The Ship, South Norwood

This is an OK pub at the top end of South Norwood High Street so it's a little out of my way. I use it occasionally while I'm waiting for my nosh from the nearby Indian takeaway but at other times too. It gets very busy with home supporters on match days but there's usually a good atmosphere and there's no need to use those ghastly plastic drinking-vessels (can't call them glasses). Regular ales are Abbot & Young's ordinary but there are often guests.

1 Feb 2009 21:55

William Stanley, South Norwood

I am so exasperated by this place. The guest ales can be varied, well kept and tasty but, equally, cloudy and undrinkable. I'll not be told by some slip-of-a-girl that a pint of murky beer is "alright". That's assuming the guests are available at all. Cellar management appears to leave much to be desired. The toilets, particularly the men's, are a nightmare and the smell that emanates from downstairs is legendary. Consider the adjacency of the kitchens. The famous Wetherspoon's 99p pint currently doesn't exist here as there is a "problem" with the cellar: it's waterlogged (again) and barrels are inaccessible and can't be changed. I have this freely from the staff. Today, one of the coldest for a while, saw the heating out of action as well. When Crystal Palace are at home you'll have to put up with plastic, even when the place is fairly quiet (when the match is actually in progress or afterwards when virtually all of the fans have gone). My generous rating refers to today's visit when, to begin with, I couldn't face the place and chose to drink elsewhere. I went back later; the heating was working but all the other faults hadn't been rectified. On other days I might give it a 5 or even a 6.

1 Feb 2009 18:54

The Royal Standard, Croydon

This is a proper, traditional pub in central Croydon, about 5 minutes' walk from the famous Surrey Street Market. It's a shame that it is overshadowed by the flyover and the multi-storey car park. It is on a corner site at the end of a terrace which looks nice and old-fashioned until you turn around and see the nasty bits. Beers are always well kept and the staff are friendly and helpful. Lunchtime food is not bad either, from my limited experience. The interior is pleasantly run-down (but not dirty) and the etched-glass windows add to the character.

14 Sep 2008 11:19