BITE user comments - gareth1011
Comments by gareth1011
Its a real pub! Its fantastic! Friendly and chatty staff and locals.
Good ales, Harveys, Fuller's London Pride and Westerham Brewery Grasshopper and I can vouch for the quality of the Harveys and the Grasshopper.
Good no nonsense food at no nonsense prices.
Its off the A26 just north of Crowborough but the main road no longer goes pat it. It is worth leaving the main road to get to this pub.
30 Nov 2013 17:44
On 10/07/12, Fridge posted "My initial impression is that the establishment has been changed from a drinkers pub to a meeting place for the young, trendy "yummy Mummys". Let's hope I'm wrong.". I am sad to report that Fridge was absolutely right and on Sunday afternoons at least The stand Up is now a crèche with a bar in the middle.
That said, it is a very popular crèche with a bar in the middle even well after peak lunch time despite the expensive ale. The plus points are that the variety of ale is good and in my experience well kept. I particularly enjoyed the Arundel Queen's Park.
The Thai food on offer is very good and in my opinion, reasonably priced, but there is only Thai food so if you don't like Thai food or just hoped for more traditional fare, you will be disappointed.
This could be a really nice place to be but at certain times it is most definitely a place to avoid unless you want your toes run over by baby buggies and to listen to a chorus of screaming kids.
21 Oct 2013 17:09
Yet another change of ownership and the return of a "games room" with pool, darts, quiz machine etc.
Whether this is a good move or not remains to be seen but when I popped in for a beer, the Dark start Hophead was good and the rather young looking chap behind the bar was friendly and helpful and certainly seemed to know what was what.
21 Oct 2013 16:34
The Green Man, Partridge Green
This is more restaurant than pub but there are bar stools and there were customers just sitting at the bar enjoying a pint. There is no pressure to eat there either.
This is the only place I know locally that sells Palmers ales and very nice they are too. There was a Best Bitter IPA at 4.2% and Copper Bitter at 3.7%, I tied the Copper Bitter which was a lovely copper colour as it's name suggests and had plenty of flavour.
If you do decide to eat here you will find the prices a bit on the high side but I thought the food was excellent and well worth the extra cost. The staff were all friendly and helpful too.
There's a pleasant garden and decent sized car park too.
1 Oct 2013 16:59
Four of us came in after 10.00 p.m. hoping for a drink and if we were lucky, some food. Although they had shut the kitchen, they were willing to re-open it for us and we all had some vey good fish and chips.
The ale on offer is all Hall & Woodhouse and the Hopping Hare and the Badger were both well kept
A busy local with friendly and helpful management and staff. Worth a return visit for sure.
26 Jul 2013 09:04
I think this place is about to close down. we were turned away on a Saturday night.
22 Jun 2013 18:46
My first visit to this pub and I wish I'd tried it before. A proper village pub, friendly, comfortable and welcoming.
Only had 2 ales on, Harveys and Ruddles County and I tried both and both were very well kept. I am told the Whistling Duck shiraz was good too.
There is an extensive menu of reasonably priced, freshly prepared food. Nothing too flash but good value and very tasty.
The staff were all friendly and helpful too.
There's a decent sized car park, a garden and restaurant and bar areas. Dogs are welcome in the bar area.
22 Jun 2013 18:32
Hidden away in the lanes outside Rusper, this pub is a great find. It is a real ale pub, no lager, no kids but an excellent choice of real ale. I tried OSB Detention, never heard of it before but it was lovely. Tried the Otter mild too, a good mild but that OSB Detention was spot on.
They do food as well but this is not a restaurant, it is a pub and all the better for it.
22 Jun 2013 18:26
Whether this pub did re-open in June or not is hard to say. Since it's closure it seems to have changed hands several time been open briefly then closed again, had "To Let" signs outside and furniture going in and out.
Now it is open.
There are three Greene King ales on offer, IPA, Abott and Speckled Hen and three guest ales, Dark Star, Titanic and Timothy Taylor's when I visited. I tried the three guest ales and all were well kept.
The food is at the higher end of pub food with a few standard dishes and a few more imaginative offerings and what we had was very good. A little on the pricey side but not too much.
The pub has three distinct areas, a bar area, which has seating, a snug area where you have arm chairs and sofas as well as tables and chairs so you can eat there, and a proper restaurant area.
The staff are friendly and helpful too. All of this will hopefully this will bring about a period of stability for this pub.
15 Dec 2012 13:08
In an earlier post, I didn't comment on the food because I didn't eat there but now I have and I thought the food was very good. A tad pricey matbe but the quality justified it.
