BITE user comments - suppinguy
Comments by suppinguy
For a wetherspoons this is one of the better ones for sure although it does stick to very old fashioned opening hours. Good range of beer, good staff, clean (mostly) and much cheapness.
10 Oct 2013 21:49
Dunno what the reviewer below is on about, Ann is fantastic and I hope she stays for many a long year. Good local pub tho I don't get there as much as I used to now.
10 Oct 2013 21:47
The Blue Bottle, Crystal Palace
Now it's the westow house, think it's run by the antic chain (which are churning out pubs by the dozen now and getting a bit samey and annoying). This pub tho is pretty good, I go in the week to avoid the weekend crowds. Good range of beer and reasonably priced, friendly staff. It's often open to 12 even in the week which is very welcome (later at weekends).
10 Oct 2013 21:43
The White Hart, Crystal Palace
I like this pub. It has a good atmosphere with friendly staff. The music can be quite loud at times tho but overall it's not bad. Worth a visit. Good range of beer and reasonably priced when compared to the alma across the road.
10 Oct 2013 21:39
Nicely done out with good beer although the focus seems to be more on the food now. Very very very expensive too.
10 Oct 2013 21:36
The Grape and Grain, Crystal Palace
Used to come to this pub on many weekends but have stopped coming recently as they always have live tedious blues bands on that crank up the music so loud you can't hear yourself think.
The pub is not now catering to general members of the public but only to a small section of blues music fans. I cannot recommend this pub now which is a shame, unless you like your ears being blasted out by boring blues bands that is. I've also noticed that the cleanliness has taken a nosedive especially in the loos.
10 Oct 2013 21:34
Typical fake Irish pub really, and as other reviewers have said best to avoid at weekends, especially sunny ones as you'll get squashed. And during any football matches too. Beer ok tho.
1 May 2012 14:16
The Bricklayers Arms, Beckenham
Definitely a lot better than it used to be. Looks like it's being run a lot better than it was. Beer ok and can feel reasonably relaxed in here which is very different from when the last owners were here. Beer ok too and lots of screens.
30 Apr 2012 01:21
Hmmmnn, definitely avoid like the plague at weekends. And most of the week too. Peesheads paradise. Fantastic place if you like feeling intimidated by the other clientele.
30 Apr 2012 01:18
Not a bad little pub. Been a few times lately and some nice pints on the go especially the ales (Tribute and Westerham). Staff are nice and friendly. The pub just needs something else though, not sure what, but something's missing! Nice beer garden in summer tho.
30 Apr 2012 01:16
I made a good review of this pub a couple of years ago but it's gone a bit downhill since then.
The beer is still generally ok as are the clientele and the bar staff are great (mostly), however the cleanliness of the pub has definitely faltered. Fruit flies are absolutely everywhere trying to sup your pint before you do and their dead bodies and turds are in evidence all over the walls of the pub. Not a nice environment to be suppin in.
The place needs a good deep clean and then be maintained that way. I've stopped suppin there til they do it.
7 Nov 2011 03:46
Posted on here a few years back re this pub, just another quick update.
The Maple's been done up a bit since then although it still manages to look like a boozer from decades ago!
Nevertheless it remains a great little pub and easily one of the best around this area. The Pride has gone and the only bitters on now are Youngs Ordinary and Best which have ranged from very good to a bit poor (mostly passable however).
The prices in the Maple remain very cheap compared to many pubs which is a bonus although luckily it doesn't attract the Wetherspoon type of clientelle. Most in the pub are locals and there's a real community feel there, the staff seem to know most by name.
Not sure about food, it's not that sort of pub really, although I believe they do a roast etc on a Sunday.
My one criticism is that the juke box can be quite loud at times. The speakers are fitted outside of the bar area and the staff can't hear how loud it is from behind the bar. Occassionaly they keep the music only on in the pool area which is a good compromise.
All in all I'd definitely recommend the Maple and certainly above any other candidates in the area. It's a good honest and old fashioned boozer where the friendly staff still wear a shirt/collar and live upstairs!
27 Sep 2011 04:08
The Royal Albert, Crystal Palace
My, this place has gone downhill recently! I went a couple of weeks back and will not be returning. The whole pub seems to be a haven for local p*sheads who take it over and argue amongst each other all night. And the staff seem to turn a blind eye to smoking in the pub. It's a real shame cos this was a good boozer. The beer has also taken a turn for the worse and tasted off and vinegary, like they don't clean their pipes well enough.
23 Feb 2009 17:31
The Goldsmiths, Penge
Good staff, good drink selection and glad it's open, a good addition to Penge for sure.
But by god what a scruffy half finished wreck of a pub. I mean, I don't mind a bit of shabby chic, but this pub is taking the absolute mick with its customers. There are holes in the walls, half finished painting, wires hanging out of walls, what looks like a cracked soil pipe sticking out of another wall, a fireplace that has been removed and nothing put in its place leaving rotten, dusty looking brickwork behind. The tables are awful too, would hate to try to eat a meal off one of them with friends.
It's not the greatest of the antic pubs by far, much more effort is needed to finish the place off and make it feel like they actually care about the comfort and surroundings of their customers.
I'll stick with wetherspoons until they finish it properly.
14 Jan 2015 16:59