The Kings Head in Carlisle

Very nice real ale, great food & nice friendly staff

Popped in with my retired dad who needed a place to sit down for 30min as he wanted out of the cold evening. Not wanting to be rude, I ordered a non-alcoholic beer and a water as I was driving once my dad was feeling better. I was mocked by the older bar man for my purchase which made us both feel extremely unwelcome. It seemed like a nice place on the outside, but I suggest going elsewhere unless you just want a larger and bad service.

So disappointed. We've been going for the last three years when we visit Carlisle and have enjoyed the beer and banter and spent quite a lot of money in there. However this time it's been a disappointment. Our friends walked in on Friday at 9:15 to be told the pub was shutting at 9 so was turned away. Last night we arrived at 7:05 to a full pub full of atmosphere only to be told by the landlord he was shutting at 7 and we were too late for a drink although the pub was full. Shame.

Lovely pub good price and the staff were super friendly and helpful

No kids allowed….back to the dark ages!!!

Good beer at competitive prices.

Authentic and good atmosphere. Although originally apparently faced with quite a grumpy landlord, he turned out to have a good sense of humour and gave very good guidance through the ales on draught, with free tasters as well. Got to come here when in town with limited time to stay.

Good pub food with friendly service. Good choice of beers.

An excellent find on a stop-off in Carlisle. Friendly staff and locals and some lovely real ales. Interesting reading about the history of the old city and this pub.

This is a great traditional pub.. Good ales and so is the food. Can’t understand the negative reviews, particularly against the landlord. We aren’t regulars, but it’s just friendly banter! and nothing to take offence against! Man up people..

I visited the Kings Head on two occasions and always enjoy the banter here. Having worked there for a number of years during my College days this place brings back a lot of fond memories:))) Mr Mike Vose along with the staff that he employs is always fantastic and a joy to work with as he leads from the front ensuring his staff are well looked after, a top manager on all accounts. Hope to see you all again soon and I will hopefully bring some others with me next time I come in. :)

Great staff knowledge and a good atmosphere. Excellent selection of real ales.

Only a stayed for one drink but was made to feel welcome

Visited this pub on the 20th of July 2024 ,upon entering we were greeted by a member of staff at the bar ,I myself asked if they did any shots as we were on a girls nite out ,only to be told that they dont do shots in this pub as that doesn’t meet there clientele , we didn’t feel welcome at all whilst in here .My friend spoke to the manager and told him to put a smile on his face ,for him to reply (I will when you’ve gone ).This is such as shame as the pub itself is lovely ,we didn’t even finish our drinks and left .Will not be returning after this experience .

Called in for a couple of real ales, nice atmosphere, staff and locals very friendly.

Traditional pub reasonable prices

Was hoping to sit down and have some lunch. Nothing outside to indicate that this place is adults only. Walked in. Immediately asked to leave. My 6 year old was upset as she didn't understand. The place was empty and now after coming to trip advisor I understand why. Seen someone has recommended the Howard Arms, I will try there next time.

Friendly pub with a good selection of quality cask ales

Only popped in for a quick drink, historic building, just needs some love & attention, bar lady friendly.

Rude landlord avoid at all cost, plenty of other places in town to spend my money, certainly not in this place

Nasty landlord not worth visiting this place as you won’t be made to feel welcome, Lots of other places to spend your money in Carlisle

Good value, lovely staff, will be back

Worst experience ever, rude owner need to reevaluate his priorities regarding service. Disgusting service, what a dump. Avoid those place at all costs people

Great host and great atmosphere. Very clean and reasonable prices.

The King's Head is amazing. The staff are very friendly and great food too highly recommended

Landlord allowed regulars to queue jump at the bar. Goes on in some bars I know. Then proceeded to comment on my clothes and then my order persistently with bar staff during the duration of pulling my fairly ordinary pint. I think pub is popular with local blokes that are the same vintage as landlord who live in Carlisle, don’t go if you’re not in that demographic

Please note. If you are ordering a round, please ensure you order the Guinness last... And don't use a bent card.

