please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Great pub, good choice of ales and lagers. The food is especially good, and have a wide range of flowers to choose from. On the many occasions I have visited this pub there has rarely been any trouble although u do get a few oddballs in there. I can recall on one occasion this stumpy bald middle aged Israeli man wearing a Greece football shirt( which I found very peculiar) wandering around drunk..... Shouting about the great battle of spreadeagle of 2015" and that he was in his prime at 28, although I have to say he looked nearer 50 to me. With him was this little tubby fella with all cuts up his arms ,, issued he was looking for his carer , but it turned out he was with the suspicious looking Israeli chap. I think the tubby one had dementia as the Israeli chap had to repeat everything to the fat one about 5 times, although that maybe because of the language barrier. The two friends seemed on the same wave length though and it was sweet seeing them talk to each other..... However at one point they seemed to be getting angry with each other.......after what seemed like a hotly contested game of rock/paper/scissors.... the pair of them started reeling off their birthdays and year of birth... For some reason this was when it turned ugly .... After what seemed like an age... They had a ferocious game of mercy, back and forth the tussle was and the punters were watching with anticipation what was going to happen next... As they both grew tired ... With neither warrior giving an inch... The pub was aghast.... this was truly a battle of epic proportions and for all to see. As the battle continued long into the night with each combatant refusing to give in, they arose to their feet with their heads held high and proud of holding their ground and fighting for what they believe in. To this day ... I find myself lying in bed... Awake at night ...thinking to myself.... For what cause was those 2 mighty warriors fighting for???? World peace,, abolishing hate crimes , equal opportunities no matter what sex, colour or creed they are, or maybe even trying to cut fossil fuels to make our world a nicer , safer and more habital planet for which ourselves and future generations can bloom and thrive in. Whatever the case I'm sure it was something along those lines and they are truly brave men.!!!!! Oh yeah and there's also a couple of got tarts behind the jump!! Recommended👍👍👍👍
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Great pub with a wonderful selection of Beers. A delicious array of food in a well put together menu which really has something for everyone. Weekends are lively with a vibrant atmosphere. Staff are welcoming and happy to serve. I must say that the staff do a great job especially when having to deal with some difficult characters. One occasion I was in the Green Dragon a man of Eastern European appearance came in and joined a group of local lads not really sure if they actually knew him because they seem to struggle to understand what he was shouting at them, all we could make out was the word "obviouusly". The group seem to ignore him but this just irritated him more, he then started to eat the plants on the table. The group were not amused and reacted angrily to him. The poor foreign lad then got upset and stormed out the pub crying. The group of lads found this extremely funny but I felt sorry for him.
I just like to add this was an isolated incident and I rarely see this sort of behaviour in the Green Dragon
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Incidentally under a new manager, Carl having left in September to work some magic at a pub in Islington. Sue is now at the helm, who from what little exposure thus far seems to run a reasonable ship. Certainly at first glance there is little if any difference; decor, layout, drinks and food all seem to be very similar to under Carl's steerage. Which should be a positive, as the GD still manages to sell its wares to a variety of different clientele - usually the more civilised sorts I'm happy to report - depending on the time of day and day of the week. Sometimes good management is about changing little and maintaining prior good standards.
My only minor criticism is perhaps that the cask beer choice isn't quite as diverse as it was before; a few more adventurous options wouldn't go amiss for those of us who find this the key attraction of the pub. We don't need a surfeit of Marstons-related offerings when we could have more interesting "locales" from local businesses.
Food remains of the Mediterranean flavour, and very tasty it is. Apparently it'll be moving from Spain towards Italy as home-prepared pizzas are due to be introduced shortly.
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Spacious pub on the site of (apparently) a former bank. Good selection of ales and food (both individual dishes and shareable ones). Long walk to the loos!
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The Dragon continues to feature in the CamRA Good Beer Guide, hopefully indicating it is still holding its own as a destination for quality beers under the current management.
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Had an unexpected spare hour in croydon. Not expecting much I much I have to admit. This is a lively town pub and I was pleasantly surprised. Good selection of ales. Mixed clientele.
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Perhaps - the first good and logical post from slerpy .....ever
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Gamboozler-The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is. - Winston Churchill. I love the derision of smaller people who cannot express themselves in a sensible form, its applause from the imbecilic, they are the majority,sadly.
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Much-derided by many on this site, Slerpy's assessment below is broadly correct in my estimation, excepting the 'awful period' claims - it didn't take a huge dive after long-term incumbent Esther left, and the new chap, Carl, has essentially retained the worthy elements which his predecessor worked so hard to create. He has his detractors mind, particularly in respect of treatment of inherited staff, so don't take my word for it; see for yourself.
Beer-wise, five of the six pumps are usually occupied with interesting options, albeit with a leaning towards Clarence & Frederick's, Westerham and Dark Star, plus one or two active casks behind. Cask cider no longer supported apparently. I'm pleased to impar that discounts for qualifying customers still in place.
Food always tremendous value; chef stolen from the Dog & Bull still there!
Atmos is pretty-much as was (civilised), and still one of the best pubs in the central Croydonian context. Good luck to the new team.
Esther can now be found at The Oval, Oval Road by the way.
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There was an awful period for this pub during the change of management but that has now finished. The new Manager is now running the pub well ,a recent Brewers pump takeover and very nice staff add up to this being the best pub in the town centre. Beer wise you will NOT find beers from the big brewers.Other pubs have London Pride, Adnams Broadside,Sharp's Doom Bar, Abbot Ale ( the widespread national beers which are sold on the back of massive advertising).So nice to have a choice.
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Just so much NOISE !
