BITE user comments - random_ranger
Comments by random_ranger
Very nice pub, and if the Sunday lunch looks a bit on the steep side pricewise get the lamb - it'll be about the size of your head and you'll still be eating it on Monday - it's enormous and very very tasty. That picture at the top is roughly how it looked when I left there as I was pleasantly hammered. There's an old Thai tuk-tuk in the back garden which I'd normally write-off as try-hard-pretentious-bollocks but comes across as endearingly quirky here.
8 Dec 2008 15:51
It's open again. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be a pub, a social club, a dancefloor or someone's front room. Maybe my drinks were spiked with mad hallucenogenics or something. Which for �2.50 a pint is exceedingly good value. I'll rate it a 4 as while it achieved the primary objective (getting beers in before rangers) I left feeling ever so slightly soiled.
23 May 2008 17:00
It's called Flangans now. On the plus side the beer is good and well-priced and it's hard to go wrong with the food, especially the sunday dinners which top anything nearby for value and quality. On the downside the staff could smile a bit more - they all look like they're dreading being sacked for something or another.
23 May 2008 16:54
The downstairs is 3/4 restaurant although the floor staff don't seem to have a problem with you just drinking on some of edge tables if it's not busy on the food front. Screens upstairs but can be hit and miss as to getting served up there so if you're in for sport be prepared to be going up and down the stairs.
Food's lovely but as has been said, it's more or a restaurant anyway.
23 May 2008 16:39
It's clean and the beer's good so will do for a pint if you dont mind being served by the Scowlski sisters, who communicate solely through the medium of scowls.
23 May 2008 16:21
Normally when you think "station pub" you think of beggar-infested kips like the Hamilton Hall in Liverpol St or that grotty shithole at the end of Waterloo station. This place is the complete opposite. Walk up here from Acton park, over the level-crossing and you could almost imagine you're not in London. Ish. Not eaten here beyond a bowl of chips but the food looks nice. Beer is good and service friendly, if slightly harried on a Friday night (understandably it gets busy, it's popular).
23 May 2008 16:12
The garden is the obvious reason to go to here - it's massive. The inside is a bit drab despite having been refurbed a couple of times but good enough to watch football although I'd stick another screen in. Beer is quite reasonably priced although paying �2.27 a pint is just annoying as you end with a pocket full of copper shite. Food is fairly standard for a Barras pub and while they won't be bothering the Michellin guides any time soon it'll fill a hole. The only other complaint I've had is they've run out of glasses/beer once or twice when it's been hot or something like the world cup is on. Otherwise, better than your average.
23 May 2008 16:03
The Heeltap and Bumper, Broadgate
Been called Vinum for a goood couple of years now. Worth a punt at the happy hour Amstels at �2 a pop from 5-7pm - abusing Amstel like this inevitably leads to losing control over one's mouth, wallet and eventually, bowels.
8 Nov 2007 12:39
Should be renamed "Palais du Prats" - swerve it and try the Prophet over the road instead.
8 Nov 2007 12:31
I'll hold my hands up to a bit of sweeping generalisation there then slacker but seeing two seperate incidents in the course of a Sunday evening where barbour-coated "gents" went out of their way to visibly upset teenage bar staff for minor service infractions got my goat. I'm all for expecting a level of quality when paying to eat out but these cases were unnecessary for what is at the end of the day, pub food.
29 Aug 2007 13:31
The Brook Green Hotel, Hammersmith
Nice refurb but what did they finish the walls with? Gold leaf? I can't think of any other reason why the prices have gone up so much and (as per the previous two comments) they've got such a push on the dry take. Nothing terrible about the place and worth a pint if passing through but not worth detouring for.
13 Aug 2007 15:22
The Stinging Nettle, Shepherds Bush
Completely in agreement with the comments on here - not a patch on what it was pre-refurb but that's not necessarily to say it's a bad pub it just seems to have changed the clientele it's after from your average Joe Drinker and the more genteel element of the football crowd to the Beeb's meeja brigade. Dunno if Frank is still running it but it appears to have become a sister pub to the Old Ship in Hammersmith (same food menu in any case). The beer is OK but slightly on the pricey side, likewise the food. There's a decent vibe weekend nights when it's warm as a DJ pitches up on the roof terrace and I think they serve until 1am so that's all good.
The only slight drawback is the place has lost the "edge" it had before - walking into the BushRanger pre-refurb felt like walking into a proper pub. Now you feel a bit like you're walking into Kelly Hoppen's living room. Depends what you're after I suppose.
1 Jul 2007 00:03
I'm not remotely picky as to where I drink but this place is the tattered festering rectum of the Shepherds Bush pub scene. If you can ignore the stench coming from the crappers you'll possibly smell the dank stench of desperation to have a "wild night" pervading the place like a smog. You'll get more polite and erudite company if you go over the road and sit with the tramps and winos on the green. You're probably less likely to get soaked in piss at any rate.
