The Cherry Trees, South Norwood

I've been drinking in Norwood for 15 years and I know most of the pubs around. It's a pleasure that the Cherry Trees is under new management because this pub is finally fulfilly it's potential.

It has, without doubt the best beer garden in Norwood and has been undergoing a bit of a face lift - the pic on this site is out of date.

There is a jam every other Sunday and they usually get a good 60 or 70 people, including a lot of bands, musos and newcomers - thankfully it isn't showing any signs of degenerating into a Blues jam which these things can, so full marks to Pete (from 48 Thrills, Dead Umbrella, Answers On A Postcard and any other band he can get his chubby little face into!) for spreading the word and running it on the day.

They have a good few bands playing there when the jam isn't on and they get some quality numbers - I recently saw Purple (a Deep Purple tribute who were awesome) and Ashbone You Wish (Wishbine Ash tribute) as well as the legendary Papa Amos Band. Being a high ceilinged pub, the acoustics are pretty good and if you like your music but not so lous, there's always that garden again.

On an average day in the Cherry Trees, you'll find friendly locals and visitors of all ages - they seem to have a magic balance of being family-friendly without having screaming kids running all over - not an easy feat. There's a Juke Box with a a suggestion board for new music (how about that for customer feedback in action?), a fruity, a quiz machine and a dartboard. Prices are reasonable and certainly on a par with most other pubs and the staff and Jan & Dee (The Bosses!) are real nice too, so there's a really friendly atmosphere there.

On top of all that, they do a meat raffle, Lottery Bingo, barbeques and they are the pub of choice for both home and away fans when Palace are playing at Selhurst Park.

If you only visit one new pub in Norwood this year, make sure it's this one!

13 Aug 2007 16:10