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Mon-Thu. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
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While the time wasn't six o'clock and I didn't have a Swatch Watch, I still didn't have time to chill - I had a 'Leonid Watching Date' - and I couldn't be late. (Hey!) The girl wasn't gonna do me...
If you're looking to 'smack it up, flip it, or rub it down' (Oh, no!), Ye Olde Kings Head probably isn't the place for you. Likewise - if you're "backstage, underage, or adolescent" (and "like to do the wild thing") - please steer clear of me when I'm posted up at the bar. I have no pressing desire to appear on 'To Catch A Predator.'
On the contrary, however, if you're looking for a tasty Black & Tan - perhaps a little footie - or a competitive game of darts, you can do much worse than this casual, Santa Monica watering hole. If the name didn't tip you off, let me state it plainly: it's a no-frills, British Pub.
And while the lyrics of Bel Biv Devoe's 'Do Me' may not be relevant to my experience at Ye Olde Kings Head, 'Poison' posits a universal truth that every man should know by heart:
"Never trust a big butt and a smile."
I know I don't.
LOVES IT!
I really liked it,
but maybe because it was happy hour...
and I didn't eat...
and all I did was take shots...
and it was close to my destination...
and after two kamikaze shots (WHICH WERE HUGE, BTW)...
you don't give a shit what something looks like, or smells like.
It's much like dating.
The barkeep made us 4 perfect kamikaze shots with fresh lemon juice, which is basically ALL a bar needs to do to win me over. Fresh citrus.
Now you know...please don't take advantage of me...
Went the other night after work - wasn't too hungry - I had a bowl of the clam chowder (YUM) and it was just enough - of course I had to have a beer...
Hubs had the queen size (1 piece) fish and chips and the kiddo had the spaghetti kids meal. Oh - also had to have the hot chocolate cake with ice cream.
Total bill was around $64 including tax and tip...kinda pricey.
I think though that I need to go on Sunday for their leg of lamb special - Oh did I mention that their mashed potatoes are killer and they serve mint jelly with their lamb? :)
The three stars are for the clam chowder and the Fish and Chips which I L-O-V-E!
The rest can EFF off!
Service is the worst! Good thing I work about a block away and get it to go.
Maybe it was because the sun was still high...and the breeze was warm that I didn't quite enjoy my meal as much as I'd hoped for... I mean, eating British fare, one almost has to have an expectation of an overcast day where sunglasses and a fine squint aren't necessary, right? ... Or maybe it's because I've yet to find anyone or any place that can master Shepherd's Pie quite like my mum. No matter how often I've made the attempt to recapture my favorite end-of-the-month (ie. end of the budget) childhood meal... it just never happens.
The shepherd's pie at Ye Olde King's Head was maybe quite good...for what it was... ground beef and mashed potatoes and a side of carrots and broccoli... all of which was bland and tasteless... which is often the way Brit food IS described...so I suppose... eh, yes... it could have been rather 'good'....or expected, at least...
Eh, no. I wouldn't order it again. It was boring. I was so bored my head almost landed in that dish of potatoes a couple times... and really, I don't like cooked carrots and that the veggies were on the side - and not at the bottom of the little casserole dish the way I remember as a kid....
(My mom, sneaking in the vegetables -SURPRISE!- all mixed in with ground beef seasoned with garlic and pepper....the potatoes topped off with cheese and a handful of crumbled potato chips.... Ahhh... now THAT is Shepherd's Pie, my friends.)
So lesson learned... for me and my mate... whose dish I was eating off of more than my own.
I will say this - the fish and chips at Ye Olde Kings Head are delicious... especially that cod. Damn. Yep, of the finest pieces of cod I ever did eat, just as the menu states. Good thing he had the foresight to order the King Size.... (he knows me well...and no doubt knew I'd be disappointed in the pie)
So, I'd go back in a second... for fish and chips... but for shepherd's pie... I'll stick with memories and mom.
Queens breakfast is our favorite with a pot of tea that stays hot throughout your breakfast. All is well, but don't ask for substitutions (they're not fond of them) and over medium eggs in England means over easy here. It seems that way no matter how many times we go back. Enjoy the fish and chips (most things you can split - especially if your having a pint as well. They do know how to pull a good Guinness). I can't part with more than 3 or better yet 2.5 stars as the service is matter of fact. It seems like they are prepared more for tourist than locals (see tipping instructions alongside your bill when it arrives and the thank yous in 5 languages).
