please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I travelled all the way from Mexico to visit this pub only to discover its now a burrito joint. The irony would leave any man quite speechless
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Very sad that this pub has turned into a burrito joint.
Quality landlord. Don't recall the beers being much to write home about, but that is possibly compensated for by the genius of combining curry night and quiz night (a nice korma at half time....). The regular karaoke was also pretty special and we felt privileged to be part of the last night ever at the K&K, which was topped off by three bottles of a crate of beer shipped in at stupid o'clock to top up flagging supplies being rung up as the non-divisible-by-three �10. THe barmaid just shrugged when confronted with the mathematical dilemma.
We paid �10.
Rating submitted posthumously.
gcc24 - 12 Apr 2009 20:17 |
Now a diabolical Mexican 'kitchen' replete with tawdry plastic signage, miserable sanitised punters and garbage for food.
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now a mexican food outlet
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I won't miss this one, I have to say. Do we know who's bought the building?
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I'm sorry to see this place go. Not because it was a good pub - it wasn't - but because of the amusement gained by reading as the owner and a small handful of customers went to such great lengths to pretend to be a series of different customers, all stumbling in and miraculous finding the greatest pub in the history of pubs.
What a way to sign it off though - "An oasis of tradition here on Fleet Street". You'll have to excuse me while I clean up the coffee I spluttered all over my desk.
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How sad to see this place die, used to go there when it was patronised by Tegrelaugh workers. Went downhill once it became a Scruffy Murphys, looks like I've left it too late to re-visit.
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THERE HAS BEEN A K&K FOR OVER 400 YEARS, THE PRESENT BUILDING IS OVER 200 YEARS OLD.
SADLY AS OF FRIDAY 27TH JULY 2007 THE K&K WILL CLOSE ITS DOORS FOREVER.
THE PUBCO M&B HAVE DECIDED, AS THEY OWN THE WHOLE BUILDING, TO SELL THE FREEHOLD ~ WHICH MEANS THAT THE PUB WILL CEASE TO BE.
NOT EVERYONE LOVED THE K&K AS MUCH AS I DID ( YOU CAN'T PLEASE ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME) BUT MANY DID. A LOYAL BAND OF REGULARS WHO APPRECIATED THIS OASIS OF TRADITION HERE ON FLEET, A PUB THATS VERY CATCH PHRASE WAS 'YOUR LOCAL IN THE CITY'.
A FINE RANGE OF WINES, A GREAT MENU AND A WELCOME FOR ALL COMBINED TO MAKE THIS A GREAT LITTLE PUB, ONE THAT WILL BE MISSED. FROM ITS MONTHLY QUIZ NIGHTS, TO ITS QUARTERLY KARAOKE NIGHTS AND ITS OCCASIONAL COMEDY NIGHTS (KRIKEYS!) IT IS SAD TO SEE THIS TRADITION END SO ABRUPTLY, BUT THAT IS THE WAY OF MODERN BUSINES.
SO LETS LEAVE THE KING AND KEYS ON A POSITIVE NOTE BEHIND AND RAISE A GLASS TO ITS MEMORY...
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First ever visit from yours truly yesterday. I thought I'd try a change from the CC virtually next door. Has a slightly different feel to it than the other pubs in Fleet Street - the King and Keys seems to be trying to appeal to a younger clientele, whilst, at the same time, trying to maintain a traditional feel and atmosphere to some extent. Offers things that you wouldn't expect from a pub in the area - eg occasional quiz nights, curry evenings, karaoke ( oh dear ).
The blurb on the back of the food menu tells us that the landlord ran a former CAMRA regional award winning pub, but the London Pride yesterday was not very good at all( only other real ale on was Timmy Taylors )
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Glad to see this pub is back open again at the weekends, will be paying them a visit more often. Friendly atmosphere and good food - excellent food prices for Fleet Street.
anonymous - 25 Apr 2007 15:51 |
sputnikski - Are you sure you are talking about the same place? - this pub plays comedy CD's into the toilets, not music. (Which I happen to think is rather entertaining.)
