The Kings Head in Carlisle

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.

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

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 🥰🥰🥰

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

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.

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 !!

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!!

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

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!

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.

“Are you doing food?” “Yes, tomorrow.” Sarcastic smart Alec barman. We buy a pint. Our dog is told to leave. “Can we drink in the outside space you advertise ?” “No. No dogs allowed in the outside space. Stand in the street.” Why is this place still trading?

I would just like to point out for the second time that my relative visited this pub for a casual drink to be refused service due to "BAD HYGIENE". First of all they do not have bad personal hygiene second of all he has a mental health condition and the manager didn't seem to care that he called him out Infront of everyone crushing his confidence . Not to mention that he expects everyone with a mental health condition should carry a sign above there heads to let people know to be sensitive. The people that run this ship are disgusting and this will be taken further. I have worked in working men's clubs before serving all walks of life including the homeless and would never of treaten people with this much disrespect in my life regardless of hygiene or not! I certainly would not of disgraced a CUSTOMER in front of many others like this and had an attitude to a compliant. Heineken have been contacted regarding this matter

On 26th September 2022, as a local person I assisted two ladies on a final leg of the Cumbria Way. We dropped into The King's Head, knowing it as a CAMRA recommended pub(or certainly has been), and I knew its former high reputation; we looked the part of tourists, with wearing rucksacks. We ordered a pint with a coffee and a wine. We, as a customer asked if there was oat based milk for the coffee? I know it is not a normal request but instead of respectfully replying to the lady,'I am sorry but we don't have the call for such and don't stock it', we got, "I have been in here for 20 years and you are the first one to ask that, why would I have any? No we don't". That was on top of other sarcastic banter, on his part. Having poured the pint first it was clearly short and in a wide topped glass. While he sorted out the rest of the order I waited, and he even served another customer. I then asked for the pint to be topped up. He just looked at me, scooped up the pint, poured a smidge in it and unceremoniously planted it back on the bar and walked off; the pub was NOT busy. What is wrong with enhancing the high standards of a CAMRA recommended inn in giving reassuring customer service by saying, 'My apologies sir, certainly', then serving the proper pint measure(or close to, with an acceptable head); a good landlord rechecks a pint that was lively to pour, to ensure proper service to a valued customer. I think he saw rucksacks and an opportunity to practice his 'witty charm' on tourists, and was arrogant in his measure of serving, preferring to give short measures to what he thought was a tourist only.

THE RUCKSACK MEN We were hoping for a warm welcome here, but instead were greeted by a barrage of obnoxious sarcasm from the landlord, whose sole reason for living seemed to be to amuse his Tuesday afternoon regulars, at the expense of unfamiliar punters (seems to be a “local pub for local people”). Sat in the beer garden, which was more detention centre than garden, drank our pints and left. Spoke later to a number of other pub and bar owners in Carlisle, who raised their eyebrows and smiled knowingly when we recounted our experience, saying that they weren’t a bit surprised. Avoid this place at all costs.

Three of us took the burger and honestly all of us thought it was the worst burger ever. Extremly very well done. The beer was good but don’t eat here!!

Found this pub when looking for somewhere to have lunch in Carlisle. The food was tasty and filling, with top marks to the Cumberland sausage. The lady behind the bar was friendly and helpful. Unexpected bonus - great music playlist, played at a decent volume...

Great trad pub, great bar and groovy tunes 👍😊😁 Found on trip adviser this is a really nice pub not too far from the railway station. Highly recommended!

Met by a very friendly bar staff on a miserable Tuesday afternoon, which immediately cheered us up. The menu was short and sweet and we both ordered an old dish that took us back to our youth, sausage (Cumberland of course) egg, chips and beans....

The Kings Head is an old, historic pub in the city centre. As such, it almost felt obligatory to see what it’s like. Apart from a couple of bits of unnecessary electronic machines, it is pretty much what you would expect of an ancient pub,...

Nice quiet traditional pub. Cosy area at rear. Also had covered patio area at the back. Good atmosphere and quality drinks. Right in the town centre at back of precinct. Really enjoyed our time here. Will definitely return and recommend.

