please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Can't believe that nobody has reviewed this'boozer' for nearly five years and all the money spent on it's re-vamp. In a nutshell , to walk in and discover overnight the pub has decided to ramp up up the price of a pint of Guinness from 5 05 to 5.25 beggars belief.. Already the price was beyond that charged in most boozers in town despite its location beside a friendly local council estate next door. To put this in perspective, the Station charges 4.40 a pint. The local Spoons, if you want to go there, over £2 cheaper. This is an obscene way to treat local customers. Only driving them away to drink elsewhere. Clearly the emphasis is now to attract punters to eat in the restaurant, having spent a fortune on the expansion for dining, although even that experience is hit and miss. Look after your Community!!!!
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Been here a few time's but not for 6-7 years.Beer is not bad but what is going on with the managers.I have never seen such disgusting behavior towards customers and then staff.It may be another 6-7 years before i return...
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Visited lunchtime today; Youngs Special was very well kept and tasty. We only had sandwiches and a bowl of chips foodwise but they were fine! Main menu looked slightly pricey but I'd definitely return here. Nice big basic boozer!
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Went in here for a cup of Christmas cheer on the 24 Dec. Their 'Crown Christmas Ale' was in an appalling condition and the Winter Warmer was in very poor form. Stick to the bottles, clearly they don't clean the pipes out. Also bring plenty of cash, a large Shiraz and a pint of cack- £10.20. Clearly this place thinks it's in the middle of the West End or something. This place used to be well run house a few years back, clearly something has gone very wrong. It certainly has a 'half-arsed' feel to it.
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Whilst also a Youngs pub, this was a world away from our previous pub, the Catford Ram. The 2 young girls behind the bar were busy doing menial tasks, such as wiping the dust off all of the wine, spirits and whiskey bottles. Meanwhile, the Liberation Ale pumpclip was still showing despite it running out the previous evening. I may be being hyper-critical. But shouldn't the priority be to change the beer, or at least turn the clip round? The remaining beers were Youngs Ordinary, Special & London Gold. The pub has a lovely interior, reminiscent of a hotel. Jazz music was being played fairly loud. We were the first customers of the day. Another couple appeared before we left.
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Looks nice inside and out but the drinks are overpriced and the barstaff look like their best mates just died.
The only reason I'd go here is because of the large seated area out the front which is great in the sunshine. Ring your bank manager before you get a round in.
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Popped in for a quick pint on quiet Sunday evening and saw three cloudy pints being returned. in space of 5 minutes. lWhat looked like undrinkable pints of Young's Ordinary and an equally musky pint of Special. Poor barman was left to sort things out for himself as lazy managers were too busy upstairs watching TV. While this pub promotes itself as offering good food and beer, it does anything but that. Initial improvements in the boozer and investment in decor are compromisd by sloppy management. To see crap beer being served in a Youngs boozer beggars belief, but more worryingly for the new owners of Youngs is to see lazy managers do nothing about it. in addition there were 10 people in the bar, including a group of 8. Had to wait 5 minutes to get served. This pub is being ruined by lazy, complacent management and the brewery need to be aware.
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Youngs you have got it right at last-congratulations.fantastic,professional,industerious,courtiious are just a few of the words i would use to describe these managers,just like the previous comments 9 out of 10.toilets and pub never been cleaner,service,food and drink spectacular.a different pub and lovely customers,also a great improvement in staff attitude a joy to visit long may it last-(pray)
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My rating has gone up to a massive 9! What a pub! Now, and only now, do I have my local back! Youngs� drinks return, the beer is as God intended. Been back to this pub a few times in this past week and it hasn't disappointed. Larger, Cider and Ale are all well kept and presented. The fireplace has returned to its former glory and the new owners know how to run a pub a treat their punters. Well done and thank you.
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Loving the Ale, the glasses and now the refurb. Keep up the good work! The staff are friendly and happy to have a little chat whilst pulling the pints. A wonderful improvement since the dark ol'days. Waggle on tap... genius!
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Waiting upto 10 minutes for a drink while the barman watches rugby is unacceptable.
The pub wasnt busy and there was no reason why I should have had to wait for a drink.
I wasnt rude in anyway but just wanted to highlight a few downfalls with this pub on a forum for pub reviews........
And the username "pitstop" was chosen for other reasons not because of my drinking habits!
No doubt you are called Sue and are very curly!
