The Kings Arms, SW6

Originally called the Kings Arms, this late Victorian pub has in the past few years flitted back and forth between being called the Larrik (its current label since reopening in May) and its more traditional title. These days it’s less of a pub and more of a full on party venue and sports bar clearly aimed at the backpackers market and is essentially a Walkabout in all but name with all the down under charms that go with it. If the dubious pleasure of celebrating the likes of “no undies Sunday’s” is your thing then you’ll feel at home here. On Fulham match days hordes of football fans combined with antipdian culturalists make for an interesting experience. The pub is quite large and relatively open plan with bare floors and a mix of seating styles, some looking decidedly uncomfortable. The pillars are lined with comic pages and, in the centre of the pub, a large graffitti’d metal shack has been constructed that houses a mini-cinema showing selected movies (with free popcorn) and 3D sports coverage. For people who prefer more conventional viewing, there are plentiful normal TV’s in the main body of the pub. At the rear is a DJ area / stage with lighting rigs, mirrorballs and a wall decorated with vinyl discs. The front half of a VW Doormobile pokes through the wall Hard Rock Café style. One interesting feature is the outdoor courtyard with a large beach mural that appears to be the remnants of a demolished building, the facede of which (you’d need to observe from outside) is an impressive tiled archway. Live music and karaoke are regular features.and theer is a table football game but strangely, no pool table (or if there was I didn’t notice it). Members of the fairer sex looking to lighten their suitcases can exchange their underwear in return for a few free shots if they wish and a clothes airer hanging form the ceiling displays more “trophys” than will ever be seen down the road at Craven Cottage. Beer wise there is just the one ale, a surprisingly decent enough Adnams (£3.30) and several unusual (presumably antipedian) beers on tap. The food was also inspired from down under barbies but seemed reasonably priced with dishes between £6-10. The place is loud, lairy and undeniably crude but for some people it is probably the centerpiece of their social activities and I suppose to give it some credit, it is probably a good place at doing what it does. Personally though I think I’ll stick to something a little more tranquil in future.