please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Porter and Sorter is the closest pub to East Croydon station and is usually fairly busy, especially at 5-6 pm with the after work crowd.
I think it got its name because it is close to the old royal mail depot.
It is a Marstons pub and the beer quality is usually ok, but I have had the odd dodgy pint. The pub seems to concentrate more on the food side. The staff are rushed off their feet.
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The beer used to be decent but the pint of Pedigree tonight was flat and unpleasant. I got it replaced and the second pint wasn't flat but still tasted of soap. Barman didn't even taste it when I complained.
And for a blackcurrant and lemonade - £3.80 because I was charged £1.20 for the blackcurrant cordial.
Not surprisingly at 9:30 in the evening it was pretty deserted.
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Most beautiful bar staff in London!
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Went there quite recently on a Friday and was annoyed buy the attitude of the bar staff. I went to the bar and asked for a pint of Marston's oyster stout and the lad behind the bar said it was of without an apology, and seemed to be irritated that I didn't here him first time. I then went for the Marston's Pedigree and after one sip found it to be bottom of the barrel and warm. I told him it was warm and yet again he displayed his abysmal attitude buy saying I have just poured it, and looked at me as if I was deluded. The little s*** didn't even offer me a new pint and or apologise. So I drank the warm pint and left the place annoyed. I know of other people who have had a similar experience in the P and S. Until the manager there get's a grip buy sacking the bar staff and getting some in that understand the concept of customer service I shall not be returning.
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Ok of a weekend and outside commuting hours....basically a station boozer.
Graham could do with loosing the aggressive rude attitude i.e. opening line to serving...YES!! as opposed to hello, what can I get you?
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Been coming here since the late 80s and it has grown significantly in that time. Service can be slow but has an excellent outside space for smoking and watching the stressed out commuters on their way home while supping on a pint of amber nectar! Should not be demolished to make way for another empty office development.
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i understand this place is being shut down to make space for a new trendier pub for the new highest residential block the UK has ever seen. BIG shame!
ms001 - 22 Jul 2011 16:47 |
The pub got its name from the adjacent post office (Sorter) and railway station (Porter); its proximity to the station makes it the meeting place of choice. The pub is spacious inside and has plenty of seating, even when it's heaving! There's a dining area offering standard 'pub farye' and some benches outside. Staff were smart and attentive.
de101 - 27 Apr 2011 16:22 |
Recently refurbished and very pleasant now. The service can be dodgy although it does have a busy after work crowd which slows things up.
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An updated review from me is merited in this case, as I've not visited for several months, and the place seems to have undergone a significant refurbishment. Albeit perhaps along rather predictable contemporary decor lines, the end result in the 'new' P & S is an overall improvement. The contrasting wallpapers and lighter colour scheme throughout is subtle enough not to compromise what character the building has left to offer, yet is fresh and airy enough to appeal to a more cosmopolitan crowd, which surely must be at its doorstep given the proximity to a fairly major railway station.
I haven't sampled the food for many a year, and frankly would have limited expectations. The cask ale selection is now out-and-out Marstons - the pub is now more honestly-branded as a Marstons' outlet and has left behind its small pubco past when it thrived for a while as a good ale venue. That said, the beer on a recent visit was well-kept and served properly. Naturally, being Marstons, one can at least avail oneself of some Ringwood and Jennings options, not only the core Marstons brands.
Understandably this pub will not make any visitor of any inclination stand to attention and fight an irresistible urge to write home about its wares. Nevertheless, it has experienced something of an upturn and now feels far less tired than in did a year ago. It will do for a quick pint en route, or perhaps for a Christmas drink-up - it is capacious enough to cater for larger groups.
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Quick stop here between trains. Marstons range on offer. Waiting lunch patrons as it was 1130. Cheery staff.
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Still one of my favourite pubs. People actually mix and talk to each other, there's rarely much of a wait at the bar, and the beer is good. Plus there's loads of seating.
I'm not sure about the benefits of attracting the pre-club youth crowd. This pub pulls in a fortune as it is, and has enough sporadic trouble on busy nights without having a bunch of pissed-up kids knocking around as well.
It's an interesting boozer, much maligned as "just another station pub". Well worth a visit.
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Cant wait to read the BITE reviews from the other pubs that Hudge visits in Croydon,hopefully the beer will ease the writer's block.
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The chicken club sandwich on brown is recommended in the porter with a pint of fortyniner. I noticed a drive to recruit new staff in there now. Saturday evening was empty. I noticed that all Wetherspoon pubs, in comparison, tend to attract a high volume of young males and females on Friday and Saturday evenings, having a pre-club drink.
