The Captain Cook, Fulham, SW6

As the Prince of Wales, this dates from 1869 and built by John Young, the current building dates from around 1938. It has recently had a massive makeover, turning it into some sort of major entertainment venue, aimed squarely at the young and trendy. I didn’t actually spend any time in the pub, as only the downstairs (or more accurately outside) bar was open, existing on multiple levels and massive, with table numbers going up to at least 944; CAMRA claims the interior and garden (which is landscaped and covered) can accommodate 800; it’s a huge rambling area, which actually opens into food shops, which are situated further along Lillie Road. Furniture is woody, as is the decked floor. There’s much custom-made neon signage, some huge with bold statements such as ‘BAR’, ‘The Prince’, ‘FOOD THIS WAY’ or ‘WASHROOMS’, all in gaudy colours. There are wooden booths and flowering fake plants hang from the rafters, staff in black shirts darting around like waiters in a restaurant, all to a hip-hop soundtrack. Unsurprisingly there’s no rea ale, me settling for a half of Camden Pale at £3.25. This isn’t a great place and I’ve passed in on a Friday/Saturday, when it’s more like a nightclub; the Lillie Langtry – opposite – is a superior option.

Modern,smart pub and diningroom.A lot different from previous pub.Quiet on my visit but staff were friendly.Three cask ales on Old Peculier,Deuchars and Captains ale (house beer)Not very adventurous on the beer front.

Official site of The Captain Cook - www.thecaptaincook.com

Official site of The Captain Cook - www.thecaptaincook.com