We usually visit about every 3rd month, but this last visit was just o.k.
I am a regular at this place and my husband and I love the vegetarian options- I know surprising at an English pub. We usually get the vegetarian shepherds pie, farmer's market salad or the branston & cheese sandwich. Great place to hang out with friends and get drinks and food. If you like it a bit more quiet, try out the back bar - you can actually hold a conversation without a bunch of noise playing.
Uhhh...why am I here?
Seriously, can we go?
Wasn't a question.
I have to give Ye Olde King's Head 2 stars for the best French fries in LA, they're addictive! For $4 a basket($7 with guacamole) they're a bit pricey for a pub, but worth it once in a while.
I have to take 2 stars away because it comes across as a British "themed" pub rather than a real one due to the fact that the menu is pretty much a mixture of English items, items with English sounding names(British quesadilla anyone?), and standard American bar food.
Another star says bye bye because the place is so overpriced, like the $5.95 samosas or the $10.95 tostada. A side of English peas for $4 anyone? Branston pickles for $3?? A side of rice for $4?? Bangers and mash or shepherd's pie for $9.50?
They also broadcast all of the Premiere League matches as well as rugby matches, so those events tend to bring in more locals and expats. Some come in then, and enjoy the fries/chips. But in general, the restaurant as well as the shoppe seemto be geared towards the tourist novelty market.
Good for a brew but don't waste your calories on the food. If you like heavy British cooking maybe you can handle it.
Well let's start with the fact that it smells like piss in the bar, and I've been to some shit bars in SF and NYC. Nothing special about the beer or food selection, and $12 for a carbomb? You've got to be out of your mind.
I didn't want to go here because my English friends told me to avoid it at all costs, recommending instead The Daily Pint for both cleanliness and superior beer selection. They were right.
This is my Winchester.
How's that for a slice of fried gold?
-s
Bland food, over priced, dirty, smelly, OK service, good location.
I'm a fan, I haven't found alot of places that have Scotch Eggs ( mmmmmm ) and the fish and chips, while overpriced can be split between 2 people easily.
The bar part looks like a frat nightmare, you should be fine as long as you stick the restaurant side and keep in mind it is in a touristy area so parking can be an issue.
I'm still looking for *the* spot for shephard's pie and ploughman's pie but I think the fish and chips here are going to be hard to be beat.
I haven't been here in years, but I can tell you that if you want fish-n-chips, this is the place. The portions are huge, and every bite is delicious.
We used to go here regularly when I was a kid and lived in LA, and even returned a couple of times after moving to San Diego.
A great place to see a Soccer game.. But then again, who the hell watches Soccer in SoCal? Wait, we even have a soccer team? What sort of Galaxy are we living in?
I have to admit, I'm a Manchester United fan. Why? Why the hell not. It's the first team I actually go into Soccer to whatever limited degree I am interested in Soccer with.
The food here was pretty decent. It's British pub food and well, it's actually good. Don't let what everyone says about British food fool you. The only problem is that there's hard food.. yes.. that should explain the bad teeth... Ok, maybe not. But still.
The best part of this place is the beer on tap. I mean, how could you not want to get in on it. If you're a fan of the whole british pub scene or the food you can get in said pub, this place will make you happy.
I mean, they have Boddingtons on tap. How could you not give them a high rating for having it on tap? That's just like insulting the queen! Righty-O, chip chip and all that good stuff. Come here and get your Harry Potter on.... Ok, I've made enough British stereotypes. On to getting my bangers and mash on.
