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CHELSEA , FULHAM OR QPR
ONE PUB ONLY Churchill Arms
CRAWL FROM STATION
Get the Underground to Putney and crawl from Coat and Badge, Jolly Gardners and Half Moon before tube on to game
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Churchill Arms
CHANGES FROM GUIDE
Closed - Radnor Arms
Green - Home fans Only |  |  Argyll Arms
18 Argyll Street, Soho, London W1F 7TP Telephone 0207734 6117
Food: Comprehensive menu: includes usual pub staples. Reasonably priced for area (my description). “Fabulous Fish & Chips” is a prominent feature on the menu. “Special Fayre” in Palladium Bar. Served all day until 10pm
MP BM
O Mon: Wed 11 – 11 Thurs: Sat 11 – midnight Sun: Noon – 10.30
Discerning away day visitors to London grounds will enjoy a stop off at the Argyll Arms. Situated in the heart of the West End, the Argyll upholds the usual traditions of central London pub life, including Australian bar staff and tourists in cagoules standing in doorways not buying anything. For serious visitors, like yourself, you will enjoy a superb example of Victorian glitz, a fast-changing list of ales; plus wines and champagnes, should sir want to celebrate a successful outing in style.
Opened in 1742, the Argyll was later partitioned into separate rooms in the high Victorian style. Much of the polished wood and etched glass partitions remain intact and date from the 1897 makeover. Celebrated by CAMRA’s National Inventory, this historically important pub features a choice of drinking and dining areas, including an entrance lobby lined with stools and etched mirrors, and an intimate snug. On the way to the upstairs toilets admire the spacious Palladium Bar with its walls lined with photos of famous actors. The outdoor tables are prime spots for people-watching in one of the most hectic areas of the west end.
In this part of London, turnover is high and the area is always busy. I visited at noon on a wet Saturday in November. The pub was packed and I suspect it would have been all day. The London Palladium is a few doors away, so the pub will swell to bursting point near performance times. Don’t expect to meet up with other football supporters or watch Sky Sports: on a Saturday it’s going to be mostly shoppers and tourists, and a TV would be out of place in such rarefied surroundings.
BWV: 25/11/06Adnams Bitter, Black Sheep Best Bitter, Fuller’s London Pride, Greene King IPA, Hook Norton Old Hooky
Oxford Circus underground station is opposite, and its three tube lines make it convenient for anywhere in London. Visitors to QPR can enjoy a direct service heading west on the Central Line, while Orient are on the same line way out east.
Chris Ackrill | |  Churchill Arms
119 Kensington Church St, W8 7LN T 020 772 74242
G Jerry O’Brien
F Thai restaurant from 12 to 10, 12 to 8 Sun
MP SK BM
O 11 to11, 11 to 12 Thu - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
In the heart of café and bistro land, the Churchill represents tradition without pretence. The Irish roots come through in the sports themes, particularly Gaelic football and London Irish rugby. The love of real ale is easy to notice within the conversations of its diverse clientele. “The best pint of ESB I have ever tasted” (Overheard in pub - Mike) This is a blooming good pub winning London in Bloom awards. “It is a lovely pub, great beer, really friendly bar staff, (I'm always a sucker for gorgeous, Irish girls!) Its also a great place for a last few pints, as you can leave at around 11 o'clock & still get to Paddington for the last train home.” Nigel C Bristol Of note for historians are references to Winny and wartime memorabilia. For TV sports fans the television is more likely to be coveted by rugby fans rather than those who want their fill of Premiership footie. And then there is the Thai food to sample after a game.
UPDATE: Gales HSB is on the way. Jerry has celebrated 20 years at the Churchill, Morning Advertiser award winner.