They had Recory Ale, Hepworth's Iron Horse and Harveys on. The Rectory ale wasn't off but it certainly was right, the Harveys on the hand, was fine.
Now the down side. Don't go to this pub on a Sunday lunchtime because, as with so many int he area, the place is heaving with screaming kids and their ill-mannered parents.
A shame because it would otherwise be a good pub.
28 Oct 2012 14:34
I don't know if there has been a change of management again but the menu has been de-poncified. I actually like the previous menu as it was a bit different, now it's good pub fare.
Still a good pub either way but I wish they would turn the bass on the music down a bit, it distorts horribly!
21 Oct 2012 11:08
Back in 2009 I left a review of this pub saying that it was OK but suggesting it might not be at lunchtime at the weekend.
I madde the mistake of going there on a Sunday lunchtime. Unless you enjoy having a drink and a bite to eat in a kindergarten among people who think it is reasonable to allow their bored kids to run around shouting, go somewhere else.
It's still OK at other times though.
21 Oct 2012 11:03
The George and Dragon, Burpham
No Ruddles in evidence when I visited. They had Arundel Gold and Arundel ASB (I think), and one other which might have been Greene King IPA. I tied both Arundel brews and both were very good.
Yes it is a bit more restaurant than pub but the bar area still felt comfortable enough to just drink in while the restaurant area was most definately for dining.
The food was a bit pricey but very good so worth it in my opinion. The staff were friendly and very efficient on what was a completely manic day due to the BMRC Classic Car Show on the neighbouring cricket green.
I'd certainly be happy to go back again.
6 Sep 2012 09:27
Went to this pub for the first time in ages and remembered why it had been ages.
Let's look at the good points first. I had a couple of pints of the Hook Norton Hooky Bitter because it was so good. If the Doombar and the Harvey's they sold was as good, then the beer is OK. the barman was also a helpful, friendly sort of chap so well done to him too.
That I'm afraid, was where the good ends. We were there on a Saturday lunchtime and the place was very busy (no idea why) but the food took ages to arrive and when it did it was all dried out as though it had been sitting around on a hot plate for ages and it was almost completely tasteless. The portions were not generous but on this occasion I was grateful for that. Not that expensive but I'd rather pay more for a meal I enjoy.
Lots of children and babies, some of which were not under parental control.
16 Apr 2012 08:41
Fabulous PUB. This is a real PUB, not a restaurant. FANTASTIC !!!
A good range of well kept ales, friendly staff and locals. They do perfectly good straight forward pub grub at a reasonable price.
They don't do credit cards or stay open all day, which I suspect keeps a lot of the yuppies with their Range Rovers full of badly behaved kids away and thank heavens for that.
Dogs and children are allowed though thankfully there were more dogs than children when I visited.
18 Mar 2012 11:09
As poster Jimbutcher points out " there's plenty of room for my children to run around (both inside and out). ". If you'd prefer not to eat and drink in a kinddergarten where parents think it acceptable to allow their offspring to run around, go somewhere else.
Beer was OK, food not bad, loos seemed OK to me but lots and lots of small children and babies.
4 Mar 2012 13:03
I hadn't been here for a while because what had been good seemed to be getting less good and more expensive. Thought I'd give it a try again recently and was pleasantly surprised.
This is still a pub. Just. The emphasis as always is on eating as it is with most pubs these days but for those who remember when the primary purpose of a pub was to have a drink and socialise with your friends, you can still do that here. There is a much more formal dining area but most seem to dine in the bar area.
When I was there, they served Harvey's Sussex, Sharp's Doombar and Well's Bombardia. I tried the Doombar and the Sussex and both were good.
I tried the food too and though it was very good and, while not cheap, not overly expensive either. I also found the staff to be very friendly and attentive without being overbearing. I believe the current management have been there since October 2011 and in my opinion are doing a good job. I believe they also do food all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Good news, dogs are allowed, bad news, so are kids!!
4 Mar 2012 12:50
Lovely country pub in a lovely village. Good ale, good food and friendly staff. I was focused totally on the Harvey's Old Ale, which was very well kept. They do Harvey's Sussex as well and at least one more but I didn't notice what that was.
The food is simple pub fare at a reasonable price. Nothing spectacular but perfectly good for the price.
Dogs and sprogs are allowed. Why do some parents think it's OK for their offspring to spead most of their lunch over the floor??
If you come here on a Sunday in September (can't remember which one) the pub hosts a steam rally when the village is taken over by steam engines, classic cars and bikes and lots of people. Very busy but a good event.
