Best Bars In King's Cross

While once known for hearty British boozers, the creative takeover has finally fallen upon King's Cross. Boasting an impressive bar scene, with luxury shopping stops at Coal Drops Yard, this postcode is full of fantastic places to stop for a drink or two. A great trip across the river in North London, check out our recommendations for the best King's Cross bars.

Last edited by Scarlett Welch




Hokus Pokus

If you're looking for only the most quirky bars on your next night out, Hokus Pokus is a great shout. Located under the elegant Megaro Hotel, you can find over 30 different concoctions waiting for you at their laboratory-style venue. Make your way over to this mind-bending haunt, which feels like a futuristic version of an old school apothecary, to knock back molecular cocktails crafted to your tastes.

The Cross

Situated close to the station, The Cross is a great shout for after work drinks or cute date nights with an Ibiza-inspired soundtrack. From the cosy velvet sofas to its first-floor restaurant slinging out Mediterranean small plates like homemade focaccia bread and pumpkin ravioli, it makes for a dreamy dining and drinking destination. And if you're after rooftop bars in King's Cross, be sure to check out their alfresco terrace for stunning views of the city's skyline and cosy bench seating.

The Racketeer

Possibly the most gothic bar in King's Cross, The Racketeer is a neighbourhood cocktail haunt with as much charm as its name suggests. Boasting well executed cocktails, a Victorian-inspired interior lit by globe pendants and even a secret garden, this is a great shout for stylish drinks. Take a sip of the lemony Fancy Pants or a tequila-based Senor Sin and let the good vibes commence.

Babel Beerhouse

Whether it's after work drinks, chilled out date nights or catching up with mates, make sure you head north of the river to this pub. Not only does Babel Beerhouse churn out craft brews with a bang from their on-site tanks, but there's also gourmet burgers, pizzas and a great selection of small plates to tuck into in colourful surrounds.

Parcel Yard

After the best bars near King's Cross station? You can't get much closer than the Grade II listed Parcel Yard, a two-floored delight clad with original features and a light, airy atmosphere. The perfect place to sit back with a real ale pint if you're waiting for a connecting train, and even grab some hearty, freshly prepared pub grub. This isn't your standard station fare, oh no, we're talking dry-aged sirloin steaks, Norfolk chicken schnitzel and barbecue sharing platters. 

Rotunda

Bottomless Weekends and 3 other offers

A cool riverside bar and restaurant, Rotunda is a hidden gem which is both dog friendly and home to TV screens showing live sport on Sky and TNT. Soak up some rays while watching the boats drift past on a summer day or snuggle up in a cosy nook when the weather turns, sampling a number of their innovative cocktail creations and small plates like chargrilled asparagus or tuna tartare. 

The Betjeman Arms

Complementary Prosecco reception on arrival If you book your Christmas party with us Saturday-Monday

A top choice of King's Cross bars and restaurants, The Betjeman Arms is a welcoming pub which is full of colourful and quirky decor - think wooden stag's heads, bookshelves and arty posters. This spot can be found on the first floor of St Pancras station, serving cracking cocktails, ales and British favourite dishes. From baked camembert to pan-roasted trout or squash risotto, there's something for everyone here.

Drake and Morgan at King's Cross

Thanksgiving

Sitting pretty under the Drake and Morgan umbrella, this charming restaurant and bar promises whimsical and creative drinks set alongside a roster of top notch, gastro inspired plates in a quirky, dining setting. Enjoy herb-crusted Cornish cod, flash-grilled minute steak or wild mushroom risotto with your bevs, which include the bright blue Nebula Fizz and a mezcal-based Black Hole.

Camino King’s Cross

Although best known as a stunning tapas restaurant dishing out braised ox cheek, Padron peppers and patatas bravas, Camino King's Cross is also a destination for getting that feel of a Mediterranean bar right in the heart of North London. Indulge in aperitivo like La Copa Rojo Vermouth served on the rocks or pull up a pew for a carafe of Spanish wine, with DJ sets and live music to be found on a regular basis as well.

Shuffleboard Bar London

In the mood to try something a little different? Shuffleboard Bar London is a quirky games haunt that specialises in - you guessed it, shuffleboard. Not only have they got champion sized tables here, but there's also an original red double decker bus which turns into a DJ booth in the evenings, as well as walls covered in graffiti and colourful posters. They've got plenty of classic cocktails on offer too, as well as tasty plates including juicy burgers, stone-baked pizzas and chicken wings.

Supermax

Whether you're looking for a low-key drink with pals or fancy dancing the night away to music spun by live DJs, Supermax is a firm choice. Boasting a stunning underground space with 1970s interiors, hidden beneath Happy Face Pizza, this is a spot you won't want to miss. And if you're after late-night bars in King's Cross, this groovy destination is open until 1am on weekends.