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This pub is rubbish I hate it. there was NO beer when I went to the pub here and the toilets play music while you pee wich is very annoyng. 2/10
anonymous - 26 Jan 2007 14:29 |
Think I caught this place on a bad night...no draught beer whatsoever, and most bottled beers sold out. Empty and without atmosphere as a result. Left after a quick drink. I may give this place another go sometime if I'm in the area.
The style is almost galley-style, also attempting a sense of history judging by the blurb on the back of the food menu but I'm not sure they can compete with Ye Olde Chesire Cheese next door.
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As a tourist visiting London for the first time, I discovered this pub by chance.
What a wonderful place. Delicious beer, and a hearty welcome from the bartender. I really enjoyed the sausages and mush.
Will definately recommend this place to all my mates back home in Montana.
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Well I happen to think it's a lovely place to spend the evening. They have a fine selection of food and changing specials and a really welcoming feeling, uinlike some other places in the area. I've been happy to go in there as a lone female and recently came in with a group of friends who also enjoyed themselves.
And I'm NOT posting anonymously , so I can't get accused of being someone I'm not....
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Surprisingly spacious inside, and a good selection of food which was resonably priced. Really good choice of sausages and mash.
anonymous - 17 Nov 2006 12:26 |
Don't know why this pub attracts such varied opinions, its a fine example of a small traditional london pub. The food is excellent, the ales are always kept well and the staff are efficient and seem friendly enough. Can sometimes be a bit full of legal suits - but rather them than some groups you meet in pubs. Overall an enjoyable place to visit if in the area.
anonymous - 14 Nov 2006 23:22 |
I was at the Belgravia Trichology gig here. Groovy. People literally wigging out all over the place.
Syrup-tastic!
anonymous - 30 Oct 2006 15:05 |
I agree with Anon (20 Sep). Went in here with my mate and we both had burgers and a few bevvies. Really top notch nosh.
Then she dragged me up the road and we went to Macdonalds and we had a couple more burgers. Just weren't in the same league.
Will definately be going back to this brill boozer.
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Lovely interior and friendly staff. Good, proper burgers. Would go back again if I'm in the area.
anonymous - 20 Sep 2006 11:44 |
What a lot of talk for probably the most forgettable pub on Fleet Street. It's neither egregiously bad nor particularly good; and in an area with a lot of pubs there's plenty of other options.
In my view the landlord of the pub would be advised not to comment here at all - BITE isn't a place for landlords to advertise what's going on in their pubs; it's a place for customers to provide their opinions.
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Organised an evening here on behalf of the Belgravia Trichology Centre clients. What a great time we had. A bit hair-raising, the amount of money we spent. But I guess, as Luton Lager Lout points out, that was because we'd over-indulged in the pub's terrific selection of sausage jockeys.
anonymous - 25 Aug 2006 12:01 |
Easily the best pub in London. Great beer, fantastic grub, and a brilliant landlord too.
Oh, and they have a terrific selection of sausages.
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Well, I stated in my post on 4th may that I would be back and I have!
Visited a week last saturday and had a very pleasant steak salad and my friend had sausage and mash. Excellent portions and still good value for money. Welcoming atmosphere - really don't understand why this place gets negative reviews.
Also - really liked the comedy cd playing in the toilets!)
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Hi, Peter the landlord of the K&K here.
No - once again none of the past few reviews have been mine, not since last one where I stataed who I was. Nor is the pub gay - but it is open and friendly to all regardless.
Whoever had the "cracking Sun Lunch " thank you, but be advised we have stopped them temporarily in this current heat wave as they just stopped selling.
Sorry Kells Bells (who r U?) but CLive Owen hasn't been back since the filming last Sept/Oct - however we did have a guest spot by a member of Radiohead who asked a bonus round question at our last quiz, and a certain now-ex Dr Who girl has been seen in a few times....
well back to the bar...thank goodness for air con...
Peter
anonymous - 17 Jul 2006 14:23 |
I agree with kellsbells - I have also gone in on a few occasions on my own and have not felt imtimidated by the staff or customers. And it certainly doesn't seem like a gay bar to me!
Oh, and I had a crackin' Sunday roast a few weeks back. Worth travelling into the city for.
anonymous - 30 Jun 2006 09:36 |
As a new member of the site, I am saddened to see one of my old favorite haunts being bad mouthed.
