If you’re looking for a glamorous cocktail bar in King’s Cross (or London in general), why not try GNH Bar & Terrace? My partner and I reviewed the location to see what it’s like for a date night. This is how we got on…
Firstly, why visit King’s Cross?
A transport hub, King’s Cross & St Pancreas Station is home to the UK’s Eurostar. It’s also the place where Harry Potter found a secret portal to catch the Hogwarts Express — if you believe in magic.
While the area might not be the first place on your list (Chelsea, Soho and Belgravia are often captured on Instagram), there are lots of reasons to make King’s Cross your next London spot. After all, the location is filled with bars, restaurants and unique attractions.
This includes the British Library, Regent’s Canal, Coal Drops Yard (a shopping centre with vintage, quirky and popular shops), and The Magic Circle Museum. Plus, in nod of the Eurostar, the place has a Parisian touch with quaint French bakeries.
Why GNH Bar & Terrace?
Situated next to the station, the bar is part of The Great Northern Hotel which also has a French inspired restaurant, Rails.
The oldest railway hotel in London, GNH is ideal for fancy cocktails, light bites and al fresco dining. If you’re looking for a place to impress or celebrate a special occasion, the bar’s outdoor flowers and indoor chandeliers will set the right mood. GNH has a chic Art Deco design throughout its interior.
Our experience
With the sun shining, we first sat outside on the terrace for a cocktail. You’re immediately transported to an aesthetic realm the minute you step through the flower arch and are greeted by the staff with big smiles. The terrace is elegantly decorated with plants, cushions, and black tables.
Inside, we enjoyed booth seating — private and separate from other diners. We first tucked into a delicious selection of British cheeses with quince jelly and seeded crackers. For mains, I opted for Beer Battered Cod with hand-cut chunky chips while Dan had steak with chips. We both loved our food — the steak was on the smaller side but it costs less than £20 — great value for London.
Being a bar and not a restaurant, it’s impressive to experience mains rather than bar snacks alone. There is a limited range to choose from, with mains such as a burger, club sandwich, Caesar salad, and quiche. A wide range of bar snacks are available, including charcuterie boards, sticky chicken, baked camembert and breaded whitebait.
For drinks, you’ll find many gin-infused cocktails along with summer creations and classics like the Espresso Martini and Aperol Spritz.
Dan and I agreed that GNH’s service was one of the best we have experienced. Drinks were changed quickly; people were attentive and warm.
How much should you expect to pay?
Considering the Great Northern Hotel has a 5-star rating, the GNH bar and terrace offers fair pricing. Cocktails average around £13 each (many high-end places in London charge around £15 – £17), with a bottle of red or white wine starting at £34.
Starters are roughly £4.50 – £16 and large plates are all under £20.
Overall thoughts on GNH Bar & Terrace
Beautiful and romantic, GNH has a nice vibe — a DJ, wide space and a stylish mirror ceiling. I love that while the exterior is luxurious, the atmosphere is relaxed. Whether you want pretty drinks on the terrace, a cheese and wine night indoors or a light meal after some drinks, GNH is a lovely date night spot.
Visit the GNH website for more information.
Dress code: casual
Address: Pancreas Road, London N1C 4TB
Check out these other London spots for dinner or fun entertainment.
Please note, this was a PR visit and offered in exchange for a review. This does not impact my opinion. Please read my Privacy Policy for more info.
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