The Porter could easily accommodate that sort of Clientele, It has the capacity it has music. All they need to do is resurrect the sale of cocktails by the jug to entice the young lubbers.
I�m flattered that some people are concerned with broadening my drinking horizons. They shouldn�t worry. I�ve compiled a small selection of pubs in Croydon I visited over the years.
During the week I may have a beer in either the Moon on the Hill, The Treasury ,All Bar One or sample a speckled hen in pub next to Sutton station, then The Ship of fools for a glass of Pilgrims progress and a London pride in The Porter and maybe a beer in the George.
I also occasionally visit the Builders Arms , The Alma Tavern, The Oval Tavern, The Cricketers,The Beehive, The Cherry Orchard, The Glamorgan, The Windmill, The Bedford,C.R.O. (when it was open), Pals (when it existed)Swan and Sugarloaf, The Tree house, The Skylark, The ship(owned by same company as the Porter),The Goose on the Market, Spreadeagle, and Lloyds bar, The Old Brief, Gun Tavern, Arkwrights Wheel (where i occasionally play pool),The Fox and .Hounds and The Ship of fools where i enjoy a couple of glasses of Benchmark.....every few months i meet up with old friends and we have a few either around London bridge, Soho, South Ken, fleet street,Brick lane..etc..etc...
Hudge - 11 Oct 2009 11:43 |
The plus point of this pub is its proximity to the station - very handy.
Minus points. You can really smell the toilets, its infested with fruit flies in warmer months and the food is basic pull it out of the freezer, bang in the fryer type fare. Its over light and not really a comfy place to enjoy a drink. Its pretty tatty and could do with a lick of paint.
Having said that, the beer is ok, nothing too much to complain about, its never going to win awards, but its not poor. I've never really noticed the short measures, but have seen the grumpy bar staff.
Its a handy pub and a little bit of investment in key areas (including an air freshner for the toilets) could make this place a cracker, but its falling short currently.
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Glad to report that some improvement has occurred at the Porker and Slaughter since my last visit.No short measures and polite bar service now much in evidence ,congrats all round.The food quality is still good and reasonably priced.However it is a bore reading diatribes from single pub posters such as sphinx11 and Hudge who must be either associated with the management or need to get out to visit other pubs a bit more often.Beer range is from the Marstons portfolio of breweries but the quality of ale here is still only average at best.
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Still as good as ever good beer range and customers and good priced food and drink.
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Customers feel relaxed and comfortable in the Porter and Sorter environment as they welcome everyone regardless of race, culture, creed, ethnic or national origin, gender, religious or political belief, or sexual orientation.
The pub is owned by Marstons so you would expect a fine selection of ale from their own brewery.
There are Four screens showing sport in the main bar and a restaurant area at the back (with table service)for those who want something to eat . There is a comfortable smoking area ( is legal i checked with council, it�s not classed as a room) provided at the very back of the pub and a partial covered area outside.
It�s a very popular pub and a meeting place for postal and office workers, those returning from the races, or a resting place for shoppers or those waiting for a train.
Palace supporters are regular customers and enjoy a few pints in the Porter before they go to the match with family or friends. Most are well behaved but sadly, a minority insist on disgracing themselves in front of their friend s and staff.
Regarding the short measures 5% head is standard practice but you should ask if you wish your beer to be topped up.
The staff at the porter are a team, they work extremely hard and are friendly and attentative to all customers.
They are impartial and will serve both regulars and none regulars with equal importance.
The pub kitchen has a Gold Award from the company and has an excellent varied menu from wraps and sandwiches through to main meals and delightful deserts.
They also serve customers who moan about the beer, think they�re ale aficionados and have more than the 5% head, up their own backside.
Regarding drinking up time. The rule states that when the bell rings at 11pm, customers have 20 minutes to finish their drinks. For those who don�t know, twenty minutes is not 45 minutes or an hour.
The male toilets are pretty grim by late evening but do some men have a problem aiming percy accurately at the porcelain and do they need toilet training?
There have been cut backs and the place may need a few repairs and a lick of paint. But I�m sure the d�cor will improve in time.
After all, you wouldn�t visit your friend, accept his hospitality, drink his beer then slag off his shoddy paintwork because he�s fallen on hard times ....would you?
Hudge - 19 Jul 2009 14:32 |
Large pub stuck between East Croydon rail station and sorting office (hence the name). It's certainly seen better days and a lick of paint here and there wouldn't go amiss. The general air of neglect extends to the food, which used to be good value but is now verging on the inedible. There is a good beer selection including numerous ales from the wider Marston's portfolio. I tried the Ringwood Fortyniner which was in good shape.
