This simple pub is a tourist stronghold thanks to the hostel upstairs. And, as it’s right on the Thames, a day spent here may well persuade residents to stay rather than backpack across Europe.

The Venue
Depending on the weather, you might think that King William IV is a charming riverside spot or, on harsher days, that it’s forgotten and forlorn on the deserted (by pedestrians – there are plenty of cars) Grosvenor Road. The summer is picture-perfect because the pub - with its sizeable patio - is just across the road from a little visited segment of the Thames, opposite Battersea Power Station. However, rainy winter nights are not so enticing as they may involve a dark walk from the faraway tube station. The interior is quite stripped down: non-descriptive furniture, a few Chesterfields, pool and football tables all help to create a basic but functional space.

The Atmosphere
The King William IV is the ground floor pub of the 70-bed Travel Joy hostel upstairs. As a result most customers are travellers in their early twenties, keen to listen to the live music on stage or to follow sports on the screens. A young but not studenty pub, the atmosphere is pleasant but variable: once a group of travellers have gone, the incoming group sets the scene and so on. A few older locals partake in the drinking, while the friendly Irish management add a cheerful note to the service.

The Food
The pub actually has a restaurant called Black Orchid that serves Thai food alongside a few European dishes (£7-£10). The long menu counts starters (£2.50-£5), soups (£4-£5), curries, wok dishes (both £6.50-£7.50), noodles and rice dishes (£7.50-£8.50), most of which are customisable with vegetables, meat or fish. The hot and spicy soup is pleasantly strong and aromatic, but there are too many inedible lemongrass shoots and the vegetable tempura has a coating that lacks the bubbly lightness of tempura. The mussaman curry is great – both creamy and rich - although the portion is small compared with the large serving of perfumed Jasmine or sticky coconut rice. The same is true for the tasty oyster sauce stir-fry. To finish things off, order the unusual ice cream: a ball of vanilla is coated in fried batter creating a foreign texture which makes for a heavy but worthwhile experience.

The Drink
You can choose from Stella, Carlsberg, Kronenbourg, Bulmers, John Smith and Carling on draught, or bottles of Magners, Grolsh, Corona, Heineken, Budweiser, Becks and Peroni. Unfortunately, prices are not exactly backpacker cheap at £3.40-£3.80 per pint or £3.20-£3.50 per bottle. Seven wines are on offer at £14 per bottle or £3.20 per glass. Most spirits are fairly priced at £2.50.

The Last Word
King William IV is a fairly standard, sparse but honest pub. Its biggest selling point – the riverside location – means that when the weather is kind, it really transforms the venue and coats the King William IV with happy, free-spirited shine.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (2) image gallery (5)