30 Jan 2012 18:32
The Sloop is now on the map again. As mentioned by the previous contributor, it is now a free house and so much better for it.
Ales from Harveys and Hammerpot breweries were on offer, I tried both and both were well kept. The food was excellent and bit different but still reasonably priced and the landlord and landlady were very friendly and welcoming.
I was there on a Saturday lunchtime and the pub was full, which is unusual for a pub which is well away from both housing and shops.
Dogs are allowed as are children but children sitting at the bar with their toys on the bar? Come on.
30 Jan 2012 18:24
This is a real pub. Amazing.
The Harveys and the Dark Star were well kept, the food was good and the service friendly.
Part of it is given over to dining but you can also dine in the bar where there are real people who just come in for a drink and a chat, just like pubs should be.
How refreshing to be among people chatting about football (a subject I have no interest in) rather than children running around and being a nuisance.
They do let children and dogs in and it can get quite busy.
26 Jan 2012 11:08
This is a nice cosy, friendly pub with a warm welcome and well kept ale. The Harvey's is excellent as is the London Pride and now there's the wonderful Harvey's Old as well.
The staff are friendly and have a ready smile. OK, the food isn't the best in the world but it's perfectly good honest pub fare at a reasonable price.
Anyway, it's a proper pub, not a restaurant with a bar in the corner so I'll keep coming back.
2 Dec 2011 17:44
There seems to be a number of people who have found the management here to be arrogant towards anyone other than there cronies. Having been in for a pint or two, I can see why people feel that way. I didn't feel welcome.
I used to go to the 272 restaurant when it was run by the same people and they were fine there.
The Bull used to be a free house so it is a shame it is now a Shepherd Neame pub with the restrictions that implies. That said, I have tried most of the ales on offer and while not my favourite, they aren't bad with Late Red being the best. The beer is kept quite well here although it is expensive.
2 Dec 2011 17:36
Just to buck the trend, I am not going to comment about the food in this pub, because I didn't go there to eat, I went here to have a couple of drinks with some friends and this is a pub, isn't it?
The Harvey's I tried was well kept and as it should be. They have a couple of guest ales as well, which I gather change quite frequently.
It was a warm day so we went into the garden, which is lovely and has teriffic views and is clearly an attraction of the pub.
All good stuff apart from the service at the bar. Polite enough but so, so slow. There was a queue at the bar while some staff were busying themselves doing anything other than serve customers.
2 Dec 2011 17:19
The last time I visited this pub a few years ago, it was run down and pretty grim so I thought enough time had passed to give it another try.
A board outside told of new management, I don't know how many new managers there have been in the last couple of years. We went in for a drink to be greeted by a an extemely wired Scotsman who while polite and keen to please, rather over did it and actually ended up making us feel rather uncomfortable.
The Harvey's was adequate at best and apparently the wine was poor.
We didn't stay for food as all the tables were apparently reserved. They weren't actually reserved at all just a ridiculous ploy to make it look like the place was so popular it was fully booked. All it does is put people off.
Sorry, won't be rushing back again.
2 Dec 2011 17:07
I have visited this pub a few times at lunch time now and while I don't generally agree with the JDW ethos of sell it cheap and attract the chavs, I do think that as JDW outlets go, this isn't too bad.
I have read some of the earlier comments and would defent the staff to some extent as I have always found them friendly and helpful so Tom's work is paying off. On the down side, it can sometimes take a while to be served but I am not aware of being ignored in favour of regulars.
The selection of ales is excellent and there is always something different to try as well as a few regulars for the less adventurous. I have been offered tasters in the past and the ale is kept quite well so while the atmosphere isn't that appealing, its not a bad place for a lunchtime pint.
21 Oct 2011 14:34
Visited this place for the first time.
No beer.
Visited this place for the last time.
21 Oct 2011 14:24
Went to this pub for the first time after a recommendation from a friend. The kids' bikes lying around in the beer garden gave a bad initial impression as I walked from the car park but once inside things improved considerably.
Nice cosy pub atmosphere, friendly staff and locals, interesting menu at what I thought were very reasonable prices and well kept ale. England had just been knocked out of the rugby world cup but I had to try the Fuller's Front Row anyway, they also had London Pride and Harvey's Sussex and a guest ale called King John, which my friend tells me is very good. It had a porter sort of taste, which is not for me.
They allow kids, which is a shame when they become a noisey nuisance and they allow dogs none of which were noisy or a nuisance.
I'd definately go back again.