Several screens show sports and there's a patio area for smokers or sun worshipers, but ultimately the only real reason to go here is when you're waiting for a train.
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Found the pub surprisingly quiet for a Saturday evening. Beer in good condition and no problems with short measures or staff, who seemed friendly. Maybe note has been taken of previous posts.
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Found the pub surprisingly quiet for a Saturday evening. Beer in good condition and no problems with short measures or staff, who seemed friendly. Maybe note has been taken of previous posts.
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sphinx11 - try writing some half-decent English, then you might get your point across.
Short pints are the norm in this pub when you actually do get served and the bar staff aren't chatting to their mates and ignoring waiting customers.
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To reply to sphinx11 ,the problem is that while up at the bar I noticed that everyone behind the bar serving any pint of real ale,keg beer or lager was pouring pints where the liquid PLUS the head was still below the top of the pint glass.This practice has been noted before by other posters and ,unless you want to prove otherwise,it does appear to be a cynical "policy" to boost revenue.I would always ask politely for a top up,but what should I do when I see every other pint being served short ? Hence the comment in my post. Possibly a quiet word with everyone working behind the bar may solve the problem if I assume you are connected with the management of this pub.
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Dont know y you lot moanin about SHORT MEASURES 5% head!! thats the right MEASURE for a pint so get your facts right before moanin and if you want it topped up y dont you ask? and not be rude i seen lots of people come in and are so rude to the stuff so if you your rude then you get rude back. and they do say please and thank you but if you dont then they dont. !its easy!
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Three of us decided to meet here to have a few pints and something to eat before heading off to watch the Palace.One of our number got bogged down at work ,so two of us arrived when the pub was quiet busy and most dining tables were taken.This is a large pub with plenty of room and there were a lot of Palace colours on display but no roudy behaviour.The beer quality was good,Cocker Hoop the pick among a wide range of Marston's (and related breweries )ales,the food was acceptable served by a very pleasant waitress.However while at the bar I noticed that there is a deliberate and cynical short measure "policy" operated by all the bar staff.Every pint is just short of the full pint,even lager,but the amount is not blatant and few people realise they are being short changed. While up at the bar,a gay decided to come on to my fellow Palace fan without invitation.When I got back with the drinks the gay ,if you will pardon the expression,buggered off .On leaving this establishment with the other Palace fans to catch the 19.40 to Norwood Junction ,the clientele mix seemed more limp wristed than earlier in the evening.
The bar staff are surley and also serve regulars ahead of anyone else waiting at the bar.We have decided that as straight men we dont want to be propositioned and will revert to our old haunt The Ship of Fools at West Croydon and catch the train to Selhurst.
Why dont we drink at the ground? Have you ever tasted the appalling keg fizz beer in the Red and Blue bar ?
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Called in for the first time in over a year last week.
Delighted to see Ringwood Porter on offer and in good condition and a full glass as well.
The pub was very busy, but the service was good. Sounds like it must have been an off day.
ajsqs - 22 Dec 2008 22:37 |
This pub is annoying me now.
They now only serve Jennings and Marston's Pedigree. I don't have a problem with either brewer but why three different Jenning's brews? The beer is ok, not the best but ok. BUT SHORT MEASURES ARE NOW THE NORM AND I'M FED UP WITH IT!!!
One particular barman is the most surly person I've ever had the misfortune to be served by and the loos still stink.
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This pub is deteriorating. Real ale quality and variety is dwindling. Shame, could be a good pub if the management had an interest in real ale and also served full measures.
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Don't be put off by the proximity of this pub to the station. The crowd is very mixed, from the old timers to the youger drinkers, gay and straight. Amazingly everyone seems to gel pretty well, which makes for a convivial atmosphere.
Bar staff can't smile for toffee, and the words "please" and "thank you" seem to have been excluded from their English lessons at school, but I've never had any problems getting served. However, along with a previous reviewer, I've noticed the odd short pint on occasion. However, beer is cheap - Fosters will set you back about �2.70, which is a far cry from the �3 in my native Kilburn.
One of the best redeeming features is the "outdoor" smoking area, which must be bordering on illegal (virtually enclosed as it is), but it has heat lamps to keep you warm and more lamps integrated with the umbrella stands out front as well. In other words, very smoker friendly. The interior reminds me of a Wetherspoons, so the usual dark wood tables, large seating area, etc. They show matches on the big screens as well.
