please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Great pint of Bass, simple friendly pub at reasonable prices.
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My - is'nt jeweller articulate ? (See its other posts!) By the way, jeweller - what is a 'moomin' ?
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I have known this pub for something like 35 years, back to the days of R S Aldington and it's still essentially a good pub but on my last visit I felt it was beginning to seem just a tad down at heel. It always used to cater for a more mature clientelle, but nowadays the customers appear positively geriatric. The range of beers also seems rather uninspired in comparison with other genuine free houses. Food is however reasonably cheap.
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I've intended to visit this pub for ages but it doesn't seem to open Saturday lunchtime which is when I'm in the Brentford area before football.
I managed to fit in a first visit before an evening game and I'm glad I did. It's a cracking pub.
Beer is well kept, a warm atmosphere and friendly staff made me glad I'd made the effort. It was good to see the pub being fairly busy with a constant turnover of customers popping in after work.
It's about half a mile away from Griffin Park so I suppose whether it's a 'long walk' or not depends on your perception. There are however a couple of other pubs en route that are worth a visit if you are here for the football.
All in all, a pub to put on your 'must visit'(and return to) when in the area.
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I've driven past this pub 1000s of times and never been in. I was car-less after watching footie at Brentford the other day and was pleased to have set foot inside for the first time to see what it was like.
Excellent range of beer at good prices, and friendly staff and customers. Despite all the traffic outside, surprisingly tranquil inside.
Handy for the Kew Bridge Steam musuem if you fancy a post-visit pint. Quite a long walk from Brentford FC - but it's do-able!
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We've been going to the Express Tavern for a couple of months now as we have recently moved into the area. My wife and I do enjoy our visits here. It is an oasis of calm, particularly when entering from the busy intersection outside on a weekday evening.
We find the beer always good and enjoyed the food when we ordered once. The guest beers change often and are unusual.
The clientel are friendly but not intrusive. The occasional banter can be joined into though if one feels the need. No Chavs in sight. The Express tends to attract an older, dare I say it, more "professional" crowd but that is fine with me as it tends to maintain a higher level of civilization. Many of the regulars seem to enjoy a quiet pint while doing the crossword in the newspaper.
The Gents are always very clean and my wife has said the same of the ladies.
The staff are efficient, particularly "Rosemary" who tends to run a very tight ship, certainly if there is any hint of bad behaviour she is not slow to scold the offending miscreant.
See you there!
ixion - 23 Oct 2007 13:33 |
Visited this pub for a 2nd time. The beer was decent without being spectacular. Choice of 5 ales of varying strengths although all fell in that increasingly bland "Brown" beer category. Youngs, some Marstons Rugby linked stuff, Bass and a couple of others.
Been nice to see a hoppy golden beer or a genuine pale ale on for variety.
Nonetheless a solid boozer without any fuss. Seemed to be a clientele who kept out of your business and I will be back as General MacArthur once said.
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A classic free house with a range of excellent well kept beers. Youngs Ordinary (known here as PA) and Bass are always on, with two or three guests normally from Northern or Scottish micros and regionals. I've always found service to be good and Liz, the landlady is one of the nicest people around. Beneath Gordon's dour countenance beats a heart of gold. There's a small and immaculately kept garden at the back. Food is available, and, uniquely, crisps and peanuts come with their own little plate. A real gem.
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Another very enjoyable visit recently - but yes, Gordon is not the most welcoming chap around. Words such as "Scotsman" and "dour" spring to mind. Do try the Cains Dark Mild if it's on when you visit - the first ever sighting by yours truly of a Cains Beer outside Merseyside
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The Express Tavern has a great beer garden for the summer months; it’s just a pity that I’m not a big fan of Dry Blackthorn cider as have to revert to the Stella.
I’m not a bitter drinker, but my work colleagues think that it is excellent. Many a train has been missed from Kew Bridge station.
(I can vouch for the gents, they are always spotless).
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Informed of pub by a friend.Did not disapoint, very good beer and pleasant helpfull staff who knew enough about there beer to advise us what to drink.Tried several ales all pulled well and drank well.(Normaly a dyed in the wool larger lout I can't wait for next visit.)
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Worth a visit, traditional boozer full of locals and office workers at lunchtime getting sloshed.
Great for people watching and to see Gordon look at you with utter distaste for invading his pub.
Beer is kept well, although a little pricey.