Beer with a vinegar tinge to it. Toilets like saunas.
This place is total ERIC (see my name to see what it means)
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After a pub crawl around Croydon today the outright winner was the.......Green Dragon three Dark Star beers including Bock the monthly special for February ( 5.6% brewed in collaboration with Saltaire Brewery), plus Hophead and Critical Mass. A new guvnor in place. It makes a pleasant change to go to a pub that is relatively unfettered in the beers it can choose. The Service is swift and polite.
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Yes it was a bit quiet compared to the heaving Wetherspoons George. The beer though was a goodie for us, Clarence and Frederick in Croydon, so low carbon footprint there. We didn't rally want anything else of the 3 others on offer and it was a shame the "on now" and "coming soon" boards didn't match up with what was actually there. And bearing in mind how busy it wasn't there was no excuse unless the chalk had been lost. All in all a shame. Could do better but well done for the C&F beer.
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For a few years the Green Dragon brought life to Croydon on Sunday with every handpump used and the sound of various jazz bands echoing down from upstairs.Sadly it now has the atmosphere of a morgue and today boasted two beers , both dark and very similar of gravity and drinkability to Bisto{ Tm registered }. If the present rate of decline continues ( six other customers at 14:00 hrs)The place will be boarded up within six months, if it is to be saved the next manager needs to swiftly put beers on that are new and worth drinking, Turners , Burning Sky, Isfield, Breweries from Sussex would be a starting point, others such as Cottage are very cheap but are unpleasant and will not sell to customers more than once, the same old story, ales selected well do better than picking the cheapest beers from the available list.Talk to the customers/listen to the customers act upon it and thrive.
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Beer selection and atmosphere we good. It leads you to believe you're in good hands and a good pub. However... from my experience, this is not so true.
Over 50 minutes after ordering a very simple food order (a burger & chips and garlic flatbread with two cheeses we get a cold burger and a forgotten flatbread order. We then get no burger and sliced baguette, no garlic or herb and the slightest amount of cheddar.
I write this now half an hour later. We still have no satisfactory food delivered.
Overall, I'd say this is a great pub to pop in for a pint but absolutely do NOT stop a meal. You either won't get it at all or you'll get it after an hour and cold.
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What has happened to the food? Came in last Friday and the food ordered took over 30 minutes to arrive. When it did the roasted vegetables were RAW and received a refund. In again yesterday and once again poor food, cold and was sent back but returned no better.
Barra - 16 Sep 2013 12:44 |
Has a bit of a Wetherspoon feel to it (wood panelling, 2 floors, toilets downstairs etc.) but thankfully here the similarity ends as the service and ambience are way superior. And the 2 local C&F beers I tried, Golden and IPA, were outstanding, and at under £3 a pint good value too. There were 3 other ales on tap (including Hophead) and 2 strong ciders on stillage. This is a reliable outlet for good beer and gets very busy at weekends; its popularity is well-earned.
The long trek to the toilets does showcase a shabbier side though. Slerpy is right, some outlay is sorely needed here!
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A large wedding cake of a building on the southern side of Croydon's Surrey Street market, rather grandly topped off with a cupola. Inside the pub is rather light and airy as the grey curled up post-it notes have thankfully been removed. I had a pint of Hophead in decent condition at £2.50, a few other ales were on.Surely Stongate Inns must now take the opportunity to refurbish the stairs and toilets they are bordering on dangerous! The pub has always had a lovely pubby feel about it.9/10.
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Today the star of the show was locally brewed IPA from Clarence & Frederick's which was disappearing fast. It was probably the best beer they've brewed yet.
This is the place to come for Croydon beer, both from C&F And from Cronx. After some experimentation, both of these breweries are developing fine brews and the Green Dragon is to be commended for showcasing them so positively. Nice!
The pub is being managed superbly by Kevin in the wake of Esther's departure. Lets hope the company recognise what an asset he is and make him manager. He knows what has to be done to keep this the best venue in Croydon.
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Good range of ales in this pub, does lack a bit of atmosphere but is worth a visit if you are in the area.
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Good range of ales in this pub, does lack a bit of atmosphere but is worth a visit if you are in the area.
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Came in here after a heavy Saturday on the beer so my memory is a little hazy to say the least.
The range of beers was very good and I believe the pint I had was decent.
Stayed for about half and hour then had to leave as I had, had enough for the day.
Don’t recall the place being that busy or the atmosphere being anything exceptional but a pleasant enough pub.
I will visit again to give a “sober” review!
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Was in here last night, beer still good very busy and good service.
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Not been here for a while. Beers still in good condition
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Scores out of 5
Beers on offer 5 - Beer quality 3 - Full pint? 3 - Service 3 - Clientele 2
Garden & view 3 - Welcome & staff 3 - Parking 1 - Toilets 4 - Comfort 3
TOTAL 28 out of 50 OVERALL RATING 26 to 30 = 6
Comment: Croydon boozer but no real charm ..... apart from the range of beers which is terrific. Croydon town (never gonna be a City) not the best of places to drink after dark unless you have a minder.
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Congratulations for winning CAMRA Croydons pub of the year. Although it would not have been my choice. A close second I think but congrats all the same
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Sorry, the message below should read the 26th MAY. My mistake, I got carried away with all the excitement
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The Happy Hooker Comedy Club is here on Saturday 26th April. 12 top acts from the London New Act scene. See them now for �3 before they get famous and charge �20 !! Doors 7pm. See you down there - this is going to be awesome !!!!
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Probably the best pub in central Croydon.Very nice food,and excellent beer range.Attracts a mixture of people, so everyone feels welcome.
