Picture of Royal Standard, CR0 1SS

Historical version 30 of Royal Standard, CR0 1SS (view current version)

Fuller's pub in Croydon, in the Good Beer Guide.

It's small but cosy, traditional and friendly, and hasn't much changed over the years since bob first visited in 2004. The front section has a "public bar" feel, with room for standing as well as a few stools. Further back is more seating, with this area wrapping right the way around the bar to end in a small area with a couple of individual church-pew seats, each with a concealed misericord underneath.

There are a couple of picnic benches out the front, but there's also a proper beer garden. Although the latter is across the road from the pub, situated under the Croydon flyover, it's actually much nicer than these bare facts might suggest, and quite a pleasant place to sit out in summer; the road outside the pub is a quiet one, and the flyover traffic is high enough up that it doesn't really intrude.

The pub has a selection of board games (including Boggle), and a shelf of books which you can read in the pub or take away with you if you make a charity donation. There's also a fruit machine in the back part, and a flatscreen and dartboard in the front part. There hasn't been any music on any of our visits.

When Kake et al. visited in July 2011, there were five Fuller's ales on: Discovery (£3.25/pint), HSB, ESB, London Pride, and Chiswick. In September 2011, a pint of lime and soda was 50p. In December 2012, a half of Black Cab Stout was £1.75.

Accoring to their website as of October 2013, food is served noon-3pm and 6pm-9pm every day photo of menu. Talking to a member of staff they collect the menus up at about 10pm and serve it all day now. They do some very good pork pies (£2.50) photo. In October 2013, bob's party had the chilli con carne with rice and tortillas (£4.75) photo, the fishfinger doorstep sandwich (£3) photo, and a plate of chips photo.

Kake's verdict: One of the best pubs in the area.

Accessibility: Step at front entrance, smaller step (about an inch) at side entrance. Step-free to bar, toilets, and about half of the seating once you're in. One of the stalls in the ladies' has a door that opens outwards. The pub is quite small and access can be a bit narrow.

See also:

Last visited by bob, October 2013. Opening hours taken from the Royal Standard website, October 2013.
OS X co-ord: 532241 OS Y co-ord: 165143 (Latitude: 51.369431 Longitude: -0.100024)
This is version 30 (as of 2013-10-21 15:02:00). View current version. List all versions.