BWV 6.12.04: Fuller’s Chiswick, ESB, Jack Frost London Pride
BWV 1.2.06: Fuller’s Chiswick, Discovery, ESB, London Pride | |  Coat and Badge
8 Lacy Rd, Putney, SW15 1NL T 020 8788 4900 W www.geronimo-inns.co.uk/thecoatandbadgeG Jamie Floodman
F Modern English cuisine with healthy options 12 to 3, 6 to 10.30 Mon - Fri, 12 to 4, 6 to 10.30 Sat, 12 to 4, 6 to 9.30 Sun
MP SK BM D
O 11 to 12 Mon - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
Away fans have found that the premiership has changed what once was one of the best away trips of the lower leagues. All pubs north of the River are now designated home-only, so it is well worth heading south to Putney. The first, just off the High Street is both modern in design and European in feel. The continental lagers and café layout helps to suggest that , as I sit by the welcome fire in early February, .the days of summer lunches are not too far away.
Doggetts Coat and Badge is taken from the rowing event that is commemorated in the club-house role call around the walls. The plasma screens are more likely to be popular on rugby international days. On a normal Saturday the pub will be busy, but there is space for a meal and chat. This is a locals’ pub, those locals being professionals who enjoy the rear room as a library-style meeting room. Larger groups can book the upstairs function room. I enjoyed my lunchtime, shared with ear-blowing couples and early afternoon punters ready to blow their hard-earned cash on some afternoon racing. The Geronimo concept attempts to create “a village pub in London”. If this is anything to go by then I should check out their other locations. It is certainly comfortable: all I would need is internet access and I could have written this up over a pint of Deuchars, just like at home.
BWV 1.2.06: Adnams Bitter, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Courage Directors | |  Half Moon
93 Lower Richmond Rd, Putney, SW15 1EU T 020 8780 9383 W www.halfmoon.co.uk
G James Harris
MP TV JB P
O 12 to 11.30 Mon - Thu, 12 to 12 Sat, 12 to 11 Sun
The Lower Reach has many big pubs with great riverside locations. None has the extras that the Half Moon can offer. This is a serious live-music venue. From unsigned bands having their first proper gig, to old established performers, the Half Moon is likely to have featured at some time. Take the first giggers and would you believe Kate Bush fits that bill, of the circuit boys, Steve Gibbons. They also reckon Elvis Costello resided here. I will be back soon for an ale and stomp. This is a real ale guide, man - get real. In contrast to the other Putney pubs, not included in this guide, the welcome from Kathy was instant, knowledgeable and warm. It has that certain real pub feeling, a locals’ pub that has something extra for those locals to cherish. The beer also includes occasional guests.
The pub is large in the old London-design style that is fast disappearing. High ceilings, large windows and a pool table that has room enough for others to enjoy the same space. This is the nearest I could find to that old Fulham atmosphere. It would be a definite on my pre-match pub crawl. Even better then, on a weekend away trip, would be to check out their website just in case there was an opportunity for a real nostalgia trip. This brings me back to the music. The 200 - capacity back room opens at 8.30 for an 8.45 start, Paul Young and Los Pacaminos next up. The only problem was the last train home.
BWV 1.2.06: Young’s Bitter, Special
Latest Under threat of closure
Save the Halfmoom facebook site | |  Jolly Gardeners
61 - 63 Lacy Rd, Putney, SW15 1NT T 020 8780 8921 W www.thejollygardenerssw15.co.uk
G Remi Sijuwade
F Menu to cater for all tastes, from burgers to steaks 12 to 9.45, 12 to 9 Sun
MP TV BM D
O 12 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun
My third choice is also off Putney High Street, just along the road from the Coat and Badge. It is, curiously, an M+B retro pub, whatever that means. It is certainly something a little different for a London pub. Methinks the designer had some problems with too much cider. It re-opened three years ago under Remi’s stewardship and is a great town local that is equally attractive for those coming into the area either as new residents or club-goers.
It says “Don’t be shy, ask to try” about the numerous continental lagers. The ales are good, the choice having occasional guests for Londoners who have a diet of Fuller’s and Young’s as their only alternatives. The photos and artwork are truly impressive, so too the clever use of greenery to create a living space rather than a faceless, modernized bar. Chandeliers and an open fire - do you get the problems I am having here to describe the uniqueness of the place. I suggest just concentrating on the beers and good company. The students settled to their first game of Monopoly of the day. They are also, apparently, serial Scrabblers. The elders were more content to discuss the Derby and how watching Fulham used to be so much better when they played real teams, and one could travel away without having to re-mortgage the house. All this and “No naughtiness in the garden” makes it a fun place to drink and certainly worth adding to the must-visit list.