Like many others here I found this place a total dive. 4 hand pumps but only 2 working. Asked for 2 pints of one of them and, after a few pulls, was told bluntly that 'You won't be getting any of that'. Asked for the...

Traditional real ale pub in town centre. Good range of beers and quality excellent. Bar staff very pleasant and helpful. Recommended.

Went for a drink, we were greeted by the young lady behind the bar, rather sternly asking if we were looking to stay indoors or go outside and for how many. We asked to go outside, we were escorted outside by another really polite young...

Popped in for the 2nd time in 2 yrs to be greeted by the same 'bar maid' from the previous year who was (yest again) pretty rude advising that we can't sit inside. Told her happy to sit outside but in the shade if available....

5 out of 5 for being a great old beery pub yesterday (Saturday). 0 out of 5 for being unaccountably closed today (Sunday) lunchtime. Average (rounding up) is 3. Leaving Carlisle in the morning so that's that.

Pulled in to the Kings Head by mysterious magnetic forces!-glad I was. Quality ale at a decent price kept by a landlord who knows his ale Very safe and aware of safe distance etc at this time Pleasant and clean decor with an old pub...

Popped into the king's head today around 1pm with my 17 year old daughter for a bar meal & drink while we waited for other family members my daughter went to sit down I ordered to pints of coke only to be told I would...

We visited this pub several times during our holiday, and I loved it, good beer and a lively atmosphere, to be honest, I didn't know they served food which is a shame as we left twice to get food elsewhere, good staff and good beer...

Absolutely disgusted by the way myself and my father were spoken to by the young girl behind the bar with pixie hair cut. Firstly told me she will give me whatever glass she wants to give me when i politely asked if i could have...

The appearance and history boards, on the outside, make this place seem cozy and atmospheric. However inside, it’s just a pub. Not a bad one, but very run of the mill. Not what we were expecting and nothing particularly to drag you back. Friendly enough...

We liked this old traditional english pub: very kind staff, nice anche cheap beers, wonderful atmosphere. It has a very small garden.

Saturday lunchtime and decided to have a lunch out while shopping.Quite early so not too busy, ordered drinks and food and grabbed a table.Staff were helpful and friendly and food came out quickly.Not a high end food offering but couldn't fault either meal, reasonably priced solid pub food.Nice find and will definitely revisit when we're in Carlisle.

As I sat on the train from Leeds to Carlisle, the idea of fish and chips for lunch seemed more and more attractive. Whether by luck or good judgement, I found the Kings Head and wasn't disappointed with an excellent and very generous plate of fresh haddock and good chips. When I turned down the advertised mushy peas, I was offered garden peas instead - also very good.

Meet friends every Friday ending with a glass of wine usually at the Howard but due to refurbishment needed alternative- chose kings head in fisher street - central and good traditional pub. Wine very nice a little more expensive than usual but overall acceptable. Until we were about to leave- we were accused of not paying although I was completely sure I had paid the £16 as I had £20 note before and only 4 £1 coins on leaving - our experience from there on was humiliating and awkward we spent half an hour convincing staff we had paid before going to other establishment where manager could watch cctv and spent a further 20 minutes feeling like a criminal - until finally manager found evidence on cctv I had handed over my £20 note - I can not explain how I felt - and continue to feel. Will not encounter either establishment again and would suggest anyone who does obtain a receipt or you may be made to feel like a criminal- as I did.Sickening experience

Whilst sat with 3 friends waiting for 2 more to arrive. The manager asked us to move onto 1 table instead of using two tables! As we were losing him custom!! Little did he no, when we were all together we were going to have food and more drinks! But we left and went elsewhere! So he did lose custom! Ours! Bad move!!

Been in here regularly since the 90's.... Always good selection of beer including guest ales. Honest little pub that attracts all manner of visitors. Staff are always good. Never had the food yet...

Had a fantastic time in this pub, six adults drinking for few hours,all afternoon/evening until one female member of staff spoke to us rather rudely and stood at bar staring at us. We then chose to finish our drinks and leave. She maybe needs to go on public communications training course. I must say that all other staff were lovely and was a nice wee pub.

