Tucked away in the back streets of Kings Cross is the Harrison pub, hotel and music venue. They are currently appealing against an arbitration tribunal decision that they must pay their landlords, the Wellington Pub Company, the full amount of rent that was due during the COVID lockdowns. To raise funds for their legal fees, they have organised a series of benefit gigs over the summer. Their small basement venue is the perfect location for folk music.
On 17 May I enjoyed an evening of acoustic sets from Jack Cheshire, Robin Elliott and headline act Samantha Whates, the Scottish singer-songwriter. The three singers met working as bar staff in the pub and they all spoke about how much the place means to them. After finishing her set, Samantha Whates said, “we have to try and save this place”, which was met with a big round of applause. You can find out about the campaign to save the pub on their website.
Samantha Whates
There were two real ales available on my visit, Five Points XPA and Timothy Taylor Landlord and a selection of beers on tap from Kernel and Bellfield breweries. The pub also serves traditional home cooked pub food. In June, Camden Council listed the Harrison as an Asset of Community Value which will give the pub added protection against any change of use. The full address is 28 Harrison Street WC1H 8JF. Telephone (020) 7278 3966. Their website is https://harrisonbar.co.uk.
Joanne Scott