Father’s Day in King’s Cross: Things to Do with Dad in London

Where to treat Dad near King’s Cross London

When Father’s Day comes around, it’s easy to default to the classic Sunday roast and a pint. And while that’s always an option, there are plenty of other ways to treat Dad around King’s Cross and Bloomsbury.

From canal walks and whisky tastings to live music, bookshops and a few great places for a drink, there’s loads to explore within easy reach of the Mentone Hotel.

So if you’re spending Father’s Day in King’s Cross this year, here are a few ideas for things to do with Dad in London — including a few of my personal favourites.

A pint – or something stronger

If Dad enjoys a good drink, you’re in the right part of London. King’s Cross has quietly become one of the best places in the city for interesting bars, craft beer pubs and specialist tasting experiences.

Spiritland – music, food and drink

For music-loving dads, Spiritland in Granary Square is a café, bar and radio studio, all built around a deep love of music and music culture.

A menu of food, wine, beer and cocktails is offered daily, set to a backdrop of carefully curated sounds played from a quality speaker system morning till night. The whisky menu is extensive, with drams from around the world, and there’s also a decent variety of gins, vodkas, brandies and rums too – and not one of your everyday brands in sight.

There’s an interesting music-based events programme as well.

The Lexington – live music events and the longest ever whisky menu

The Lexington on the Pentonville Road just 10 minutes from King’s Cross Station is a high-ceilinged bar serving American draught beers, cocktails & whiskies, plus there’s a live music room upstairs. Open daily from 3pm till the early hours, the venue has teamed up with Alessio’s Pizza to offer food and drinks combos Monday to Friday.

The whisky menu is extensive – personally I’ve never seen anything like it. There are loads of craft beers too, and a huge range of music events on most days.

Searcys Champagne Bar at St Pancras International

If Dad prefers his drink with bubbles in it, head to Searcys at St Pancras for a huge array of sparkling wines from across the globe. Try the famous “Press for Champagne” button, indulge in a spot of caviar, or try a sharing plate from the food menu.

There’s also the Searcys Brasserie serving seasonal dishes, and if you fancy treating Dad to something different, how about booking a private Champagne Masterclass?

You’ll need to make it a proper family affair as it’s for groups of 8 plus, but it makes for a fun afternoon, sipping on fizz whilst learning about Champagne in a guided tasting, then tucking into a three-course paired seasonal menu.

Whisky tasting at Cadenhead’s

Cadenhead’s is Scotland’s oldest independent small batch spirit bottler, founded in 1842. As well as selling a variety of single malts and whisky blends from their Chiltern Street shop, they also offer tasting sessions for 10-12 people.

The sessions last just over an hour, and are available to book Monday to Saturday at 3pm and Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 6.15pm. You get to taste six specially selected drams, alongside a selection of nibbles. The host also provides information on the Cadenhead’s distilleries, plus a brief history and insight into the whisky making process.

Wine tasting in King’s Cross

There are a few wine tasting venues around King’s Cross, but one of the most famous has to be Idris Elba and David Faber’s Porte Noire in the Gasholders building at Coal Drops Yard.

Offering around 800 wines plus a brasserie-style seasonal menu and cheese and charcuterie selection, the venue combines a wine shop, a 70-seater wine bar, a dining room and outdoor space overlooking the canal.

If Dad is a Spanish wine enthusiast, head to Bar Rioja in Varnisher’s Yard and choose from a range of experiences, including “Taste of Rioja” which gives you a selection of standout Rioja wines to taste, each paired with Spanish pinchos.

All experiences are designed for 2-8 guests, plus there’s a wine tasting menu offering six small glasses of white, red and rosé Rioja plus paired pinchos.

Craft beers and cask ales

We’re not short on traditional pubs around Bloomsbury and King’s Cross, many of which serve a decent pint.

Check out my Best Pubs blog for a few suggestions, including one that’s said to be haunted, and a few with sports screens if Dad doesn’t want to miss out on his favourite game, set or match on Father’s Day.