OK HERE GOES
so, the good first
BOTTINGTONs, i love this beer, and they have it on tap here
no pitches here though, only pints, i think i spent around $22 on 3 pints... dont really recall, but probably $7 per pint
the atmosphere is nice, we came here on a friday night and it wasnt too loud, not too packed
the ppl seemed cool
the decor was great, the seating was nice, nice booths
nice art work
there was a GA Bulldogs picture and banner, which i thought was cool since im from GA
there is outdoor seating for the restaurant, pretty ivy growing on the brick, very eastcoast feel to it
THE BAD
the bartender took FOREVER, she was in a deep conversation with some guy, im sorry if im cockblocking, really, i hate cockblockers, but after 5 min of standing there waiting to be served by the ONE bartender, i was getting impatient. i mean, she could have served me really fast and got back to her convo instead of letting me stand there awkwardly.... bah.... minus half a star
bad #2, also the reason why this place loses a star - we had some left over pizza from Johnny's, some of the ladies were munching on them while enjoying their pints of beer, then out of nowhere, this guy comes out and starts yelling at all of us
"don't bring food in here! why would you be eating outside food in a restaurant? what is wrong with you"
we say
"so sorry, we apologize"
we put the pizza away
THE GUY CONTINUES TO RANT
and i mean RANT, even though we were apologetic and immediately put the slice of pizza away, he continued to YELL at us, i mean, full on-red in the face- crazy man YELLING
jeeze...
i understand, i mean, we arent stupid insensitive ppl who dont know about basic etiquette, i mean, NEVER bring outside food into a restaurant, but BUT BUT the RESTAURANT WAS CLOSED!!!!! it was 1am on a friday night! only thing served was alcohol! beers! that is all
AND, WE ALL BOUGHT A PINT
$7/pint x 12 people = $84
plus at least $1 tip per person = $12 for the bartender (i tipped her very well considering she left me standing there for a while)
what a horrible gen mgr... can you not see the benefits of having us here?
we will never go back again
I used to be a big fan of their fish and chips, but somehow last night I didn't seem to enjoy my fish as much. The piece of fish was a good size and the batter was very light and crispy. However, somehow there was a certain taste in the batter/oil that made me have second thoughts...Nevertheless, most tables were ordering the fish and chips.
At $13.95 for one piece of fish, I'm sure you could find a better bargain elsewhere...
A great English pub in Santa Monica.
This place is an amazing spot to watch football (to be clear, futbol). The crowd always has a few Brits and the beer on tap is great, you can't beat fuller's and kronenbourg. The food is also quite tasty specifically the fish and chips and bangers and mash.
This is a pub that has a light smell of urine. I have not tried the food, but judging from the smell I really don't want to. The bar is cheap and full of characters. I personally enjoyed watching and silently mocking, but not enough to make me want to come back.
Food, Atmosphere, Booze, Location...All good. I had been here well over ten years back and the place has hardly changed in my memory but it sure was a blast sitting on the patio having a pint with some fish and chips as the sun lowers in the distance. Trying a Scotch Egg was new for me, hard boiled egg wrapped in sausage and deep fried. Does anything else sound as romantic as fried food and beers followed by an evening of cinema where Nazi's get killed? I loved it!!!
Having lived in England for a bit and dating a British lad for 6 years, I know a little bit about British cuisine.
Kudos to Kings Head for offering decent sized portions, knowing how to make a Snake Bite drink, and offering karaoke on Sunday nights.
What I don't like is the pricey menu for simple items like fish and chips or shepard's pie. The service is terrible. I have eaten here quite a few times, as I work around the corner, and I have never experienced good customer service in the place.
The King's Head is good for a pint of beer with friends during the afternoon. I wouldn't recommend eating here. Go to Cafe Crepe or Buddha's Belly instead.
I was back at Kings Head this morning. Yes that's right, this morning.......to watch the big soccer game with Yelpers at Ricky's UYE.
The place was packed!
And I was starved. I ordered scrambled eggs and an English muffin. Almost every restaurant screws up English muffins: they need to be hot & crisp, served with ample butter and (preferably) orange marmalade.
Guess what? Despite the huge beer-guzzling crowd, my breakfast was perfect. Turns out this British pub knows how to do an English muffin.
No wise cracks now, this is serious...... ; )
I used to live a few blocks away from Kings Head and never ventured in the place until our Yelper… Read more »
I'm not a big fan of Santa Monica... or the westside for that matter but I happen to work in the neighborhood so sometimes this is where I'm found. When I want a solid good meal, I head to the Kings Head.
The banger sandwich is damn good. Cornish pasties are to die for and wonderful comfort food.
The service is tops. The atmosphere is lively and comfortable. Good fun when there's a football match on the tele as well.
Tea tastes better when you've got an enourmous portrait of Winston Churchill staring at you too.