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�Pitstop�, the nickname seems to suggest that a pub is just that. Refuel as quickly as possible and move on, and whoever slows down your return to the race is a target for rebuke. In this case �Lurch�. My experience of service is not too dissimilar from yours, except that the one person trying to accommodate customers on his own on a busy Sunday afternoon was �Lurch�, and did so admirably, with most customers knowing that he was hard pushed to serve all and still appear good natured. However there is a hardcore of client�le, using this boozer, who assume that they have some divine right to be served before anyone else and it is their privilege to go to the bar with their empty glass and call out for a pint regardless of who is in line for service. And maybe Pitstop, you are one of those ignorant oafs who frequent this pub and antagonise others with your immediate demand to be served and become disgruntled when your request is not met. As a result, tolerant and willing bar staff get it in the neck. My recent experience in this boozer has been quite different. �Lurch� and other staff have been accommodating and good natured, yet people on the other side of the bar are, too often, aggressive, rude, impatient and unwilling to show good manners. Maybe �Pitstop� you should look to see where the problem really lies in this boozer. Is it because that not enough staff are on duty? As was clearly the case on my recent visit. In which case it is a management issue. Or is it because some staff simply take exception to the manner in which they are spoken to!!
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This place hasnt improved at all.
Staff think they are doing you a favour by serving you,(especially Lurch) chairs and tables are filthy.....doesnt take much to wipe a table now and then!
Cigarette butts all over the floor outside!
Will never go back to this place.
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Pub seems on the up. Had a nice couple of pints this evening, in contrast to dire swill I was served a few weeks ago, which I had to send back (still can't believe the barman then asked if I wanted another pint or my money back!). Pub was busy, friendly atmosphere with no snarling staffs, sitting there looking at you as if they are deciding which bollock to chew off first. Bar staff were friendly, efficient and was not left waiting, another improvement. This area is crying out for a good local, boozer like the Crown used to be. Its made a start!
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Jon_Surrey - I look forward to having a pint in my local when you take over. I dont ask for much in a pub, a nice pint of ale (kept well and fresh), a clean glass and a friendly smile. Jobs a good'un.
I wish you all the best Jon. We want our pub back...
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Guys,
Am taking over The Crown as Holding Manager when Shannon leaves on the 15th Jan.
I have been reading all the comments on here and other places regarding The Crown.
Please feel free to send me a message or pop in if there is anything you want to see changed, any beers you want in etc - all views will be taken into consideration.
Hope to see some of you soon,
Jon
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I totally agree, the roast beef on sunday was like leather, the gravy awful, (bisto?)the wine glasess dirty and the ales sour. How much longer till Youngs do something?
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Such a shame. For 35 years to my knowledge this pub has had the most reliable pint of Young's around. New management this year put paid to that. I can't drink it; it's horrible.
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WE USE TO GO TO THERE BECAUSE OF THE GARDEN!! DEER DRINKS! NICE STAFF!! FOOD IS AVERAGE!!
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Lived in Lee for 6 months, opposite The Crown almost, it was one of the rewasons we bought our place! Atmosphere can be a bit stale at times, but it's a nice local. Beer is a little on the expensive side, but where in London is beer cheap these days? Doesn't smell of fartsd likee the sommerfiel on Baring road (anopther nice pub, though) and the food is excellent. Some nice regulars and generally a friendly place. We often pop over for a quick pint in the evening.
I think copperob mist have an axe to grind.
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What a dump! If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in here stay clear of the pumps, all of their beer is rank. Drink bottles only. (and you will be lucky to get a clean glass).
Would be nice if the barmaid tried smiling.
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Its my local and I am disgusted. The pub is rapidly going down hill. The beer is poor (Ales) and the service isnt much better. Sort it out!
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A decent enough boozer, that is 'fit for purpose'. Have been here with Mrs Brownbottle and enjoyed a few scoops... that was all we could afford (West end prices in SE12!.
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Returned for the first time in a year, to see what effect the Charles Wells (for all intensive purposes....) takeover has had on the Young's pub/beer. Very disappointed with what I found. No summer beers were available; whereas in the past I'd have been able to choose Kew Brew or Lord's, the only Young's bottles available where Special (which was also on draught), Champion, Waggledance, and Winter Warmer (nice beer for June.........). I don't know if it was an off bottle (unlikely - it was within date) or a change to its brewing, but the Waggledance was awful and left unfinished.
They've also hiked their take-home "deal" up by a pound, so it's now 4 bottles for �6. Call me a cynic, but I think Wells are trying to make "Young's" fail. It survives in name only.
The only good thing left about the place is that it's easy to pick up a few pounds in the quiz. Challenging the customers here to a quiz is like challenging paraplegics to a 100m dash.
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The new managers are great!
took a few weeks 2 get settled! teething problems!
Shannons sunday roast's are the dogs!
everyone must try!
her boyfriends a barrel of laughs when he gets goin!
tracy behind the bar is an absolute angel! this pub is now an always my local!!!
XX
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The new manager has finally arrived. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her yet though.I think Young's should take note that the landlady's boyfriend and son should never be allowed to work behind a bar. ANYWHERE. They have only been in place two and a half weeks. They do not know how to change a barrel. And this past weekend, They didn't order any bitter.
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The crown is a lovely looking pub and a fine place to go for a summer drink; the foods good (although it used to be a lot better). The staff is friendly and the place is clean.