Father’s Day Sunday roast in London

For many families, Father’s Day and a proper Sunday roast go hand in hand. Luckily there are some good pubs and restaurants around King’s Cross serving up classic roasts with all the trimmings.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, I’ve already put together a full guide to the best Sunday roasts near King’s Cross, so have a look there for the full list and check out any that take your fancy to see if they’re offering any Father’s Day specials.

As personal recommendations go, I’d say try Fitz’s Brasserie at the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel in Russell Square. They do a great Sunday lunch menu with a modern twist, plus feasting joints for tables of four or more. And the desserts are nothing less than wow-factor, so be sure to leave some room.

My family and I also love the Lord John Russell on Marchmont Street. It’s a welcoming pub right on the doorstep of the hotel. Order a Sunday roast and you can expect all the trimmings, plus out-of-this-world desserts. The pub also specialises in real ales. There’s outside seating and the service is second to none.

A Day on the Regent’s Canal

A walk along the Regent’s Canal makes a nice way to spend a few relaxed quality hours with Dad.

The stretch around King’s Cross is particularly nice, with waterside paths, cafés and pubs dotted along the route.

You can start near Granary Square and take in the famous fountains, then follow the canal all the way towards Camden and Little Venice, stopping along the way for an impromptu drink and maybe something to eat if the mood takes you.

If you’d prefer to explore the waterways from the water itself, the London Canal Museum runs a variety of canal boat trips through the Regent’s Canal and Islington Tunnel, Little Venice, the Camden Locks and Victoria Park. There are also cream tea cruises and historic guided tours.

A Father’s Day stroll

One of the nicest things about Bloomsbury and the wider King’s Cross area is how many green spaces there are within easy walking distance.

From the larger spaces like Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, to the quieter garden squares dotted around Bloomsbury, there are plenty of places to stretch your legs, sit in the sun or even put together a simple Father’s Day picnic.

If Dad enjoys a good walk, I’ve put together guides to local walks around Bloomsbury and King’s Cross, as well as some of the best parks and gardens in the area.

The book lovers’ special

If Dad enjoys a good book, Bloomsbury is one of the best places in London to explore.

The area has long been associated with writers, publishers and academics, and there are some fantastic bookshops and literary spots to discover nearby.

Word on the Water Floating Bookshop is moored near Granary Square. It’s a second-hand bookshop housed in a 1920s Dutch barge where you can step aboard and browse your favourites amongst their 4,000 books.

And then there’s Judd Books. Just round the corner from the hotel on Marchmont Street, this shop has been around ever since I can remember. They stock over 50,000 new and used titles, ranging from literature, art and design to history, science, psychology and politics. It really is an absolute goldmine.

Cinema, comedy & live music

From independent cinemas to live music venues and theatres, it’s easy to turn Father’s Day into a full day out and round it off with a film, show or live performance.

Theatre and cinema

The Shaw Theatre is an intimate venue just round the corner from the Mentone. They show a variety of musicals, comedies and dramas, the type of thing you won’t see in the top West End theatres. You can’t buy tickets on the door, so check out what’s on and purchase your tickets online.

The Curzon Bloomsbury Cinema in the Brunswick Centre is an old-school arthouse cinema with six screens, including the locally loved Renoir with reclining seats and a VIP balcony. They show off-the-beaten-track type stuff, usually foreign and classic films, and they’ve got a café and bar too. Latest film listings can be viewed here.

There’s also the Everyman Cinema King’s Cross. Luxury is the name of the game here, with sofas, armchairs and food and drink brought to your seat. Latest film listings and bookings here.

I’ve put together a complete cinema guide covering other local options too, and there are loads of venues where you can grab a drink or bite to eat after your show or film. Have a look at my guide to nightlife in Bloomsbury for inspiration.

Live music and cabaret

If Dad loves a bit of jazz, there are a couple of events at the Booking Office 1869 restaurant in St Pancras International Station he might like. The Jazz Brunch is held every Sunday from 12-3pm and combines a blend of live jazz music, tasty food and cocktails.