Cheers.
I definitely like this place for a little theme outing. The beer is good and the bartenders are generous. We went here for my friend's 21st a year and a half ago for the first time, and even with a huge group, we got several rounds of free shots to celebrate. That was a fun night. I've been back with groups of friends for dinner and drinks since then - the last time I went, I had a delicious cup of clam chowder, and everyone else's food looked good as well. It's a bit expensive, but the portions are decent.
Bonus star for the good looking lads from the UK you are bound to encounter here :)
There's something I should tell you: I'm a big anglophile. I like most things British, including tea, crumpets, The British Museum, Covent Garden, and the like. I also enjoy a good Fish and Chips plate, and Ye Olde Kings Head does not disappoint. Some of us came here for dinner before a movie showing. Here's what I had:
King's Portion Fish and Chips - The stylish Shauna D. and I split this majestic dish. Two large portions of fish, each the size of a small bread loaf, battered in a truly royal breading. When I tasted it, my first thought was "God Save the Queen, this is Good!" It comes with tartar sauce, and enough fries for a Duke.
2007 Parducci Cabernet - Like me, this was a bit of California in Merry Ol' England. Rich and robust, I was proper this time, and only drank one glass.
Mushroom Soup - I ordered a cup of this savory decoction. It was a daily special, so it's not always offered, but if it's there, GET IT! The ratio of mushroom to soup was perfect.
Scotch Egg - Shauna ordered this, and I was highly impressed. It's a hard boiled egg, completely encompassed by sausage. The whole compound is then masked in breadcrumbs. I will get this wondrous monstrosity for myself next time.
I love all the pictures and paintings that wallpaper every spot of the rooms. Our server was a tall, Nordic blond with an authentic accent, and friendly. I would suggest parking in one of the Santa Monica Public Car Parks because they are open later than other garages (Some in the area close at Midnight). Their wine selection is good, and the desserts sound salacious. Will definitely be back for their Happy Hour.
Do you like Brits? Do you like darts? Do you like soccer and/or rugby? Do you like good beers?
If you answered yes to all of these, then you will thoroughly enjoy Kings Head. Service is very friendly, beer selection is great, and darts are key (just remember to not play for points as the next team is waiting for you to finish and you probably aren't good enough to win).
Seems like everyone on my friends list has reviewed this place! Well, it did not dissappoint indeed. I was so satisfied with the fish and chips ... perfect batter and great tasting fresh fish. The Scottish egg is unique to say the least ... a hard-boiled egg enveloped in ground sausage and bread crumbs and it comes with a side of gravy for dipping. WOW!! AMAZING!! Sitting outside on a warm summer afternoon paired with some Fat Bastard chardonnay and good company made this a meal of perfection.
When my friend said that coming here would transport me back to our study abroad days in London, I said "When can we go?!"
Upon walking in, there are clear similarities: dark wood, foreign accents, dimmed lighting.
The layout is American though with lots of booths, low ceilings and multiple rooms.
And did I mention there are about 20 beers on tap? Totally American. The beers they offer? Definitely European.
Talk about a perfect mix.
A no nonsense British pub. Not because you have a good time, but because it sticks to its roots. Any specialty from the British Empire is yours to order, and they're pretty decent too. Lunch portions are a bit small, but cheaper. The bangers and mash was a little disappointing but still tasty. As others have said, try the fish and chips.
It's a good place for a lunch outing since it's not usually crowded at that time and a big group can easily get a table indoors or out. Good food, good beer, good laughs. And it's right near the beach.
A very popular place. I think this is not because there's anything particularly good about it, but rather because there's nothing particularly bad about it. The food is fine. I wouldn't eat it if I weren't coming in to have a drink and/or a watch a game, but I'm totally snobby. The beer selection is OK -- a little weak for the area though. The best things are the flat-screen TVs showing sports and the boisterous but not fratty atmosphere. And the fact that I live around the corner.
There were a lot of pictures of celebrities who seem to have visited this place or met the owner on the wall. Hugh Hefner, Gordon Ramsay, David Beckham, and many more.
The waitress was not friendly. I do not think she was discriminating against us because she seemed to treat everyone the same way.
