The Bird, Selhurst, Croydon

This is, to the best of my knowledge, Croydon’s only gay pub (following the demise of the nearby Oakfield a few years ago). From the outside, the pub looks like a large detached house set back from the road, but inside a typical pub interior is revealed, split across two rooms. The first room is carpeted and has some standard seating mixed with high tables and stools, with the stools sporting some fairly grotesque imitation cow hide covers. A small stage to one side of the room is presumably used for live music and cabaret shows, some of which were being promoted on posters around the room. Two fireplaces stand either side of the stage, each with a large mirror above. The rest of the walls are decorated with pictures of typical ‘gay icons’ such as Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. The second room at the back of the pub has a pool table, dartboard and large screen. There are a few games machines silently flashing away and I believe there is also a garden out the back as well. Beer was limited to the keg version of Greene King IPA (£2.80), with Guinness and the usual lager suspects also on offer. I tried a half of the IPA, but it wasn’t really to my taste, so I moved on soon after. The barmaid was very friendly and welcoming and I left with the sense that it is a well run pub serving its community very well (unless, of course, any of them are ale drinkers!).

The Bird in Hand is Croydon's Premier Gay and is the longest running and largest Gay Bar in Croydon. It has a large beer garden at the rear, two bars, and the back bar is available for private hire. Club Bird is hosted twice monthly. The pub has regular theme nights, quiz nights, bingo, cabaret, dj's, entertainment and more.