Im going, off to stop at a mates in chelmsford for the weekend, should be canny. here's a list of boozers ive found
The Boleyn (by Mike Reich)
One of my favourite pubs, and without doubt the best placed, it is situated on the corner of Green Street and Barking Road. It is the best place to get yourself hyped up before a match (if you ever need it), and with loads of Hammers crammed into such a small place it is good fun.
Too crowded to take youngsters in though - they would feel overwhelmed (although of course youngsters aren't allowed in public houses!!!). This pub is home support only (as are most pubs in the vicinity of Upton Park though), but away supporters do go in there.
Situated right next to the ground, it is the best place outside of the ground to down your pint just before kick-off. Behaviour is normally pretty good due to the large police presence, normally just outside the door.
The Queens (by Mike Reich)
You can't miss The Queens if you're coming by tube, as it's on Green Street between the station and the ground. It is therefore another of the very busy pubs, but again with a good jovial atmosphere.
Away fans often come in here, and there are very rarely problems with that. Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man U should avoid showing colors though, as per the Green Man (see above).
Well worth dropping in to have a pint in here.
The Duke of Edinburgh (by Mike Reich)
If you turn left instead of right out of the tube station (i.e. away from the ground), before long you will stumble across The Duke of Edinburgh. As it is in the wrong direction, it tends to be slightly quieter than either the Boleyn or Queens, but it still has a good atmosphere, with the benefit of faster serving times!
Again, they are not strict on away fans, but heed the warnings about colors for Queens.
The Green Man (by Si Lewis)
The Green Man pub can be found on the junction of Plashet Grove and Katherine Road. Being around 10 minutes walk from the ground it's nowhere near as busy as the Boleyn and this is a distinct advantage for those who want a relatively quiet drink and maybe even a chance to sit down.
If you are meeting friends and want a chat you may prefer it. Decor isn't up to much but the staff are very quick and friendly.
Away supporters can usually get away with wearing team colors though that doesn't really apply to Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United. Everyone else is probably okay.
You can have a game of pool and also watch the big screen TV. Always handy for those 12pm Sky games on a Saturday that you can see the tail end off and then amble down to the Boleyn.
For those on the yahoo groups West Ham mailing list it's the traditional place to meet before games and for anyone wanting to meet up for the first it's easy as it's not busy.
To find it if you are coming from Upton Park tube station, turn left out of the station. Take the 2nd exit on the mini roundabout and walk down Plashet Grove, you will see it on right hand side of you when you reach the traffic lights.
A map of the area can be found at streetmap.co.uk.
The Barking Dog (by depressed-of-essex)
The Barking Dog is your typical J.D. Weatherspoon's pub and is situated rather conveniently, next to Barking Railway station. 'The Dog' is an ideal stop off for those coming in from the Essex area.
This pub starts getting busy fairly early and so by 2.00pm you can be ‘shoulder to shoulder' with other fans. There is always a mad rush to leave at about 2.30. This enables you to easily catch a District Line tube to Upton Park (only 2 stops).
As it is so distant from the ground, away supporters rarely venture here.
All the usual beverages are on offer here; including Stella Artois, Kronenbourg, Fosters, Kozel (my personal favorite!) and a healthy selection of Real Ale for those interested in such brews.
The Black Lion (by depressed-of-essex)
Located in Plaistow High Street and is only a 5 minute walk from Plaistow Train Station. This historic pub is said to have links with Dick Turpin (as do most pubs in the area!) It is also home to the famous West Ham Boys Boxing Club.
The Black Lion prides itself on its selection of Real Ale, but it also stocks the usual brews. One point to note however, lovers of Stella will be disappointed or be forced and may have to make do with 1664!
This pub is split into two main areas. There is the front bar with its bare floorboards or there is the back bar. The back bar is a little more comfortable and not quite so busy.
Weather permitting; there is also a substantial beer garden with numerous tables and large areas for the youngsters to run around.
The walk to the ground from The Black Lion can become a bit of a mystery tour if you are alone but on match day's you will have no problem following the large groups of fans that depart for the stadium before kick-off time.
As with most pubs in the area away fans are welcomed so long as they are to have a quiet drink and not too cause trouble.
