Randomness Guide to London Menu

Good Beer Guide pub in Croydon.

This pub is in a converted bank branch, and has two distinct spaces separated by large pillars, with the bar along the southern wall, and most of the seating on the other side of the pillars, at the corner of the building. There's a range of tables, stools and couches, as well as a pool table up a few steps towards the rear.

There are six handpulls at the bar, as well as two metal casks on gravity behind the bar. One of the handpulls dispensed cider on Ewan's September visit, while the others were a range of small and independent breweries (including Dark Star Hophead, Jenning's Sneck Lifter, and beers from Box Steam Brewery, amongst others). There are also a range of usual keg lagers, as well as Brothers cider (with a range of syrups to add, including lemon, raspberry, toffee and others).

According to the 2009 Good Beer Guide, they have quiz nights, jazz, acoustic, and alternative music sessions, food all day until 9pm, and two beer festivals a year.

bob visited on a Thursday afternoon in October 2008, while there was a beer festival on (festival prices: £2/pint). The beer was pretty good. I got there around 5:30pm and it was full-ish. The menu was a typical chain pub menu, and there were hints on the menu that the pub is part of the Town And City pub company.

Kake and Ewan visited again on a Tuesday late afternoon in August 2011; there were quite a few people in at 5pm, some eating an early dinner. Rock and blues were playing, and the flatscreens were showing sport with the sound off. On a return visit in September 2011, we tried the food, most of which was priced around £6-£9, although they also have a two for £8 offer, which we used to get scampi & chips and sausage & mash. The latter came with three long sausages and decent quality mash with some gravy.

According to the Croydon CAMRA mailing list, this place gives a 15% discount on food and drink to CAMRA/SPBW members.

Accessibility: Steps at one entrance, ramp at the other. There's a step in the middle of the pub, but ramps to one side to circumvent this. There's an accessible toilet too. Other toilets are in the basement (with a not-very-sturdy handrail) and on the first floor.

See also:

• Fancyapint review
• Pubs Galore comments
• Beer In The Evening comments