This pub used to be my family and I, favourite place to have lunch.we have recommended it to dozens of people.it was always good value, good homemade food, good friendly service.NOT ANYMORE.DONT GO.

I'm a 70 year old pensioner who was manhandled by the disgusting and rude mine host whilst ordering me and my wife a drink at the bar, please avoid this pub or risk all hell breaking out with contemptible and disrespectful behaviour not only from the aforementioned but his bar staff too

A drunken member of bar staff is never a good sign. She spoke of regulars to other people and did nothing but slag them off, swear and burp. Disgusting. As a visitor to the city I won't be returning to this venue .

My husband and I decided to come here for lunch with our baby in the pram, after looking at the vast choice of food on the menus displayed outside. Literally my foot stepped in the door with the pram and the man behind the bar shouted over to me in front of all other customers to tell me children weren’t allowed. As I’m sure anyone would agree, it’s quite intimidating and embarrassing to be barked at from over the other side of the room, with other customers present. There is a way to deliver that message without being rude. Luckily we ventured just a small distance away to a lovely place called Brewed Awakenings where the food was amazing and the staff clearly are trained in delivering excellent customer service. They must have avoided the Kings head school of crap service that this man clearly graduated with a distinction. Avoid and spend your money somewhere else.

Very old pub in Carlisle popular with locals, restaurant upstairs no lift though, we usually go for a pub lunch in the middle of a full day shopping. Ideal situated for centre of town, Right in the middle of carlisle shopping centre.

Went for some food as was advised they did a great steak to find they weren’t doing any food so we had a drink.Proper friendly local pub that was very busy.

after a meal at francos opposite i thought we would have a drink here. expensive prices. staff do not make you welcome. old cd dukebox on low. why! avoid this place .... plenty of other nicer places to spend your money at.👍

Been spoke to off a absolutely muppet staff telling me how to sit on a seat she was just rude as a first time visiting to area not coming back

Sadly, what used to be the best cider pub in Carlisle, and our first stop every time we visited, is no more. From a choice of six real ciders in past years, now nothing but keg fizz. Shame.

Visited this pub today with my parents and my 17 year old son and was asked to leave because my son was not 18.

Visited the kings head on a sun evening with family and friends . Admittedly one of my group gets a tad loud but no bad language or anything. The owner took it upon himself to turn the jukebox right down and proceed to make sarcastic comments about the volume. Totally un-necessary so we abandoned our drinks and left . Got the impression the owner is more interested in keeping his friends happy than the punters.

My partner and I called for drinks on an afternoon. Bar staff friendly welcoming. Great selection of beers wines and spirits. Great background music. Clean toilets.

Was in Carlisle for a night after climbing Scafell Pike. I was interested in trying as many English bitters as I could on my trip and a google search led me here which is recommended by CAMRA. On the way there we bumped into Michael, who runs the place and is very friendly. He recommended a local ale for us to try which was awesome - Esthwaite bitter. The rest of the staff were good banter and would bring around a few chips for everyone in the pub every so often. If you're looking for a nice pint in Carlisle this is the place to go!

No music which is excellent. Bar staff banter is top notch, just need to break the large iceberg! Taren is a gem!

Very rude staff. We went here for a few drinks before moving on to a Restraunt. One of our party went to the bar to order a glass of wine, she took her dirty glass with her to the bar to save them a job collecting. The bar lady then proceeded to pour the wine in the dirty glass, the girl then asked the bar lady if she could have a clean glass the bar lady’s response was “I’m not here to clean glasses all night” then passed the girl a cloth to wipe the glass out.

Lively atmosphere with plenty of people drinking with all seats and tables full. Not as big inside as what it looks from the outside

Unfriendly barmaid not present on this lunch-time visit hence a 5 star review on this occasion. Fish and chips again, and just as good as ever. Extra busy this time which is obviously a reflection on the well priced, superb pub grub.