10 Oct 2011 14:41
Yet another big echoy, soulless pub in the mode of all other recently refurbished pubs. The ale (Greene King) is perfectly good and the service was fine too. Pricey though.
I am told the food is good but I didn't try it so I can't say.
3 Aug 2011 08:46
Before the renovation, this was a comfortable place to be albeit slightly down at heal and in need of a bit of a spruce-up. Now sadly, it is another big echoing, soulless pub, nice and smart but with no character at all. This seems to be a trend these days and I can only guess that it is because it is easier and cheaper to keep them clean and tidy.
Anyway, the staff were friendly and efficient, the ale was in good nick. The food, a sandwich, was expensive for what it was and the bread was dry and stodgy, so not very good.
There's very little choice in Redhill so I probably will go here again but I'll just stick with the beer.
3 Aug 2011 08:40
Good selection of beer if you can get served. It was two deep at the bar so I joined the throng where the lady sporting the 'Duty Manager' badge was, in the belief she would be efficient. It transpired the two ladies ahead of me were not there to buy a drink, but were friends of the duty manager and had queued up to have a chat. The duty manager rather reluclantly served me and then returned to her friends while others were still waiting to be served.
Tried two different ales which should have tasted completely different but they tasted exactly the same. Not bad but not good either.
They've got a great location and will remain busy because of it so why worry about customer service? The vast majority are tourists who will never come back anyway.
27 Jul 2011 13:15
I desperatly wanted to hate this place because on the face of it, it is everything I dislike in a pub. Formica bar, over hot, lots of kids and the smell of school dinners, but if you get out of the heat and avoid the dog turd in the garden, it's not too bad. They serve a very nice pint of Arundel Castle with London Pride and Greene King IPA are on offer too, the food's not bad at all and is cheap and the staff are friendly.
19 Jun 2011 22:18
Opened the door to see if they did food on a Sunday lunchtime only to be confronted by a baby and a collection of it's toys between the door and the bar. Is this a pub or a kindrgarten? I didn't stay to find out.
19 Jun 2011 22:13
Having heard this pub had been renovated and was under new management since a disappointing visit some years ago, decided to give it another try and see what changes had occurred.
It has certainly been spruced up and is bright and shiny but therein lies it's main problem. It's all rather soulless.
The staff were pleasant enough but not very able. A quantity of drink had been spilled on the floor in the doorway between the bar and the back room and after a considerable time one of them asked the other if they should clear it up. This should not have required either the question or the delay.
On the plus side, the beer was good. It's a former King & Barnes house so is now Hall & Woodhouse with the usual offerings they provide. I tried the Firkin Fox, which was very good. The food was also good and good value too though the menu is limited.
In summary, bland but with potential.
29 May 2011 09:00
This pub is certainly open now, the current owners having taken over earlier this year.
We turned up for a late Sunday lunch to find that they serve food all day from 12:00 to 21:00 on Sundays. It's a busy little place so if you want to eat at a more sensible time for lunch, it's worth booking but otherwise just turn up and you will be fed and fed well.
The staff are friendly and efficient and the Hogs Back T.E.A. I had was spot on. They also had my old favourite Harvey's on but I didn't sample that because the T.E.A. was so good.
Appaerntly they have a quiz evening every Tuesday too.
Great little pub, well worth a visit.
31 Oct 2010 22:14
Visitied this pub for lunch with friends, we received a warm welcome, the staff could not have been more helpful or pleasent, the food was excellent and the ale was good. What more could I ask for?
The food was slightly dearer than the average pub but the quality and portion size comfortably made up for that. They also sell a variety of local produce at reasonable prices.
29 Sep 2010 12:00
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.
27 Aug 2010 15:20
Vastly improved by the current landlord and lady who are affable folk with a desire to bring the locals back. The Greene King ales are well kept and the food is straight forward pub grub.
The down side is that it's predominantly a lager and football pub so if like me, you are into neither, you will find yourself a little out-of-place.
16 Jun 2009 14:23
I'm not a Wetherspoons fan but I have to admit that this one is the best I've been to. The staff were friendly and efficient, there was a selection of different ales, all quite well kept and even though the curry wasn't the best I've had, it wasn't at all bad and �5.59 for a curry and a pint can't be sneezed at.
It also seemed to be the social hub of Bridlington as it was busy all the time when everywhere else seemed deserted.
Why is it that the gent�s toilets in Wetherspoons pubs always stink? There is a piece of paper on the wall stating that the toilets are checked hourly, I can�t only assume they check that they are still there but do nothing else. Please, Wetherspoons management, get the toilets cleaned. I�ve been to some pretty grotty pubs with cleaner toilets.