Having moved job locations from Fleet Street to Cannon Street, I have to say this is the one place I miss on Fleet Street. I regularly went to the King & Keys and as a single lady felt safe and comfortable and always enjoyed the company of the staff members.
I shall be sure to pop in soon and show my support.
Peter you have done a fantastic job, please do not take note of the pathetic comments listed by others. By the way have you seen Clive Owen lately?
This site is for comments on the establishment; not on the sex, coulour or race of the people running or working in them, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
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Haven't been here in a while but it now appears to be a gay bar?!?!?
Ploughing a lone furrow in the City, so to speak!
anonymous - 14 Jun 2006 00:11 |
I repeat for (hopefully) the LAST time : whenever I post here I ALWAYS say who I am ~ Peter The Landlord of the K&K.
I never post without doing so - but cannot vouch for my friends, my staff who have access to the pub computer or my various siblings who all have access to my flat & home computer which is set up with the same codes. They are not helping - but I guess their intentions were good, they know how much this little pub means to me.
As for my occasional "newsletter", perhaps I would be better with a website - I merely thought that mentioning upcoming stuff here it would get straighht to the people who use the pub.
NOW LETS PLEASE DRAW THAT LINE & MOVE ON.
anonymous - 22 May 2006 17:35 |
Hello Folks - Peter the landlord here again.
I see that the age of lively debate continues apace.
Thanks to ALL who comment.
This is just a quick update to let you all know of a couple of things:~
1. The Quiz night for June has been brought forward a week to WED 7th June so as not to clash with the World Cup.
2. The launch of the summer menu & new wine list has been put back to early July - for much the same reasons.
3. We have added a second TV - a large screen plasma - for the duration of the World Cup and ALL matches that fall within our opening times WILL be shown.
Areas can be reserved, a special match menu will be in place as well as special offers on drinks and we have created a "Directors Box" which has superb views of the TV, free gifts and table service throughout the game. This "Box" will be auctioned off one hour before each game - the proceeds goung to Sports Aid.
4. Our Real Ales for late May/early June are London Pride, Robinsons Unicorn and Timmy Taylors Landlord.
And for the lager lovers amongst you we are shortly having draught Becks installed.
Finally there are a couple of invite only special events coming up in Aug & Sept ~ so any regulars reading this come and talk to me next time you are in!
Thats all for now,
Cheers Folks, Peter
anonymous - 22 May 2006 14:57 |
I vote for FattusBlokus - I like the K&K myself.
To many anonymous postings for this pub though - including the last one.
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Went in Thursday lunch for the first time - can't see what all the negative comments are about - a perfectly decent, friendly pub. Staff all seemed very efficient (one was very gay ~ not that it matters) and there were three good real ales to choose from.
Didn't eat - but my mate did and he enjoyed it.
This pub will be my choice whenever I am in the Fleet St area.
anonymous - 5 May 2006 17:04 |
Went in last Saturday afternoon. Even though the pub was fairly busy, the gentleman behind the bar (perhaps the landlord?) was still friendly and welcoming and the food portions were bigger than expected. The steak and ale pie deserves a special mention. Prices similar to others locally but the choice of background music in here was better than many others in the area.
I will certainly be paying another visit soon.
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Hi, Peter the landlord here - no I am not FattusBlokus, nor do I EVER post here without saying who I am. It would seem that BossHogg doesn't like my pub and FattusBlokus does. So be it. I am grateful for all the comments from both sides - although I obviuosly prefer FattusBlokus opinion, but what I cannot understand is if BossHogg hates my place so much why does he keep coming back ? I almost lean to the opinion expressed on one comment that BossHogg appears to have an almost personal gripe against the pub or me ? Hope not, as I think this site deserves better.
ANY WAY onto more positive things ~ I would like to thank all our regulars who have made April a cracking month, and look forward to May:~
Our monthly Quiz & Curry night which is on the second Wed of every month is coming up on Wed 10th.
Our current wine list and menu has been in place since our re-launch mid October, so we are in the process of creating fresh ones.
we hope to have a new summer menu and a new wine list in place for 1st June.
on the real ales front we are still running with the very popular Timothy Taylors Landlord and Hook Nortons Old Hooky, and will feature occasional changing guest ales as a third choice.
