please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Crane, renamed as The Armoury, has had a very substantial makeover. It's clearly had a lot of effort put into it and it looks a lot better - altogether more welcoming, and you could almost forget that it's facing the Wandsworth gyratory. The previous incarnation didn't make too much of the building, whereas the new management have made the most of the features (including the original windows & fireplace, which seem to have been cleaned up and restored).
It may no longer be opposite the Ram Brewery and get drayhorse deliveries (the brewery site's currently empty and awaiting redevelopment) but I was pleased to see they still have some local beer in the form of the (really local - made just down the road in Battersea) Sambrook's. Food's now on offer that looked promising, though I was only passing through.
All in all - a good effort, that deserves to do well - if you're in the Wandsworth area I'd recommend making the detour to the Armoury's admittedly slightly out-of-the-way location.
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Now renamed The Armoury.
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Nice beer selection, friendly staff, not the most exciting pub but there's certainly worst places in Wandsworth to have a beer. Bit of a strange location though, out of the way......
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Had a very pleasant evening here last week. The pub has recently been taken over by a young couple who seem to have good plans for the place.
They are CAMRA members & the Youngs Ordinary & Sambrooks Junction were both in good nick. They hope to expand the beer range as business allows, but are sensibly concentrating on quality rather than quantity for the time being. When redecorating has been completed they also hope to start doing food.
It's almost worth having a half in the Alma before coming here so you can appreciate how much better the Crane is!
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When I walked in to The Crane I was greeted happily by an enthused bartender who gave me a erudite and cheery tour of the beers and ales. I took his advice of the tangle foot which was quite refreshing!
I took up a seat near the small and cheery fire and spent a good hour or two supping on a few of the good selection of ales in the pub. Got talking to the barman who excitedly relayed plans for amongst other things the following evening�s pub quiz with someone called Adam �the knowledge magician� as well plans to host some new bands and comedy nights.
The change of management has done this place a real good turn.
Really lovely little pub, with lovely ale and lovely people.
Definately a good regulars place. Up and coming events sound interesting as well.
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Great pub, super friendly under the new management, no scary dog anymore either. Good prices and lovely roaring fire, an afternoon in front of that with some great red wine, the sunday papers and a board game, bliss! Love the beer garden too, will be back when the weather heats up!
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Tried this pub again after moving back to the area. What a change from the last time. Four well kept real ales including Sambrook's, friendly bar staff and a log fire. Don't let the exterior put you off, it's warm and cosy inside and they have a good range of wines and a few good whiskies too. The outside is due an overhaul next month apparently. Food is also coming soon. One to watch for the future, give it a try.
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Quality pub, not pretencious or snobby, just a proper old English pub.
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the previous govner had no clue on what he was doing and didnt know the first thing about running a pub, now new people have taken over and the opening night was sh*t, we didnt even want to finish are drinks because youc ouldnt hear yourself think with all the pikeys doing the Kareoke!! Oh god i wanted to die. and why did everyone have the same facial features.... try the cars back round teh corner!!
anonymous - 4 Apr 2007 12:59 |
hi there, i will be taking over at rhe crane on the 21st march,,, my name is Teresa, we will have sky as from thursday, plenty of bitters and guinness and we will be ell stocked, please come and give us a try, we also will have entertainment twice a week till we get established then hopefully at least 4 times a week, also we will be doing food again, but not straight away due to reasons beyond my control, but i will have sandwichs and rolls till then, i will be having n opening night on 31st march, but will be open from wed 21st. hope tosee you all siin. Teresa
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Word has it that a new tenant moves in this week, so hopefully they'll buy some beer!
anonymous - 18 Mar 2007 11:07 |
Apologies for forgetting to mention in my previous review that the pub had no draught Youngs beer or Guinness either.
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Desperately unimpressed last Sunday evening. As the previous poster correctly points out, the pub's decor gives it a feel of a fast food outlet. Yet there was no sign of any food being on at the time of my visit and the pub was virtually deserted. With no TV on for sport, it's difficult to see where this pub is positioning itself in terms of market share. I won't be rushing back.
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What has happened to this place? Its been argued that this is the oldest oub in the area. However the new owners decided to turn it into a branch of McDonalds. All the original fittings and timber beams have been ripped out, it now has a juke box and a tv. On top of that the night we paid a visit it seemed to be full of chavs and their screaming kids. Needless to say we moved on after our pint.
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I'm sure I've been here when the beer tasted better than described below, but last night seemed to confirm that Young's move to Bedford has, and not too surprisingly really, led to a decline in its beers. I first ordered a Winter Warmer (a new barrell apparently) which was just vile, so went for the Special, which was limped and watery, not unlike the Queen Adelaide around the corner. Give it a miss. And the service is indeed maudlin, what a great word, and used here so aptly.
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Was closed for a refurb last night.
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Mr Babble, its known as poor cellarmanship - commonly experienced in Youngs pubs where there isn't much beer trade. Doesn't matter how near the brewery the pub is in these cases
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I couldn't understand how they could get the Youngs Special to taste naff, bearing in mind that the brewery is across the road.
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A group of us used to go to this pub for lunch once a week from work. On a recent visit we found that it was under new management. A pint of orange & lemonade cost �2.40 and the service, which started off maudlin, became closer to hostile when the cost was commented on. The food was reasonably priced and delivered promptly but unappetising. We will be finding a new venue.
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Nice little boozer, good food, beer is fairly good has a decent quiz on a Thursday and thay sometimes have a girl singing on a Friday evening who is a right sort.
anonymous - 9 Jan 2006 14:58 |
Is it true that this place is Haunted? If so we are there!
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I have been to this place a few times and it always is quiet and I don't know why.Perhaps because it is "round the back" of Wandsworth and therefore not a lot of passing trade. The beer is good quality and there are very comfortable seats to greet you after a long trek round the Arndale centre(or what ever it's called now).
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Surprised that this pub is not on the site already, so looks like I've got the honour of being the first to post a comment. Its a small single bar Youngs pub on the notorious Wandsworth one - way traffic system. Take care when crossing the road. Used to have seats outside on the pavement for breathing in the traffic fumes, but these seem to have disappeared. Appears to be quite food orientated. Eclectic mix of furniture and paraphernalia inside. About 5 minutes walk from The Kings Arms in the High Street.
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