I spent around 3 months living in Brixton recently and the queenshead quickly became my local, i had some amazing times there - inparticular open mic on tuesday's run by the ever charismatic and charming calm carl and thursday night karoake, its a very unpredictible place - some nights its rammed and bouncing without any apparent reason, other nights its empty when you would it expect it to be packed, but I guess thats the beauty of the queenshead.
What makes the queenshead is the people there, as an outsider it wasn't long before I met and made friends with many, the large marjority are welcoming (there are some shady folk about though ) although it can be a bit of a 'click' kind of crowd, might find it a lil tricky to pop in there by yourself and make friends from the offset which is what I had to do not knowing anyone, a lot of people in there know each other but don't let that put you off. As fun and jovial as it can be, be under no illusions that there is no doubt a dark undertone to this place, a pub of broken dreams, fragile lives, - if you catch my drift this is a pub that many use as as escape, an escape that can be quite pleasurable but i wouldn't excatly call it uplifting.
As for the owner, I agree completly with what everyone has said about this guy, his name is simon, complete cunt is really the only way u can describe this guy, arrogant, rude, just a complete power tripper, tried several times to speak to him at the start as i knew this would be my local but quickly gave up for the above reasons, he has his own small bunch of scumbag mates and no one else matters to him - the way he runs the pub u would think he was having a houseparty and everyone else apart from his mates were gatecrashers. Stay clear of him, easy done.
Most of the other staff are lovely, they kind of sum of the place, a bit mental but in a nice way. Often understaffed but the service is good considering. Decour is nice, lots of candels on the tables, dimly lit (which on the flip side does kind of give it that dark undertone as well). Big backyard area with comfy couches. I think this review has likely come accross more negative that i intended, apart from the owner, it is a pub that means well and the mix mash of people sure makes for some interesting nights and you'll meet no shortage of people with a story or two to tell to say the least. Its a no frills place, nothing fancy, interesting people, good music with an appeal that its hard to put your finger on - just don't be naive. Enjoy. read more