This isn't a pick-up pub. This is a traditional boozer to visit with friends or just to strike up a conversation with a random, and well worth a try if you get tired of the usual fights and stabbings elsewhere in the area.
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Some of the bar staff seem to be desperate to serve short measures here, which is a shame as it is not a bad pub at all, over all.
Today their resident moron decided that I had taken a sip out of a pint of lager (I don't drink lager) even though the glass was in exactly the same place it had been when he poured the short "pint" complete with its vicar's collar. It was only because I asked said moron to fill up the ales that the head on the lager had enough time to drop as far as it had. Said moron only filled up the lager when I refused to pay for anything he had poured.
Be very careful in this pub. Make sure they aren't trying to get 100 pints out of a 72 pint cask*.
--
Phil
*increase numbers for larger casks!
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Gareth 1011, Your reviews seem a little on the kind side , i have not ventured in here for a little while, the last time I drank here it was "between trains".I had thought just about everything was sub standard.The Glamorgan is a few minutes further slightly pretentious but the Harvey's is to die for.
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This place isn't as bad as some of the postings here might suggest. It gets very busy sometimes and when it does, it can take a while to be served but not more that you would reasonably expect. The loos aren't the nicest either but I've smelt a lot worse! It used to get very smoky but since the smoking ban, it is a much more pleasant place to be.
The up side is that the beer is usually well kept and there used to be several choices. That said, this seems to be only two now. Don't know why.
The food is standard pub grub and not bad for the cost, and if you sit in the restaurant end, you get waitress service for the drinks too.
I shall not comment upon the staff's fashion sense as I don't think it is relevant.
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just waited ten minutes to get served by staff that seem to have something else to do apart from the simple art of serving a pint. I used to love this pub - now - well vomiting would be a more enjoyable experience.
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The pub is ok to be fair but the bar staff are slow and aren't all that bright when it comes to serving. As for the 'rest facilities', they are absolutely disgusting. I'd like to think that this wasn't a true reflection of the ladies and gents of Croydon but fear that that is the case judging by some of the awful sites you see in this place, and that is just the staff with their tits on show thinking it looks sexy � ladies, not sure what you are seeing in the mirror but it sure as hell ain't what we are forced to look at! Put them away please!
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Not a bad place to pop in and have a pint if you are waiting for someone from the station. Busy on Friday nights full of people from Town slipping in a cheeky one before sloping off home.
Food used to be good, but I haven't eaten there in a while so can't say for sure now.
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clean and friendly place
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This place is complete bollocks!
Avoid it like the plague!
anonymous - 3 Aug 2007 13:42 |
This place is the dogs bollocks!!!!!
anonymous - 1 Aug 2007 00:49 |
This is a top boozer. A good central location by East Croydon station. An adult pub where you can go for a decent night without having to worry about getting your head kicked in like you would in a Yates's. Good selection of beers, excellent meeting place! Most staff are pretty friendly especially once they get to know you. This place would score higher if it had a plasma screen and if the food was slightly better. The roasts and the breakfasts are very good but where is the minted lamb burger which used to be on the menu. This place is better than Friends Reunited for meeting old mates you haven't seen for ages.
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Pubs change. Regarding the Porter & Sorter, unfortunately, their change is in the wrong direction.
Don't waist your money on flat, badly poured pints (yes�.pints - not a one off) and sour attitude when you ask them to replace it.
Consistently awful! - one to avoid.
anonymous - 21 Apr 2007 13:14 |
Not a bad meeting place for the dismal Croyden station area, beer is palatable but the qatmosphere is a little too smokey for our liking. Role on the No-smoking summer months
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Service is snappy, they keep the drinks rolling even when its busy. Not much else, its a good convienent place to have a drink before moving onward to somewhere else.
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It is a fairly by-numbers boozer, especially compared to the spit 'n' sawdust Porter of old. The rather gritty character of its earlier incarnation has given way to a pubco refurb and 2 extensions, albeit in a relatively subtle manner compared to most chain outlets. It is a bit dull, but there's not really much to hate here now. It is cosmopolitan but not rough, and is always bustling with life, which helps to create an atmosphere that would otherwise be sadly lacking.
To my surprise, it has always sold a reasonable range of ales, and this has improved over the years. I have had a few tired pints there on and off, but by and large it's satisfactory and is good for inclusion on a crawl, or for a meal with the work colleagues - food is basic but reasonable and well-priced.
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Reasonably well-kept pint of Hogsback TEA, but otherwise an uninspiring pub. OK for watching the footie but sometimes a few of the customers seem a bit threatening.
