BITE user comments - john_the_jester
Comments by john_the_jester
The Stag and Hounds, South Croydon
This pub will have a cask beer from the new Cronx brewery on from tonight...
8 Aug 2012 12:33
Oh dear, this looks like it will be flats now. Another one bites the dust!
8 Aug 2012 12:29
Victoria Cross, Thornton Heath
This pub has recently closed, after being 'For Sale' for a while. There is a skip outside, which doesn't bode well.
8 Aug 2012 12:28
I went in to the Waddon Hotel for the first time today, and found it a spacious pub with friendly staff. Ales were Hyde's bitter (in good condition) and Caledonian Over the Bar (temporarily off). The pub has 2 pool tables, darts and sports TV, but I suspect the regular clientele might be the sort you'd normally avoid. Please post a comment if you disagree, I'd be happy to be proved wrong!
18 Feb 2012 16:52
Well done to this pub, they are now serving real ale! Despite the poster outside advertising the range of 4 Brains beers, only Brains SA was on offer. They willingly took the sparkler off the handpump to serve it to me, and it was in good condition. The food menu is upmarket and enticing.
18 Feb 2012 16:46
As for 'Cappy22', it was my first time in the Belmont today. They had a children's party starting, and apologised that food could take longer than usual. However, the staff seemed pleasant enough and the menu attractive. Ales on offer were Abbot, Lonon Pride and Spitfire. The Pride that I had was in very good condition and of acceptable price at �3.10.
18 Feb 2012 16:43
This pub is now called the Babylon Inn, and the part serving buffet food now seems to have a separate entrance. I had to wait to get served as the young barmaid was more concerned with putting up two balloons for a private party this evening. She managed to lose one to the ceiling and burst the other. There were pump clips displayed for Hobgoblin, Courage Best and McMullen's bitter, but she told me none of them were on. Then I got what sounded like verbal abuse when I went to go elsewhere. I recommend that you DON'T drink in this place. And also that you don't apply to work here unless you are both rude and incompetent, as that seems to be the standard.
18 Feb 2012 16:36
This really is a pub to go to if you want a good meal, and I think the licensees give the food a higher priority than the drinks. However, the beer is well-kept and provides a good companion for the meal.
28 Dec 2011 12:50
The Newton Arms has been closed since a fatal shooting there on New Year's Day 2010. However, there is some building work going on inside the premises, giving us hope that it will reopen as a pub.
27 Sep 2011 12:48
This pub closed, but has now reopened as The Hut - Bar and Restaurant. I believe that the cuisine is south Indian.
27 Sep 2011 12:45
This pub has been called the Ivory Lounge for quite a while now.
20 Jun 2011 12:44
This seemed like a friendly pub when I went in yesterday, but I'm afraid the Greene King IPA was the worst I had tasted anywhere for many months.
18 Jun 2011 06:40
Is this still an Ember Inn? It no longer comes up if you search on their web site...
5 Feb 2011 11:02
This has now reopened as Taberner's Lounge. Three handpumps but no cask ale available when I popped in today.
19 Aug 2010 19:54
The Goose on the Market, Croydon
Wasn't impressed by the service today as my food didn't arrive and I had to chase up the order. This is a pub for kids, If you're over 22 I suggest you try the Green Dragon next door.
19 Aug 2010 19:51
And another festival starts today! Where do they get the energy for all these events? Milds promised of course, as it is May, and doubtless the ales will be of the usual excellent quality.
20 May 2010 12:59
Another (fairly) new manager now. The pool table is back, and there is also a dartboard. The real ales were fine (Courage Directors, London Pride) and there is a special offer of the fourth pint free on Pride and Fosters. The best thing though was the food; the fish and chips I had yesterday were very high quality, at a very reasonable price!
21 Jan 2010 12:47
The Railway Telegraph, Thornton Heath
Went in at lunchtime on Christmas Eve for the first time in a long while. Very impressed by the trouble the barman took to ensure the Young's bitter was on top form. It was obviously the first out of the cask, and he took repeated samples to check the quality before pulling my pint. The pint was excellent.
26 Dec 2009 11:50
This pub has opened again. The (temporary) sign outside says that it is called The Royal Surrey - the same name as the snooker club next door. Real ales available were Young's ordinary and London Pride, but I didn't have time to stop and sample the quality. As it was a weekday lunchtime the place was virtually empty, so no report on the atmosphere either, I'm afraid.
13 Jun 2009 11:40
This free house was serving Greene King IPA today in very good condition; also on offer were Bombardier and Courage Directors. Not an earth-shattering range of beers, but not bad for somewhere that is primarily a restaurant.
30 Mar 2009 21:02
The Grape and Grain, Crystal Palace
Going past the pub today, it is still being refurbished but the new sign is up. The new name is The Grape And Grain.
30 Mar 2009 20:37
The Builder's Arms is currently closed for refurbishment, but should be open again just after the beginning of April.
24 Mar 2009 13:17
This pub has been demolished now, and the new building in its place is nearly finished. No pub in it, of course.
24 Mar 2009 13:13
This is a lovely little pub which I would be proud to have as my local if I lived in the vicinity. Friendly atmosphere and excellent beer. And while I was in there yesterday the landlady was presented with a CAMRA award for "Pub of the Season" - well deserved, I reckon.
22 Mar 2009 21:53
Have been in here a few times now for their entertaining fortnightly quizzes on a Sunday evening (you need to book in advance by the Friday, as a main meal is included). The Harvey's is consistently good, and there is a guest beer, usually Adnams or London Pride. The staff are always friendly, and as others have said, the food is of high quality.
18 Feb 2009 13:01
I heard at the weekend that this pub has closed. Anyone near enough to check...?