I liked the boiled eggs in the scotch eggs because I always like to eat boiled eggs. I did not like the breading and sausage that surrounded the boiled egg. It was crumbly and tasted more like bread than sausage.
The liver and onions were just okay. The peas were probably frozen. The mashed potatoes was very creamy and tasted great.
I like Irish beer here the best!
That is one, big, delicious filet of fried fish - crunchy-batter, British-style, and not fishy-tasting at all. Tasty beer too!
In my opinion (and the opinion of one of my British friends), the best fish and chips in L.A., and… Read more »
I didn't really get a good enough idea of the place, hence the 3 stars but I'm going to have to go back and update this soon.
Met Ace L (she's now a real person not just a charlie chaplin photo!) and fellow yelpers for lunch. I had a late breakfast so I wasn't that hungry. I ordered a salad and a ginger brew. BEST GINGER BREW EVER! Soooo good!
Decor: The place is decked out with photos of Kings and Queens of England. Huge frames protect the paintings.
Food: Greasy McGreaserton. Try the Shepherd's Pie -delish
Service: The woman had an English accent which made my day. There's nothing worse than going into a traditional restaurant and getting a not-so-traditional, rude waiter! hahah
I'll probably go back so I can try some of their other dishes...we'll see.
Hell freaking yes. The fish n' chips is the best battered fish I have ever had in my life. I also crave the steak guinness and mushroom pie - it has the lightest puff pastry topping.
I highly recommend - it's always busy, but never a wait.
Parking for $3 at the mall was the perfect walking distance and worth the money. Lots of nearby shops and restaurants on 3rd st promenade. First time here in the pub area...found a spot to sit easily even though it was jammed packed so thumbs up for that. First beer was ordered at the bar and the next two were brought by a nice cocktail waitress. She was there at just the right times! Walked to the beach after the tasty beers to end a great summer night. cheers!
My brother and I used to eat dinner here almost weekly. It has been a little while since we have been back, I think because we went through almost the entire menu.
Food: This place is known for its Fish and Chips. I have to say they are very good, but not near the best I have had. I grew up on the North Coast of California and fish and chips joints are a dime a dozen up there. I have to say the the King's head's are very generously portioned. The Queen Size will easily feed one normal person. Out comes a full fillet covered in crispy batter, though sometimes there is a little too much batter for my taste. The fries are always pretty good. Aside from their flagship, they have other good offerings, I personally like the Bangers and Mash, with some spicy mustard, and the Chicken Tika Masala, which is a very flavorful curried chicken dish with rice and Naan bread on the side. Other notables include the steak and guinness pie and the Cornish Pastie. Overall, most of it is pretty good and at the least, better than mediocre.
Drinks: They have a great selection of beers on draft. They also have a full bar, but I am a beer guy. I usually go with a Smithwicks. The prices are normal for the area, about $6 a beer.
Atmosphere: It is nice, a little more formal in the dining room and definitely more casual in the bar area. My brother and I prefer to sit in the bar. The service is fast and very courteous. We even have a regular server that always treats us well. This place is great for a casual dinner on an off night such as Monday or Tuesday, it gets pretty busy just about any other night of the week. Don't even try to get a table in the bar on Wednesdays, that is Pub Quiz night, which is actually pretty fun.
Overall, pretty good food, nice atmosphere and overall good service. I would probably rate it higher , if I hadn't tired a little of the food after having ate their so often. We do still go back because it is a nice change of pace from many other west side joints.
A brit pub in Santa Monica? Hm.. now how authentically "Brit" can this place be? Well if they are able to serve bland, bad tasting food, I suppose it is authentic.
Okay all bad jokes aside, I kind of like it at King's head. To eat, they have the usual British pub food offerings such as fish and chips, burgers, sheperd's pie, liver & onions, and even chicken tikki masala! I decided to get a chicken sandwich and substitute the fries for vegetables. What is most interesting is that the vegetables were peas and brussel sprouts. Brussel sprouts!! The health nut in me appreciated it, but if you hate them.. don't order the veggies!!
At the bar, they serve various British beers on tap. I enjoy the British beer Boddingtons. The ambiance is very laid-back with people chitchatting and usually there's some game on TV. On Sundays, they have open karaoke, where people can go up and sing. Fun times!!
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Flowers & Gifts
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Irish
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