The Lighterman King's Cross

One of the best bars near Coal Drops Yard, The Lighterman is a beautiful spot which overlooks Regent's Canal and Granary square. Whether you're drinking alfresco or relaxing in their spacious wooden interiors, you're guaranteed to have great views while you munch on wood-fire grilled dishes like chorizo flatbreads or mushroom and beetroot burgers, paired with a refreshing pint of craft ale or a delicious cocktail.

Simmons King's Cross

Margarita Mondays! and 2 other offers

Simmons is a unique and quirky cocktail bar with some of the coolest, kitsch interiors in the business. If you're a cocktail drinker, this Kings Cross bar won't let you down, serving unique mixes with a famously fantastic happy hour that runs from 4 'til 9pm every single day. Whether you're sipping from a teacup or a more typical glass, you can expect concoctions like The Bakewell Tart or a watermelon paloma, perfect while having a boogie to pop anthems.

Keystone Crescent

While Keystone Crescent might be a member's bar only, it's definitely worth looking into if you fancy social nights out. While it has an elite feel to it thanks to plush velvet furnishings and its exclusive guests, the membership at this intimate destination is just £12 a month. The decadent venue is open from Wednesday to Sunday and serves a small but mighty list of creative concoctions.

Big Chill Kings Cross

Big Chill is a King's Cross cocktail bar that's not only got Chuck Burgers in residence - the purveyors of American-style patties and sides - but the drinks menu isn't to be missed either. Sip on everything from raspberry jam mojitos to a Pimp My Espresso Martini, with a cracking selection of beers available too. To top it off? There's DJs from Thursday to Sunday and weekend bottomless brunches complete with the same party treatment.

St Pancras by Searcys Brasserie and Champagne Bar

The stunning restaurant at Searcys St Pancras is one thing, but the Champagne bar is what really grabs the headlines here. It's the longest in Europe, and it comes complete with a stunning range of quality fizz and panoramic views of the entire terminal to boot. There's plenty of entertainment on the cards too, from Sunday jazz feasts with resident musicians to Champagne masterclass dinners touting refined British dishes and bubbles.

The Star of Kings

The Star of Kings has successfully managed to establish its name in the King's Cross bar and nightlife scene. It is not only a good old pub with a cracking beer garden, but it also has very high-quality DJ nights, making it a great spot for kicking off the weekend. And if that wasn't enough? They've got private karaoke rooms with over 10,000 songs to choose from, Tuesday night pub quizzes and twice-weekly comedy shows in the basement.

The Somers Town Coffee House

🥂 Cosy Cocktail Bar - Happy Hour Cocktails 2-4-£12 5pm - 7pm 🥂 and 1 other offer

The Somers Town Coffee House is a hybrid space across four floors which maintains its traditional oak-clad floor and old-school vibes. Expect rustic wooden tables and comfy armchairs, perfect for enjoying craft ales, lagers, wines, spirits or hot drinks. You can head downstairs for handcrafted cocktails at their speakeasy-style bar, and if you don't fancy the journey home then there rooms available too. For country boozer vibes in the heart of the city, this spot is a real winner.

The Fellow

Work off those weekday woes in a swanky bar with banging beats, tasty tipples, fine wines and some great gastro grub. Take a date, a mate or a rowdy rabble to The Fellow and munch over table tops, sip at the bar or hit the dance floor for a night full of sordid shenanigans. They've even got a heated rooftop terrace too. Hungry? Nab dishes like smash burgers, sriracha-glazed chicken wings and sticky soya cauliflower bites here.

Campfire

Certainly one of the most unique spots in the area, the Two Tribes Brewery & Campfire Taproom serves up only the freshest pints in their outdoor event space. This is a real suntrap in the summer, with heating and covers for the colder months, with a rotating menu of mouthwatering bites available from The Fire Kitchen - think flame-grilled steaks and scrumptious burgers. Even better, there are a group of up-and-coming DJs from local community radio station Voices who perform here every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Bar Pepito

Bar Pepito may be one of the smallest venues on our list, but it's certainly not lacking in anything. This cosy Mediterranean haunt is decked out in Spanish-inspired artwork and quirky tiled floors, with seating space for less than 20 people making it a pretty exclusive spot as well. They specialise in sherry here, as well as Andalusian tapas like cured beef and mushrooms in truffle oil, but if spirits are more your thing then they've got plenty of those as well.

Spiritland King's Cross

When we think of all-day bars, Spiritland always comes to mind. Whether you're swinging by for an early-morning coffee or a few cocktails in the evening, their state-of-the-art sound system will serenade you with great tunes throughout. These guys are also known to host live performances, with a diverse rotation of DJs and artists taking the stage every single night. With minimalist interiors and a chilled atmosphere, this place really is all about the music.

The Drop – Coal Drops Yard

From the team behind popular Spanish spot Barrafina, The Drop is a wine bar and restaurants which champions low-intervention vineyards from all over the world. From the oyster cart in the courtyard to the exposed brick walls, this is a relaxed and picturesque venue for a few drinks. If you're feeling peckish, you can pair your vino with tapas-style plates including pâtés and cheeses as well.