16 Jun 2009 14:12
I went here on a Wednesday evening when there was some football match or other dominating things in most other pubs. The Dolphin, I'm delighted to say, does not have a TV and was tranquil and pleasant, ideal for chatting with a friend I hadn't seen for some time. It was busy enough to give it some atmosphere but quiet enough for conversation.
There was a decent selection of ales (Sharp's Doombar, Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Harvey's Sussex Best, Shepherd Neame Spitfire), all reasonably well kept. I didn't eat there but the food that went past looked and smelt good and the portions were a decent size.
The staff were friendly and efficient and the ale prices are cheaper than most too.
I was pleasantly surprised and would certainly go back. I suspect weekend lunchtimes are probably no good unless you like being surrounded by screaming brats but evenings seem to be safe.
9 Jun 2009 13:57
I'm sorry to have to say this but since Dave's departure, the service in the D&B has at times fallen rather short of what we have been used to.
I don't think this will threaten the D&B's place at the top of my Croydon pub league just yet but I hope this is not a sign of things to come.
22 Apr 2009 12:28
This pub used to be rubbish, so I stayed away for a number of years but decided to give it another try and see if things had changed.
They have, in a big way.
It is predominantly restaurant, but there is a small bar area. The ales on offer are Harveys Sussex and Youngs Special, both of which will keep me happy for a while and both were well kept.
Unfortunately we were too late for lunch on Saturday, which stops at 14:30 but e had a look at the menu and thought it worth a visit on Sunday, when food stops at 15:00. The food was plentiful and good, not particularly cheap but worth it.
They also have a live music and seem to have a preference for jazz.
Well worth a visit.
12 Feb 2009 09:35
The Horns Lodge, South Chailey
Having been tipped off that this pub had new owners and that it had improved, we gave it a try and were very pleased.
The new owners have been in place for about 7 months now and have the aim of keeping it as a pub rather than turning it into a restaurant with a bar. There is a restaurant area and food can also be eaten in the bar area. They were very friendly and told us they wanted to make it into a comunity pub again. Good luck to them.
Tha ales are excellent with well kept Harveys and a couple of guest beers as well. Tasters were offered and I chose the Dark Star American Pale Ale was excellent, as was the Harveys Old. Food was also very good and reasonable priced.
There are a number of board games on offer a TV. I'm not a big fan of TVs in pubs but I think I might go there to watch England thrash Wales this weekend.
12 Feb 2009 09:23
I don't really know what to make of this pub. It seems to be part pub, part restaurant and part drop-in centre. To be honest, as a heterosexual, carnivorous non-student, I felt rather out of place but just because it is not my kind of pub, doesn't mean it's a bad pub. Far from it in fact.
Lager is clearly the most popular beer option and there is plenty of choice but they do a couple of real ales too and they are OK.
The menu has a lot more vegetarian options than any pub I've ever been to before, which is no bad thing as vegetarians usually have very little choice and there are meat and fish options too. The seafood chowder I ordered was not like any seafood chowder I've ever eaten before, due to the large number of vegetables in it, but it did taste very nice.
As has been noted in other posts, the staff are not always as attentive as perhaps they could be but once you have attracted the attention of one of them, they are helpful and pleasant enough. The clientele seem to be predominantly young, though not exclusively and there seemed to be a large proportion of gay customers too, though once again not exclusively and all seemed to co-exist perfectly happily in a relaxed atmosphere.
As I have said, not my kind of pub, but certainly interesting and a bit different, so give it a try and see what you think.
23 Jan 2009 09:27
We turned up here just before 15:00 on new years day and was initially alarmed at the lack of pumps on the bar until I spotted the barrels in the tap room behind. The Harvey's Old was spot on.
Very busy but we were luck enough to get a table and ordered out lunch minutes before the 15:00 dead line. I believe they do food all day at other times. The food arrived quickly and was good and tastey, nothing fancy, just good honest pub fare at a reasonable price.
The staff are friendly and efficient.
This pub is on the shaddow of the South Downs so I would imagine it would be popular with walkers and I should think summer Sundays would be very busy. Well worth a visit though.
7 Jan 2009 15:38
The Jolly Sportsman, East Chiltington
My first visit to this pub was on a Sunday lunch time and it was packed and we felt our muddy hiking boots would be rather unwelcome. Had another go last Saturday lunch time and while busy, there was a free table in the bar area and hikers and dog walkers are most welcome.
The pub side of things is excellent, the Dark Star Old Ale was superb. They also had a couple of other ales, a number of ciders and a huge list of whiskies.