Miserable landlord. Popped in for a quick pint, served his mate before me, snippy comments about being patient, my jumper and then my order. Needs to reconsider career

Nice and pleasant pub and staff. Excellent food.

Great beer and loved the atmosphere

Excellent food. Pleasant service. Will call again when ever we are in the area

Decent gaff, pretty pricey for Cumbria but not as expensive as other cities. Highly recommended.

Little quiet but it was a Monday.

Friendly pub , good atmosphere ...good pint of Wainwright's x

Great wee pub. Real ale is very good

It's the cannymans of carlisle you have to experience this place the owner/manager is a scream Please look up cannymans of morningside of Edinburgh this will explain the kings head ...

Great friendly pub with a good atmosphere.

Nice enough traditional pub but the landlord leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. He's a rude and arrogant man and I definitely won't be going back. I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to set foot in the place. The guy likes to belittle others- just a nasty piece of work. Do yourselves a favour and avoid.

Great pub, great food good value and friendly atmosphere

Excellent place to get a beer and the staff is very friendly.

Didn't get food so not sure on this one.

We were seved drinksat least 2 hours before bar person came over please bear in mind had spent over £200 !at this stage he said quote keep noise down we had paid almost paid at least £10 in juke box every customer seemed ok with it we did apologise to customer but they did say best night in ages???? We were very upset to leave ??? Easily could have spent £500 as it was our friends birthday but guess you did not want us ???? Or our money

Nice historic place, ample seating and does a nice guest ale.

Decent traditional pub with a good atmosphere.

Another cracking wee find, not the biggest menu in the world, only serve till 3om. Great service , excellent food, nice and clean , very helpful staff, definitely value for money, all freshly cooked, walk past it's your own fault 🥰🥰🥰

Old fashioned gaffer in an old fashioned pub. Excellent place with a cracking atmosphere, great beer.

Friendly city pub to visit. Menu looked good for food, a nice choice and reasonably priced.

Busy today in Carlisle but liked going to this pub as the cask beers are good, but this landlord was foul mouthed, ignorant, arrogant & just rude. We stood at the bar and was told by the landlord " I'm looking around the bar to see any regulars to serve as I don't have many clean glasses anyone else can F'off !!! " We walked out and won't be going back EVER

Nice pint in here, always well kept

Enjoyed a double rum with ice before a trip to the Old Fire Station. Nice pub with a good range of real ales and pleasant service.

Very nice pub, staff really friendly great atmosphere 👍

Visited a couple of times on my travels, brilliant place. The food was good I only give food a 4/5 as the bar is set very high by my ladies home cooking. Welldone guys great pub.

The landlord was rude and miserable. The beer garden a complete dump!!

Why change a winning formula? This traditional unpretentious pub served me up an excellent scampi and chips (large portions) and a very fine pint of Esthwaite bitter. The friendly barman soon spotted and swopped my end of barrel pint for a fresh version before any harm was done. Together with meeting and chatting to the ex mayor of Rochester, I enjoyed a very pleasant couple of hours here. Highly recommended (although I can't promise a meeting with the ex mayor...)

Super friendly staff and lovely olde worlde feel inside but OMG sort your beer Garden Out. Rotten decrept decking trees growing from gutters etc and rubbish ceiling type gazebo type pergola type thing needs demolishing or finishing.

Lovely place. Great drink in an oldy worldly place.

Great pub just up the road from gig venue. Would visit again

New chef in and the food is fantastic. Great atmosphere and the variety of drinks are good and and always well looked after. Absolutely the best pub in town.

Looked like a good option for a spot of lunch with my family on a visit to Carlisle. Amazed to be told that, daytime, it was over 18s only. I understand after 6pm but on a quiet Wednesday? Tourist money spent elsewhere. How pubs hope to survive when they turn away custom. Sigh.