Thats all for now
Cheers and thanks for 'listening'
Peter
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No they certainly are not. I like pubs, but certainly dont wanna work, run or own one. Thank you very much !! My opinions (which of course I am entitled - as you are yours) are based on my own experience(s) of the pub.
I like it - you don't - end of story I'd say !
Or is Anonymous one and the same person who has posted a variety of comments on this and many other pubs ?? Who knows - or should that be Who Cares ?
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Overly expensive. Was better when it was O'Mahoneys.
anonymous - 27 Apr 2006 15:51 |
well I popped in on Sunday after the marathon, and found this to be a very welcoming pub. The sunday roasts are terrific. There was six of us and only one of us had been here before, but we all thought it a good choice for the afternoon. Will be going again.
anonymous - 24 Apr 2006 10:45 |
This place has a decent pub quiz (7.30 on Weds nights), but that's the only redeeming feature. It seems to be full of aggressive lawyers, settling down to get really drunk.
Both times I've visited, the only bitter, allegedly Landlord, has been off. They're "waiting for a delivery."
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A better bet, might be that all the negative comments (posted by anonymous - how brave of he/she/it)- are from the same person.
Wot price that Boss ???
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Boss Hog, you'd lose that bet, I'm afraid. My recent visit was on the pretext of checking that the pub would be decent enough to stop off at for a pub crawl. In the end, we didn't manage to fit it in on the night (too many pubs & not enough time), but nothing about about the place actively put me off. A shame that other peoples' experiences seem to have been worse than mine, but I can only see as I find, hence I'll definitely pop in again if I'm heading that way. Landlord and staff, please don't prove me wrong!
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Funny how this pub seems to get such varied reviews, I guess you either love it hate it. I work as a p.a.in the area (not Goldman Sachs) and love it. It is small - but the crowds that gather are friendly and the atmosphere good,and it makes us 'girlies' very welcome.It is on a par pricewise with the area ~ not including such discount places as wetherspoons, and I have always found the staff friendly and helpful. Whats wrong with them taking pride in ensuring the tables are clean for the customers? Not living locally I haven't tried the Sunday lunches, but the food in the week is good.
Us female customers ae in the majority at lunchtimes but it is a mixed crowd in the evening, and neither I nor my girlfriends have ever felt threatened or out of place here. So much so that 50 of us have just booked a hen party here - sorry guys not telling when!
anonymous - 7 Apr 2006 15:15 |
I must say I am quite surprised by the reviews which say the staff are friendly, as I found them to be quite patronising to the point of rudeness. As others have recently mentioned, this is possibly the most expensive pub in the area, but is really nothing special to make up for the high prices. A few nice original features, but too cramped to really be comfortable. There are far nicer pubs within the immediate vicinity, so I doubt I will make a return visit.
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I was also a bit disappointed with there only being 1 out of the 3 guest ales being available when I popped in (it wasn't particularly late in the day), that being Timothy Taylor Landlord, which although a pleasant drop when well kept, seems to be the default guest ale of many places that it's almost a cliche.
To its credit, though the pub isn't huge, and the narrow layout can give a cramped feeling when busy, the crowd in there seems relaxed and varied enough to create a friendly atmosphere, and the staff at least smile and engage with us punters when they serve you (I find that smiling and looking bar staff in the eye when ordering tends to encourage this kind of response - they are human too).
All in all, a decent enough place to stop at, and the quiz and curry evening sounds good fun. I think I'll go back there.
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Agree with the previous poster. Have been here a number of times since as I used to work for Goldman Sachs next door.
Very mediocre, bland and overpriced pub. Completely unremarkable. So many btter pubs in the area (Witness Box, Bell and Harrow for starters).
