Off to see Horsegirl at the Scala on Friday - my first time at the venue. I understand it’s not the best part of London, but any recommendations for things to do, eat and drink within, say, a 30 minute walking distance?
It’s going to be hot, hot, hot on Friday, so what I really want to do is spend the afternoon sitting outside in the shade, people watching, and drinking a couple of decent beers and eating a pizza or a burger, but cool museums, bookshops, cafes etc are also of interest. I’ve got the day off so heading down around lunchtime.
A hot, June Friday in London and in my head I’m thinking of The Kinks Waterloo Sunset. I’m worried the reality is I’m too sweaty and there’s too many tourists, and I can’t get a seat anywhere.
I used to go to the Norfolk Arms on Leigh Street a bunch but it’s been years now. It’s right opposite the Black Books bookshop, if that’s of any interest.
Wander down into Bloomsbury and there are plenty of those.
King Charles I is my favourite pub and a v short walk away, the outside area (which is essentially just pavement, they’ve taken away the benches last few times I’ve been) will likely be packed. Remarkably for London you can still get a cask pint for under a fiver.
The Constitution is a short and interesting walk up the canal from KX and is alright and has a big old outside area. As Roasty says, Queens Head is nice too. Big Chill is right by Scala and has a bit of a roof, not my favourite place round there.
It’s a hot Friday in London, so in all likelihood everything will be rammed, so try and get a spot in the afternoon and hoooooooold would be my approach.
it’s near the british library, wellcome collection, etc. bunch of nice pubs. you’ve also got coaldrops yard which is like a bougie market for street salads and 8 quid pints by the canal.
I quite like Kings Cross. It’s so central - you could probably walk to the west end in 30 mins, and the Regents Park is pretty close too. King Charles I is great, and I love the Queens Head too.
Thanks all, really appreciate it. Looks like I’ve got lots of choice - maybe too much choice! The King Charles & Queens Head looks like my kind of London pub and Exmouth Market looks good for a chicken burger and an expensive craft beer.
Enjoy! Going to the second show the following Sunday and I cannot wait. Their new album has really hit the right spot.
There’s a lot worse. The area has undergone significant gentrification - for better or worse - in recent decades. Compared to what it was like in the early 90s when I first visited it’s completely unrecognisable, both structurally and socially.
Echoing other suggestions already suggested, the British Library also has building tours every Fridays and Sundays:
Thanks again, all. Speaking as someone from a provincial Midlands town where there is basically one decent pub, one half-decent restaurant, and a Nandos, I find the choice in London very overwhelming!
I’ve eaten at Coin Laundry & Morito on Exmouth Market, both really good! Coin Laundry is more nice pub food, and Morito is a more tapas vibe (bit more pricey but really good)
How hot and sweaty is the Scala going to be tomorrow night? It’s my first time there and the venue reviews don’t seem great. My last gig was at the Manchester Co-op, which for an old man was perfect - small queues, clean toilets, air-con, great sound, comfortable seating
