Funky Venues

Venue Review

Character: Invitingly cosy English pub and hotel.

Funky Features: Original windows from 1934, Serbian oak floor, unique Thai lanterns, large rollaway sports screen, satellite television, live music, open fire, outside seating and Wi-Fi internet access.

Location and History

Nestled on a quiet residential corner behind Gray’s Inn Road, this attractive English gastropub and hotel welcomes anyone from the office worker or live music fan to the loyal local. The Harrison is within easy walking access King’s Cross Station, and is a rare find in that it is available for private hire on Saturdays. Paul Michelmore the landlord since 2004, has made this a great pub and hotel in which to relax, eat, drink and party.

Interior

It’s apparent as soon as you step through the doors that the Harrison is a genuinely friendly place. The natural Serbian oak floor and wooden tables lend a feeling that is immediately warm and inviting. Original frosted windows, which date back to 1934, fill the cream coloured room with natural light, and the unique Thai lanterns add a modern, illuminating twist once the sun goes down. A large rollaway sports screen above the fireplace is ideal for watching a game, or any other event, and the natural-look wooden tables can be grouped to cater for parties.

DJ decks are provided free of charge if guests wish to hire their own DJ, and a dance floor can easily be set up for weekend shindigs. Friday night DJs play an eclectic mix of music, with Sundays offering folk and blues by the band, In the Pines. The Uphill Acoustic Session is for unsigned musicians, and is staged on alternate Sundays. 

The Harrison’s vast menu has rightly been described as, “Commendable gastropub cuisine” by both Time Out and Metro. The Rapid Lunch menu features toasted sandwiches with fillings such as Turkey, Cranberry Mustard & French Emmental, or Mexican Style Wraps with Tasty Hot Fillings; the Full Lunch menu offers steaks, salmon and salads; and the Dinner menu offers tasty treats such as corn-fed chicken Rib-eye Steak Bernaise, Balsamic Shallots & Cut Chipsas well as a broad vegetarian selection such as pumpkin, peach and aubergine Thai Green Curry. The bar offers a range of International beers and hand-selected wines.

The hotel has been awarded three diamonds by The English Tourist Board, and comprises four stylish en-suite rooms, available as double or twin rooms, complete with a TV, DVD player and Wi-Fi internet access. Outside, the wooden benched seating area is great for socialising in the summer, and on-street parking is generally available outside the pub.

Spaces for Hire

The Harrison can be hired exclusively every Saturday, and has the capacity for 100 people. It closes at 11pm most nights, but late licenses can be arranged for special events. DJ decks, PA systems and a stage are supplied free of charge, and room prices start from £95 per night including breakfast.