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The dragon was larger than I expected with a classic "London pub" feel to the interior. There was a good range of beers as expected, and music session upstairs was a pleasant surprise. I am looking forward to my next visit.
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One of the best pubs in Croydon without a doubt. The pub selects an eclectic & often alternative clinentelle & the atmosphere is never anything less than lively but friendly. The staff are very clued up on ale & there is always an exciting & ever-changing choice of beers, usualy on tap but some on gravity, too. If you get the chance to visit this pub take it
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Superbly run town centre pub without being identikit by description. Commitment to real ale which is kept superbly with two on gravity. Knowledgeable staff with an interest in the product they sell. Various entertainment throughout the week including a popular Monday quiz and lunchtime jazz on a Sunday. The latter actually encouraging me away from Ronnie Scott's Sunday Jazz lunch. Food is available from early 'til late and closer to what pub food used to be like, as opposed to the microwaveable variety so many pubs pass off as 'home made'. A large function room also exists upstairs complete with bar. This holds a number of events throughout the week as well as being available for private hire. In my opinion the most complete pub in Croydon and I have drunk in most of them. Well worth a visit whichever day of the week you choose.
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Better than average pub in a less than average town. Worth a visit.
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Went here for the first time to a private party a few weeks ago. Enjoyed myself immensely. I wish pubs in central London were more like this. Keep up the good work
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I used to run pubs 10-15 years back and i dont hesitate in saying if they were all like this there would be no declining pub industry.
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Visited this weekend for a friends birthday. A large and popular pub serving plenty of ales, a few real ciders and with what looked like a nice food menu. Big place with plenty of room in it, over 2 floors, with a little stage for gigs upstairs. Staff were nice, friendly and helpful. I would certainly recommend it!
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on its way to becoming the best pub in Croydon - ale range is excellent and very well kept - food is good and cost effective. Lagers are impeccably served and a vase of Peroni goes down very well now and again...
Show me a better pub in central Croydon....
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Beer not bad, staff slow would rather stand at the end of the bar talking, where is the manager to tell them customers come first.
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Special Darkstar beers on at the moment. Partridge @ 4 & mark & Melissa special porter @6.5 get them while you can
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Critical mass, sadlers Winter spice, hobgoblin, blue Monkey Evolution & Haverys best all in fair condition.
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Very fast becoming my favourite Croydon pub. Always a good selection of well kept real ales. Today I tried Dark Star Crital Mass 7.8% �3.15, lovely pint only downfall was it was served in a Bombadier glass. Pub is open early so handy for after a night shift. Never tried the food but it seems well priced. Shows Sky Sports so a much better alternative to Yeats. Young efficient bar staff.
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Dark Star Critical Mass ran out as I was queuing to get it, oh well. Had pint of gravity Hogs Back Rip Snorter instead. Remaining ales were interesting & handpumped. Pub is pretty big & prices south of �3.
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8 real ales with 2 on gravity and interesting mix of beers, a lot of them Christmas themed. First beer we had pulled was cloudy, the barman re-pulled the beer without question and it was in fine form. The beer prices are reasonable for the area, there's an upstairs that is slightly weird and wonderful and music oriented with a bias towards jazz (nice!). They seem to have bands on and open mic evenings too.
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Get there now!! Dark Star critical Mass on @ 7.9. This rare sessional beer is onand in very good condition. Knee I say more. Well Merry Christmas!!
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I love this pub. A proper pub with a good selection of beers and fantastic food. (At reasonable prices too!) My wife and I always pop in when we are unfortunate to have to be in the Croydon area. This pub always lifts our spirits. Pool tables, sport on the telly and good music. Just how a pub should be. Fantastic boozer.
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Just visited this pub for the first time in a while and I must say I was impressed. I assume the noisiness mentioned by others must be an evening thing as it certainly wasn't a problem on a Friday lunch time.
The beer selection was excellent and the ones I tried were very well kept. The food, though not exciting, was perfectly good and both beer and food were very reasonably priced.
The only criticism I have is that the service was a bit slow and one barman didn't seem to know how to work the till but apart from that, this could be the best pub in Croydon since the Dog & Bull lost it's shine.
I will be there for an evening session in a couple of weeks, so I'll find out what the noise levels are like then.
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Went in here Thursday had a pint of ale was told the pub was good for ale it was ok but i have had better. The services is very slow
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Nice selection of beers, reasonably priced food and apparently quite community minded with events for local groups.
If only more places strived to be like this! It's an asset to Croydon.
alexi - 14 Jul 2010 17:33 |
I visited on a Thursday afternoon and it struck me as a pleasant pub with a variety of clientele - some playing pool, some eating, some watching tv. The two young guys behind the bar were friendly and efficient and the two dark Star beers I tried were in good condition and fair priced at �2.70 a pint.
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A community pub which can be noisy as colonelflay notes, but choose your time and you can also relax in peace.
The splendid beer selection and reasonable prices have attracted a good few of the Dog & Bull's former customers, who gather here in peace and quiet on Saturday lunchtimes.
Weekday evenings see a whole variety of lively music gigs. Noisy sometimes, but horrendously so? Perhaps, but this ex-bank's acoustic is very bright, and taste is individual...
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Horrendously noisy. like a lot of modern 'innovative' pubs some really good ideas but the bar is too low, and when busy the wait for service becomes insulting.
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The monthly meeting of the C.R.A.P.S. last night was enhanced by the presence of Esther, Croydon's most innovative manager, under whose stewardship the Green Dragon thrives as central Croydon's "local". She made us very welome as usual, and spent a while talking to us about the beer and other things.
