Forgot to say, The Flying Scotsman (about 2 mins from KX) is probably a cross between what you're looking for (strippers + ale).
Dirty dirty place... never been in there myself of course... The Dun-a-Ri bar just opposite, is good for European nights if you can't get anywhere else - they show both games and there's usually a decent atmosphere. The Driver just up Caledonian Road doesn't show football anymore but is not bad for food and a quiet drink. The Fellow's good as others have mentioned. Angel Islington is 5 minutes walk away and Clerkenwell and Hoxton a short bus trip.
The whole area's changed a lot in the last few years and will continue to develop over the next few years. We used to have our office on Wharfdale Road and when we moved in there were tarts on every corner. They've pretty much all moved out - just a few dirty ones that accost you by the station. There are plenty of good places to eat and it's perfect for getting pretty much anywhere else. You're on the Piccadilly Line, Victoria, Northern, Metropolitan Circle & District, London Thameslink, Kings Cross and Euston just up the road and of course St Pancras International if you fancy a trip to France. Bus links are excellent - good tip is to learn the bus routes, it's more civilised than the tube and cheaper.
Don't commute from outside London - it's fine for old farts like me but it can be a pain in the arse and you're better off being on a tube line or bus route from Central London within the North Circular. I'd also look at sharing if I was you. There's always the chance you'll end up living with a couple of right cocks but you can always move on if it doesn't work out. My son's lived in Crouch End, Hackney (the nicer bits) and the furthest out he's lived (apart from at home) was East Finchley in a house he shared with two girls.
Use Gumtree or just keep your ear to the ground.
http://www.gumtree.com/london/2547_1.htmlKiller's right about London - if you're the type of person that mopes around feeling sorry for yourself then London can be alienating but if you enjoy life it's one of the great cities to live in.
By the way - are you going to be working at Kings Place by any chance?