King's Head Reviews Summary

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Always a joy coming to this intimate venue, I have yet to see something bad here, always loved it, the barstaff are very good too."
• "Staff were friendly and the service was quick."
• "The staff behind the bar are both friendly and helpful."
• "Atmosphere was brill at this pub, members of staff were incredibly hospitable and fun."
• "The staff are welcoming and polite, The AM Reece always provides an amazing service."
• "Had a fantastic evening last night at the Kings Head- friendly staff."
• "Staff are always really lovely here, it’s a lot better than the other high street pubs in the area."

Cons:

• "I found the barstaff pretty rude and got the impression they just didn't want to serve me."
• "Enquired about very pleasant jazz on sound system only to be told dismissively that it was a playlist and couldn’t be identified."
• "Drinks have become very overpriced over the years even for Islington. Barman dour and unwelcoming."
• "Poor service, bar staff didn't seem to know anything about bookings, or what they had available on the menu."
• "Experience spoiled by the barman arguing with a customer rather than simply apologising and topping their pint up."
• "Disgusting attitudes from staff here!"
• "The staff in the pub are often rude and or unhelpful if they know you are there for a play and not for a night of drinking."

Ambience and Atmosphere

Pros:

• "The theater is cozy with great seat placement to ensure a great view from any angle. Eclectic mix of plays, but everything we've seen is very charming!"
• "Yummy toasties and a FANTASTIC live music venue!"
• "Was a nice old, interesting and atmospheric theatre pub - a place you could go for a quiet drink in the afternoon."
• "What an amazing place. As a regular visitor I am never disappointed with the amazing works performed here."
• "Very nice place! Amazing atmosphere and friendly staff!! 😊Live music is also great!"
• "Atmosphere was brill at this pub, members of staff were incredibly hospitable and fun."
• "The interior and the atmosphere are incredible. It's fun, bohemian and cozy at the same time."

Cons:

• "It's a little worn at the edges, is crazily crowded, and doesn't have the most inspiring of drinks."
• "Most of the inside is excessively dingey."
• "Seats are very uncomfortable & it gets very warm."
• "Only downsides were hot room and hard bench seats."
• "Recently changed and now allows children in which at weekends seems to mean it's packed with mothers and babies and all the usual paraphernalia - pushchairs etc."
• "Interesting pub and theatre. A little run down in both areas. Pub looks dilapidated and theatre space needs to look a little less grungy."
• "Good views from all seats. This theatre space is compact and it gets *very* hot."

Food and Drinks

Pros:

• "Well kept ales and enjoyed the delicious toasties."
• "Love this pub and it's live music and friendly atmosphere."
• "Great Pub getting back into putting live music on again."
• "Lovely ambience. Good prices."
• "This place is amazing, the bar manager was awesome, we went for a night cap at Xmas and got offered free chocolates."
• "The drinks are nice and they make a tasty cheese toasty."
• "Delicious brie and Cranbury toastie in a rustic warm atmosphere."

Cons:

• "They literally couldn't understand how to make a cup of tea."
• "Drinks have become very overpriced over the years even for Islington. Barman dour and unwelcoming."
• "Nice location and appreciate the theatre bit, but really can't get excited about the bar.. dismal and WAY overpriced.. £9.60 for a glass of wine??"
• "Had the sliders… tasteless, unseasoned patty."
• "No proper food. Ordered a share starter and they substituted bits on there without even asking to check what we would like instead/whether there were any allergies."
• "The old fashioned was the worst I ever had."
• "Great vibe for Christmas in front of the fire however the food is so overpriced for what it is."

Theatre and Performances

Pros:

• "Went to Jess Lazar's brilliant production of East. I was delighted at just how innovatively it was done."
• "The theatre currently has a very good very funny very well-acted play on - Strangers in Between. Though its run ends soon."
• "We saw the excellent production of Dracula, small but versatile cast, show packed with humour and made great use of minimal set and effects to bring the magic alive."
• "Performances in the theatre have always been excellent."
• "Theatre was excellent. We saw 'The Micado' opera. You could nearly touch the actors."
• "This is the perfect stage for budding actors and actresses to showcase what they can do."
• "We saw a brilliant funny show; 'Crown Dual' performed by Rosie Holt and Brendan Murphy, with fabulous enthusiasm and much audience involvement."

Cons:

• "Unless you're attending the theatre upstairs, I don't recommend it."
• "That used to be my favourite spot with Blues/Jazz music and now it's just an ordinary pub, with a nice interior but no soul and newly built kitchen."
• "The theatre currently presents classic opera with new interpretations that have been known to spill out even into the pub itself."
• "Always enjoy the actual productions put on here. However, the seating in the theatre itself is the most uncomfortable of any comparable location."
• "Unfortunately the theatre part is now on its last run."
• "Enjoyed the performance, but the angle of the seats where I was prevented a clear vision to some of the movements and actions of the actors."
• "Aside from seeing one great play and one terrible play at the separate theatre part, the pub isn’t for me."