Defiantly one of the best pubs in the area, the only problem I have is the drink prices, one of the most expansive prices around. But don�t let that put you off.
9 out 10 (would be 10 out of 10 if weren�t for those high prices)
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good alround Youngs pub. Way pricey though,even for Youngs!
Need to watch out for the local estate ner-do-wells and roaming pikey's though.
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Got new managers coming in!!!
heard very very good things about them, hope they are as good as we hear!!!
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The Crown is easily the best pub in the area. The staff are very friendly. Unfortunately Seamus and
Jackie the managers have left. Along with Seamus's brother, Bob. They will be sorely missed. The Beer is great. With Youngs Ordinary & Special on tap. Along with various bottled beers from the Youngs portfolio.
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I used to love this pub - great patio, great beer (although see issue below), good food, and generally a nice place.
Thing is - I've barred myself from drinking Young's beer, or drinking at their pubs, since they declared themselves more property holders than brewers, and announced their plans to close the Wandsworth Brewery.
Passing this pub on a summer day is a serious test of my willpower...
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Sat here in the scorching sun about a week ago. Lovely big young's pub,slightly off the beaten track,well worth a visit.
My Rating 9/10
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Nice pub has a few chavs now and again but not a bad place, bit pricey.
Quiz night on sunday's always seems to be won by the same team.
Maybe a bit of cheating going on people with palm pilots and blowers, bitter boy or some other team always seem to come through in the clutch.
then theirs john the machine, dont under estimate him he knows his stuff just buy him a special for a bribe.
Nice crowd Darren head barman and quiz master does a fair job even though his mic work needs a bit of tweaking. Lorretta, Doreatha and Martha the 3 polish ex pats barmaids are sweet if u manage to get through the language barrier.
They have a live band on thursday's elvis (thought he had gone over) is ok but buddy holly was crap.
Gets a bit smokey at times, beers stella kroney fosters etc youngs bitter, special on tap.
no sky they must get this sorted
thats about it, garden outside and a large car back to the year.
Best pub in the area.
Next best Dacre Arms, always does a late one just ask john and terry.
Give it a bash..........
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As previously commented, A Youngs pub which are generally overpriced, but that tends to filter out the chavs. I've had a couple of visits recently and both were excellent. Good food, well kept ale, friendly staff, and good natured regulars. What more could you ask for in a neighbourhood pub???
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I agree that the quiz master is a bit ......... I worked in that pub for about 9 months - met a few good people especially from the public bar(when they still had a public bar). YOUNGS - yes they have terribly high prices. You ain't going to get your message across to Youngs by continuing to drink there!!!!!
anonymous - 13 Jul 2005 21:11 |
been coming to this pub since february and must say that its the best pub in the area. the foods good, the real ales are great. the staff are friendly and the new managers are doing a really good job.
the only let down is the karaoke on a friday night, and the quiz master on a sunday. can't understand him at all.
apart from this an all round great pub
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Really nice pub - shame about the people who drink there!! Young and most probably single mothers with screaming babies tend to congregate in the garden in the evenings. I would have hoped the high prices would have kept the chav scum from the nearby estate from spending their Giros here.....but alas!! Shame really as the pub is one of the best looking in the area. Staff are nice and friendly and the food is good.
David - 9 Jul 2004 13:12 |
Stella now �2:95 a pint. Don't understand that at all. It's not even that dear in central London.
Youngs brewery take note: You risk losing punters n this fine boozer if you feel it's right to charge SW1 prices in SE12.
Rob - 13 May 2004 16:42 |
UPDATE:
The Crown has been given a slight refurb, and is even more welcoming than of old. Also the food is of a good standard and was served promptly.
The downside is that beer proices have gone up. A pint of Stella is now �2:85, which i feel is a little steep. Try the Waggledance Honey Beer instead.
The price of beer REALLY lets this place down.
Rob - 3 Feb 2004 13:13 |
Great pub, but then it is a youngs after all.
Agree that the beer prices are a little steep (it's not Blackheath after all) and yes, the quiz meister can be a little annoying. But the Crown is a friendly affair and is well maintained. Beer garden in the summer makes for a good way to pass a lazy Saturday or Sunday (or both).
Would benfit from a late licence, but overall this a certainly a pub to check out. Though it tends to be more of a local pub for local people.
Rob - 1 Feb 2004 19:10 |
Been drinking here for a number of years ,always good for a quiet drink with the lads on a weekday evening after work, though friday nights were ruined by the awful karioke ,and like wise, with quiz night on sunday which always seems to be turned up so loud that you cant hear yourself think especaily when the quiz master keeps clapping with the microphone.Being a (youngs) establishment you may need to take a loan out to get a round as a pint of stella comes to almost �3 a pint /but apart from that its about the best pub in the area ,the worst being the baring hall and the edmund halley in lee green. best time to visit is in the summer out side in the beer garden (away from the karioke).
rob cook - 22 Jan 2004 20:43 |
