Some pubs offer all sorts of bells and whistles – from pop-up kitchens to an increasingly dishevelled stack of board games in the corner – but the Shepherd and Flock on Goldhawk Road, is not one of those pubs. Of course, therein lies its charm. Simplicity is key to the success of this one-room Irish boozer that harks back to 1869, and whose one concession to modernity is Sky Sports on the telly. You’ll find plenty of Queen’s Park Rangers fans limbering up with a pint before a match, so get in early to score a seat.
A pre-gig pint
As well footie fans, the Shepherd and Flock is a good option for music fans who fancy a swift one before a gig at Shepherd’s Bush Empire and don’t fancy fighting their way to the bar in pubs closer to the venue. Because smug always tastes good.
Settle in on a winter’s night
There are nooks and crannies aplenty in this cosy, dark-panelled boozer. Once you’ve ducked in on an afternoon to escape the shopping hordes of Shepherd’s Bush, why rush to leave?
RECOMMENDED: Shepherd’s Bush area guide.