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 Loft for Words Pub GuideMon 07th Jul 2008 00:01 The LFW pub guide, as written by the regulars of our message board who frequent the various establishments round the Bush. E-mail your reviews to loftforwords@yahoo.co.uk. Shepherds Bush GreenFirst port of call for most visiting supporters, surrounded by pubs and takeaways and within easy walking distance of Shepherds Bush Central Line and Overground station, Wood Lane, Shepherds Bush Market and Goldhawk Road on the Hammersmith and City and Circle Lines. Away fans at high profile games will often find the police directing them to O’Neills and the Walkabout and several pubs in this vicinity operate home fans only policies. Ten minute walk to the ground from here. The Belushi’s chain offers live sports and accommodation for home and away fans on the Central Line side of Shepherds Bush Green. A good mix of home and away fans can be found in this Wetherspoons - a ideal location for people arriving via the Central Line or Overground to Shepherds Bush. A bit upmarket, a bit pricey, and not very football orientated at all, but the Defector’s Weld remains popular pre and post match and does a cracking Sunday roast. The Green has been a popular haunt for QPR fans for many years, but its decision to ditch its Sky subscription seems to be costing it. O'Neills is a sound place with food and live sport on offer. It is however the definitive pub for away fans now and while that's fine for most of the season it's worth steering clear of when the likes of Leeds United are in town. The Walkabout on Shepherds Bush Green gets a once over from LFW regulars, although it is more of an away fans pub these days. Goldhawk RoadOne of two main roads stretching west away from Shepherds Bush Green. Less pubs and food outlets than Uxbridge Road, but quieter and more upmarket establishments are on offer. Served by Goldhawk Road tube station, well placed for those arriving from Hammersmith direction. A ten to 15 minute walk to the ground and ideal for those wanting to get away from the Green on busy matchdays. O'Donoghues on the Goldhawk Road is a former home of the LSA. A decent boozer for home fans only boasting pool tables and big screen Sky Sports. Once the greatest pre-match boozer in the world ever, The Goldhawk is now another up market, trendy bar for Shepherds Bush. Previously the best kept secret in the Bush, discovered by hundreds of R’s after the last game of the season and now likely to be more busy. The Shepherd and Flock, possibly the smallest pubs in the history of pubs, boasts an impressive staff of attractive Polish barmaids. The Stinging Nettle was, is and will remain a tragic destruction of a previously fantastic QPR pub and should be boycotted on principle. Uxbridge RoadMain road stretching west away from the Green with a whole array of pubs and eateries. One end is served by Shepherds Bush Market tube station while the other is ideal for people arriving from the west by car or bus. The pubs mentioned here (on or near the Uxbridge Road) are mostly QPR strongholds and should be approached with caution by away fans – sensible, well behaved visitors are welcomed but there has been high profile hassle in this area, notably at last season’s Bristol City game. The subject of a refit and makeover since the last LFW pub makeover. Now offers a decent range of food. Hard core QPR boozer that attracted some trouble at the Bristol City match last season but is usually a decent option with a great atmosphere. A traditional old Irish pub that’s starting to look its age but a favourite haunt of QPR fans for many years. The Crown and Sceptre has long been a favourite pre and post match haunt of QPR fans and gets an excellent review from LFW. A bizarre mixture of QPR, Newcastle and Celtic memorabilia can be found scattered around The White Horse near Shepherds Bush Market tube station. Wood LaneMain road connecting the Green with Westfield, Wood Lane and White City tube stations, the BBC Television centre, the A40 Westway and then down to Kilburn and Harlesden. Though not reviewed here the new Westfield shopping centre has a wide variety of chain restaurants and pubs inside that are away fan friendly, if you can stand being surrounded by happy shoppers. A no go in the run up to Christmas. A new, undiscovered, and possibly illegitimate entry into the LFW pub guide. For fans approaching from Kilburn and Harlesden The Pavilion is a decent option on the other side of Loftus Road to the green and Uxbridge Road. OthersA few other pubs for your consideration that didn’t fit into any other category. Mostly these are further afield, but The Springbok is no more than ten seconds walk from the ground. A little further afield, but a quiet pint with excellent food is on offer a minute from Holland Park tube station. Further afield, and part of a hotel, but if you’re coming from South Ruislip tube it may be of some use. The Eagle on Askew Road offers a decent range of quality, but pricey, food. Another very decent pub that doesn’t get too busy on a matchday, probably owing to its location on Shepherds Bush Road, heading away from the green towards Hammersmith. QPR's most local of locals The Springbok gets the once over from our message board. This place is literally within spitting distance of the ground.
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