White Hart, Crawley

Harvey's pub with a * CAMRA Inventory listing so I expected good things. Two rooms inside, the heritage action is in the right side with impressive inter-war mid-brown colour wood panelling and this functions as the public bar area with a pool table, dart board and TV football. The left side a bit more modern but still fairly tidy, sky blue notes for décor and this is where most of the punters were gathered. I wondered why a Harvey's pub wasn't the default Crawley GBG pick and found out immediately on ordering as the Sisters was absolutely vinegar (NBSS 0.5). Swapped for the Mild was at least fresh on and much better (3.5) though the air of chaos behind the bar made me think this state of affairs is normal. Could and should be best in show, but isn't. I find it strange that so many Harveys pubs are allowed to sell the brewery’s wares so poorly.

The White Hart has two separate bars which were both half full of punters during a recent Friday evening visit. This is a Harvey’s run pub so Old Ale, Best, IPA and Dark Mild were the cask ale options available from both bars. There is also a standard keg range. In the left bar is a television which was switched off in favour of some background music. At the rear is a room with sofas and a large television for watching Sky Sports. There is also a piano. In the L-shaped right-hand bar are two more televisions, which were also off. At the rear are a pool table and dartboard. Out the back is a large enclosed patio area with picnics that are separated by trestle. Live music is held here throughout the week, my visit must have been before the band set-up. Thursday is karaoke night and there is open mic on Wednesdays. The pool table and jukebox are free on Tuesdays. This is a decent enough town center local’s boozer.

Attractive old Harvey's pub on the historic High Street, with a modernised but still having a relatively traditional two-bar interior. Furniture and 1/3rd-height wood panelling all in a mid-brown shade so not too gloomy inside despite the limited window area. Also has a dining room off the larger bar at the back, with a patio beer garden beyond on the other side. Sussex Best, IPA and Old (£4.00) available from a total of seven handpumps split between the two counters.