The Kings Head, Earls Court, SW5

This pub seems to be unchanged since the previous reviewer's visit. It was obviously once an old backstreet local, but there aren't many of them left in this part of the world. It's totally modernised inside with the usual mix of tall tables/tall stools, normal tables and chairs, and armchairs. All fairly comfortable if you like that kind of thing, but it struck me as a bit clinical. Being a Fuller's pub, it had on Oliver's Island, HSB, London Pride and London Beer Factory Chelsea Blond. The latter guest ale came as a pleasant surprise, but pints of the Chelsea Blond and Pride came to £9.10, so I guess one was £4.50 and the other £4.60. Top of the range prices even for this area. I didn't see a printed menu, but a blackboard on one of the walls advertised the chef's signature dishes - pan-fried salmon is £16; and duck breast with dauphinoise potatoes, red wine & cinnamon sauce is £17. That looks to be consistent with the beer prices. But having said all that it still strikes me as a pub instead of a restaurant pretending to be a pub. The Chelsea blond was in decent condition as well. I don't imagine that I would seek this one out for a re-visit, but I would have no objection to visiting again.

Official site of The Kings Head - www.kingsheadearlscourt.co.uk

Official site of The Kings Head - www.kingsheadearlscourt.co.uk

Backstreet upscale gastroboozer, which looks to have been the victim of an over-zealous refurb a few years ago. Staple shaped, with adjunct blue alcove. Wood panelling and crap art for sale. Quiz and music nights advertised. Decent selection on the pumps, Portobello Star & Porter, Hanlons Snowstorm (past its best) and London Beer co Chelsea Blonde (much better). Interesting little bolt-hole if in the area. Anyone know which king it is on the pub sign?

This is a reasonably large, single room pub just off the busy Earls Court Road, down a side street opposite Earls Court station. The pub has a bit of a gastro feel to it with bare floorboards and a rather dull colour scheme with very little in the way of interesting décor except some interesting light fittings and a bright rear section livened up with a selection of modern art prints which all seemed to be for sale. The servery is economically positioned along one wall and has a modern counter and bar back, with the latter adorned with a series of small, framed mirrors. The bar area has some pretty, patterned tiles on the floor space around it, which is arguably the pub's most striking and interesting feature. High tables and stools have been set out opposite the bar, with more high stools along a drinking ledge to the left. A cosy looking space near one of the entrances has a nice fireplace with a TV screen above (turned off on this visit) and some sofa seating in front. On the other side of this entrance, you'll find a small, cosy seating area which was notable for a bird cage filled with candles. The rear of the pub has mostly standard tables and chairs, with an extra sofa thrown in for good measure, again in front of a fireplace with a large TV screen in attendance. Music played quietly throughout my stay and a number of people appeared to be enjoying food, although I didn't manage to see the menu, having been unable to get a table, such was the pub's post-work popularity. Unfortunately, my arrival appears to have been poorly timed, as there was just the one ale available - Westerham Tripel Jump (£4.20) - with two more pumps having reversed clips and one more bearing a clip which informed me that there is a 'drought' at the moment and that new beer will be on soon. To be fair, the staff did seem to be doing their best to pull the lines through whilst serving a very busy bar. Fortunately, the Tripel Jump was pretty good and the keg range, should I have needed to resort to it, contained the likes of Warsteiner, Palm and Krusovice, with posters advertising an upcoming Oktoberfest beer festival. I spotted a few interesting bottled beers in the fridges as well. The barmaid who served me was very friendly and the team were doing a decent job making sure everyone was promptly served. This pub may lack a bit of character, but its popularity makes up for this by helping to generate a lively atmosphere. Couple this to the friendly service and potentially interesting beer range and you have a perfectly serviceable pub that is probably the pick of the bunch in the immediate vicinity of Earls Court station.