I also wish staff would top reviewing the pub (see below).... that is the customers job.
anonymous - 5 Apr 2006 10:07 |
Fairly small and, in places, cramped L shaped pub. Pleasant enough decor but little to make it stand out feature wise other than the impressive mosaic floor. Some of the seating is best left to people of Twiggy proportions especially the small built in tables for 2 opposite the bar. Lounge type area at the rear with coffee tables but rather uncomfortable for tall people. Prices are hefty to say the least. When we queried the price (�4.85 for a pint of Landlord and a bottle of water � the water being �1.95 alone) we were rather patronizingly told it was city prices. Being no stranger to the City and having spent the evening in 6 pubs in the immediate vicinity (not including the Sam Smiths / Wetherspoons cheapo pubs) I can only assume that the City of London now starts and ends at 142 Fleet Street because everywhere else was at least 10% cheaper. I have no problem paying OTT prices for somewhere exceptional but this pub is very ordinary and to cap it all 2 of the 3 ales were unavailable. Overall we left with a rather poor impression of the pub and the staff.
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popped in the other day with a friend for a quick drink and food. this pub is great!
firstly its a pub which isn't intimidating for women, something of a rarity in the city esp if you cant be arsed with the likes of cornry and barrow etc) the beers on tap impressive(as landlords last post), and the menu is great, we couldn't decide what to have, this is what pub food should be like must give special mention of fact vegetarians well catered for.
bar staff were bang on.
as someone in the trade, i tend to be the first to knock pubs but really have only praise for the king & keys
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FattusBlokus (the heavily built punter) is absolutely correct. This pub has friendly bar staff and is worth a visit.
Who cares about the odd blue bottle, or wet j-cloth?
It makes no difference whatsoever if someone is interested in occasionally lifting a chemise!
This is a nice place.
anonymous - 16 Mar 2006 10:05 |
This pub is worth a visit on a Fleet Street Crawl. Take in the Bank of England and Cheshire Cheese too. Usually the service is pretty good. Last night though, the barman raised his eyebrows to the heavens as we were about to sit down at a table. He wanted to run his wet j-cloth over it first. Now, I'm not going to give this pub a bad rating for that alone. And, usually I have no complaints about this cool boozer but it pissed me off a lot. And a big blue-bottle fly was buzzing around. But I guess that's because some CAMRA people had just been in.
anonymous - 14 Mar 2006 11:13 |
Oh yeah, forgot to say - if anyones interested our current real ales are Timmy Taylors Landlord, Robinsons Unicorn and Hook Norton Old Hookey.
Cheers Peter.
anonymous - 12 Mar 2006 18:39 |
no it wasn't me - it really was the loyal regulars who all wanted to show their support after a bad review. If it was me I would have been a lot less obvious! I only registered AFTER these reviews - check the date of the up dating of the pub description - If I had already been a member this would have been updated months ago. sorry guys it ain't me.
By the way if anyones interested the Traditional Sunday Roasts are going very well, surprisingly well for an area that can be so quiet at weekends.
Peter
anonymous - 12 Mar 2006 18:32 |
Anonymous (your message of 12 March) - anyone would think you had a 'downer' on this pub. Surely it's each to his own.
All I can say is (and I'm just a punter nothing to do with the pub in any shape or form)is that on my last visit (and I will as Arnie says "Be Back") it was a very pleasant London pub, with good drinks and good staff.
If you don't like it (and there are plenty of pubs I don't like), then perhaps you should take your custom elsewhere ?
Rant Over !!
FB
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Can it possibly be others who sent in 7 glowing reviews within 1 hour and 14 minutes , all of whom had registered Email names on 3rd March 2006 for the very first time (after the King and Keys received an unfavourable comment), or is it Peter?
anonymous - 12 Mar 2006 12:17 |
Visited yesterday - only time for a pint, but all seemed fine, nice cold lager, clean pub, food looked good (I didn't eat though).
All in all will be going back, when I have more time.
Well done Peter !!
FB
PS Can I have a free pint please and thank you?
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My name is PETER and I am the present (newish) owner of the King & Keys.
Firstly I want to say this site is a great forum for opinions on pubs.
I would also like to go on to say that I only actually joined this site today (Mar 5th) purely to reply to some earlier postings - hence todays updated description of the pubs facilities - therefore despite the suggestion NONE of the previous comments have come from me!
I have no problem with genuine critisism and am happy to address anyones comments / suggestions etc either at the pub in person or by telephone.
I would also like to thank all the regulars who jumped onto the site to share their postive comments about the pub the other day when they heard about a bad posting - it was an unexpected surprise and a lovely thought.
But they MOST emphatically were NOT from ME - all the id's are different - except the anonymous ones of course.
