Quick info
About The Lion & Key
On High Street in Hull, The Lion & Key is a pub dating from 1817, its ceiling covered in thousands of beer mats collected over the years. High tables stand throughout the older interior, mixing in alongside the original layout. The kitchen serves traditional pub fare with a few non-traditional dishes and vegetarian options, including fish and chips made with haddock, chunky fries, mushy peas, and homemade tartare sauce, plus a Hull chippy special with a potato pattie. A wide selection of cask ales and beers runs alongside an extensive range of spirits. It operates on a walk-in basis, with no reservations taken. Food is discounted by 20% during the day.
Good to know
“Beer mats cover the ceiling at this casual neighbourhood pub with a typical British food offering.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention haddock and chips, tartare sauce, beer mat covered ceiling and hull chippy special.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention haddock and chips, tartare sauce, beer mat covered ceiling and hull chippy special.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips draw repeat praise, with reviewers describing chunky battered haddock, homemade tartare sauce, and a memorable potato pattie in the Hull chippy special. Close behind, the ceiling covered in beer mats and the overall atmosphere get singled out, along with a good selection of cask ales and beers. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and funny, with one visit noting a homemade lemon drizzle cake offered by a staff member. A few mention the food isn't cheap but feel it's justified by the setting, and one diner appreciated a pensioner discount. One reviewer's chips arrived underdone twice despite a replacement being brought, and the same visitor was told the pub avoids WiFi to encourage chat. Another simply wished the pub served dessert.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips draw repeat praise, with reviewers describing chunky battered haddock, homemade tartare sauce, and a memorable potato pattie in the Hull chippy special. Close behind, the ceiling covered in beer mats and the overall atmosphere get singled out, along with a good selection of cask ales and beers. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and funny, with one visit noting a homemade lemon drizzle cake offered by a staff member. A few mention the food isn't cheap but feel it's justified by the setting, and one diner appreciated a pensioner discount. One reviewer's chips arrived underdone twice despite a replacement being brought, and the same visitor was told the pub avoids WiFi to encourage chat. Another simply wished the pub served dessert.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Clean place with great food Would be nice if you guys serve dessert somehow ;)”
- Google user
“Great service and food staff always friendly and kind always my favourite place to visit”
- Google user
“Enthusiastic and warm welcome. Friday afternoon visit in June. Great atmosphere though not too busy. Ordered food 1 x fish n chips + 1 x Hull chippy special. Excellent fish and the potato pattie was a revelation. The taste surpassed initial visual expectations, almost full marks. The Haddock was full of flavour. Good selection of beers. Would definitely recommend and return”
- Google user
“Another classic busy pub in Hull. Younger age group customers and favourite hen party choice!”
- Google user
“Another old pub in Hull's Old Town to visit. A very friendly team wait to welcome and keep the party going. The ceiling is covered in thousand of beer mats ... must have taken an age to put up it looks really good. The pub inside reflects it's age in design terms, with some very cleverly worked in modern design elements, such as high tables. It's very clean. The food is very good, not cheap, but where is these days. Traditional pub fare and some not so. A modern beer offer sits alongside some more traditional ales. Very much worth stopping here for a meal especially if you're on a trip to visit many of the really great old pubs in Hull. Highly recommended. (As usual in many of my reviews, when the online photo bank belonging to the place being reviewed exactly match reality, we use them; these are from the pub's own Facebook page. They have manipulated them at all.)”
Location
Bars near The Lion & Key
- Manor Farm4.32,0643.2 mi£10–20ReservationsGood for kidsTakeout
long wait for food, mixed grill, sticky pig burger
- The Springhead4.11984.1 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
large beer garden, function room for events, frank cleveland big band
- 4.2 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
fish finger sandwich, village burger, afternoon tea
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lion & Key | 4.61,844 | — | — | haddock and chips, tartare sauce, beer mat covered ceiling |
| Manor FarmReservations · Good for kids · Takeout | 4.32,064 | 3.2 mi | £10–20 | long wait for food, mixed grill, sticky pig burger |
| The SpringheadReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.1198 | 4.1 mi | £10–20 | large beer garden, function room for events, frank cleveland big band |
| The Village Green, Cafe BarReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.4998 | 4.2 mi | £10–20 | fish finger sandwich, village burger, afternoon tea |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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