Great food in this old fashioned pub. The best chips we've ever eaten and the quality of the food is great at really reasonable prices

the Sunday Lunch was lovely with lots of meat and vegetables. and the owners were so helpful and friendly

Went to Carlisle for shopping baby due December. Mum to be needing regular pit stops so decided on pub for lunch. This is a pub serving good pub food nothing fancy. Meals were steak and ale pie and two southern fried chicken. All three meals were good. Hot and despite towards end of lunch serving was fresh and well made. Three drinks, diet cola,half lager shandy and half pint cold milk=don't tni no they charged as this was for mum to be. Total £23. Good value.

Decided to try a different pub in Carlisle today for a bar meal. Both the wife and I had the Steak and ale pie. I had mine with chips and she had mash with hers. Great quality pie which we both enjoyed . The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive , asking us if everything was fine etc. Not a great beer drinker but can tell a good pint , unfortunately can’t remember its name. Will return !

Stopped here for lunch a true wee gem of a place. The surrounding are very traditional and great hospitality from the girl behind the bar. Deep fried potato skins a real treat.

Absolutely spot on! The steak a& ale pie,chips & veg & scampi were yummy! The pub interior was nicely done. The beers were great!

We visited about 1830 on a Sunday and it was very quiet. The lady behind the bar was friendly and we tried several of the good range of ales. We didn't eat as they didn't serve in the evening but I'd recommend for a good pint.

Great traditional pub; not spoiled by the modern necessities of life. Clean and tidy and keeping the character of an old fashioned pub. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the range of real ales on sale and there is a good turnaround of guest ales. Enjoy visiting here for a pint when shopping. Not eaten here but have seen plates of food come out. Nowt fancy but good food and good portions on offer. Beer garden isn't really a garden but a covered area at the back of the pub; tables out there but frequented by smokers.

Went in for a drink. Good range of local beers but no dry cider on tap. Lovely interior with comfortable seats. However since it was busy we followed the signs to the beer garden but quickly went back inside. The 'garden' is a tented patio which is full of smokers and really noisy.

Went here today 29/07/17 for lunch and was pleasantly surprised.Between us we had fish and chips, scampi, and the steak pie, and all of them were good. The staff taking orders at the bar at about 12pm were very pleasant.

A nice old pub with good atmosphere and good beer. Was taken here by a local work colleague and wasn't disappointed

Had a lovely home cooked meal. Steak pie was excellent. Have been a few times with friends. Great staff great food. Very reasonably priced.

I moved to Carlisle recently and in the process of moving into my new house, my mother and granny came over to help.

One of the more famous pubs in the area. It did not disappointed. Food was quite good and interior very beautiful. Service was very good too.

Decent little pub a stone's throw from the cathedral serving a good range of well kept beers from near and far, at reasonable prices. Busy on a Monday night with lots of locals.

Quaint pub, close to the Lanes shopping centre. Good place for the weary shopper to relax and have a very nice pub lunch. Traditional pub menu and specials board. We ordered 2 meals - scampi and chips and fish, chips and mushy peas. Both arrived quite swiftly and piping hot. Good value for money. Would not hesitate to recommend and return on another visit.

Was made to feel very unwelcome in this pub. The barmaid asked for ID which in itself I don't have an issue with but the way I which she tutted at my date of birth and having to work out my age I do have an issue with. I'm 21 but she was acting as though I shouldnt be there. Then I asked to pay with card and was returned with a lecture about how I should always carry cash, complaining about the effort of a card transaction. Hardly going out of her way for a customer. The decor is nice as was the beer, but left after one drink and will not return due to barmaids rudeness.

Dhespite lthe write up for this pub we were less than impressed. It was a Friday night but the place was almost empty and wrapped in scaffolding. The barmaid was less than welcoming and made it an effort to serve us. A sign stated that food was not available due to a lack of staff. The beer was good but I'm not sure I would be tempted to return..

We visit for lunch whenever we come to Carlisle from Dumfries. Very good value for money pub food, great real ales and always find the staff helpful polite and friendly. The Sticky toffee pudding is genuinely the best we have tasted and a big portion!

Good pub, old style pub usually have 4-5 cask ale/ciders on, generally Yates is always on and others guest ales. has juke box, free wifi, seated, covered heated smoking area out the back. Nice atmosphere.

