Fortitude Valley icon set for dramatic transformation

After more than 30 years as a Brisbane yum cha institution, King of Kings restaurant is set to be transformed into a new adult’s playground.

A render of the new Ballers Clubhouse in Fortitude Valley.

Fortitude Valley’s iconic Chinese restaurant King of Kings is officially set for a major overhaul, with a new venue to take over the famous Chinatown Mall site.

The restaurant, which was a Brisbane yum cha favourite for more than three decades, officially closed at the beginning of 2020, with plans to renovate, upgrade and resurrect the venue never coming to fruition.

A render of the new Ballers Clubhouse in Fortitude Valley.

But now a successful Melbourne-based hospitality group wants to breathe new life into the tenancy on the corner of Duncan and Wickham Streets, as well as the empty space below, launching what’s being billed as an adult’s playground.

Ballers Club House, which has two venues in Melbourne, will combine a bar and eatery with technology-based games such as pimped-up ping pong, shuffle board, darts and ball pit karaoke.

A render of the new Ballers Clubhouse in Fortitude Valley.

“It’s what’s called competitive socialising,” said Ballers Clubhouse co-founder Joshua Lefers.

“It’s immersive and experiential and more a games experience … giving people the opportunity to entertain themselves.”

The 1100sq m, two-storey site will also serve premium bites like tacos, sliders, pizza and snacks designed so you can eat with one hand and play games with the other; plus beer, wine and cocktails.

“We want to have legitimately healthy options as well that actually taste good,” Mr Lefers said.

“We’re really paying attention to elevating our dining experience.”

A render of the new Ballers Clubhouse in Fortitude Valley.

The venue, which is due to open at the end of the year, will cater to everything from nights out with friends or a partner, to hen’s and buck’s parties, birthdays and corporate team building.

Ballers Clubhouse will be a cousin to the hospitality group’s other new quirky, adult-focused Brisbane venue Pawn & Co, which will combine a pawn shop with a nightclub, bar, eatery and perfumery. It’s due to open in May in the former Laruche tenancy along Ann St in Fortitude Valley.

“We think Brisbane is on the precipice of being the greatest hospitality area in Australia and we’ll keep looking in the area for more opportunities,” Mr Lefers said.