The Stinging Nettle, Shepherds Bush, W12

On the street corner, virtually opposite Goldhawk Road station and Shepherds Bush Market is The Stinging Nettle, a former Victorian pub that was built in 1864 to cater for workers constructing the Metropolitan Railway. Originally called The Railway Tavern, after a long spell as The Bushranger, it was acquired by Youngs several years ago and given its unusual current name. ( There appears to be a trend for unusual pub names around here – not too far away is a Greene King pub called The Raving Buddha). Somewhat discouragingly, as we approach the pub, we see a large blackboard telling us that the pub is “proudly serving the finest cocktails, burgers and people in W12”. It’s a long narrow bar with fairly standard tables and chairs down one side of the room. Part of the floor is slate covered, part wooden. On the wall at the far end is the now familiar dark floral wallpaper and a series of gilt framed mirrors. A curved staircase leads to an attractive function room with some plasterwork and period photos. Burlesque and salsa classes were being advertised for Monday and Wednesday evenings respectively. Whilst retaining something of a traditional look, the pub is clearly trying to appeal to a younger clientele. Down the far end, an open kitchen counter serves what is referred to as a “Diner Menu” which features a range of exotic burgers with names such as Calypso, Maxed Out, Chix Club etc. Various milkshakes are available with names such as Pulse Fiction, Strawshank Redemption, To Kill a Chocking bird etc. A number of odd notices dotted about indicate a desire to appear cool – eg Are you Havana good time ?. We’re also invited to try their mulled wine, cider and cocktails which, somewhat eccentrically, are described as being “like a basket of drinkable kittens wrapped in a blanket next to the fireplace”, a quote which the pub attributes to Shakespeare. Not obviously badged as such externally, it’s a Youngs pub. Despite not having been a Youngs pub for very long, pleasingly a Youngs branded T shirt “Forever Youngs 1831 – 2011” is prominently displayed behind the bar. On the pumps were Youngs Ordinary and Bombardier, the former at £ 3.20p, being, perhaps surprisingly, as good as it gets nowadays, thus supporting to some extent the pub’s boast that “our beer is better”. Youngs Special came on a bit later. I might come here again – but then again I might not, I’m a bit ambivalent about it to be honest

Formerly the BushRanger, this modernised Youngs pub is not obviously branded as such (although there are some small signs above the doors if you look carefully). Inside you will find a fairly narrow bar at ground floor level with a function room upstairs. There is also a small roof terrace above the single storey front part of the building. Decor-wise, it is about half-way to being a gastro-pub but offers various types of seating and is certainly not wholly food orientated. Four handpumps, two with 'Ordinary' clips plus Bombardier and a very good pint of London Gold (£3.15). Overall, not too bad, and very handy for Goldhawk Road underground station.