Bars have come, bars have gone. The ever changing face of Kings Cross has seen inevitable casualties of war as venues are demolished to make way for the new improved face of the area. Luckily, mainstays like the Lincoln Lounge have been around for donkey's years, and will hopefully stick around for many more.

The Venue
You can’t help but be drawn to this kitsch, laid back bar. Walking past it up York Way - a road devoid of much life - this bar sits like a beacon. Although the exterior isn’t anything special - a simple sign declares its presence with a second, more ornate carved sign contradicting itself by stating Lincoln Arms - the two wooden doors are flung open to reveal a small glimpse of the quirky decor inside. Star-shaped fairy lights in the window blink in the night, calling in weary travellers. It’s hard to resist.

Stepping inside, you’ll find an attractive, well put together bar with quirky touches that offer genuine charm rather than appearing as a contrived attempt to show everyone that ‘I’m crazy, I am.’ You’ll be greeted by a simple space, narrow towards the entrance with the right-aligned bar taking up most of the room and a few comfortable sofas and chairs offering spaces to sink into with a pint, opening out as you walk towards the back of the space, offering a lounge area with more tables and chairs. Comfort is key, not putting style over substance. The walls are kept a pleasant, inoffensive shade of peach that only serve to highlight cute touches like a random white bust on one of the walls, star-shaped fairy lights hanging prettily from the bar and windows, and a huge painting covering the entire far wall, depicting a modern, colourful scene from the bar. It’s simple, it’s kitsch, it’s charming.

The Atmosphere
This is where Lincoln Lounge really shines. The atmosphere here is chilled out to the point that, when you enter, even if you aren’t a regular, you’ll feel immediately at home. Sinking into a comfortable sofa and sipping on a cool, well kept pint, you can’t help but be charmed by this cute space. The crowd is a real mixture of locals, office workers, pre-clubbers and those in the know enough to seek out this star find. The staff are friendly, passionate about the bar and make the effort to engage in banter. It’s the kind of bar you wished you had at the end of your road so you could make it your local.

Lincoln Lounge holds some unusual events, such as the hugely popular Ukelele Cabaret – a monthly night for ‘Friends of the Four Strings’. It started up as an event for the Arrivals Festival to celebrate the Eurostar coming to Kings Cross, and has been going strong ever since. The evening is free, hosted by cabaret songstress Tricity Vogue, and includes a ukelele sing-along and an open mic alongside special guest acts. Genius. They also hold regular live music events on the last Wednesday of every month. DJs take to the decks every Thursday and Friday. It’s worth noting that they have free WiFi here.

The Drink
If you’re trying to pick fault with the Lincoln Lounge then you won’t have anything to complain about with the drink selection or the prices. A good range of draught includes IPA, Strongbow, Budweiser, Stella, Becks, Guinness, Hoegaarden and Staropramen at an average price of just £2.70 for the bitter or £3-£3.10 for the lager. The beer here is very well kept.

If wine’s more your thing then there’s a small selection of red and white bottles - Tierra and Riddle - costing a £13 flat fee for a bottle. A cheap bottle of Moet and Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne can be purchased for £39.50. Finally, a spirit and mixer is also cheap at just £3.30 a glass. It’s hard to argue with these prices.

The Last Word
The Lincoln Lounge is a great find and a veteran of the Kings Cross nightlife scene. Worth seeking out.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (4)