It's not merely a high-street pub. Music from jazz to indie, and dance classes, and film, and food festivals, and beer festivals, and community events, give the Dragon a real buzz. There's a very wide customer base in my opinion. No particular age-group dominates, and whenever I've been in there's been a good mix of people enjoying themselves. You could take your mum here, or your daughter. It's one of the few venues in Croydon without "doormen" or bouncers, always a good sign.
The beer last night: 4 from Dark Star: Hophead, American Pale Ale, Victorian Ruby Mild (6.2%!) and Saison; Harveys Sussex Best and Twickenham Naked Ladies which came on to replace Westerham Audit Ale which ran out just after our arrival. Reader: I tasted all of them, leaving at midnight to catch the last bus...
Cheers,
AR
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Nothing but praise for this place. Great selection of beers with some you don't see that often, lovely music and a really pleasant atmosphere to it. Busy but you can't expect to have all that to yourself. Still baffles me why so many of the Croydon types go to the adjacent pubs and not this one but lets hope they continue to do so. Would agree with previous comment, just about Croydon's finest.
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The Green Dragon is holding a Spring Beer Festival starting tomorrow until the 11th of April.A wonderful list of over thirty ales,a mixture of award winners, new and obscure ales for your imbibing pleasure.A nice twist is that the Cathedral Brewery ales are brewed at the Green Dragon in Lincoln.
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Went in here last night good ales on, but takes to long to get a drink 3 people got served before me because the staff knew them, the place was untidy. I will try this pub again but it will be in the day .
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Last visited midweek, good range of beers, well kept, bar service curiously a bit more hit and miss than at weekend but... NO SOAP in any of the dispensers in the gents', upstairs or downstairs. A common fault but surprising to encounter it in this cathederal of excellence.
Management please note.
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As always a lovely pint in nice company.A truly festive atmosphere in Croydon's best pub.The staff worked hard whilst everyone else enjoyed the season.
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Fantastic alehouse with 5 brews on handpump featuring Dark Star Hophead,American Pale Ale and Porter together with Hogs Back TEA and HOP both straight from the barrel.There are other guest ales including (surprisingly )Bombadier which is carried as the beer available in meal deals which include a drink in order to shift this shite .A real cider is also on handpull.The food menu is priced in line with Wetherspoons and is value orientated but the best deals are not on the printed menu with chilli and rice at an unbelievable �1.99 (tasted great) and soup and sarnie.The ground floor is spaceous and to the side are two pool tables which dont detract from the friendly,drinking atmosphere.Sky sports footie is screened,sometimes with the sound turned down .Upstairs is where bands,poets,stand up,magic and other entertainment is held.This really is a top pub ,Croydon's finest and a must visit on any tour of the area.Great venue for my pre Palace half gallon.
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Just gets better in here ticking all the boxes for a great urban pub despite the short time it's been here. Well-run with attentive, efficient and polite young staff; plenty going on in the upstairs function area to appeal to all ages (and the fact that young and old mix here is a great asset to the place). Good value food, top notch beer (the Hophead last week was subliminally good and I was tempted to award my first ever straight 5 on the beer scoring Richter scale). 15% off the already reasonable prices with CAMRA membership.
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excellent food and prices--top notch pub in croydon.enjoy.
1dave - 31 Oct 2009 18:25 |
Awesome boozer. My favorite hang when visiting Croydon or perhaps in the whole south of London.
The GD is a truly great "indie" pub experience of the kind a Yank like me can't get in the States.
The beer selection is killer. Love the Brewster's Decadence and DS Hophead.
The food is fair but hey, it's pub food. It serves it's purpose well.
Staff is friendly and attentive. Prices are very reasonable.
It's a youngish, hip clientele mixed with a few 30 and 40 somethings such as myself.
I was recently there on a "band" night. The band sucked ass but I imagine the room is slamming up there during good shows or on say, "club" nights. I recommend the Green Dragon to anyone who digs a low key hang with great folks and great beer.
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Croydon's top pub once again hits the high notes, with several excellent ales from Celt Experience , Dark Island etc.Hophead is now a permanency.the Dark Star Ocktoberfest ( very Germanic clip) was in fine form. A beer festival is in the offing for November.Chilli is a stupid �1.99 !!!
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A wonderful pub. Visited with two friends last night and enjoyed perfect Dark Star Hophead, Apa and Brewster's Decadence. Music is quite loud, but not without some welcome quieter interludes enabling conversation. Clientele of all agegroups present, and very friendly staff. Will certainly return, great discovery.
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Quite simply, this is the best pub in Croydon. The owners have shown some great initiative and originality in the way they run the place, which has forced a number of other Central Croydon pubs to up their game in order to compete.
The ales are always in top condition and there's a good rotation to ensure that there's always something new to try.
An upstairs room caters for live music, club nights, stand-up comedy, poetry, dance lessons and private functions. Large screen show live sports and there are a couple of pool tables as well as plenty of board games and a book swap.
The food is simple, but value for money and the staff are all very friendly and eager to please.
It's hard to put it all into words, but there is so much going on at this place, there's bound to be something to keep you entertained. This is a very rare 10/10.
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Maldenman, this pub used to have dark Star beers on regularly but several times this year they have not been available this is possibly as they are so widely available in the locality. The Half'n Half sells loads of Hophead and should have two more pumps ( for more D.S. beers) delivered this week. The Cricketers(Shirley Road) has Hophead and a D.S. guest,The Claret usually has a D.S.beer or two. The Hope Carshalton always has Hophead and often a guest.The Trafalgar (tram in20 minutes) always has Hophead and often another.Soon two other freehouses in the nearby vicinity will stock Dark Star beers.So I suppose the Dragon wants to remain true to its alternative ethos and looking at that list is offering a lot more choice to Croydon, certainly a real cider is unusual to the town centre.9/10
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Very large open plan space, high ceilings and large windows to each street frontage. Stairs lead to an upper level (not visited). Big on sports it seems, very busy and boisterous this afternoon with rugby fans watching SA v The Lions. There are a couple of pool tables in the far corner.