To the people who had the bad experience - sorry but you really are in the minority, and you were warned that if you all ordered seperatly each would be treated as an individual order and not all served together. Sorry.
As for the earlier running "subjects of interest" - the sexuality of my head barman and my hair.
Quite honestly I cannot think of any two more ridiculous reasons to judge a pub or for discuss on a review site.
So my right hand man is gay - so what ? I think he does a good job - and thats my criteria for judging his performance. I am straight - but unlike the person who made the original comment - I am not biased over race, creed, colour OR sexual preference.
And as for my hair - this is hilarious, but sorry folks its NOT a syrup ( I almost wish it was) - but all these comments have prompted me into getting a haircut!
Finally as someone who has run pubs in and around central London for over 25 years can I just say that I for one am fed up of the large pub groups and their cloned pubs - I celebrate the diversity of small pubs and individuals running them their way. There are far too few character pubs - or characters running them - these days.
I am happy to own what I consider to be a good pub, if you want to try it do so at any time, if you want to disagree or make suggestions contact me - it will have a more positive effect than anonymously sniping about my barmans sexuality and my haircut!
Thanks for listening
Peter
anonymous - 5 Mar 2006 18:24 |
Delightful find on our rare visit to London. Staff efficient and helpful. Food and especially beer superb. Well worth another visit soon.
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What a great pub! Not far from Blackfriars station and in the well-known former 'street of shame', it's a traditional house with well-kept ale and decent food. Unlike many houses in the area, it's open during the evening too and kids are welcome for Sunday lunch if you're up that way with the family.
Pleasant staff too! Recommended.
anonymous - 3 Mar 2006 13:01 |
Great place - friendly staff, good range of beers. The Landlord is a real host, not just a beer seller. When he left a previous pub after a stint as temporary landlord, all the staff, even those off-duty, came back to the pub to wish him well on his last day........ "nuff said.
Thoroughly recommended.
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So glad we found this pub, small but friendly and will go back again to have some more of the fine food we enjoyed.
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Great pub, good food, clean and respectable, and the staff were polite and friendly. Will deffinitely go back again with friends who also reiterate my thoughts entirely.
anonymous - 3 Mar 2006 12:12 |
This pub was a great find - good choice of well kept beers and varied menu.
We had a very enjoyable meal and staff were very attentive and helpful.
Friendly customers too rather than the arrogant types we too often bump into in the city, hope it stays that way.
Looking forward to going back again.
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What can I say, a mere female who felt comfortable and was treated with respect and courtesy throughout my visit. Will deffinitely go back again. ALL staff couldn't have been more helpful or polite. My job takes me across the country, and I can say in all honesty, this is high in my top ten best.
anonymous - 3 Mar 2006 12:10 |
Lovely place to unwind and chat with friends. Nice location and close to tube.
Friendly staff and a good food menu to boot. Definately be going back again.
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One of the worst pubs I've ever had the misfortune of visiting.
The barman was audaciously rude to the point that we thought we were being set up for a joke.
The food was late, served with 10-15mins delays in between each dish�.. to a table of six eating!! Only for us to find it was generally inedible, microwave reheated rubbish that we had to demanded a refund for.
Largely overpriced, which we expected for the area but also expected slighty superior food.
I cannot stress how dissapointed,and quite frankly offended we were!
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Lovely place to stop for a drink after work, and a fine plate of Sausage & mash if you're hungry. Worth popping in now it's been refurbished. (I couldn't spot the guy in the wig though - maybe he's gone into hiding?)
anonymous - 23 Feb 2006 11:56 |
I couldn't agree more with that last comment - a pub should be judged not by one staff members leanings but by all the pub has to offer.
And for the last time IT IS NOT A WIG ! I know 'cos I thought it was at first and lost good money betting that it was - it is totally real - now move on!
I also see that the pub is trying different themed nights on mondays ( one week a curry night, another a Quiz etc) but I am not sure how well these will go down in the Fleet St area?
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Ahhhhhhh - I'd not thought of the equestrian angle.
Make you right though Ashingdon Man - pubs shouldn't be judged on which way the staff 'lean'.
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Maybe a 'wig and syrup' is a stirrup? Perhaps he's an equestrian man????