Phrase you're least likely to hear: "I don't need to be drunk to have a good time you know..."
30 Jun 2007 23:47
The White Horse, Shepherds Bush
This has been a great little pub for years as it does the basics simply. Beer reasonably priced and a decent ponce-free atmosphere. If you're into your pool the table mentioned earlier is a beauty, 3/4 snooker table size and the standard in the pub is pretty high. It's easy to miss the place completely as it's sandwiched in between Blockbusters and another shop. Rammed when Rangers are at home but worth sticking around until the crowd slacks off. There's a karaoke there sometimes and the bloke who runs it can be a bit of a wand but that's trivial.
30 Jun 2007 23:17
The Queen Adelaide, Shepherds Bush
Punts out lager at �2 a pint which is cheaper than anywhere else around here and appeals to the pre-Rangers crowd. The pation outside is Bazra-esque as it's not unheard of for it to go off with rival fans before or after games. Men's toilets hum but that aside, just about bearable if only for a cheap pint.
30 Jun 2007 23:07
Good little pub and stands above most in the area. Excellent beer, quality and good value food, staff are right on the ball - even when busy it's easy to get served and they keep the floor well run (you don't end up sitting at a table surrounded by a sea of empty pint glasses).
John Prescott was in here when I went in but it's still a decent pub. It's shockingly easy to stack it down the staris to the blokes toilets if you get wellied though. I speak from experience.
30 Jun 2007 18:29
Wine-bar/ersatz beer-keller comment spot on. I made the mistake of leaving my card behind the bar during a works quiz night - they gave me a key as the tab which should have started alarm bells ringing really. �120 later and I was much wiser. Beer and lager both drinkable although utterly unpronouncable (just point and shout "BEE-EER please" like you've on holiday in Magaluf and you'll get served though) although I couldn't tell you how much either cost.
Strange place in that the barstaff and table-service guy appeared to be wearing dinner suits. Actually, that's probably what my money's been spent on.
21 Jun 2007 17:33
The Broadgate Exchange, Broadgate
Excellent place if you can sit on the wall outside while someone else goes and gets your beer for you (I believe these are called "runners" on trading floors). Bit of a kip inside but after the 10th pint it makes very little difference.
21 Jun 2007 17:27
The Sir Paul Pindar, Bishopsgate
A pub in the city that serves bottles of wine for under a fiver can't be sniffed at but that brings it's own problems in the shape of secretaries and post-room boys who can't handle their beer and end up leaving bodily fluids on the floor (or inside each other).
Decent enough to watch football and get mullered for under a score so I've no shame coming in here the week before payday, buying a bucket of ros� and crying softly to myself as I ask why? why? I don't get paid more so I wouldn't have to drink here and listen to some ropy old boiler murder yet another Robbie Williams song on the karaoke. Astoundingly they have a bouncer on the door from 10pm to enforce...I'm not quite sure. Quality control? Dress code?
If your life insurance is paid up and covers you for death by instant artery-clogging, order a PindarBurger. And then an ambulance.
21 Jun 2007 17:22
Looks like a council estate pub in that photo with only the suits giving it away. Surprisingly light inside however and have the addition of a decent-sized space out back that catches the sun nicely. There's a couple of screens for football but they're awkwardly placed - this won't concern Tarquin and Jemima come the next "soccer tournament" that "Becksy" and "Roonesy" play in as the Cuban Bar next door stick a couple of big screens and a bottle bar outside under big umbrellas. And fair play to them.
Par for the course around here but can be a pain getting served on a Thursday/Friday until the one-pint-wonders have gone about 7ish but fine then. Food decent and guest ales well-kept. If you're after a proper beer the St Paul's Tavern is a more traditional Casque Marque pub around the corner on Chiswell St.
21 Jun 2007 17:09
Was looking for somewhere to kill an hour or two on Saturday afternoon and couldn't face the rugby crowd in the Puzzle so bimbled in here. A good move. Well kept beers and lagers and although I didn't eat, the food looked and smelled fantastic. If your normal tipple is cooking lager (Fosters/Carling etc) you're probably best off trying the Litvoel Classic. Don't start in on the premium like I did if you're planning a session - it's strong old gear! Friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. Deffo be back.
4 Jun 2007 11:25
Completely unpretentious and down-to-earth neighbourhood pub with friendly staff and locals. Only place I've found in West London with Pink Floyd on the jukebox that no-one minds being played at midnight on a bank-holiday Monday. I'd live here if I was more local.
17 May 2007 14:59
Agree this is one of the best pubs in this area and proof you can't judge a pub from the outside as this one looks pretty drab at first glance (it used to be a community centre I've been told).
