visit, the bar billiards table was covered, and is presumably only available at off-peak times.
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Comment added by Dominic F: My wife, 3 week old baby daughter and I went to their festival today. Barman saw us come in and settle at an empty table. I went to the bar to order some drinks and barbecue food. My wife took a scarf out of her bag so she could breastfeed our daughter discreetly in the corner. At that point the barman told her indiscreetly from across the room 'Do you think that's appropriate?'. He then told me that they have a no children policy and told us to leave.
My wife, 3 week old baby daughter and I went to their festival today. Barman saw us come in and settle at an empty table. I went to the bar to order some drinks and barbecue food. My wife took a scarf out of her bag so she could breastfeed our daughter discreetly in the corner. At that point the barman told her indiscreetly from across the room 'Do you think that's appropriate?'. He then told me that they have a no children policy and told us to leave. I really hope that this old pub can ditch its old fashioned attitude towards women. Something to bear in mind if you're planning a visit.