Pubcider - your comments are by some margin, the most idiotic I've seen so far on this site. I'll judge a pub by it's beer, food and atmos, not the preferences of the staff.
Maybe you'd be more at home on a more fascist website?
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Call me old fashioned by I thought a syrup (syrup of figs) was a Wig. Or does he/she wear two ????
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The owner without doubt wears a wig and syrup!
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It must be pointed out that the new owner took over at the end of July and ran the King & Keys very much as it was until he had chance to close for the re-furb - which was for three weeks through October re-opening on October 26th - this is when many of the improvements including the new menu & wine list came in. Throughout this close down I was forced to use other local pubs and the only one with a warm welcome was The Witnes Box - I was glad to see the King & Keys re-open.
The main is bar person is very obviously gay, the owner, the chef and the barmaid are all straight, no-one wears a wig.
As a regular at this pub (not the 'mein host')I am dumb-struck that anyone could think of it as a gay venue (not that there would be anything wrong in that) its just that I have on sdeveral occasions 'pulled a cracker' in here - ( and on many others crashed and burned it must be admitted).
anonymous - 10 Nov 2005 14:44 |
Had to comment on this after the last 2 reviews - sounds like written by new 'mein host' ! Went in this pub in September and was struck by how 'gay' it was. Two blokes behind the bar, not quite sure which was the 'gay' one - both VERY suspect - especially the one with the wig! Food was ok - very basic. My guest said the wine choice lacked inspiration but my pint was fine. I work locally but wouldn't make this my regular
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Further to this new review - I couldn't agree more.
The King & Keys serves a fine pint - with two or three different ales, the new owner is an ex-camra area winner and has also run an evening standard pub of the year - so he knows his ale! As for the menu - tremendous! The burgers are from an award winning free range butcher, there is always a choice of three types of sausages, three types of mash & three types of gravy. Plus loads of other stuff on the menu as well. The wine list isn't cheap but has some great wines on for a pub including a fab white rioja at under �12 a bott. Good all round - there is not a no smoking area but the air con is very effective and the place rarely gets smokey.
anonymous - 8 Nov 2005 17:06 |
I don't know how homophobic the earlier commenter is but it is a gross mis-reprentation of this wonderful pub. The main barman is gay, and also very good at his job, he is ably assisted on the bar by a beautiful polish girl with a welcoming smile. The pub has a new owner as of July '05 - single, straight and and a good "mein host". The golden tee game has gone, the clientele is 50/50 mixed male/female, professionals. Since the new owner arrived the King & Keys has had a very tasteful re-furb : still traditional it is clean. air conditioned and comfortable. An extensive new wine lists and a great new menu complete the package. The food (under a new chef) is better than ever, still great portions and a good choice of vegetarian food as well as great sausages and burgers. This pub is a treat - it markets itself as "Your local in the City" and really is!
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We went in on a Saturday lunchtime to a very mixed clientele and not a gay man in sight(that I could tell anyway)! Excellent Guinness although expensive but the food was marvellous. Be warned if ordering a snack, the portions are huge!
Hucks - 18 Sep 2005 12:18 |
The comments below, from last year, may well have been accurate at the time, but unfortunately they aren't now.
I decided to try this pub recently on the basis of the recommendations below. I was shocked to find that it is now frequented almost entirely by gay men, and appears to be some kind of pick-up joint for their type. If you're not looking for that type of establishment - steer clear.
anonymous - 16 Mar 2005 13:41 |
Thie pub has just got 100% better .. Jamiroquai drinks in here now !!!!! Wowzers ! Ask the bar staff what happens if you come last in Golden Tee ! Its the long walk , trousers down by your ankles , to the door ! This pub is getting better and better.
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Never go into this pub on a friday lunchtime ! There is always a group of lads on the Golden Tee machine who think they own the place. I've asked for them to be chucked out on a number of occasions but the staff never take any notice. I'll be looking for other pubs soon. The food is great though and Helen the bar maid is a real cracker ... proper crumpet.
Roger Hargraves - 24 Sep 2004 11:30 |
This pub is great. I was in there on Thursday evening and spotted hollywood actress Charlize Therron ... straight up, no lie. She had been filming a Peter Sellers film in the area and had been drinking in there for the previous two weeks.
