Kingston’s town-centre Wetherspoons is The Kings Tun on Clarence Street. Behind its familiar pub frontage is an unusual building, a royal name and a surprisingly large amount of space.
1. The Building Was Once a Music Hall
The building opened as the Kingston Empire music hall in 1910. It later became a cinema, a supermarket and a discount shop before reopening as The Kings Tun in 1997.
2. A £500,000 Beer Garden Opened in 2026
Hidden behind the pub on Nipper Alley is a new 1,500-square-foot beer garden. It has plenty of tables, sheltered seating and considerably more space than you might expect in central Kingston.
3. Its Name Goes Back to Saxon England
Kingston was once called King’s Tun, meaning the king’s farm or estate. The name also nods to the seven Saxon kings traditionally said to have been crowned in the town.
4. It Changes Character Throughout the Day
The doors open at 8am for breakfast and coffee. Lunch, dinner and drinks follow, before the two-floor venue becomes much livelier during the evening, particularly at weekends.
5. It Stays Open Later Than Many Kingston Cafés and Pubs
The Kings Tun closes at 1am from Sunday to Thursday and 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. Food and drinks can be ordered from the bar or delivered to the table through the Wetherspoon app.
Address: 153–157 Clarence Street, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1QT
Opening: From 8am every day
Telephone: 020 8547 3827
Menu and details: The Kings Tun in Kingston
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