The Central Bar (JD Wetherspoon), Shepherds Bush, W12

Date of visit: 18th June. Opened on 16th December 2002, this is a ‘spoons situated in the W12 shopping complex, a far cry from the temple to mammon that is the Westfield a few hundred yards to the north, boasting the title of largest shopping centre in Europe, by quite some margin too. The W12 is an altogether somewhat moribund and downmarket affair, where tramps sleep on indoor benches and suspicious activities are undertaken in the lavs. This ‘spoons is a shot in the arm compared to its immediate surroundings: the interior is rather small by the company’s standards though is unmistakably one of Tim’s progenies (see photos), with young customers seemingly students. I’d only stopped by after a visit to a hot Bush Hall to see China Crisis which turned out not to be the band I was expecting, so it was three pints of refreshing Jaipur, on good form, served by a friendly barmaid and all sunk in around 20 minutes. W12 isn’t a hotbed of good pubs and sadly, this is about the best option in the immediate vicinity.

Visited 10/03/25 Varied cask offering as usual and comprising stalwart's GK IPA, Doom Bar & Abbot plus Twisted Sister a Ruby red ale from Dizzy's, Bess a strong brown ale from Thornbridge plus their Jaipur, London Pride, Boudicca a Porter from Brains and Marzen a lager from Fyne Ales. Extensive keg offering of Worthington CF, Angelo Poretti, Stowford Press, Bud Light, Carlsberg, Guinness, Corona, Stella, SB original and dark fruits, Leffe, Carling, Bud, Punk IPA, Shipyard Pale Ale, Big Sea west coast IPA, K1664, Staro and Coors. Quite small Spoons on the first floor of the shopping centre, ostensibly a long rectangular room with floor to ceiling glass windows at the front and opposite the bar counter at the rear wall of the venue. Entry is on the extreme right end of the rectangle (as you look outwards) and it is fair to say that the multitude of tables and chairs are densely packed in here. There is a bunch of fruit machines to the immediate right of the entrance and the area in front of the bar at various points along its length has some large pillars set between the tables and the bar counter. The venue was extremely busy on my visit but I quite enjoyed it as an old school Spoons vibe.

Located inside a shopping centre, this one definitely already doesn't win any awards for its looks. Once inside it's a very tight affair. Drinks take an age to come and when they do they are served in a plastic glass. Definitely the worst Spoons I've ever been in. Nothing to recommend unless you're in the vicinity and desperate for a drink.

Inside the W12 shopping centre ,on the first floor with a bar feel overlooking the Green,this 'spoons is unusual and not that large but popular never the less.Lots of high tables opposite the bar,some lower level tables elsewhere ,it's in the 2025 GBG which drew the visit.There are table signs warning of bag snatchers and so close to the tube station implies there is a transient customer base although a lot of the punters seemed to have been there on a session. The trio of Doom was expanded by Abbot Reserve but there were some decent guest beers from which I chose Thornbridge Jaipur IPA in NBSS 4 form.With a paucity of ale options nearby this would be an obvious target for any real ale drinkers unlucky enough to find themselves in this hectic part of London.I would return.

I've started to warm to Spoons but this place has sent me crashing back to earth. This is housed in a shopping centre - so has no architectural merit. The usual JDW complaints about filthy tables are present in abundance. The positives - quick ordering from the app and keen pricing are also present. But how can you have a Good Beer Guide Pub serving pints in plastic glasses by default? Maybe I can trade vouchers for glassware.

Located on the first floor of the W12 shopping centre and opposite the tube station, this is a handy large modern bar. Not a lot of character, as you might expect from a new building, but perfectly adequate for purpose. The long glass frontage is an ideal place to watch the world and the traffic go by. A moderate selection of beers were available on this visit, although sadly nothing dark.