When Ed Sheeran declared that No Drama was London’s best burger joint in 2024, the already-thriving Acton eatery reached a new level of popularity. The irony? No Drama wasn’t originally meant to be a burger shop.
“No one expects the food they make in a tiny Acton shop to take off the way ours did,” owner Brodie Campbell-Park tells Broadsheet. “No Drama actually began as a breakfast deli and it was a couple of regular customers who first asked for a cheeseburger. I made it, it stuck, and everything grew from there.”
The Acton site closed earlier this year. Unsurprisingly, the team was quickly flooded with questions about its next home. Finally, after a pop-up at west London pub The Parakeet, No Drama has permanently set up shop inside The Bush Tavern in Shepherd’s Bush. The new pub is the latest opening from the Bird House Group, which also owns nearby venue The Hawk’s Nest, plus south London’s Peckham Arches and Birdhouse Brewery.
“I met [The Bush Tavern co-founders] Fraser and Will separately, and funnily enough Fraser used to come to my Portobello Road coffee shop [that I ran before No Drama],” says Campbell-Park. “We’d previously talked about a possible pop up at The Hawk’s Nest. A few months later, the guys acquired [The Bush Tavern] and asked if we’d be up for collaborating. It felt like a natural and exciting next step.”
At The Bush Tavern, expect all the No Drama classics including the signature No Drama Cheeseburger and the All Day Patty (loaded with smoked streaky bacon, a fried egg, American cheese, mayo, sweet dill pickles, onion salsa and hot sauce) – both served on a soft brioche bun. Additionally, there’s a fried chicken sandwich with hispi slaw and house-made mayonnaise or a crispy mushroom sandwich. There’s also an all-day weekend brunch featuring a classic bacon egg and cheese as well as a hangover-busting towering triple scramble egg and grated cheddar bun. Breakfast sides include hash browns, fries or a refreshing slaw – and desserts will come in the future.
Beer is, of course, supplied by Bird House Brewery; expect seven or eight rotating small-batch brews including lagers, guest ales and an Italian-style Pilsner. There’s also a solid line-up of classic cocktails, including Margaritas, Palomas and Martinis – all made from scratch with fresh ingredients and independent London spirits such as El Rayo Tequila and Sapling Vodka.
The pub itself – a former Brewdog – is casual and lively, offering walk-ins only. Stop for a quick bite at a high table, or sink into a large dark red banquette. The fit-out is cosy and warm, thanks to low-lit orange and red orb lights and abstract art from the likes of Annie Rose Fiddian-Green. You’ll also find a darker, moody area with a large communal table and space for live music; there are bands every Wednesday and Sunday and DJs on Friday and Saturday evenings. Also in the pipeline: a weekly programme of quizzes, comedy nights and cheese nights.
“I hope people come for the experience as much as the food,” Campbell-Park says, “because community has always been at the heart of who we are.”
The Bush Tavern
15-19 Goldhawk Road, W12 8QQ
Hours:
Mon to Wed 4pm–10.30pm
Thu 4pm–midnight
Fri to Sat midday–midnight
Sun midday-10.30pm