The food is expensive but it is also very good with an emphasis towards
home made, locally sourced and organic fare. They sell home made bread too, �1.95 for a loaf is on the high side but it is very good bread.
The staff very friendly and helpfull too.
The only down side is the number of screaming brats infesting the place.
7 Jan 2009 15:30
A cracking pub, well run and friendly. Went their for Sunday lunch, quite late and without booking and they were able to accommodate us. This is still a pub but it does have a restaurant area and you can eat in the bar area as well. Nothing poncey about this place, proper pub, proper grub and a well kept pint of Harvey's and Courage Directors was also on tap.
I believe they do food all day on a Sunday at least and they also welcome families as long as children are seated and supervised, which sounds like a reasonable policy to me.
There is also a large car park on two levels and it's close to the Ashdown Forest, Pooh Corner etc. I've been here a couple of times before and it's always busy so they must be doing something right.
29 Dec 2008 16:35
I went in here because I noticed it was a Young's pub and a pint of Winter Warmer is always welcome. The Winter Warmer did not disappoint, the staff were friendly and were certainly not run off their feet. It was lunch time on the Saturday before Christmas when I would have expected it to have been very busy but it was not.
We found the menu very confusing with various different options only available on certain days of the week and at different prices but what we ended up with was very good. My tip is to go for the 'board' options, which cost a tenner but feed two easily. We didn't realise this and had one each and were stuffed!!
All in all, I quite like the place but the lack of customers does tend to suggest that something doesn't quite work. If the rumour mentioned by deejay in a previous posting is true, it will be a shame but if it doesn't get more customers through the door, I can see that it may well be true.
29 Dec 2008 16:29
My last posting was a bit hasty, the owners are back again.
I hope they had a good holiday, I will not be troubling them in 2009.
16 Dec 2008 16:31
The Porter and Sorter, Croydon
This pub is annoying me now.
They now only serve Jennings and Marston's Pedigree. I don't have a problem with either brewer but why three different Jenning's brews? The beer is ok, not the best but ok. BUT SHORT MEASURES ARE NOW THE NORM AND I'M FED UP WITH IT!!!
One particular barman is the most surly person I've ever had the misfortune to be served by and the loos still stink.
12 Dec 2008 13:00
It looks like this pub is under new management, this can only be good news.
Went in today and couldn't sit down but this was because of the office Christmas parties. The beer was very good though and the staff rather more polite so will try again after Christmas.
Watch this space.
5 Dec 2008 16:29
I quite like this pub. It's a good old fashioned pub, no stupid themes or wine bar decor. A bit dark and dingy perhaps, but cosy as well.
The beer is very well kept and there is a decent variety.
Didn't try the food, so can't comment.
The staff were perfectly friendly too, no sign of a tall loud person. I can well believe that it might at times, get full of boisterous stag parties, but that is true of Brighton generally.
3 Dec 2008 14:24
The Jack and Jill Inn, Clayton
I went to this pub for the first time in ages, to watch the London - Brighton veteran car run and was impressed enough to visit again a few weeks later when things were less hectic.
I found the beer to be well kept and the food was good value. This is not a pretentious place, like so many in the area, but a good down to earth pub. Yes, it could do with a lick of paint but licks of paint seem to turn into complete refurbs and a reincarnation as a poncey wine bar, so leave it as it is I say.
The staff are polite and friendly too and coped very well when the place was heaving with the London - Brighton crowd.
3 Dec 2008 14:15
My first visit to this pub. Yes it is more poncey gastro pub than proper pub and it has absolutely no atmosphere at all, which is a shame because the staff were friendly and efficient, the food was very good and the beer wasn't bad either. The blues music playing discreetly in the background was nice too.
There is a restaurant bit and a more pub like bit with the bar between the two. We would have liked to have sat in the pub area, which was a bit more cozy, but that was also where the squawking kid was so we got well away from that. Later, some more rather pompous parents arrived with a shouting child and a baby, so we paid up and got out.
There is also a large garden with climbing frames and stuff, so they obviously want the family trade. There are interesting old David Brown and Fordson tractors for the kids to play on too, I wonder what health and safety zealots would make of that.
22 Nov 2008 18:11
Went there for lunch a couple of weeks ago having never been there before. The staff were friendly and attentive, the beer was well kept and the food was excellent.
It was a bit expensive but probably worth the cost.
Well worth another visit.
19 Nov 2008 13:19
This is not a pub, they don't do real beer at all and even though they claim to serve cocktails, they have no idea what a daiquiri is.