Daniel Suter - 24 Sep 2004 11:24 |
I just wantefd to add that the food is great. I always ask people what they are having and Raymondo always tells me how they make it etc. I like to repeat some of his recipies at hom. The polish bar staff are actually really nice ... i was out of order earlier ... their grasp of english is not as good as it could be ... that is all. A special mention for Helen who has aired all of the para-olympics from day1. Its also worth mentioning that the pub do a two for one meal deal on a monday. This is great news for Russ and myself as we both have quite large appetites. Good on you King and keys ... 8/10 from me as well. Russ will you marry me ?
Karen Collins - 23 Sep 2004 16:06 |
I first visited this pub on a friday lunchtime. I left at kicking out time with a cracking bird on my arm ! This place is superb. The beer is good and the staff are OK but the main feature are the chicks. I now go every friday and, with the exception of one week, have gone home with a gut full of beer and a young lady. The only downside are the toillets. I'm in a wheelchair and the toillets are downstairs ! Bad darts ! My mark is 8/10
Russell Wiltshire - 23 Sep 2004 12:52 |
I love this place ! Great beer and great food. I met my boyfriend, Russ, in here so we often go back for romantic evenings. Helen and the rest of the staff are very friendly and they have just installed a dart board. The cook Raymondo is fantastic. His sausage and steak baguette is to die for. The polish bar staff could do with a few lessons in manners but apart from that the place is super
Karen Collins - 22 Sep 2004 14:08 |
This pub is great, it sells beer and Helen and her team are the best bar crew going. Highly recommended, worth travelling from distant lands. Pest
Dan - 30 Jul 2004 15:51 |
If you want history then the Cheese next door is preferable. If you want beer then come here. The Pride is excellent especially compared to the swill in the Cheese which is just awful.
k - 20 May 2004 13:46 |
Not bad, but nothing special. Decent food. Nice, friendly, good to look at service. But with the Cheshire Cheese next door, what's the point?
jason - 8 Apr 2004 23:52 |
What a smashing pub, traditional beers ( Adnams Best and Pride )well kept, good food and extremely friendly service, - its one to keep going back to. Air-conditioned as well, I noted.
colin - 5 Feb 2004 13:32 |
Just to say that the pub is now leased out by Mitchells, new manageress, Helen, real ale, (Pride) place much cleaner and slick service and food. Comfy sofa's now also.
stuart thoorne - 6 Dec 2003 10:39 |
This pub is round the corner from my office and is good for a quick drink after work, especially in the summer as it's one of the few pubs in the area with space to sit outside. Not really that great otherwise but there's not much better in the area either.
Convincing?! - 7 Nov 2003 16:46 |
as the new manager of the king & Keys the past situation has changed. There is no longer the lack of standards or complacency that was previously attributable to this pub.I wish to make this site everything that my old and new customers want in this area, and productively act to make this the one and only pub to come to. please send your ideas and comments to me at this forum. cheers
anonymous - 13 Jul 2003 04:43 |
Next to Old Cheshire Cheese so why come in here? No real ale food awfull and expensive and no real life. I remember afore mentioned manager Andrew McCullock and atleast he tried to improve sorry reputation and slow trade with a bit of enthusiasm. Six Cons have installed faceless no body who doesn't speak to customers or show any ability or emotion. Small nothing winebar you should avoid.
Should this Company really advertise that an completely unsupervised trainee manager in his first appointment has screwed up so badly. I believe he was hung up to dry.
(dean Coulquin - 8 Jul 2003 16:13 |
Came in here 4.30pm Thursday and was only person in bar apart from barman and very drunk scotsman. He fell off his barstool twice while singing bryan adams songs very badly. later found out this was landlord, sounds like he does this quite often!
anonymous - 7 Apr 2003 11:47 |
Terrible cheesy small bar with no atmosphere or any life closes when last suit leaves sometimes as early as 6 on week days closed at weekends so not a pub with much night life or life atall really. Landlord always pissed
greg katanic - 24 Mar 2003 11:57 |
Small bar that always has friendly service, good simple food and warm atmosphere. Scottish landlord an amiable hospitable person.
arturo_morales - 18 Mar 2003 15:30 |
