Randomness Guide to London Menu

Locals' pub in Crystal Palace.

The Royal Albert is quite unlike the other pubs of Crystal Palace — not gentrified, not gastro, just a good old-fashioned traditional boozer. A patterned carpet covers the floor, and glass privacy screens set off two banquetted alcoves from the standing space to either side. Stained glass detail can be seen here and there. A neat row of stools is spaced out along the bar, each with its own associated coat hook screwed into the bar front. Picnic benches at the front of the pub provide outside seating.

Kake and bob visited on a Sunday early evening in March 2014. There were a fair few people in at 6pm, though the place was by no means crowded and we had plenty of choice of seats. Music was playing (Heart Radio), a little louder than ideal for conversation. A flatscreen above the bar was showing football; if the sound was on, it wasn't audible over the music.

Of the three handpumps on the bar, one was on, offering London Pride (£5.25 for a pint and a half).

Accessibility: Tiny step at the side entrance; not sure about the front. Step-free to ladies' and gents' toilets once you're in, and the ladies' has large cubicles with wide (albeit inward-opening) doors.

See also:

• Fancyapint review
• Pubs Galore comments
• Beer In The Evening comments
• Crystal Palace Magazine article on the history of the pub