One of London’s most famous music pubs – last known as The KPH, on the corner of Ladbroke Grove and Lancaster Road – will return later this month after undergoing a smart new makeover. Ushering in a new era, the new pub – to be known as The Knight of Notting Hill – will be run by Zora Singh who at just 21 years old is believed to be London’s youngest publican. This is very welcome and much-deserved news for this glorious pub, following a decade of change and insecurity under a series of different owners.
From The KPH to The Knight of Notting Hill
This 157-year-old Victorian pub has played host to an amazing line-up of acts over the years – including Tom Jones, who played his first gig here in 1960, The Clash, Phil Lynott and Paul Weller amongst many others. In 2014, the pub was declared “an asset of community value” by Kensington and Chelsea Council.
New owner Zora plans to continue with the pub’s tradition as a live music venue and aims to feature rappers, singers and DJs, making the most of the Friday and Saturday late-night license when the pub will be open until 1am.
The Knight is being fully redesigned with sumptuous and sexy interiors – think grey and silver wallpaper surrounding comfortable leather banquettes; contemporary Pooky chandeliers and oversized brass pendant lights over the bar, plus tiles, wood panelling and Victorian-etched windows for a complete mix of old and new.
Food and Drink at The Knight of Notting Hill
The new menu will feature an eclectic, globally inspired mix of small and sharing plates. There will be dishes such as garlic Madagascan prawns with sourdough (£18), pork belly tacos with piquillo pepper and homemade ketchup (£16), old Delhi butter chicken with butter paratha (£17) and pappardelle with blue cheese and crispy sage (£14.40). Clearly, dishes with tastes from all over the world! Those with a sweet tooth will be delighted by options such as tiramisu and spotted dick with custard to round off your meal.
The drinks menu will feature house-designed cocktails including the venue’s signature Knight cocktail – tequila, lime and Cointreau – as well as classic cocktails such as Cosmopolitans, Negronis and Old Fashioneds plus many more.
Current and Future Plans
This is the second London pub venture that Zora has opened in two short years, the other being The Three Falcons in St John’s Wood which is London’s “first Indian gastropub”. Giles Coren recently stumbled across this pub after watching a cricket match at Lord’s and – unprompted – wrote a rave review of his meal.
Zora has plans to acquire and open more pubs in locations around the city – taking his time to wait for the right property and tailoring it to suit the neighbourhood.
The Knight of Notting Hill
139 Ladbroke Grove
W10 6HJ
www.instagram.com/theknightofnottinghill
