185 Sandridge Rd, St Albans AL1 4AH

About This Pub

Ah, The King William IV – it's one of those classic pubs in St Albans that you can't help but like for its hearty food and cosy feel, but it's not without its flaws, as I've heard from a few mates. On the bright side, the grub is often spot on; imagine tucking into a delicious chicken schnitzel with heaps of chips and fresh salad, or enjoying a proper Sunday roast with the family – and they've got options for kids, veggies, and vegans, which is always a plus. The staff are generally lovely, quick on their feet and full of smiles, making it a great spot for a relaxed evening or a catch-up with friends in their spacious beer garden. It's clean, well-kept, and conveniently located near some brilliant local attractions like the cathedral and parks, so it's perfect for winding down after a wander. But, and I say this honestly, it's not all roses; there have been tales of dodgy dishes, like a dry, greasy burger that was missing key ingredients or a burnt dessert that left a bad taste, and apparently one member of staff can be a bit rude, which is a shame because it drags down the otherwise warm welcome. Overall, it's worth a visit if you're in the area, just go in with an open mind and maybe skip it if you're after something foolproof – after all, that's the charm of these local spots, isn't it?

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The food is generally spot on – think delicious pub grub like chicken schnitzel with plenty of chips and salad, and they do a cracking Sunday roast that's perfect for family get-togethers.
  • Staff are mostly brilliant; quick, helpful, and really make you feel welcome, with some standout service from folks like Jasmine and Ethan.
  • It's a lovely, clean spot with a warm atmosphere, a spacious beer garden for enjoying a pint outdoors, and it's great for casual catch-ups or a mid-week meal.
  • Plenty of options on the menu, including fixed-price deals, kids' choices, and vegetarian or vegan dishes, so there's something for everyone.
  • Handy location near St Albans Cathedral and other local sights, plus it's easy to get to by car or train, making it ideal after a day out exploring.
Cons
  • Food quality can be hit or miss; one person had a dreadful burger that was dry and greasy with no cheese, and a burnt dessert that ruined the whole experience.
  • There's at least one staff member, possibly the landlord, who's been described as abrupt and arrogant, which can really put a dampener on an otherwise nice visit.
  • Some reviews mention inconsistencies, like the odd inedible dish, so it might not always live up to expectations even if it's generally good.

Contact Information

185 Sandridge Rd, St Albans AL1 4AH
+441727869272
Pub
Open Now

Opening Hours

Monday12:00 - 23:00
Tuesday12:00 - 23:00
Wednesday12:00 - 23:00
Thursday12:00 - 23:00
Friday12:00 - 23:00
Saturday (Today)12:00 - 23:00
Sunday12:00 - 22:00

Location

Recent Reviews

absolutely delicious food! lovely staff and quick service! very clean and a lovely place for a night out! 5 stars
KG
Kate Garcia
Food was terrible. Order a cheese and bacon burger, came with no cheese. The burger was dry and tasted like grease. Inedible. The creme brûlée desert was also bad. The top was burnt rather than caramelised. So the custard underneath tasted burnt too.
PW
Phil Withington
Staff are all amazing but sadly there is one member of staff that really lets the whole place down and I believe that it’s the landlord. He is at very least abrupt, condescending and arrogant. It’s such a shame because the pub itself is lovely with a nice outdoor area and warm open bars. There is a quiz night on a Wednesday and various food offers throughout the week. I use my Embers Inns loyalty card and got 33 percent off my bill today. Another perk of it being our local. Quiz night is a brill night out I’m not gonna lie the Halloumi fries with Hot honey sauce is the new heroin! Omg! It’s amazing
KM
karen Morrissey
All three us who visited had a lovely evening meal off the set menu. Really hot food, good portions and the staff are lovely. A big thanks to Jasmine and Ethan, customer service perfected.
BA
Brady AHERN
Lunch today Friday 14th Feb was great. I had chicken schnitzel it was delicious and the chips were plentiful and lots of salad too. Thank you King Will.
DJ
Dixie James

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