The big main bar and open area has stools grouped around those barrel tables. There's a slightly raised dias where (mainly) diners sit and a "snug bar" type arrangement to the left where the pool table is. Never had a problem with service even when rammed and the beer is always good quality.
Good placement and number of screens means you can watch whatever football is on from anywhere in the pub. There's a great atmosphere for big games, especially Ireland but also the last FA cup final. My only complaint would be when playing a pool match on a Monday night here and it was empty.
14 May 2007 17:31
The Metropolitan, Westbourne Park
I used to drink here on and off 10 years ago when it was run by Middlesborough Dave, your typical fat northern landlord - good lad and liked his drink. The last time I drank here I had a fight with a pissed-up bus driver from the depot over the road. It's been done up since to cater for the local media-whores and is soul-sapping and dull. My friend was barred for smoking 2 feet away from the bar. Or maybe because he didn't have a trust fund, I don't know. I'd sooner take my chances with pissed bus drivers than suffer drinking here these days.
14 May 2007 17:16
The William Morris, Hammersmith
In the first (proper) Star Wars film, Obi Wan describes a bar as a wretched hive of scum and villany. I'm almost certain he was referring to the William Morris.
14 May 2007 17:00
The Askew Arms, Shepherds Bush
On the plus side the wine list is extensive and good quality (according to the missus), the stone-baked pizzas are tasty (and good value on a 2-for-1 night) and it's quite relaxed in here. On the minus, the draught selection is limited (Carling, Wifebeater, Kirin & Guinness) and they don't seem to have Sky sports. Good place in comparison to anything else local.
14 May 2007 16:28
The Crown and Sceptre, Shepherds Bush
I've walked past this pub loads of times and never been in until last weekend and it's truly a great little pub - good beer and the food is excellent value for money. I ordered a fish & chips and out came Moby Dick in batter. Well worth the detour.
14 May 2007 14:00
ice_man, I'm not digging the place out about the atmosphere - I was actually saying the atmosphere during big games is a gooc craic.
There was (still might be) a quiz night on Sundays which was a laugh as well - provided you drank from bottles.
I'm not a great fan of weeing beer/line cleaner out of my bum following a session so that's why I don't like the place.
And if you can walk into the KPH, the Eagle, the Cowshed or the Western and call any of them "gastro" with a straight face I'll gladly buy your beer all evening!!
15 Nov 2006 15:04
Nice pub and food very good as you'd expect (sister pub to the Cumberland, Fox & Hounds, Dartmouth Castle)
26 Oct 2006 15:28
While I appreciate the social treatise on Ladbroke Grove, the failings of the local community should have no effect whatsoever on the quality of the drink here, which I'm afraid I can honestly say is terrible to the point of undrinkable. If it isn't flat (Stella) or warm (Carlspiss), it's bowel-threateningly bad (unsettled Guinness pulled straight-off).
I'd like to be able to qualify my comments as a one-off but I've lived on Lancaster Rd for nearly 30 years and drank in the area for about 15. This place has been getting the beer wrong since it was the Firkin up until my most recent grudging visit with mates during the world cup (I make the landlord right about it the atmosphere during a big game though).
My advice is drink bottles. I'm that put-off by the draught here I'd sooner drink a pint of XXXX from the halfway-house that is the KP.
11 Sep 2006 16:49
I was here 4 years ago and I'm sure it wasn't as bad as the utter dump it is now. Avoid at all costs.
11 Sep 2006 16:16
Sad to see the pool tables gone. Handy place to go for a pint if eating in Sam's out the back but very little else.
11 Sep 2006 16:00
Cracking little pub - what Tommy Flynns in Hammersmith was before becoming Flynns Bar and Asylum Seeker Refuge. Only pub I've found in London still doing a Full Irish Breakfast (with black AND white pudding). Only minor niggle is the pool table is so cramped you've to take any shot across the table like Stephen Hawkins.
11 Sep 2006 15:56
Popped in here with my girlfriend after a day mooching around Chiswick for a quick pint while wating for a bus and got absolutely hammered. Made random friends with some other hammered people. Nice, easy-going pub (I think).
11 Sep 2006 15:50
The Central Bar, Shepherds Bush
Standard Wetherspoons really on the beer side but I'm 50/50 about the food here. Had the mixed grill on a Tuesday - couldn't fault it. Tried the curry on a Thursday - was still running through me on Sunday. Still, if you're the type of person who goes to a Wetherspoons for a culinary experience you'll probably appreciate the eat-as-much-as-you-like chinky next door. No doubting it's cheap as though.
11 Sep 2006 15:26
The Hand and Flower, Kensington
Nice pub - my sister had her wedding reception upstairs. Staff generally pleasant until about midnight when trying in vain to get rid of my 30 plastered Irish uncles. Can't really blame them though, they were annoying me as well.
