please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A first ever visit to this quality little Samuel Smiths that I didn't even know existed.
Having got crowded out of the old bell after just 2 drinks I found myself outside this little gem and immediately wondered why it wasn't as busy as all the pubs in the immediate vicinity. The answer is simple......its a Sam Smiths pub and doesn't cater for the lager and proseco drinking fraternity.
The interior is like a parlour, full wood and etched glass panelled walls with the same behind the bar. The ceiling is also very ornate and is the perfect thing to look at when you're sat on your own staring around aimlessly.
Usual Sam Smiths selection and I can confirm that the Old Brewery Bitter was on good form.
|
Nice interior including a marble bar counter top.No real ale.Sam Smith bottled beers,which are very good,but outrageously priced at over a fiver for a bottle of IPA.
|
The Crown and Sugarloaf is a small cosy pub tucked away down a side street just off Fleet Street. It's one of the smaller Samuel Smith pubs, but still has the traditional look and feel that a lot of the SS pubs have. Due to its size, they don't serve food, but the bar staff are always very friendly, and with an open fire, it is great during the winter. It's also quite a quiet place, so perfect if you just want a pint and a bit of a chat.
|
Whatever you do STAY AWAY FROM THE ALPINE LARGER. Seriously it leaves you with outrageous hangovers. Yet to meet anyone who hasn't suffered a brutal hangover the morning after sipping on a couple of alpines.
|
Has a lovely fire place :)
|
It's a great pub if you like 20:1 ratio of males to females
|
Beautiful Victorian pub.
Absolutely delightful on a quiet Saturday afternoon.
Yes the beer is all Sam Smiths, but that's mostly fine.
|
Arrived at 2 oclock on a friday.. the place was empty which should have set alarm bells ringing .. The beer is Samuel Smiths and at best its mediocre, but in this pub it was off .. When I pointed this out to the barman, he could not be less interested and without even trying it himself said " well thats all there is, its a new barrel " ( he'd obviously never heard of a dodgy barrel) And this is the big problem with this brewery .. lack of choice .. you can have one bitter one larger or one cider and all of them are samual smiths.. I won't be sorry to see this place has shut down ...
|
What an absolutely gorgeous little pub! It has a fantastic atmosphere! The young couple running it were delightful and definitely won us over! We will definitely be back! Good beer, good chat, good feel to it!
|
With the atmosphere of a Gentleman's club, this is my favourite City pub, where you can sample the full range of draught and bottled Sam Smith's beers.
|
Nice charming Little pub but on my visit the pub was freezing so won't rush back.
|
smashing.
|
Wonderfully quiet, good staff, good, cheap beer, beautiful little bar - what more does one want from a pub?
|
Excuse me, but this pub is NOT on Fleet Street at all. If you look at the photo, the premises on the LEFT are clearly shown as 30 Bride Lane. These latter premises are close to the corner of Fleet Street.
But of course as John Bonser says this pub used to be part of the Punch Tavern and the Punch Tavern is on Fleet Street. The splitting up of these 2 pubs is the finest example I know of vandalism and greed by whoever. This is a case of 1+1 = 2 lousy pubs
|
Really decent City pub - well worth heading for if in the area.
|
Archetypal Sam Smiths pub in a side street just off the lower end of Fleet Street. As the whole world and his wife know by now, this pub used to be part of the nearby Punch Tavern just round the corner on Fleet Street, but became a separate pub in the mid 1990's.
Now, it's a fairly typical Sam's pub, with much fine glasswork and woodwork to admire. It'sa smallish slightly narrow bar, but invariably seems to be less busy than pubs nearby.
The handpumped OBB - � 1.90p - was on reasonable form, but it's not a beer that I'd want a session on. You know what you're getting with Sam's and you'll probably know whether you want to call in or not without the benefit of reviews from people like me.
|
A true example of how a good English pub should be run in the Great British manner. The only decent pub now on Fleet Street.
|
Finally got to visit this pub on a recent visit to London. Tiny! But very pleasant indeed. I can imagine it to get very busy but luckily when we called in at about 4pm, it was steady and we were served quickly and efficiently by the bar maid. I will be returning for sure.
Sharp - 14 Jun 2009 23:10 |
We were attached to this pub in around 1890's!
The people in here now are so friendly and its a great pub! They drink here we drink there the staffall get on!
My how times have changed! Keep up the good work neighbour!
|
Nice little pub - worth a visit
|
Great little pub and a bit of fun! always packed on a Friday!