The size, layout and ambience were not really to my taste, but the beer range is it must be said, first rate. On stillage behind the bar are Hogs Back TEA and Hop, then on handpump were Atlas Wayfarer (a golden very bitter ale), Westerham Freedom Ale, Sharps Honey Spice, White Horse Giant, and Boxing Dog Cider. One pump was unused. No mainstreams and the clips on the end wall indicate an excellent rotation policy.
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A lovely pint of Summer Meltdown from Dark Star today,the stem ginger was exactly the same as last year which is a wonderful testimony to Dark Star's recipes.
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Not much to look at from the outside but don't let that put you off. It's got most things that you'd want in a pub, attentive and plentiful staff, a good traditional and well-priced menu, plenty of TV screens for sport, pool tables, board games and even a book swap club. There's music most nights, often live. Of the six handpumps all were on and only one of the beers, Bombardier, I would consider as mainstream, perhaps also the Hophead given the neck of the woods. Well deserved of it's Cask Marque accreditation. I think I'd do a lot of drinking in here if I lived in Croydon.
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Visited for the first time recently and impressed by the good selection of respectable beers including (microbrewery/local?) products. Also well known for its ongoing Sunday jazz sessions upstairs.
Ignore the drivel about young and friendly bar staff, service was fine but do young and friendly (or old and GRUMPY) necessarily go together always??
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Absolutely great pub. Mixed crowd from young to not so young. Food is well above average for pub grub. Good prices with lots of different ales and ciders. Great atmosphere, friendly locals and regulars and last but so important, the bar staff are young and friendly (especially the pretty girl called Emma)
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the Dragon had lots of new ales on today, a breath of fresh air ! The inventiveness of the beer menu is only exceeded by the wonderful choices on the scrumptious food menu ! My rating for this pub has lifted to 7/10.
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The best pub in a VERY competetive area.the Dragon had every handpump on yesterday , during the bad weather other pubs are not utilising every pump. The quality of the ale was nothing short of magnificent.The latest food offer is sausage'n mash with peas for �1.99 ! A 6.5% beer from Dark Star is sitting in the cellar (six hop). When pub crawling around Croydon it is a question of which others to include as the Dragon is always a must do.After the demise of the beloved Beer Circus this is the pub Real Ale drinkers in Croydon so badly needed, it has more than filled the gap and then some !
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Very good - lots of charcter, beer on gravity (TEA was a bit so-so) and a good range, cheap food; best in town alongside Dog & Bull.
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Good beer, and some of the best Dj's in croydon today. check out Steve and Helen(?) on saturdays...
soundtrack heaven and anything goes :D
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During their recent extended beer festival the ale was of excellent quality and only �2 a pint! Gorgeous Dark Star Smoke and Porter, Westerham IPA and Hogs Back A Over T, plus at least 3 others on our visit.
The burgers are great value too and they were doing a 'soup and a sarnie' deal for only a few quid. Live football also shown.
Agreed that this is the best that Croydon has to offer by some distance. Every town centre deserves a Green Dragon.
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Best pub in Croydon by far. Great value Sunday roast which is delicious. Usual food available is very good value and tasty. Good atmosphere, friendly bar staff, the landlady seems to be able to retain staff which is a good sign. A good pub to watch sport, for an evening drink or a lazu sunday afternoon.
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The best place in Croydon at the moment!
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Lots of good things I like about the GD. Good music, live bands, boards games and such and good meal deals (esp. breakfast). Good things come to those who frequent the Green Dragon, my mate Bollo swears by it.
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Two ciders will soon be available, as I have been on a crawl it is well beyond my comprehension to remember details! But W.T.F ! Get in there and try 'em otherwise they will fade away.
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I can't fault this place. Never aggressive when there's football on, tons of different ales and beers, food is always good and very good value and they regularly have live music upstairs. I only wish it was closer to where I live.
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Yesterday I spoke to the guvnor who with typical kindness showed me the beer list for the forthcoming beer festival ( starts next Wednesday).Many of the beers are exceptionally good, Purple Moose Snowdonia, Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold and Kelham Island Pale Rider caught my eye, thirty beers in total over two weeks.
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Splendid choice yesterday; Hopback Autumn Ale & OTT on the stills, handpumps offered Darkstar Festival, Porter, Sussex Extra Stout, Westerham 1965, Bombardier, one pump unclipped. Almost tempted to stick around for the Tues nt pool comp (�30 bartab to winner) but I doubt I'd have been able to see the table by 20:30. How nice is the manageress? Very. 30+ beers over the festival, I hear.
ps. not eaten here but soup & choice of sarnie for �3 aint bad.
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A welcome addition to the Central Croydon pub scene, particularly since the end of the Beer Circus.
Six ales on handpump with Dark Star Hophead a regular @�2.55, plus two from the Hog's Back range on gravity, quality of ales consistently good.
I'm generally in here on an early weekday evening and it always seems fairly civilised yet lively, with plenty of staff on duty serving quickly and efficiently.
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The Green Dragon Beer Festival starts on the 22nd of October for two weeks, an unmissable event!
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The range was Hophead and Equinox from Dark Star, Two beers from Westerham and two from Hog's Back on Saturday.The Real Ales I tried were perfection. this pub goes from strength to strength.10/10 at least !
