Where to take a tennis fan

Before you get your place on centre court dipping strawberries into cream, there are plenty of great pubs en route to get you nice an relaxed for an afternoon's tennis.

The Curtain's Up *

28A Comeragh Road, W14 (020-7385 4064).
As the majority of the tennis-playing population start to plip-plop their way round municipal courts, the first major event of the men's UK summer season gets underway at The Queen's Club on Mon 7 Jun. The Stella Artois is an event accessible to most people, particularly in the evenings when tickets are relatively easy to obtain. The Curtain's Up is close to the entrance of the club, is home to the Baron's Court theatre company, and is currently serving Young's Bitter, Young's Waggledance and Adnams Broadside.

The Priory ***

58 Milson Road, W14 (020-7371 3999).
If you're arriving at or departing from Olympia station, the Priory is a real gem of a pub that is worth a detour. It has been kitted out in a modern Moroccan theme, which blends well with the stout wooden furniture. Good drinks and very good quality food.

The Hit Bar **

14A The Broadway, Shepherd's Bush Road, W6 (020-8741 8173).
If Hammersmith is your transport link to the tennis, then pop in to the Hit Bar opposite the Broadway complex. This is an exciting new place that can be a bit straight-laced at lunch times, when local office workers are feasting on their grills and fries, but livens up in the evening when cocktails come in to play.

The Old Parr's Head **

120 Blythe Road, W14 (020-7371 4561).
The Old Parr's Head is a warm, welcoming, traditional little pub in the backwaters of Olympia and within striking distance of The Queen's club. Extremely reasonably priced Thai food is served seven days a week and has made this one of the most popular pubs in West Kensington. It will be renovated after the summer, for better or worse, so pay a visit now.

The Queen's Head *

13 Brook Green, W6 (020-7603 3174).
Opposite the tennis courts on leafy Brook Green, this sprawling, traditional pub has an extensive menu and grills, fries and hearty main courses, along with a good range of cask ales. The large beer garden can hold 300 (if both standing and seated). The Queen's Club is just a 10-minute stagger away.