I love sam smith beers and the staff are friendly!
|
One short step from the Slum of "The Punch", into the Sugar Loaf; What a difference! Superb! Clean, nice beer, pleasant staff! "That's the way to do it" as Judy could show the Punch.
anonymous - 2 Nov 2008 22:07 |
A clean & sunny little pub. Lovely girl behind the bar; helped to shout out the answers to the quiz machine that I was trying to read without my glasses. Despite it being a Sam Smith bar, it's very nice. Apleasant address to mark in your beer drinkers book. And I understand to be run by a Chinese couple? Why not, best of luck my old China.
anonymous - 25 Oct 2008 17:33 |
I'm not entirely sure that you are right about the origin of the Punch Tavern's name, SLL. I accept what you say about the Punch and Judy shows being very local to this spot, but when the pub was re-named to the Punch Tavern in the late 19th Century it was a favourite watering hole of Punch magazine staff - at a time when Punch was very popular. I don't suppose that we can be absolutely sure what was in the minds of those who took the re-naming decision at the time. I don't think that the Punch and Judy decorations is much of a clue, as I believe they were a relatively recent addition when Punch Taverns acquired it. I'm a bit punch drunk now - need a beer.
I agree wholeheartedly with what you say about SS pubs. They own some of the finest examples of Victoriana in London, which they have maintained to a superb standard. If only they did a top-notch beer....
|
Not open on Saturdays - not a huge problem though, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese up the road.
Sharp - 14 Sep 2008 16:03 |
The reason this pub is so small is because it was originally part of the Punch Tavern, next door to it. In fact the Crown and Sugarloaf was the original name for the joint pub � as you would expect in this part of world, the name of the Punch Tavern derives from the fact that it was a favourite watering hole of staff of the famous publication. It�s a nice enough little pub, the main attraction being the original Victorian features (or maybe Edwardian - not sure), especially the mosaic floor. But I tend to agree with Grecian regarding the beer � and I have given it many, many, chances to grow on me! This is just a matter of taste.
|
Visited for lunch recently, and I didn't like it. The interior is interesting and retains a slightly raffish feel perhaps more redolent of pubs out east. I was on the softies, but drinks-wise it looked limited to Theakston's Best - not a bad pint but a bigger range would be nice in an area where real ale is fairly readily available. For lunch, it was a choice between a hot buffet (unusually for a pub - the table containing it rather dominates the front room of the pub) or choosing from a menu. My ploughmans was distinctly average. I wouldn't go here over nearby pubs like the vastly superior Old Bell, or even the Crown and Sugarloaf next door.
|
Maybe you're right Anonymous. Whilst I can't see any chain buying this pub (it's so small) I guess it would probably have become some tedious wine bar otherwise, so perhaps we should be thankful it's still a pub. I disagree with you re. the beer though.
|
Reply to grecian:
If this pub were owned by anyone else, it would not have the same well kept interior...it would be gasumped by the 'traditional pub look' so favoured by large chains...with their chunky wooden seats, chrome effect bar top, high tables and piped music.
You have to commend Sam Smiths Brewery for their dedication to traditional pubs.
And their beer is great, move away from brands and give it a chance, it will grow on you.
anonymous - 19 Nov 2007 12:59 |
Situated in a side alley off Fleet St, The Crown and Sugarloaf is one of those pubs all too rarely encountered these days. A real gem, with a beautiful Victorian interior, homely atmosphere and good service - a wonderful place to find yourself in near the end of a pub crawl. It has as much to offer the casual drinker as the dedicated beer hunter, who should know it stocks every Sam Smiths brew, much of it on draught. Use it now before the glass-and-chrome meeting places of the high street take over completely.
|
On the plus side, this pub has a beautiful and well-kept interior. Both times I've visited, service has been friendly and good. The major negative, though, is that it's a Sam Smith pub, so expect pretty mediocre beer and horrible own-brand coke. The Sam Smith connection will put me off visiting regularly but if this were owned by someone else, it would be an absolute gem.
|
well i stumbled across this pub by accident , as i waited next door for 20 mins and didnt get served so i walked off , i found this pub and thought why not , natalie the manager was a friendly person , had a good pint of sam smiths lager only the one as i was pissed anyway , very cheap pub for the area well impressed , will be visiting again
|
A lovely liitle pub just off Fleet Street selling the usual Sam Smiths range. The real fire gave the pub a nice warm atmosphere on a cold night. Whatever you think of Sams beer, you have to commend them for the effort they've made with this place. Recommended.
|
Great little back street boozer. Good, cheap lager, and a seemingly a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Fleet St.