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Only heard about the Green Dragon in the past few weeks and as a trip to Croydon was due I gave it a whirl. I was impressed with the beer quality and choice. The food was good value and the service fast and friendly. Will make it a regular call when I'm in the area.
chick - 14 Aug 2008 09:23 |
I Agree with the previous comments regarding the good range of beers, friendly service, etc. Just to add that they have live music upstairs, and although the small bar there wasn't manned when I went, there is another set of toilets at the rear - great news for those who can't manage the trek to the loos in the vault!
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Northlondon, the drawback here is the toilets ,I believe they are so subteranean that they are on a tube line somewhere, I have now perfected my water retaining abilities to the standard of a camel. People do look astonished as I rush into the Dog and Bull screaming "Gangway !". Sadly the other issue is the lack of a garden, in Summer this is a much needed facility.The beer is usually good and the fried breakfast is cheap and plentiful.
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Great ales & staff, really good service & on the ball as far as keeping any undesirables out. Makes for a nice atmosphere, shame no garden & the toilets are in the old bank vault so don't hold on til the last minute! Pub award well deserved, a must 4 anyone in Croydon!
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Popped in for a quiet lunchtime pint of Dark Star beer in Croydon's Pub Of The Year 2008. The Hophead was in good nick, and later I was tempted by the Summer Meltdown. Good stuff. Also available were Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Jennings Cumberland Ale. And there were two Hogs Back beers, Summer Ale and Hop Ale, waiting to be served later direct from their casks. The Green Dragon is serious about its ales.
A fine pub - and there's 15% discount for Camra members amongst others. Well worth a visit.
Cheers
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Aromas Over Tongham , that's the breweries version but they only brew the stuff, i've seen the results!
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The A over T is often called various things, I think it stands for acrobats and tumblers. It always has that kind of result.
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Today I had the pleasure of meeting Alph River and one or two others , Hophead was generally agreed to be on the best form ever. the A over T ( Hogs Back) had the expected affect on old Hooky, even at a half serving it catches up with you !
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A new menu has just started, so far I am not encyclopedic on its contents but I believe it is fair to say that the Winter meals have been removed and replaced by Summer items, I had the Ploughmans which I shared it was three quid well spent, I had a choice of Ham, Cheddar, Brie and another item.
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Visited today with members of Croydon Real Ale Preservation Society (read the acronym). Dark Star Mild For May, Everards Sunchaser, Spitfire, Brains Milkwood all on draught and Hogs Back A Over T on stillage. Also had a barrel of Brooklands Star Gold but it wasn't on.
Mild was a little cold but the A Over T was scrumptious.
Good pub, good beer, worth a visit.
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Visited the 'fest friday. One of the pool tables has been moved this year to accommodate the stillage, meaning the staff don�t have to run up & down stairs for each fest order, as was the case last yr. I think they advertised 30 beers, and they had a very good representation last wk � 16 on stills, 4 on handpump, and 2 more on stills behind bar, all at �2, and my GD disc card even took another 30p off that great price! Well done.
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Large pub with music going on and cabaret upstairs on Wednesdays. Beer was Foxs Nob among others - in good condition.
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Four handpumps and two stills but only Spitfire available yesterday. I note that a fest starts today, but no choice of beer on a Sunday is poor.
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I visited this pub today ( the Hophead was on TOP form ), On Monday (21st April ) they start their Beer Festival, beer will be �2-00 a pint, they are also promising that it will be spring ! Nah ! great beer that's cheap is possible but they will not be able to control the weather ! Or will they ........?( cue Twilight Zone music).
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Tonight the announcement was made that The Green Dragon is Croydon & Sutton CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008 - a worthy winner.
20 or 30 CAMRA members drank a couple of barrels dry, and ate mounds of sarnies celebrating this great pub's deserved place as one of the top venues in Croydon.
The Hophead, Bath Ales Gem, Elgoods, Butcombe and Hogsback beers straight from the cask made excellent drinking.
Looking forward to the Beer festival starting 21st April...
Cheers,
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They now have Dark Star Hophead on. It may become a permanency if sales are good. I had a few yesterday and thought that it could not be bettered. After the sad loss of the Beer Circus this pub has " stepped up " to become central Croydon's leading Real Ale pub. Three other guest beers ( Bath Gem was one ).
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We drank the Winter Ale until midnight.
All is good.
What a star this pub is.
Cheers,
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This has to be one of the nicest friendlyiest places to visit in Croydon.
It caters for all kinds of people from music fans to football/rugby fans. All people mix well together to appreciate this wonderful place!
The food menu is pretty average but the homemade specials are fantastic!
There's live music on Tues and Weds, Friday night DJ playing all the best indie ska and cool classics! And on Saturday night too. Saturday sports day always showing the main games of Football or Rugby. Live Jazz and great home cooked roasts on Sundays.
Huge amounts of well looked after ales, varying on a monthly rota with the regular well kept Spitfire and London Pride.
Esther has made this pub great, she once did it to the Ship now she crossed the road an did it again!
I also hear there is a garden on it's way which should be there before summer!
The staff are friendly and will make you feel at home and are more than good at making your visit enjoyable.
Definatley worth a visit!
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Yesterday's visit was unlucky coz they were apparently rammed over the weekend and had sold out of Oakham Inferno, London Porter & both the beers on stillage (inc Old Growler?), so we were left with Pride & Spitfire but the latter was on good form. Got a good view of City's sad cup demise, so balloons to that! Perhaps I was given that discount loyalty card out of sympathy for (to paraphrase Colin Schindler) 'my life of misery & despair', but it's real money off, so thanks.
