Orchard Tavern, Shepherds Bush, W12

Dating from the 1880s, on approach this pub looks as though it’s going to be some sort of gastropub. Once inside, the visitor is quickly disabused of this notion. There’s some vestigial etched and very attractive glass, but otherwise nothing of note remains. The brightly lit front room has a modern laminate floor, with tall furniture featuring stools with tubular steel legs. There were games machines and several TVs showing football with the sound off. Then there’s a rear room which is a complete contrast. It’s deathly gloomy but the obvious element of note is the pounding music emanating from it; I can’t be bothered to describe the ensemble in detail, as you can take a tour on Google or peruse their website’s gallery. Customers amounted to a gaggle of scantily clad young blonde women, who emerged from the room for a smoke outside. Thereafter, customers are all rather elderly locals; do the elderly think that they can somehow rekindle their youth by subjecting themselves to loud music? There were three unused pumps, so I settled for a half of Neck Oil at an almost charitable £2.90, served by a perfunctory barman. If you’re interested, there’s ‘Pint of the Month – 2 Pints of Fosters for £7.95’. This is a very poor place indeed. The Eagle next door is an oasis of calm and sophistication by comparison.

Official site of Orchard Tavern - www.orchardtavernshepherdsbush.com

Official site of Orchard Tavern - www.orchardtavernshepherdsbush.com