The Alma Tavern, Addiscombe, Croydon

Official site of The Alma Tavern - www.thealmatavern.co.uk

Official site of The Alma Tavern - www.thealmatavern.co.uk

This time I managed to get a drink in here, and I’m glad I made the effort of a return visit. There were a couple of ales on – Theakston’s “Tour de Wot”, and something called Alma Ale (£2 a half). Unfortunately the barmaid didn’t know who brewed it, but the clip did have the word “Croydon” on it, so I took a chance on it not being a re-badged Greene King beer or something similar. The barmaid did pull it through before serving me with what must have been the first one of the day, so I’ll overlook her lack of knowledge on its provenance. It tasted OK so probably not a GK beer then. There was no sign of any food when I visited soon after midday on a weekday. This is a clean and comfortable pub. It’s carpeted, has banquette or bench seating along the sides, plus some normal tables and chairs. A raised area on the left is enclosed by a ballustrade, had speakers and lighting units on it so I guess would be used for live entertainment of some kind. But I saw nothing advertised. An area on the right contained both a pool table and a dartboard. This is clearly a Victorian pub; probably mid-Victorian as it’s named after the Crimean river that saw action during the Crimean War. Vestiges of erstwhile walls show the original multi-room layout of the pub. The bar counter’s original, but pride of place goes to the stillion cum bar back with a clock, framed by carved wood, as its centrepiece. It’s three-sided, with the front panel having a cut glass panel featuring the pub’s name (but unfortunately obscured by drinks optics). It looks like the centre of it contained a small publican’s office. This is a rather nice pub. The ale choice isn’t exceptional, but it’s definitely more than OK. I would visit again given the opportunity.

Nice to see an open fire on a cold night.Looks to be a food led pub but most were enjoying just a drink.Smart interior but the music was a bit loud.Three good cask beers on Longman -best,Five points -railway porter and my Brockley -ipa.