|
Indeed, not much of a jovial tone in the most recent posting by said landlord. ANyway, I'm pleased to see that this has touched a nerve - there's a reason why pubs like this are a dying breed....... You decide. Suffice to say, I shan't go back - no danger of that and I have made sure that my friends and colleagues in the area have been similarly deterred. What can I say except mwa ha ha. Serves you right you rude little man.
anonymous - 25 Oct 2006 13:53 |
As the landlord of the Sugarloaf. I refute the allegations made about myself locking someone in the toilets, as the main toilet door does not have locks. If you are going to leave comments here, please dont do it when your annoyed and under the influence. Its unprofessional and a poor reflection on yourselves and my establishment. Slander must be addressed face to face. If you wish to pop in for a drink on me your more than welcome. all the best.
anonymous - 24 Oct 2006 16:58 |
i must defend this nice little pub, the beer is fizzy, the glasses clean the clientele very friendly. Having read the comments of the people who visited on the 12 Oct. I actually know the landlord and hes a good man with a good sense of humour, one that may offend such crack whores as yourselves. i hope you never visit the pub again. next try try the local youth club. pubs like the sugarloaf are a dying breed. Support them
|
Not a pub I'd recommend. A friend and I dropped in here on the way home to use the loo and have a quick drink. If I could set the scene..... Two smartly dressed twenty somethings pop in and head for the toilets (note we do not have the appearance of junkies or crack whores!) with the aim of buying a quick drink after we have used the loo. Not too much to ask?
The landlord thought so. He locked us in the toilets. Yes LOCKED US IN THE TOILETS before shouting at us for using his toilets and pushing us out of the pub whilst continuing to hurl abuse. Given that the pub was utterly dead at the time I'd have thought he'd be glad of the custom - he certainly lost ours and I'll be telling everyone I know to avoid this place. I can only recommend that you do the same.
anonymous - 12 Oct 2006 23:37 |
Best pub in the area by a longshot. beautiful little boozer. I recommend it to anyone.
anonymous - 17 May 2006 15:08 |
nice cheap drinks from this small sam smith's offering.
My Rating 7/10
|
Nice enough pub. The interior is great with a real fire burning. Beer was about �1.70 a pint but the only down side was they only had one ale on tap and it tastes more like Tetleys/John Smiths smooth
anonymous - 3 Mar 2006 22:07 |
One of the better sam smiths pubs. staff are friendly. i prefer this one to the cheshire cheese further up the road.the beer tastes alot better.
|
Lovely cosy unspoilt Victorian (?) pub, with a real open fire. A Sam Smiths pub so the beer is dirt cheap and my Old Brewery Bitter was in perfect condition. Probably full of City tossers normally, I went between Xmas and New Year when it was pretty empty. Recommended!
|
Visited this pub for the first time after working in the area for years - and was pleasantly suprised. The decors really nice and includes a real fire which was nice. Could live without so many lights especially as the place is full of mirrors - it became blinding after a while. The staff were friendly and the clientele weren't the usual braying city plonkers.
As its a Samuel Smiths pub the beer was cheap and I have to say it was better kept than in several of the SS pubs I've been to however I do find their beer isn't something I can drink a lot of.
|
It was sooooooo nice when it was non-smoking. Such a shame. Hope the manager visits this website.
anonymous - 14 Jan 2005 12:13 |
Nice, clean but small pub, selection a little limited, but staff are excellent and the atmosphere friendly.
|
Has now gone all-smoking. Strangely only about 2 people out of 50 were smoking on my last visit, so seems odd that they changed policy on account of not making enough money. Personally I now have no reason to go there above and beyond any other pub, so I probably won't. One customer lost...
|
Now back to being a smoking establishment because the anti-smoking brigade, whilst very vocal, are tightwads and don't buy enough ale to keep a pub going!
Still, a diamond little boozer!
Sloth - 10 Dec 2004 12:22 |
Non-smoking pub with friendly staff and decent beer. Means I can have a sneaky pint then head back to the office without smelling of smoke!
Adrian - 1 Nov 2004 14:23 |
Nice friendly non-smoking boozer.
Bar staff have been known to bring round pork pies in the evening. Feels almost like home.
Rich Keeble - 21 Oct 2004 14:03 |
congratulations!! that's brave to let non smokers enjoy their pint without gagging. thanks.
Peter - 24 Sep 2004 07:37 |
Patrons should note that this is the second only non-smoking pub in the City of London.
Trevor Edwards - 20 Jul 2004 20:55 |
Once part of the adjacent Punch Tavern this pub has been nicely refurbished and has retained the original marble topped bartop. Sam Smith's prices and a non-smoking policy are good for me. On a historical note I believe the name was that of the whole pub before it was named the Punch Tavern.
|