BWV 1.2.06: Adnams Bitter, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Fuller’s London Pride | |  Kings Head
33 Moscow Road, London W2 4AH Telephone 020 7229 4233
Food: pub staples (my description). Unsure of times.
MP SK BM D
O 11 – 11 12 – 10.30 Sunday (open until midnight in December)
The King’s Head is a smart, welcoming pub in the heart of affluent Bayswater. It offers one large main room, and a more intimate space away from the action. It’s furnished with lots of wood, a real fireplace, and some interesting framed prints. The pub has traditional values but manages to feel fresh and modern at the same time. As an inner London pub it will attract all types of people, and may get busy at times with shoppers from the nearby shopping area in Queensway.
I really liked the spacious feel and confident big city buzz. It’s a bit like Dr Who’s tardis in that it’s larger than it looks from the outside. Grab a people-watching stool by the windows and watch well-heeled locals from elegant apartment blocks go about their business. Not many people will have found the pub by accident, but once visited you’ll vow to return whenever your team play in West London – QPR are only two tube stops away from Notting Hill Gate. Some tasteful Christmas decorations added to the atmosphere on my December visit. I was so much cheered by finding this wonderful pub that it took my mind of the fact that my team usually comes down when the decorations do.
BWV: 6.12.06 Adnams Broadside, Greene King Abbott Ale, IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Wells Bombardier, Young’s Bitter
Chris Ackrill | |  White Horse
1-3 Parsons Green, SW6 4UL T 020 736 2115 W www.whitehorsesw6.com
G
F Modern British food (with a menu that suggests ales to accompany the choice) 12 to 10.30 Mon - Fri, 10.30 to 10.30 w/e
MP D
O 11 to 12 Mon - Thu, 11 to 12 w/e
The White Horse on Parsons Green must be one of Britain’s most well-known pubs, its most recent accolade being its award as best pub in the UK by the Morning Advertiser. With well-earned fame and a Chelsea connection, comes the very real prospect that this pub can only be used on long weekends in the capital. It will be jammed full on a matchday. A good example of this is that on the Sunday after my visit all space was taken, pre-booked by a corporate booking; space would only be found on the convenient terrace facing the Green.
Mark has been here 23 years in various guises. His reputation is also international. He is a beer-writing legend, especially on the American circuit. This Stateside theme extends to the young American bar staff who add a certain panache to the service. The pub itself is large yet very comfortable. A flag-stoned conservatory-style restaurant adds to those rooms that have fires to toast the toes, or settees to loaf away a leisurely and gossipy lunch. The White Horse is definitely a pub where one would not want to sing, it just isn’t that type of place. It is more a pub to get into detailed debate over the state of the premiership and ticket prices. The beer is top quality, the location great, the ambiance certainly relaxed, all in all, a great pub.
BWV 1.2.06: Adnams Broadside, Fuller’s ESB, Harveys Sussex Best Bitter, Oakham JHB, Rooster’s Yankee | | | WEST LONDON CAMRA | | 
STAMFORD BRIDGE | |  | | 
LOFTUS ROAD | | 
LOCAL BREWERY
Unit 1 & 2 Yelverton Road
Battersea, SW11 3QG
T: 0207 228 0598
www.sambrooksbrewery.co.uk
| | 
LOCAL BREWERY
Twickenham Fine Ales Ltd
Ryecroft Works,
Edwin Road,
Twickenham.
TW2 6SP
Tel: 020 8241 1825
www.twickenham-fine-ales.co.uk
| | WETHERSPOONS
Oyster Rooms Unit 3, First Floor Fulham Broadway Centre Fulham SW6 1AA Opening Times: Mon-Sun 9am-midnight
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