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The Green Dragon leads the pack in Croydon. Real ale of superb quality, and a young customer base make this place a top choice, especially when there's live music.
Esther makes this pub buzz. Do it. Go there.
Peace & love,
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This pub attracts a young but civilised clientele. Good range of real ales. Live bands upstairs on Wednesdays.
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The real ale, food and staff rate ten out of ten, believe me that is rare in Croydon ! CAMRA members can avail themselves of the Green Dragon card which gives 15% off drink and food but does not include any offers. The improvement in this pub is astonishing,Esther is working damn hard to ensure that it continues. I have to give a TEN particularly as the rest of Central Croydon's pubs are light years behind.
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Big open pub which would not ordinarily be my preference but this place is keen on beer & that certainly gets my vote. Went in ystdy for their autumn ale festival (til 05Nov if stocks last) and was impressed with the choice of 20 beers, all at �2 ppint! The guys on the bar were knowledgeable & enthusiastic, even tho they had to leg it upstairs each time they got an order from the selection on stillage up there. Four handpumps & 2 stills downstairs &, apart from the 'fest, I believe they try to order a more adventurous rotation than is the Laurel norm. Good luck to 'em.
Lots of TVs, so I expect it gets hammered on a big match day.
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Spent a most congenial couple of hours here on Halloween sampling brilliant beers from the selection Esther's chosen for the current beer festival which lasts until the weekend. Twickenham Naked Ladies was a favourite, and the Olde Trip was good too.
I couldn't resist a pork tomato & chilli sausage served with onions and ciabatta for only �1.50. Really good.
An eclectic mix of customers gave the place a broad appeal, such that neither mature drinkers nor younger clients would feel alienated. (As has been already noted by TWG!)
I'm impressed, and so were the others in the group I was with.
Cheers
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Great food, including tasty specials.
Great beer, both bottled and draught - plus an eclectic range of ales. And they do beer festivals!
The staff are intelligent, helpful, and obviously passionate about their pub.
There is sport on big screens, plus pool and darts. And there is a thankful respite from the musical dross that permeates so many Croydon pubs. Here Djs and live bands explore and experiment with a wide range of styles and genres.
All round good atmosphere and friendly crowd.
anonymous - 31 Oct 2007 05:46 |
the rehabilitation of this pub into polite society continues! Efficient, friendly staff help of course. Keep up the good work, Esther!
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This establishment has been known to me in both its current and previous incarnations as a Hogshead (or should that be the hopelessly miscued "Hog's Head" since Laurel took over?!) for some years and yet inexplicably I appear not to have rated or reviewed it.
By way of rectifying this, I'm happy to report that despite seemingly being under the same ownership of the dubious Laurel Pub Co, this pub has seen something of a renaissance since it changed its name to the Green Dragon (the original GD used to stand in a fine building on the site of what is now the Black Sheep Bar - at last some recompense for that loss!), and I suspect this could well be down to the company allowing the manageress a fairly free hand as to how to run it.
Having redecorated the interior almost annually in regressively poor taste, and wound down the once proud selection of cask ales to a mere 3 ubiquitous options, the pub now sports a range of at least 5 beers (they have even reinstated the stillage at the rear which dispenses Hog's Back TEA - a real rarity in these parts), and although it retains essentially the same layout as before (a large pub with various nooks and crannies including pool table and games machines), the decor is now far more appropriate. Even the food looks somewhat less plasticated than it had become in the darkest Pig's Cranium days.
Consequently the Dragon now attracts a broader mix of customers, spanning differing ages and backgrounds, and has not become a repository for any anti-social types. Of an evening perhaps the younger clientele dominate, as a DJ and live music is sometimes offered, but this doesn't detract from the pub's overall quality and indeed adds a much-needed resort for such things; it is nice to be able to see some live band or listen to a DJ whilst supping on good beer. Moreover, I always find the service to be superb.
Well done guys; I hope you can maintain the balance that you have struck so far.
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"Haha, if its going nowhere why is it packed every friday and saturday night" - anonymous.
Well, because EVERY crap drinking shed in Croydon is packed on a weekend, obviously - have a look around! People don't have troubles then, because they're getting pissed to forget the trouble of living in the world's ugliest suburb! Like the Wildheart's sang "Why do we stay here? Nobody knows - it's not the scenery"! Good live music policy, so alleviating the drudge, nice one.
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This is the best pub I have ever been to! Everyone is so friendly it has a olde pud feel while being modern. Everyone knows everyone and it is one of the few places where you can still get service with a smile! The food is good as is the range of drinks and the atmosphere is brilliant. The djs are good and very entertaining plus all the live music providing up and coming artists a forum to showcase their music.
Show me a better pub!
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Hey. These guys know how to keep drinkers happy. The food's also excellent. And a couple of the bar staff are quite hot (couple of them aren't).
Good beer, good food, good music, good company.
I could live in there.
And there's a petition to get a 'beer garden' up and running so if you're passing get in there and sign it.
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This is one of the better pubs in croydon, its always busy with people having a great time, all sorts of different people out for a no hassle good time.
Combining great food, pool tables and live gigs and DJs, one couldnt ask for more.
The staff are great, but not mindless drones, if you treat them with respect they'll look after you, if you don't well you deserve nothing better.
Reading the other reviews of the user that posted the negative comment, it does seeem that he is quite negative about most places he has been, each to their own ...
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Haha, if its going nowhere why is it packed every friday and saturday night, different types of people happily enjoy a drink together, no troubles.
