King's Head

The King's Head in London is a historic venue at 115 Upper Street where American producer Dan Crawford founded London's first pub theatre since Shakespeare's time in 1970. Located on a site with a tavern history dating to 1543, it launched Hugh Grant's professional acting debut. Following British decimalisation in 1971, the pub famously refused modern coins, using pre-decimal currency and an antique till for over twenty years.

London · from the walk “Pints & History: Islington to Duke of York Square Pub Walk” · audio ~2 min · Generated

King's Head

115 Upper St, London N1 1QN, United Kingdom

How did the King's Head pub in London handle the UK currency decimalisation of 1971?

Standing in front of number one hundred and fifteen Upper Street, you are looking at a venue that transformed London culture. A tavern has occupied this site since fifteen forty-three. But the most legendary chapter of the King's Head began in nineteen seventy, when an American theatrical producer named Dan Crawford walked into what was then a run-down local pub. Crawford saw magic where others saw rubbish, transforming the dark back room—which had been used as a pool hall and a boxing ring—into London's very first pub theatre since the age of Shakespeare! This intimate, slightly chaotic space became a launchpad for world-famous talent. Long before they were household names, performers like Alan Rickman, Joanna Lumley, and Victoria Wood treaded these boards. In fact, Hugh Grant made his professional acting debut right here, performing in front of audiences sitting so close they could almost touch the actors. Yet Dan Crawford was equally famous for another, delightfully stubborn quirk: he flatly refused to accept Britain's new money! When the United Kingdom decimalised its currency in nineteen seventy-one, replacing shillings and pence with modern coins, Crawford simply ignored the change. For over twenty years, the bar operated in old money. Bartenders rang up drinks on an antique early twentieth-century till, and customers buying a pint had to calculate their bill using pre-decimal conversion charts. Step inside, take in the traditional bar and historic charm, and imagine the brilliant actors and eccentric visionaries who raised a glass right where you are standing.

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