Claret & Ale, Addiscombe, Croydon

The tables are packed in here, and most are taken, though I helped myself to a table marked "reserved", fortunately with the time also noted and I was in and out before it kicked in. A solid range of ales is available across the 6 pumps, and a fine cross-section of the local community were in the house, none of whom seemed to be interested in the A-League football showing on the TVs. I can imagine it getting fairly raucous when the Premier League is on. Avoid those times and you've got yourself a nice little local here, albeit one that may well be pretty full.

This one has been on my list for some while, and I managed to get here the other day. The ale selection was as good as I had expected, with Palmer’s IPA; Hogsback TEA; Timothy Taylor Landlord; Waggledance; Darkstar Sunburst; and Bingham’s Twyford Tipple (£1.70 a half) all on. There was no sign of food at 11.45 on a weekday. It’s clearly a shop conversion high street bar. All furnishings are good quality normal tables and chairs, with a generally brewers’ rustic interior comprising black beams everywhere with rough lathed ceilings and walls. TVs are on the walls, plus CAMRA and other pub awards proudly displayed. This is a simple bar, but the ale choices, at reasonable prices, certainly make it stand out from the pub conversion crowd. It’s certainly worth a visit if you’re in Addiscombe for any reason.

As I walked up the Addiscombe Rd in a thunderstorm I thought to myself that this had better be worth it. Rest assured it was, this is a shop conversion but once inside it has the feel of a proper pub, even if from some years ago. The black and white interior with fake beams and stucco walls have an early 80s feel, but no problem with that. Decor includes old pictures of Croydon including the aerodrome, various bits of breweriana and a helpful board listing the beers on now and expected next. The room is carpeted, seating is traditional. The bar runs along the rear portion of a side wall and this is where a handful of regulars were gathered on stools. Two TVs, the rear one showing cricket. As for the beers, six pumps, Palmers IPA is the regular and I believe the Dark Star Hophead features often too. Also on were Dark Star Festival, Dorking Black Mild, Surrey Hills Greensand IPA and Langham Sundowner. There is also a list of 12 single malt whiskies. A couple of ciders come from Biddenham. This is the sister pub of the Claret Wine Bar in Cheam, both are certainly worth a visit or two.

Very good review from Pub Signman so not a lot to add.A well established ale house and GBG regular,my visit must have been on an off day.Tried the Aligator ale from Ascot and Welton's Golden Duck both of which were less than crisp although the Dark Star Hophead was better.Good pub for viewing televised sport but rather dark given it's conversion from a shop ,there is also a good selection of single malts and ciders.I'm not a regular,so I will keep an eye on reviews to see whether I was just unlucky (or not).

Randomness Guide to London - Claret Free House entry

Randomness Guide to London - Claret Free House entry