12 Jan 2009 12:56
The Fountain Head, Thornton Heath
This pub has now closed, and the site is fenced off.
4 Jan 2009 18:41
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
I was not impressed last night after popping in for a quick pint before closing. They turned the light off behind the bar at 10:58 as I walked in the door, and refused to admit their clock was fast (which it definitely was). NOT good customer service! I suggest you go to one of the many good pubs in the area instead.
7 Dec 2008 07:37
Pleasant friendly pub, busy on match days due to its proximity to Selhurst Park. Three real ales. This has been in the good beer guide in the past.
23 Apr 2008 13:25
I was disappointed with the standards in there yesterday (Sunday). The service was very poor, with short measure pints, an attempt to clear away a clearly unfinished drink, forgotten cutlery more than once, three reminders required before a dessert appeared, and one attempt to serve a dish twice (which seemed to flummox them completely). What an earth would they be like when they are busy?
31 Mar 2008 13:41
I visited the Surprise last December. The name comes from a butterfly. Interesting d�cor - beams, pots, and there are coin set into the bar surface. The interior is looking rather shabby, though. The Greene King IPA had run out, but the pump clip was still displayed.
25 Feb 2008 13:21
Nice quiet pub, even on a Friday night. One ale was off but they didn't offer to change the barrel or turn the pump clip round. Seems to be a place for regulars, and has a bar billiards table, which seem to be harder to find these days. Beer quite drinkable, but perhaps the amount of trade will prevent it from being truly excellent?
23 Feb 2008 10:33
This is a fairly large Young's pub with a mixed clientele, hence the previous comments about swaety armpits. Food is available until 8pm, but the interior is in need of an overhaul as it is getting quite shabby in places. The beer is fine, and I found the bar staff, who were all young ladies, very pleasant.
23 Feb 2008 10:27
Called in again after an absence of serveral years. Pleasant locals' pub, beer still good. Food also recommended.
23 Feb 2008 10:22
Top marks to The Lion for both beer and service. They refused to sell me a roll which was a day old and made a fresh one, which was delicious. The Hepworth's ale was so good I stayed longer than intended to have one more.
8 Feb 2008 09:26
The Lord Napier, Thornton Heath
I rate this pub well for the jazz, which will always be an attraction for me. Although the Young's bitter was good, it is a shame that they miss the opportunity to attract those who are not keen on the taste by having guest ales. No Sunday lunch at the moment, but I understand this is being addressed.
8 Feb 2008 09:23
I found this pub friendly, clean and comfortable. Although there was football on the TV it was not obtrusive. The Pedigree was on good form and not too cold, and the food was very good value. What more can you ask for?
3 Feb 2008 10:57
Small friendy pub with lots of character and well kept beer - four real ales on. This is quite a run-down area with several nearby pubs closed down, so they are doing well to keep up the standards.
27 Jan 2008 11:59
Small, welcoming pub, beer a little pricey but discounted by 60p at less busy times. Mini art exhibition on the walls, quiz night is Thursdays. Well worth further visits.
25 Jan 2008 13:34
Seems a good friendly pub, but I couldn't see a petition, and I wasn't offered one. Have they given up hope? The Youngs bitter was fine.
25 Jan 2008 13:32
The Crown and Sceptre, South Croydon
Very pleasant locals pub, with quizzes on Thursdays.
20 Jan 2008 13:16
This pub attracts a young but civilised clientele. Good range of real ales. Live bands upstairs on Wednesdays.
20 Jan 2008 13:14
Very reasonable environment and prices for a town centre pub. Lots of hand pumps, but only Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were on.
6 Jan 2008 12:34
What can I say - a very friendly little pub, with a good range of well-kept Fullers beers. I wish I'd had time to have more of the Old Winter Ale as it was the best pint I've had for a long long time.
6 Jan 2008 12:31
No improvement since Alph_river's visit. No real ale despite several naked pump handles. I didn't stay.
6 Jan 2008 12:28
The Joiners Arms, South Norwood
Pleasant little pub where care has been taken over the decor. Quiz nights on Mondays, karaoke machine. No food in evidence unfortunately.
6 Jan 2008 12:24
Victoria Cross, Thornton Heath
Seems a friendly pub with good beer. I was a little disappointed that they didnt get around to making some sandwiches until about 1 p.m. on a Saturday, though, too late for my lunch. Evening food is shipped in from a restaurant.
5 Jan 2008 10:36
Staff OK but the pub was a bit shabby and smelly. I didnt think the London Pride was well kept.
5 Jan 2008 10:15
I found the landlord rather indifferent, although the food and the Breakspears bitter were both good. The background pop music seemed a bit out of place.
5 Jan 2008 10:11
Nice pub, friendly helpful staff. But no food on Saturdays despite advertising food outside.
31 Dec 2007 16:12
The Albert Tavern, South Norwood
Very pleasant little pub with helpful staff. The food I had was excellent.
23 Dec 2007 10:49
The Horniman at Hays, Southwark
The service in there yesterday was fine, so I hope this will help balance the comments out a bit.
18 Dec 2007 13:34
The The Rail View, South Croydon
Comfortable, clean friendly pub with pleasant atmosphere and 4 real ales.
14 Dec 2007 08:04
Busy pub when I visited on Friday evening, but the staff seemed friendly. Very impressed by the restaurant upstairs, very good food and reasonably priced.
1 Dec 2007 10:52
Had run out of Bombardier yesterday, but the Youngs bitter was on top form. Food overpriced, but tasted OK.
30 Nov 2007 14:04
I have been here twice and found the service pleasant, the beer good, the place clean and the customers sociable. Perhaps it gets the wrong type of customer just on occasions?
20 Nov 2007 12:43
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The Sydney Arms, Sutton
This looks like it has been turned into flats.
8 Aug 2012 12:36