NOT DOG FRIENDLY, despite what website says !! So, I specifically headed here after checking website which boasts they are dog friendly. Just me and my dog, enjoyed 2 (good) pints, went to the bar for a 3rd, but was told “sorry, we don’t normally allow dogs on a weekend because it get too busy” and was asked to leave ???? The guy was nice enough, however the pub was quiet and the dog impeccably behaved (asleep under the table the whole time). I was astonished, and pointed out the website doesn’t mention this, but promptly left, and walked across the way to the ‘Howard’ which does equally good beer, was busier, but has no problem with dogs on a weekend ! If your not actually dog friendly, or have limitations, why not state this on your website ? save having to ask customers with well behaved dogs to leave. In my 50’s now, first time I’ve ever been booted out of a pub !!

This is a really nice pub. Just right if you want that English pub feeling. Not to loud, just relaxing and you can actually talk to your friends and hear what they say.

Visited after my son’s graduation on a rainy July day. Kind welcome and great home made, hearty and good value food. The steak pie came as a slice, top and bottom crust with lovely chunks of beef. Chips and gravy perfect. We also had a jacket and two burgers rated 5* (although I was so focused on my pie I didn’t pay them much attention!!). PS: it’s a pub so no kids - another bonus tbh!!

The real ale was excellent at reasonable prices, pity that pub closed just after 8pm.

Proper pub. Didn't have food, they serve a good pint and are very pleasant.

By far, the best pub in Carlisle

We came across this quaint little pub tucked down a side street off the main shopping area in the centre of Carlisle and decided to pop in for some lunch. We were greeted by a delightfully friendly woman behind the bar ,given menus, and told to sit where we like. The menu only had a handful of items, and I chose the steak pie with chips,peas, and a jug of gravy. There were only a few people in the pub so we were served immediately and our food arrived promptly. The meal was served on a large plate, and I was pleasantly surprised at the sizeable slab of steak pie I was given, which also tasted delicious. The thick-cut chips needed a little longer as they were frozen in the middle, but overall, the meal was nice and worth the money, although I would have liked more gravy, and I wouldn't have paid anymore.

The King's Head is a wonderful traditional pub with a very intimate atmosphere. We stopped by for lunch while passing through Carlisle on our travels. I had the smaller fish & chips while my partner opted for steak pie & chips. The fish was excellent, however the chips were quite thick & as such undercooked in the middle, plus there seemed to be mixed sizes (steak chips, French fries etc) so I left most of them, but it was reasonably priced, and I can imagine it's a belting little place on a weekend night. Lovely place, staff straightforward & attentive, kid certainly go back again. Just without the chips 🍟👍.

Wouldn't allow my friend to bring his small invalid carriage into the pub claiming they might get busy.

Basically I pop in here now and then on a Saturday after walking around the town and by that time I need to use the gents and have a sit down for 10 minutes. I always have a pint of Esthwaite Ale. Superbly kept. It's also dog friendly up to a point when not busy and there is a covered beer garden/ smoking area at the rear. Always seems to have cheerful regulars in.

Went for a pint and lunch. Both excellent and good value for money. Very friendly staff. Probably the best pub in Carlisle

Tbh been going there since I was 16 now 56, always, and still do go for the juke box which really is untouchable the tracks they have in there for my era... Its a great little pub in the heart of the city, well stocked good meals staff even smile occasionally, but it's the music/dukebox makes it a 5 star review .. Could be done with being turned up a touch though ay... 🤣

An excellent pub with good food and beers.

Saturday 18th December 2021 I visited this propper old-fashioned real ale public house There were ample real ales on, and the beers were locally brewed, and the atmosphere was excellent. The staff are helpful and all in all a must to visit for real ale when in Carlisle Satur This great real ale pub has many smashing great hand pumped real ale pub is a must to visit when here The landlord is a proper dry humoured top banana This landlord is my cup of tea I give this pub 6 out of 5👍😁😁😁

Great old style pub with great beers (and wine) and a fantastic Juke Box!

