Matchday dispatch

A longer read on what makes this place worth your matchday

Matchday dispatch from Kew Bridge

About the spot

The Express Tavern is a CAMRA award winning coaching inn that has been pouring pints since the 1860s. It sits right on Kew Bridge, a short walk from the Gtech Community Stadium, and it feels like the kind of pub that has barely changed in a century. Ten cask ale handpumps line the bar, five ciders are usually on tap, and the heated glazed conservatory at the back has screens for the early kick-off. When the sun is out, the beer garden is one of the largest around.

CAMRA award winning real-ale pub dating from the 1860s. Right on Kew Bridge with views over the Thames. Ten cask ale handpumps and five ciders on tap. Heated glazed conservatory with screens for live sport. One of the largest beer gardens in the area. A 10 to 15 minute walk from the Gtech Community Stadium.

A proper real-ale pub within walking distance of the Gtech Community Stadium. The Express Tavern combines historic coaching-inn character with a serious cask ale setup and a beer garden that can handle a busy matchday crowd.

Pre-match pint by Kew Bridge

First pint of cask ale at the long bar. Checking the handpump clips to see what is on. A spot in the conservatory as the crowd builds. The short walk along Kew Bridge Road to the Gtech.

Heads up: the pub gets packed pre-kickoff given its spot right by Kew Bridge station. Arrive early or head straight for the conservatory.

Gets packed pre-kickoff given its spot right by Kew Bridge station. Grab a spot in the conservatory if the garden is full, and ask the bar team what is on the cask ale handpumps because the range changes regularly.

What to order

On the drinks side, a pint from one of the ten cask ale handpumps. One of the five ciders if you want something different. A lager if the garden is busy and you need speed.

From the kitchen, pub classics from the bar menu. Bar snacks to line the stomach.

Who it suits

Brentford fans on a London city trip. Real-ale drinkers and CAMRA members. Travelling supporters who want a historic pub near the ground. Groups who want a beer garden before kick-off. Anyone who prefers cask ale over lager.

The verdict

For a Brentford matchday, the Express Tavern is the real-ale option: a historic coaching inn, ten cask ale handpumps, a conservatory with screens and one of the best beer gardens in west London, all a short walk from the Gtech.

Suggested matchday itinerary

A ready-made timeline for your visit

12:30Step 1
Arrive at the Express Tavern
Find a spot in the conservatory or the beer garden and check the cask ale clips.
13:15Step 2
Pints and the early kick-off
Watch the early game on the screens while the pub fills around you.
14:30Step 3
Walk to the Gtech
Ten to 15 minutes along Kew Bridge Road to the Gtech Community Stadium.
15:00Step 4
Kick-off
In your seat with the Bees faithful.

Practical info

Everything you need to plan your visit

Address: 56 Kew Bridge Road, Brentford, TW8 0EW
Area: Kew Bridge
Type: Fan pub
Closest club: Brentford, Gtech Community Stadium
Rating: 4.6 / 5 on Google

Open in Google Maps Open in Citymapper

Opening hours can change around fixtures, so check the latest times on Google Maps before you set off.

See it for yourself

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Nearest club

Brentford

Gtech Community Stadium

The Express Tavern Kew Bridge