The King’s Arms Wandsworth

An exotic outdoor ‘pleasure island’ inspired by the beaches of California is a big draw at the Wandsworth branch of the Young's chain: book one of the neon-splashed beach huts, relax on the swing seats, play ping-pong or chill out at the palm-thatched cocktail bar. Inside, the venue boasts a bookable, self-contained ‘butterfly lounge’, as well as ‘Aladdin’s cave’ interiors (chandeliers, leather sofas, velvet curtains, vintage knick-knacks etc), which contrast strikingly with the ‘dirty diner’ food on offer: think ribs, wings, fancy burgers, sharing plates, hot dogs, foot-wide pizzas and crinkle-cut cheesy fries. With DJs spinning the decks and busy bartenders crafting interesting drinks such as Key Lime Pie Martini or homemade basil lemonade with Tequila and jalapeño, the vibe quickly ramps up into party mode at weekends. There’s live music on Thursday nights, too.