With pubs and bars in such rude health in H&F, a number of new establishments are pouring out across the borough to further boost the night-time economy.

Hammersmith & Fulham’s vibrant nightlife scene was recognised at the Time Out Love London Awards 2018 where The Kings Head Cocktail Bar and Courtyard in Fulham High Street was voted the best place in London to kick back in the sun with a cold drink.

“H&F has such a buzz about it,” said Kings Head co-founder Nenad Petrovic. “There is so much new development in the area and we are so excited to be a part of the growth. H&F truly has that 'it' factor.”

And the after work options have just got bigger with the all-vegan Tell Your Friends in New Kings Road, The Prince in Lillie Road and The Little Blue Door in Fulham Road becoming the latest watering holes to open shop.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council aims to enhance the borough’s night-time economy in a bid to make H&F the best place to live, work and play in Europe as outlined in its Industrial Strategy (pdf).

New businesses

The Little Blue Door swung open its doors on 2 May, after the closure of The Wine Rooms.

Fulham resident Kamran Dehdashti and co-founder Jamie Hazeel have brought a whole new concept to going out with a venue designed like a friend’s flat with a living room, study and kitchen.

The quirkiness doesn’t stop there with a mini prosecco vending machine and the chance to enjoy your drinks, from of all things, a vase and a jug blender.

There is even a video gaming lounge area and the study will soon have a dining table which flips over into a pool table.

“H&F is a great place to do business,” said Kamran. “It has given us the chance to expand our business and bring something new to the borough.”

The venue’s dinner parties were sold out for three years in a row at their former home, The Little Yellow Door, in Notting Hill. And there will be more culinary fun at their Fulham branch with a bottomless brunch on Saturdays and a traditional roast on Sundays.

The Prince

After undergoing a revamp, The Prince, formerly the Prince of Wales, reopened in April.

It boasts arguably the largest pub garden in London which has been transformed into a beautiful summer English garden with two roofs (one is retractable and the other is clear) alongside its three bars and four restaurants.

“We feel we’re introducing the community in Hammersmith and Fulham to a new era of drinking and dining,” said Incipio Group founder Charlie Gardiner. “Not only are we providing a new big and beautiful destination in the borough equipped with restaurants, bars and atmosphere but we’re creating more jobs and increasing footfall to the area too.”

The Incipio Group is the same company which brought Pergola On The Roof opposite Westfield London shopping centre and the recently-opened Feast Canteen in King Street to the borough.

All-vegan drinks

Meanwhile, an all-vegan food and drinks venue called Tell Your Friends has opened (May 1) in the south of the borough.

Sisters, Tiffany and Lucy Watson, who starred in the reality TV show Made In Chelsea, have teamed up with their father Clive, who is the chairman of the City Pub Group which owns and runs pubs across the UK.

The former Strada restaurant site in New Kings Road is the setting for the sisters’ vegan hotspot.

Lucy and Tiffany, who are both vegan, have put together a menu of well-known dishes but with vegan ingredients which includes fish and chips made from banana blossom, cashew tartare sauce with a hemp and sunflower crumb. 

Dad, Clive, plans to open another pub at Aragon House, which is just down the road, after buying the Grade II listed building for £7.75 million in 2017 from the Fulham Royal British Legion Club.

The pub is scheduled to open in September.

In other news, craft beer specialists BrewDog, who have a venue in Goldhawk Road have taken over the Draft House, which have a pub in Shepherds Bush Road.