Or opt for the Sunday Roast and Live Jazz, where you’ll be treated to a decent Sunday lunch accompanied by a live jazz band. That’s served every Sunday 12-5pm.

If he’s a fan of cabaret, Dad might appreciate the dazzling Sabrage Cabaret at Lafayette. This is an extravagant evening of entertainment, featuring circus acts, acrobatics, humour, glamour and live music.

Father’s Day shopping spree

If you’re hunting for a Father’s Day gift — or Dad enjoys a bit of retail therapy — there are loads of interesting shops around King’s Cross.

Coal Drops Yard in particular has become a hub for independent brands, design shops and specialist retailers, so it’s well worth a wander. Here are a few top picks Dad might like:

Kartel Watches

Kartel is a family-run watch brand known for its stylish, well-made timepieces. You can even design your own watch here, choosing the case and strap before finishing it with a personalised engraving — a great Father’s Day gift idea.

Maya Magal jewellery

Maya Magal creates hand-crafted jewellery using recycled gold and silver. The Coal Drops Yard boutique also offers workshops where you can design and make your own ring or wedding ring.

Honest Jon’s Record Shop

Music fans love Honest Jon’s, a legendary London record shop that’s been around since the 1970s. They stock a mix of vinyl, CDs and music books you won’t easily find elsewhere, so a great place to take Dad if he loves an old classic.

Beyond Retro

Beyond Retro is one of London’s best-known vintage fashion stores, packed with thousands of unique pieces from different eras. If Dad enjoys a bit of retro style, it’s a great place to browse everything from classic 1950s team jackets to rare 80s band T-shirts.

More shopping…

There are plenty of excellent retail outlets at St Pancras International Station Dad might like to browse too. Have a read of my guide to the top places to shop around King’s Cross and Bloomsbury for more ideas.

Quirky things to do with Dad in London

There are a few more unusual attractions around King’s Cross and beyond that could make great Father’s Day outings.

Monopoly Lifesized in Tottenham Court Road is an immersive escape-room style experience where you play a life-sized version of Monopoly on a giant board. It’s great fun, but very competitive. There’s a daytime and night time version and it lasts about 90 minutes. Round off with a meal at the Top Hat Bar & Restaurant.

Twist Museum on Oxford Street is another immersive experience involving mind-bending illusions and interactive installations. It combines science and art to challenge perceptions and senses, leading you to question what’s real. The experience lasts around 60-90 minutes.

The Crystal Maze Live Experience on Shaftesbury Avenue is based on the 90s TV series. In 60 minutes, your goal is to bag as much time as possible in the Crystal Dome by solving mysteries and testing your mental and physical skills against the clock. Play in teams of up to 8, join other pairs or smaller groups, or go as a couple.

The Traitors Live Experience is about a 20-minute walk from the Mentone. Take on the role of Traitor or Faithful, and test your strategy skills in a battle of loyalty and deceit, taking your seat at The Round Table in a two-hour experience where you’ll never really know whether your closest ally could be your most treacherous enemy.

Finally, if Dad’s a Harry Potter fan, you could treat him to a trip to the Harry Potter Shop at King’s Cross Station on Platform 9¾ — and be sure to grab your famous photo opportunity outside the store.

Spending Father’s Day in King’s Cross? The Mentone Hotel looks forward to welcoming you!

Located within walking distance of numerous attractions, restaurants, pubs, cafés and coffee shops, parks, museums and shops, the Grade II listed Mentone Hotel can be found within the tranquil Cartwright Gardens in historical Bloomsbury.

We have 40 rooms on offer, all with free WiFi and luggage storage, plus we offer tickets for all the popular London attractions. You’ll also enjoy a 10% discount for direct bookings, plus an unlimited complimentary breakfast – the ideal start to a perfect Father’s Day!

Please get in touch to check availability. And we will of course be happy to point you towards the best things to do for Father’s Day in King’s Cross!

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