Your lager is served in a plastic because they assume you are one of Croydon's usual chavs and are about to smash it into someone's face and they have bouncers on the door at half past five in the afternoon. I think this indicates what sort of customer they expect.
It's full of teenagers and it's very loud.
Top tip. the loos on the ground floor are vile but the ones on the first floor are OK.
The bar maids are pretty but dim!
5 Sep 2008 15:21
This pub has been a bit up and down over the last couple of years. All was well until the landlord was removed a couple of years ago and then a succession of managers meant that a visit here was a bit of a hit and miss affair with the beer, food and service being somewhat unreliable.
I have started going back here because things seem to have settled down and I must say that things are back to what they were, or better. The service is friendly and efficient and the beer and food are good.
There's a decent garden and it's comfortably away from the hubbub of Croydon's centre, but only about 10 minutes walk from East Croydon station.
It's good to have the Builder's Arms back.
5 Sep 2008 15:09
I think some people are missing the point with this pub. It is very much a beer drinker's pub and as such, serves a good selection of beers.
I have only eaten here once before and it was nothing to write home about, but I have sampled the beer here on many occasions and have no complaints at all.
There has been some criticism of the staff too, which I don't understand. I have always found them to be friendly and efficient.
Haywards Heath isn't over burdened with good pubs and this is by far the best from a beer drinker's point of view.
5 Sep 2008 15:00
This used to be a cracking pub but some years ago it turned into a kindergarten with a bar.
Service is slow due partly to inexperienced (cheap) staff and inexperienced customers who don't know what all the members of their party want and ask for things like "a pint of beer".
The food is poor and it is very clear that the management couldn't care less about repeat custom as they will readily fill the place with day trippers who will only go here once!
If you want a pub lunch, go anywhere else!!
5 Sep 2008 14:48
Let's be honest, this is not a pub, it's a bar. Don't expect the London Pride to be good because they only put it there to keep the non lager drinkers happy, they have no idea how to keep it and it's frozen to death.
That said, they do a good range of continental lagers and wines, the food is as good as you should reasonably expect from such a place, the prices keep the worst of Croydon's chavs out. That said, I had my wallet nicked while in here about 18 months ago!
The staff are friendly, attentive and work very hard at busy times and as Croydon bars go, this is one of the better ones.
The biggest down side is the noise. It really is very loud so be prepared for an evening of shouting.
5 Sep 2008 14:42
I went to this pub one lunchtime a year or so ago and to be honest, did like it much. It all seemed to go quiet when I, a stranger, walked in and although the beer was good, the food was cheap and deserved to be.
Least week, I went visited again, expecting the worst but very pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, the beer was excellent and although we didn't eat on this occasion, the menu looked more adventurous and the food being brought out to other customers looked very good indeed.
I will certainly go back and try the food next time. I know it is now owned by the same people who own The Bull but it seems much more relaxed and less swamped by ill mannered toffs. The young lady behind the bar, Sarah I think, was helpful, friendly and efficient.
I'm giving this pub an 8, but it could easily go up.
22 Aug 2008 16:49
The Porter and Sorter, Croydon
This place isn't as bad as some of the postings here might suggest. It gets very busy sometimes and when it does, it can take a while to be served but not more that you would reasonably expect. The loos aren't the nicest either but I've smelt a lot worse! It used to get very smoky but since the smoking ban, it is a much more pleasant place to be.
The up side is that the beer is usually well kept and there used to be several choices. That said, this seems to be only two now. Don't know why.
The food is standard pub grub and not bad for the cost, and if you sit in the restaurant end, you get waitress service for the drinks too.
I shall not comment upon the staff's fashion sense as I don't think it is relevant.
1 Aug 2008 17:01
This is another real pub and probably one of the top pubs in Croydon. It's unpretentious, the staff are friendly, there's a garden, a pool table and dart board.
There are usually two real ales on and they change regularly and are often ones I've not tried before. The food is cheap and good value but don't expect cordon blue cuisine for that price, it's just good honest fare.
They also play early ska and soul music, which suits me just fine.
1 Aug 2008 16:51
It seems slerpy and I both have time on our hands this afternoon as we have both been posting reviews on Croydon pubs in quick succession.
I am intrigued by slerpy's information about the imminent change of management at the George, by the sound of it, things can only get better.
My past experience of this pub is that while it serves a decent variety of beers cheaply, the quality can sometimes be rather below par. That said, you get what you pay for and value for money is what you get. They also do cheap beer/food deals, which are good value but not exactly gourmet.
