Central Station

Central Station is not the classiest of establishments.

I'm sure it has a very loyal, local clientèle, but I'm afraid I won't be back.

In the area with a few hours to kill, The Mrs remembers - somewhere around here is one of the oldest gay bars. Central station. Not one to miss out on a dodgy gay bar, we Yelp it and start the trek.

On the approach; our negative suspicions were proved right as we saw the well worn exterior of the pub. Taking a deep breath we ventured in. On first impressions it actually looked quite nice. Deep purple painted walls and trendy wall paper. A light and airy look.

The Problems started when we ordered a drink at the bar. Drinks weren't cheap and I got what I believe to be the dirtiest pint ever had the displeasure of drinking. It just tasted foul, like the lines hadn't been cleaned, ever. Everywhere on the bar and tables seemed to already be wet. Even for 8pm on a Friday night the atmosphere was lifeless with just a scattering of lone men sitting around the place. Bar flies were a staple here. As standard, there was no lock on the ladies - which was another delight.

Describing itself as a 'restaurant' even going so far as putting itself on TopTable I was sceptical. I'm afraid we didn't brave the food as the menu didn't look very appetising.

Now there is a club downstairs, and a pool table lives out the back so I'm sure there are better nights to go there and when there are people I'm sure its a hoot.

But. No. Just. No

This is a traditional old school gay bar, club ('Underground' in the basement) and budget hotel. Very welcoming, confident and uncompromising in its culture and identity. As a bar, it's not hip nor stylish but offers a welcome home to a variety of local community events embracing all aspects of queer and allied trade identities including regular socials for trans people, cross dressers and their admirers - if you're no comfortable with this then prepare to see your horses frightened! If you are then enjoy one of the warmest spaces in town. The hotel (perhaps more B&B) is clean but dated, with reasonable facilities and a can do attitude. They have a lovely little roof terrace and while hardly boutique, it does a great breakfast fry up and a proper cup of tea - a rare find in that big London these days.

Stopped in for a beer while a fun drag show was on. Had a great time with the friendly customers but the bartender needs to get off his phone.

Quite possibly THE worst, most undrinkable pint of ale that I've ever had. Urgh! Dimly lit, loud music. Karaoke later. But I couldn't finish my pint to stay any longer. I now feel a bit queasy.

Delightful, welcoming, easy atmosphere. Not for a crazy night, but for a calm night with dear friends.

Almost a North London institution, and one of the longest established gay clubs/bars in the area, it has undergone a fairly big makeover in the last couple of years as the rest of King's Cross drags itself into its new era of regeneration. In an attempt to attract a more mixed, cosmopolitan crowd the first floor club has been closed and converted into a restaurant and beer garden, and the upper floors are now a fairly good budget hotel. Overall the food is really nice, and although the accommodation is basic - the rooms are not en suite - they are well furnished and clean. The noise from the ground floor bar and basement nightclub does leak into the upstairs bedrooms however. In most evenings there is a regular programme of gay cabaret in the main ground floor bar.


In an attempt to distance itself from its seedy past, Central Station's basement fetish-oriented nightclub has been rebranded "The Underground" and isn't accessible anymore from the rest of the building - having its own separate entrance. This is the one area which is still strictly "gentlemen only"... say no more! Listings of what's happening each week are published in Boyz magazine.