Pub Heritage Kings Head
Greater London North - London
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed Status: II
115 Upper StreetLondon, Barnsbury
N1 1QN
Tel: (020) 7226 4443
Email: kingsheadtheatre@youngs.co.uk
Website https://www.kingsheadtheatrepub.co.uk/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KingsHeadTheatrePub
Real Ale: Yes
Lunchtime Meals: Yes
Evening Meals: Yes
Nearby Station: Essex Road
Station Distance: 550m
Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Essex Road) and Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
A Grade II Victorian purpose-built pub with a grand exterior and some vestigial remains in the interior.
Although much altered and opened out, this still retains a number of features of interest. Built in 1864, this has a flamboyant frontage – pedimented windows and polished-granite pilasters - which is probably an 1890s enhancement. Two large curving widows add further interest. The three entrances (only one is currently in use) give clues to how the pub was originally divided. Inside, the central bar counter still occupies much of its original position although it has been reduced in size and pushed back further from the front of the pub. This required that the attractive glass and woodwork in the bar-back had to be shortened – as evidenced by a circa 1930s photograph on display above a fireplace. These changes – done in the 1960s or earlier - have left an isolated supporting pillar and an original dumb-waiter stranded on a side wall. At the rear of the counter is an area which surely was once a publican’s office, but has now been opened out to allow access to a door which leads to the cellar toilets. Some of the glasswork here – with starburst designs - may be Victorian. The woodwork in a large skylight may also be Victorian. From 1970 the rear room served as a theatre but it moved out in 2023.
Built 1864, a three-storey brick building with a balustrade and ground floor (maybe added in the 1890’s) including six Ionic columns of polished grey and pink granite and two curved bay windows. The interior is just one room now but the existence of three entrances (the right one has a ‘Saloon Bar’ frosted glass window) show it was originally split by partitions into separate rooms.
The room has deal boarding to the dado painted battleship grey, two marble fireplaces (cast-iron interiors look modern), a late-19th century island bar-back with engraved and faceted glass in the top part, and a bar counter probably of the same period. The listed description states the bar counter and bar back have probably been reset and possibly altered.
The counter front has ornate brackets and is painted black with parts (new panels added?) painted in gold. The island back fitting has columns holding up the main shelf, a door for staff, and it still retains a good part of its lower shelving. Note the stranded dumb waiter on the right which add weight to the theory that the bar counter has moved. A good vestibule with star burst in panels at the top has a door with ‘Toilets & Box Office’ in deep cut glass.
The internationally renowned Kings Head Theatre Pub was founded in 1970 and run by one family for 41 years. With 110 seats it is one of the largest pub theatres in London and now home to an Olivier Award winning opera and theatre company with shows nightly. The theatre is situated at the rear and until recently there was another small room used for dining between the public bar and the theatre.
For years after ‘Decimal Day’ prices here continued to be quoted in pounds shillings and pence using an ornate Art Deco till which has £1 as its biggest figure so you used to hear lots of 'rings' for most transactions! The pub was acquired by Young's in 2014.