Visited on two nights midweek in January. Pleasantly quiet, not overcrowded.

I'm not surprised to see other comments about the poor attitude of some of the staff. Their attitude is the only reason I wouldn't return, they appear to go out of their way to be rude to customers.

If you wanting a brunch and a pint to set you for the day this is the spot. This is so handy for the town so I would definitely recommend a visit. As you can see on the picture what more could you ask for

Visiting the town with friends we had lunch in this cosy pub. Friendly staff, good beer, tasty and abundant food, cheap prices. We left the King's Head really satisfied.

Came here for a quick pub lunch in town. We both had fish and chips. Large portions, excellent quality and piping hot. Great pub grub. Hidden gem for food.

Outrageously rude and arrogant staff. She made a point of being difficult. Not an isolated incident. Shame really, great pub, I'll not be back though.

I visited this establishment on a quiet Wednesday lunchtime with my two daughters. son in law and grandchild. As we prepared to order food we were asked to leave because we had a baby with us (2-month old, asleep in a carrycot). The gentleman informed us that 'The landlord doesn't want babies in here'. We left in disgust.

Sat down lunchtime and had a pint of lager with a steak and ale meal. Very very good! Atmosphere was good, quiet, no kids (yes!). Music background easy enough to talk over. Recommend

Haven't been in this pub for 20 years , but friends recommend trying there food and We where not disappointed. The pub is cosy and nicely done out and has the feel of a real genuine English pub. The staff where friendly and the food was quickly served up all freshly cooked and nice and hot. I had The Kings Brunch and Mrs Moose had the smaller option The Princes Brunch, both came with real homemade chips, thick slice of black pudding ,and thick toast . Lots of choice on the menu including starters and deserts. Also an added plus the ladies and gents where very clean and tidy. We will return and highly recommend you try The Kings Head as it is much better than the big pub chains in town.

Called in on a Saturday night, and it was just as I remembered pub's used to be, a broad spectrum of ages, a good range of drinks. And an added bonus card carrying CAMRA members get a discount on already reasonably priced real ale, Yippeeeeeeee.

Good food, fresh beer and comfy chairs to enjoy conversation. Recommended. Not far from the Railway Station.

Handy pub for centre of town. Serves good basic pub grub and at a reasonable price as well as the menu there is a daily specials boards. Gets quite busy at lunch time.

This was not my first visit to this great public house, just dropped in for a pint, although has previously eaten here. The food was very nice. Has a nice seating area at the back. Recommend any tourists to enjoy a Carlisle tradition.🍺🍷☕️🍴

Visiting Carlisle and spotted the Kings Head. An inscription outside follows the history of the pub - interesting. They did have fine selection of local ale, somehelp is on hand to help you choose. A quick scan of the menu and the order was placed. Two BLTs were there quickly. The food was hot and tasty also fresh. Recommend the ale and the food in this lovely traditional inn.

Nice, old fashioned traditional pub...Food excellent...Had huge prawn sandwich with fabulous chips.....Good real ales.....Staff very friendly, though I believe at times not so..... All together good value and very pleasant........

Been coming to Carlisle for years and walked past many times today we went in certainly won't be the last time. Great food friendly staff plesant atmosphere what's not to like here. We certainly enjoyed our visit and we'll be back again.

A good selection of real ales. The staff who work there are usually friendly. They are human so sometimes something happens and they won't be as friendly as usual. I have never eaten there, but the food looks delicious.

Another enjoyable plateful and the usual friendly service. Crispy chips were better than many and the fish was just right.

I was in Carlisle today with my mum and sister and we called in at the kings head for coffee. Old fashioned but lovely and clean public house, coffee was lovely and staff were really nice, outdoor area to the rear which is frequently used for bands really nice atmosphere.

Useually such a friendly place landlord was really good and courteous it's a shame that could not filter down the line to a certain female member of staff who is very rude and unwelcoming and unfortunately will not return again and will arrange to meet others elsewhere

I occasionally eat in here with a colleague. Last time I had fish & chips and it was just right, much better than some other establishments. There is also a good selection of ales.