Great selection of ales and beers, good atmosphere

What a cracking pub, I'm staying in the crown and mitre in central Carlisle, And the kings head a mere 75 ft away, been there twice and as a excellent atmosphere, it also sells John Smith!

Proper good pub. Very good seclusion of whisky.

The staff can be just plain rude. Would have stayed for a few Guinness (even though its nearly £5 a pint) but the blonde lady really needs to consider going back to charm school. The place feels like its only welcoming to local regulars. The staff were bad here 15 years ago i see nothing has changed. Go to brewdog or lloyds at least the people there at least try. Won't be back.

Stopped into Carlisle on way to Scotland and found this pub for a light lunch. Very friendly staff and we enjoyed our baked potatoes.

Immaculately clean, only negative is that we found it a bit pricey on the moretti 🥺

Best pub i found in carlise traditional excellent choice of ales and staff freindly.

Superb little boozer, great selection of drinks served by very friendly staff who will chat away like you have known each other for ever! Food served daily up to 3pm, fresh and great value (Fish & Chips are awesome) The Landlord is a great bloke too... Best in Carlisle? I would say so..

Well the Kings Head is a bit like Marmite-love or hate it!-personally i love it Its is what it is -a traditional old town pub serving quality ale and solid enough pub grub fayre Never had any problems myself with any staff thhough you do need to get "mine hosts" sense of humour-drier than a very dry Martini!

Great Beer in a Traditional Pub

A gem of a traditional pub in the city centre. Nice pint & good food reasonably priced. Pleasant surroundings & friendly staff. A welcome alternative to the chain pubs who target the weekend trade.

Cosy pub, rustic decor with ample seating and lakeland ales. Friendly staff.

Pretty basic pub but felt comfortable and down to earth, decent ale too. One of the few good options for proper pubs in the middle of Carlisle.

Unreliable . . . The landlord closes the pub at will. He has no regard for the customer. Because of this, I will not visit it again.

Best pub in Carlisle away from the chain dominated Botchergate area. Nice atmosphere and always some decent local ales on offer. Great Juke box choices too.

Had a great lunch, reasonably priced, and great quality. I will definitely be back

An institution,been one of carlisles most popular pubs for decades.Aways relaxed atmosphere and great for a quick pint after a shopping trip or a drink prior to a show in town centre.

This pub is well situated in the city centre and one of the few remaining authentic pubs. The selection of real ales is not vast but the quality of the beers is very good and the staff know how to pour a pint of real ale which is not the case in other pubs. The pub also does food. Would recommend this pub if you want a decent pint of real ale.

Bit of naughty language!!!!! But ale always good

Awful rude man kicked us and our dog out on Christmas Eve because it was ‘too busy for that sort of thing’. No signs anywhere to say they don’t allow dogs. Have a lovely Christmas mate 👍

Always worth a visit. Your "Local" in the heart of the City. Good selection of guest beers that regularly cganges.

Was visiting Carlisle today and found this wee pub, really nice, friendly atmosphere, a few locals in but didn't distract the staff from making strangers welcome. My partner and I both had meals and it was lovely, dispite being strangers we didn't feel awkward in amongst locals and regulars, would use again if in Carlisle. Thank you to all the staff.

Having looked around the Christmas market, myself and family decided to head to the kings Head for a drink. The family found a table and I headed to the bar to order some drinks. While queuing for drinks a family member came to me and said we had to leave as children were not welcome. Well you done us a favour as we found another bar called the HOWARD ARMS who could not have been more welcoming. We had a couple of drinks and some food in nice pleasant surroundings and fantastic staff. If I was the manager of the Kings Head, I would be concerned at the number of terrible reviews you are getting. Maybe pay the Howard Arms a visit and learn how they treat their customers.

Good pint Kirkstall ,good service

Almocei no dia 02/11. Almoço excelente, atendimento muito bom e ótimo preço. Ambiente muito aconchegante. Nota 10 em limpeza. Recomendo.

Old city centre public house located in the historic centre. Hasn't change for years.