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High regards to this place
The few times ive been in here before ive had a good evening, from a lengthly one to a short visit. Very spacious (considering its give or take knowing its here too) and good mature atmosphere, its a winner. A small range on tap
Music is a nice atmosphere adder
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Tucked away in an unlikely location.
Standard tick-box pub decor.
However, a well-kept pint of Young's served in a jug does help things along I always find.
Nothing special perhaps but if you're waiting on a train, passing by and there's a chill wind or even looking to conclude your day with "just one more" then it's worth a brief visit.
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I agree with Rich66 comments. Most of the staff are helpful and know who needs serving next.
Pumps have been replaced so lager is ice cold.
Beware of the foul mouthed & rude queen working (HUH !) the bar Friday nights !
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Go along with Rich66 best for killing time whilst waiting for next train/bus. Good pint but dull otherwise
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A spacious but rather bland pub next to East Croydon station. Has that generic London pub decor - green/maroon/cream colour scheme with heavily patterned carpet - and on the whole feels a bit like an upmarket Wetherspoons. Tries too hard to cater for everyone, beer quality consistently good in my experience but a rather unimaginative range of 4 or 5 real ales with Hog's Back TEA the only reletively unusual option.
Last night a television was showing the Preston/Leeds football match at an unnecessarily loud volume while dance music competed over the loudspeakers, making for an unpleasantly noisy atmosphere. On the whole it's OK if you've got time to kill or want to meet someone before catching a train but certainly not worth going out of your way for.
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Only ever been in here before getting a train, and tbh that's the only purpose for which I'd use this place in general. It's alright, but not great, and I wouldn't spend too long here.
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Ok pub, but location is a bit dull. The queue of black cabs next to the beer garden adds a distinctive feel to a summer beer.... Staff have been friendly, but gets really rammed and doesnt really do anything for me. I'd sooner walk a bit further and try something with a better atmosphere, but Ok for a quick pint after getting off the train.
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I also quite like this place. It's nothing special and it could be compared to the George a bit inside but the clientele are all far friendlier and the place does have a comfortable atmosphere to it. Just a shame about the prices!
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Variable: sometimes the beer is not looked after well other times okay!
Bar staff who get annoyed if you ask for your pint to be topped up - now if they poured the pint properly to start with ...
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Personally, I like this palce. Dunno what it is about it but it feels comfortable. Agreed with earlier comments re staff. There are a couple of really lovely ladies who waitress and they are real stars but generally the bar staff suck. For serveral years there has been the same moody woman who works there. I remeber that she and her bar staff mates used to deliberatly go out of their way not to serve me and I never knew why. Otherwise it ain't too bad
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miserable staff, sad customers waiting for trains and p*$$ed up posties
dingy fly riddled hell hole selling food fit solely for the flies
unpleasant in the extreme
not sure where they get the beer from but none of it ever tastes like the brands it preports to sell
pricier than the all bar one or the cricketers - keep walking in any direction
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Its OK for drinks but i dont like the fact there are so many flies all over the walls and they buzz round when ur eating. What must the kitchen be like? Service is alright apart from that grumpy supervisor-think her name is Donna!
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I was in here one day when Hughie Crean followed through and they wouldn't let him in a cab because of the mess. Some Paddys were running it at the time (not impressed) but all the posties were laughing their nuts off. Don't let the bird with the bondage shop down Lower Addiscombe Rd get you. Great Pub
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Decent pub, okay selection of beers. Food is pretty good. Bar service not the best in my experience.
Good, but nothing special.
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The beer IS good ... but the staff are far from great.
On the last three occasions I have been there they have short-served my pint, I do not expect a belligerent look when asking for a top up.
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I like this pub but there are better bars to go to in croydon although for pub lunch i would recomend you could go here... food is nice and service is reasonable!
Gemma - 1 Sep 2004 12:20 |
Great pub, very good food and beer, eat or watch the football, proper pub in a town full of crap bars (exception The Ship)
Try both!!!!!
Darren - 30 May 2004 20:35 |
I love this pub. I meet friends after work for a few drinks and quite often stay most of the night. The staff are great.
Fiona - 28 Apr 2004 15:11 |
Fine if you don't know croydon and have to meet someone as it's so near the station, but otherwise hasn't got much going for it. Decor is mid 80's fashion, so are most of the clientele. Maybe that's just Croydon...
Alex - 3 Jul 2003 14:39 |
Tucked away down the side of East Croydon station, so very handy if you're killing time before a train. Very big, friendly place, the beer is nice and the spicy, twisty fries are bloody lovely!
Darryl - 5 May 2003 23:35 |