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Little to add to previous comments, except to say that on Sunday I had the best pint of Bedford - brewed Youngs that I've had to date. This pub is still a must on any Kew / Brentford crawl
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The exterior doesn't give much away, but this is a real jewel of a pub. The interior is traditional, but that is not used as an excuse for not cleaning...the pub and the ladies were both clean (can't vouch for the gents).
The real ale is excellent as noted by previous posters. Mr Bunting had lager, fiend that he is, and enjoyed that too.
Nice to see a selection of books around a pub as well.
The Scottish woman serving was lovely, but I'm now disappointed we didn't meet Gordon.
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proper pub - good beer, great atmosphere; one of the best in brentford and better than those of the other side of kew bridge
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My posting below looks a bit petulant on reflection, how did I arrive at the conclusion the pub didn't look very appealing when it was locked up? If I am back in the area I will give it a try.
anonymous - 11 Jul 2006 17:23 |
Pity you didn't come back when it was open, Stonch, it's a classic - I think you'd have liked it. I certainly do
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Always closed in the afternoon apparently - certainly was on Saturday afternoon when we tried to pay a visit. Frankly I find that ridiculous - weekdays maybe, but closing on a Saturday is daft. Grim location, and the pub didn't look too appealing anyway.
anonymous - 10 Jul 2006 10:27 |
Lovely little pub, right opposite Kew Bridge itself. Nice and cool even on a warm day; good ales; plenty of seats; character. 8/10.
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Characterful little pub near Kew Bridge and Brentford, which has a changing small range of Real Ales.
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This pub has character
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Best pint of Stella I've had. every time I go there the beer is always excellent, good and livley, never flat, always ice cold. But it is a bit werid and and the landlord is a bit unwelcoming to say the least. One last thing they do have a great selection of old school pub snacks such as cockels, pork scratchin, bombay mix, crisp and nuts but very bizarrly the are always served with a small plate.
cutch - 18 Aug 2005 12:36 |
Interesting traditional place with a beer perfectionist landlord -"Life is too short to drink poor quality beer" he said.I couldn't agree more - well worth a visit
mally - 23 Jul 2005 11:42 |
Was in there one afternoon last December.
Wonderful old school proper pub, even shuts in the afternoon - which is slightly inconvenient yet utterly charming.
2 pro footballers came (1 Arsenal, 1 Man United), the Arsenal player was chatting up the Scottish Landlady. I think she was up for it but it was gone 3pm.
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I paid £3.55 for a gin and slimline tonic which I thought a bit excessive (Okay, it was Bombay Sapphire, but we're not exactly in a London club here!!). There's a nice beer garden out the back which is great for the summer. Food's pretty standard and the service can be a bit hit and miss but there aren't many drinkeries in the area so it's always going to popular with locals and office workers.
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Marvellously traditional pub close to Kew Bridge station and virtually just over the road from the Waggon and Horses ( Fullers ). The Youngs Ordinary was staggeringly good - Youngs pubs in Richmond, please take note and copy.
There are interesting photos of the pub in times past and details of the pubs history in the inside room through the main bar area.
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Couldn't fault it. 4 real ales on tap, the 2 I tasted were in good nick. Good pub grub served 12-2, the hot baguettes were good value at £3.20. Non-smoking area for those eating, and a small bar for those who just want a quiet pint.
Andy - 27 Oct 2004 15:23 |
My local of choice, this is an excellent pub that always has a good choice of real ales expertly served. I agree with you about the genuine and friendly staff but presume you haven't yet met the landlord! He's a very strange Scot who doesn't agree with people drinking his beer. Other highlights include the usual assortment of bizarre ornaments, a flag and cannon in the garden, a piano and best of all a child (Gordon jnr) who born in the toilets of the pub in a spooky re-enactment of the nativity. Handy for missing trains from Kew Bridge station.
Agnes - 14 Jan 2004 16:08 |
I had always presumed this was going to be one of those old man pubs where you are made to feel unwelcome the moment you walk througn the door. Not so, in fact the opposite is true. The Scottish lady who served me was very friendly and the predominantly middle aged clientelle thought nothing of a 28 year old oik invading their ranks. The pub itself is immaculate, to an almost disconcerting degree. There was no music playing when I went there and the lights were maybe a tad too bright , but then it was a Wednesday evening. A quality find I hope to return soon.
Good for: starting off a Strand on the Green pub crawl
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fantastic old freehouse. has odd opening hours but worth waiting for. its like stepping back in time in the lounge bar, or like visiting an old aunties house. lovely patio/garden out the back. all staff excellent. well worth a visit for something different. or something from a different era.
millym - 26 Jul 2003 21:19 |