11 Sep 2006 15:20
The food is good quality here but I'd stil rate the Dartmouth as better since the Atlas crowd took them over. Nice place for a beer.
21 Aug 2006 18:14
The Grand Junction Arms, Harlesden
I'll elaborate for you then amber.
First off, any pub offering a menu with 8 types of burger on it (including a "Jamaican" (mango & pineapple), a "Mexican" (chilli & nachos) and a "Thai" - satay peanut sauce?!) needs its head pulling out of its arse. I was a bit unsure as to whether I was looking at a menu or the electoral roll for the United Nations.
I ordered an "American" (or a beefburger with bacon and BBQ sauce in layman's terms) and was sent a cheeseburger with bacon. I don't like cheese so asked if it could be changed. The waitress came back with the same burger and told me it was actually an American. I pointed out the lack of BBQ sauce and the unwanted (and unmentioned on the menu) cheese. She had a bit of a scowl and puttered off back to the kitchen, returning 15 minutes later with the same burger and bun (cheese scraped off) and a dollop of BBQ sauce. They'd taken away the bacon, I reckon to punish me for having the temerity to want to eat what I'd ordered from the menu. Needless to say burger, bun and the accompanying chips / onion rings were stone cold. I'd have complained again but I was in a party of 12 (some of whom were also awaiting their mains) and it was getting a bit embarrassing. Besides, I've worked in pub kitchens and would only ever send something back once before asking for my money back, if you catch my drift...
I normally wouldn't give a toss but for �7 a burger I'd like to eat what I've ordered.
31 Jul 2006 15:17
You can cash your wages cheque behind the bar in Diceys which speaks volumes about it. A Connemara woman nutted my mate in there one night although that probably counts as foreplay in Galway as he still pulled it.
24 Jul 2006 17:11
None of the pitifully few printable collection of antics I could put on here spanning the past decade would ever do this place justice, it simply has to be experienced.
I mean where else would you ever be fecked down the stairs by one bouncer and back into the bar by another at the bottom?
24 Jul 2006 17:01
The Dartmouth Castle, Hammersmith
I drank here a few years back in it's previous incarnation and it was a nice little pub off the main King Street drag, the only danger being it was far too easy to end up in that god-awful hell-hole Secrets across the road.
Having been back several times since reopening, I would recommend it to anyone who fancies a bit of a chill-out and a fantastic, reasonably priced meal.
24 Jul 2006 15:53
Come 11:01 the barstaff come charging out from behind the bar (in possibly the only real show of speed/urgency of the evening) and bellow "do you have no homes to go to?" to anyone with more than a mouthful in their glass. Treat me like an adult with some courtesty and respect and I'd down my remaining beer and toddle off at five past eleven rather than grimly nurse my remaining slops until 11:20 out of sheer bloody-mindedness.
24 Jul 2006 15:33
Princess Victoria, Shepherds Bush
If you've never laughed so hard you've nearly choked, make a visit to the Saturday night karaoke here. The bloke with the single white glove belting out Michael Jackson is worth the trip alone. I've heard there's a halfway house across the road which would explain a lot.
24 Jul 2006 15:14
More or less a perennial favourite in our firm for leaving do's, birthdays, etc, etc and with good reason. Yes, you might wait a while because the bar is compacted into a 12ft space to give space over to the "theatre" chefs which inevitably means the crowd at the bar gets 3-4 deep between 5-8pm but persevere until the after-work one-pint wonders have buggered off and it pays off.
My only complaint was managing to sit on a table being utterly unaware of the candle already lit on it which burnt a double-fist-sized hole through my shirt and looked like fallout from Chernobyl but I can hardly blame the management for my own stupidity.
24 Jul 2006 15:01
Friendly staff, decent food, good beer - I've walked out of my way home from Mile End station to pop in for a pint which speaks for itself. Thoroughly recommended.
24 Jul 2006 13:44
My attempt to dine here with my girlfriend one Sunday afternoon has convinced me the waiting/kitchen staff are the not-very-cunningly disguised remnants of a lost SS unit from World War II. My advice to anyone who cares would be to walk the extra 100yds up the road to the Coborn Arms where a request for a menu doesn't come with a scowl, an impatient tutting storm, or a pram-busting hissy-fit.
24 Jul 2006 13:39
The Grand Junction Arms, Harlesden
I'll echo most of what's written here about the Grand Junction Arms from my two visits - the beer is first class, the canal-side setting is delightful, especially in the summer and for the area (which has its moments) the clientele are remarkably easy-going. Don't expect wonders from the kitchen though - you'll be disappointed.
24 Jul 2006 13:22
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The Plough and Harrow, Hammersmith
My missus calls this the "airport" pub - she's wrong, it's the "cross-channel ferry bar" pub. If there was a black hole for fun, the plough and harrow would be its centre.
8 Dec 2008 16:23