Also the bar staff are nice! And if you have ever worked behind a busy bar, you would know that it really hard work!
anonymous - 26 Jun 2007 17:26 |
We have tried this place on FIVE occaisons since moving our business to Croydon. Each time we could not belive it got worse. SERVICE VERY POOR. FOOD DREADFULL. STANDARDS DIRTY. This place is going nowhere. I hope you read this AREA MANAGER and sort the place out. Try starting with new staff who give a S**T!
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Went to this pub once. never again, full of "chavs".
anonymous - 3 Jun 2007 09:30 |
Used to (very occaisionally) go into this place when it was the Hogs Head. Bland, characterless, same old, same old chain pub. Haven't been there again in 18 months.
Just came back from a brief lunchtime session, and was amazed at the transformation. Not a physical one, mind (apart from the green paint job outside) just a completely different feel to the place. Good beer (guest for today was T.E.A. from Hogs Back in Tongham), well kept and a splendid array of bottled as well.
OK, there is still quite a range of the usual Eurofizz and alchopops, but this is central Chavtown after all (even Graham down at the Beer Circus has a few J2Os in the back of the fridge!!). Chefs specials on the menu were mouthwatering in description and better on the palate (�3 for a HUGE ploghmans with some of the ripest Brie I've had in a good while).
Love the Book exchange btw, and look forward to a spirited game of Kerplunck some night soon.
Outstanding work folks, and may be back later today for the Heavy Metal night.
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Great Pub. Always wanted to come into this pub and I wasn't let down. it is a nice open pub with a local atmosphere. Bar staff are really friendly and fellow drinkers are too. Nice pool tables which are well kept and not bad at 2 games for �2.00. Drinks are average price for Croydon. Had a good drink in here after a busy day at college and I will be returning. Great PUB!!!
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fab pub, my fave to go in croydon, if you can sit down that is. good beer, and good food for quite cheap, soup and a sarnie - �3!!! amazing. go there.
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Easily one of the top three bars in central Croydon, if you want a range of decent music (ie not pumping house), live bands, pool, good beer and a good cross section of people of all ages. NOT a Hogshead any more and better for it. Esther has made real efforts to make this pub your local, with bands, pub quiz, friendly barstaff (some from her days at the Ship). She is really keen to get live music on and we got a Canadian friend of ours a gig there - really well supported, he said it was one of the best gigs he's ever done in the UK. Not your usual chain pub and well worth supporting.
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Wicked pub, i used to work there when it was the hogs head. The manager Paul is a legend, and the other staff seem pretty good at their job, i think they def need the gimpmaster back tho!!
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Has the dark and beguiling Hogs Back Rip Snorter on cask here which might be a good thing....
The feel of a chain undoubtedly so not brimming with character.
There was a very drunk man in here gurning like Charles Hawktrey when me and a comrade went in here.
A fair range of ales and a broad range of lagers.
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Went there to see a band the other week. Downstairs was busy with bright young thingsn and the service was so slow I eventually went upstairs and got served straight away. The band was called Runner and that's what I did after three numbers and another drink. It all struck me as average. I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary about this place, but maybe I wasn't looking in the right places.
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The wait for a drink gets on my nerves sometimes (even on a weeknight), but this is still one of the best pubs in the area. Clean, well kept, good beer, and well maintained pool tables.
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Yes it's still a Hogshead, but in it's favour it has one of the best managers around(Esther) and good staff generally. It can take a while to get served during the week, but that's only a testament to it's popularity and also because the chain are always looking to tighten budgets i.e. the limited staff numbers on those days. The doormen are polite and i have yet to see any trouble in there.
Live bands, open mic nights, quizzes & DJ's abound and the clientele are an interesting mix for Croydon.
All in all a cracking drinking establishment.
Motty - 25 Sep 2006 19:20 |
Although the re-furb doesnt make the place look that different, it has a more polished look somehow
But it has kicked more life into this place. Was in here last night, and they had a live band on. First of all, I hadn't been upstairs in years! Seemingly reserved for private parties for years, it makes it more spacious now. The band wasn't bad for an amateur act, and although the pub was loaded for young drinkers, it can't be faulted for that...
I enjoyed the atmosphere, and the fact that it was a battle for a table on entry, although this could get annoying on planned return visits, its a testament that this pub is one of the more popular venues in Croydon
A good place to spend an evening, unless admittedly your after a quiet chat...
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The refurb was awesome, the new look of the place is great it really is. This pub is one of the nicer pubs in croydon, great atmosphere and gets a nice gathering of people in on a monday (and the rest of the week with the new entertainment lineups).
Have eaten there a few times and is very nice. Nothing bad to say about this pub at all. Friendly staff and what i have seen, nice customers.
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new management. Still a chain, still hogshead. nothing to be excited about. There are better options nearby
anonymous - 20 Apr 2006 13:30 |
Glad to see the upstairs room being used for live bands. Deltastone were good on 24th Jan. Nice atmosphere.
anonymous - 3 Feb 2006 16:24 |
Really enjoyed the Kitty Hudson gig last night, hopefully have more live music there in the new year.
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Agree with the comments about the management. We had a problem with our food once and the guy was incredibly apologetic and gave us the meal on the house. Always very cheerful and eager to help. Venue is kept clean and has plenty of seating. It can take a little while to get served on busy nights, but at least they remember the order in which you get to the bar. Good choice of beers. Worth a look-see.
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Great Management, smiley friendly staff, table drink service for the lazy (me), lovely old bank building so nice high ceilings. Atmosphere superb and a regular drinking spot for the Thursday Night Wine Society.
Nathalie Crewes - 2 Sep 2004 15:09 |