The ambiance however is not pleasant, so I hope the new management will bring about the necessary change.
1 Aug 2008 15:58
Only 9/10 because nothing's perfect, but this is without doubt the best pub in Croydon. Admittedly, there's not much competition but it's very good in it's own right.
This is a proper pub, the emphasis is on beer, it does not allow children (other than in the garden) and since some heath and safety pillock stopped them from serving food because they don't have a dumb waiter, they only do bar snacks.
The bar staff are the most professional I have come across, take a bow Dave, and the beer is always well kept. Young�s Special can be a bit flaky in some pubs but I�ve never had a bad one here.
I only have one query though, since Young's and Wells merged, they serve Bombardier but it looks and tastes just like Young's ordinary. Have the pipes been attached to the wrong barrel I wonder? But I don't really care, while I like Charles Wells beers, give me Young's any day.
1 Aug 2008 15:44
Since it's refurb, this place has improved the quality of the decor, the garden and the food, which was all welcome. Unfortunately, although the management will give you a cheery welcome, it stops there. They are there to make money and nothing more and couldn't give a damn about the customer.
For example, two people walk in and sit down at a table for four. They are moved to a scabby table for two right by the door and the restaurant never fills up.
Example two. A group of people sit in the garden where there is a parasol at the table, is being sunny they not unreasonably put the parasol up. The wind then catches the parasol and because it is not properly secured to the base, it flies up and lands on the group of people breaking a glass of beer and soaking two of the people. The managers response is to replace the pint of beer but tell us that we shouldn't have opened the parasol.
Basically the guy's attitude (and that of his wife/partner/whoever) is absolutely disgusting. So far as I am concerned, this pub is now off the list of usable pubs in Croydon and given the small number of decent pubs in Croydon, that's quite a sacrifice.
Add top this, the cost of the food has risen and the quality dropped and perhaps you will see why I won�t be going there again.
1 Aug 2008 14:36
This was only my second visit since the refurb and the first when I had a meal there. The food is excellent, a bit dearer than average perhaps but well worth it. The menu covers the usual pub favourites plus a number of more interesting dishes, which are definitely worth trying. The beers, Harvey's, Young's Ordinary and London Pride are well kept and I'm told the wine it very good too. This is definitely a pub I will be going back to.
26 Jan 2008 20:31
Lovely building and garden, the beer is good, usually Harvey's, London Pride and HSB and excellent food too. Children under 10 or 14 (can't remember which) are not allowed in the pub itself but are allowed in the garden. They also have a skittles alley in the small barn out front.
They still have major problems with service during even slightly busy times though, which does spoil an otherwise very good pub.
30 Dec 2007 10:35
Recently extended, which looses some of the character but does provide a lot more space and some shiny new toilets with amazing hand dryers. Children as young as 10 now allowed too, not a great move in my view but no doubt good for many.
They also hold a classic car and bike show every year, which is well worth a visit if you are into such things.
With regard to the previous anonymous posting, I don't feel it is fair to judge a pub on one of it's customers, alone!
29 Dec 2007 19:15
This pub now allows children of all ages in all areas. One screechy child spoiled a lunchtime visit today.
Another good pub bites the dust! Such a shame as all other comments in my last post still apply.
29 Dec 2007 18:17
This pub has recently been taken over but still owned by Green King. The beers are the usual Green King offerings and are well kept. The food is a little too expensive for the size of the portions, though generally good. There is a good sized garden which is a bit unkempt and there are currently no parasols, so take a sun hat!
Staff seem very young but very pleasent too.
15 Apr 2007 16:13
Brilliant location, popular with walkers and cyclists. Another Green King pub but the beers are kept well, the food is good and reasonably priced and the staff are friendly.
Children are not allowed in the bar area and under 5s are not allowed in the restaurant area either. Plenty of seating outside but all in the front so near the road. That said, it is set back and the road isn't very busy.
15 Apr 2007 16:08
Don't think the owners are new at all, I thought they'd been there for years.
Excellent food, a bit more expensive than standard pub fare, but better than standard pub fare too. Worth noting that food is served all day on Saturday and that they are shut on Monday.
Also, they don't allow under 14s in the pub. this might be a problem for families, but a huge bonus if you don't want screamig kids under your feet all the time.
Check out the well in what used to be the lady's loos. Stand on the glass top if you dare.
15 Apr 2007 10:37
The Huntsman, Eridge Green
So djwhisky tells us there are no high chairs for babies.
Hoorah!! This is obviously a good pub to go and visit.
30 Nov 2013 17:47