Driver, King's Cross

Our rating: FAP Rating 2 - Click for an explanation of our ratings User rating: Community Rating 0 - Click for an explanation of our ratings (2 reviews)
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FancyaPint?'s review...
FAP Rating 2 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
The Driver appears to have been going through an identity crisis of late, changing from a decent, relaxed pub (with good food) that we rather liked, to a more upmarket affair and member's club at one point. Externally, the 1930's building now has a living coat of plant life and is a striking contrast with its rather more industrial surroundings. Internally, however, the view is much more conventional - standard gastro pub decor (at least on the ground floor). There's a central bar, with a few decent ales on the hand pumps, including the American Blue Moon Ale, a pretty standard range of beer and lager on tap and an extensive and attractive wine list. We were asked if we had a reservation when we went in - not a good sign when the pub is empty. All of the wooden tables were laid for dining, and we saw the clientele turn up a bit later for their lunches. To be honest, the Driver is now almost totally given over to eating - it has a full-blown restaurant upstairs too (and there really is a private members' club at the very top). It seems the merely thirsty are relegated to the sofa area close to the pub entrance or at the bar and it's diners who are the target market. So despite the fact you can get a good pint here, to us it's not really a pub, it's a restaurant. The surrounding King's Cross area is working hard to shed its image as an insalubrious termination of a couple of major rail routes and, currently, we Londoners are not sure what to make of it.
Review: 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Reviewed by 03 Sep 2011    Helpful? yes/no
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Reviews (1)
23 Jan 2012
Rating 0 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
My visit to The Driver was a highly disappointing experience and I would not want to wish it on anyone. Booking an area in the downstairs bar made little difference as we had to wait for it to be cleared and then fight our way through a crowded floor of patrons only to then be surrounded on all sides by elbows, bums and bags. Ordering a drink was near on impossible with inexperienced bar staff with a poor attitude and bad customer service. The Bar food was slow to arrived and lobbed onto our table along with some napkins thrown in with a carefree attitude. This place has a long way to go before its anywhere near being a place I would frequent again.
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Contact details

2-4 Wharfdale Road, King's Cross, London, N1 9RY

020 7278 8827

Opening times
Mon-Thu 11:00-23:00
Fri Sat 11:00-04:00
Sun 11:00-22:30
Please check opening times with the pub before making a special journey.
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How to find the Driver pub

Once you've got out of King's Cross tube or train station, stand with your back to the main station entrance and turn left. Walk down that bit of Euston Road, then turn off left onto Caledonian Road. Driver is about 10 mins walk up on the left, after a bar called Ruby and immediately after a boarded up building.

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History
23 Jan 12 Updated by mastery2010