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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Crown, Battersea, SW11
SW11
SW11 5RD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about The Crown
Without realising it this was the last of the PubLove venues that I have not previously frequented. The model seems to be decent pub (OK not bad pub) attached to youth hostel type accommodation. I was here most definitely for the pub and not the accommodation! As described below, Tris has captured the updating of the venue. It has definitely cornered the market in tan leather banquettes. Yet again I was the only indoors punter, everyone else here chose to opt for the small outdoors out the front on a busy main road seating area. Inside there was a big pull down screen gearing up to show the 8pm Euro games. Some evidence of Italian footy shirts outside so presumably maximising the opportunity to top up on tan (a la the banquettes) ahead of the KO.
The cask offering has now totally disappeared. Remaining were 10 distressed copper taps offering Pravha, SunDown Spritz (is that really a beer), Madri, Devon Red (my brain seems to recall that as a cider), Guinness, Jubel Peach (is that really a beer) and then the other set offering a more crafty selection, Phaser from Distortion, Picnic from Belleville, Steady Rolling Man from Deya and Bunk Bed Pale from Phantom plus another routine lager. I went for the Bunk Bed Pale Ale as the brewer was a new one or me but given some of the other craft options I would hazard a guess they are a South London outfit.
I thought this was an OK venue albeit another one where the layout minimises any chance of it having any charm or ambiance. I left just as the footy was kicking off and the Italian fans, some with aggressive small dogs wearing dog version of the Italian classic footy shirts, started to get loud. A decent walk to get to the next venue on a lovely evening.
On 25th June 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 631 recommendations about 631 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Crown
This pub dates to 1669, though rebuilt in the mid-19th century, a Truman’s pub which until around 2012 had some fantastic brewery tilework to the fascia, then a wonderful tiled surround with one of their ‘eagle’ reliefs emerging from it; sadly, just the eagle remains to a fascia which appears to be a grey/green colour with front patio.
Since the previous review, the interior has been highly modernised (no island bar) with bare boarded floor, bare brick and scaffold bar back with further bare brick to walls and a noisy open kitchen with dinging service bell. Otherwise, it’s a bit canteen-like in its execution with a good view on their website but ultimately, it’s really not at all cosy or cossetting, though proudly describing itself as ‘A hip-hangout for Clapham-ites and Battersea-ers alike!’. There were a few young trendy customers out front on the patio, perhaps more out back but just two older customers indoors.
If the pub on Steve’s visit had upped its game in the ale front, then the game’s now almost up, with just three pumps, one unused, one dispensing Seacider then just Portobello Early Bath at £2.80 a half, served by a friendly barmaid and tasting a bit weird.
There’s worse nearer Clapham Junction ‘town centre’ but this isn’t really my thing, so I’ll leave it to the Lavender Hill mob.
On 9th September 2023
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Crown
It would seem that the owners of the Crown have upped their game because the island bar mentioned in previous reviews now supports a range of premium draught products and five hand pumps. During a recent Saturday afternoon visit these hand pumps were drawing three real ales ( Sambrook’s Pumphouse Pale Ale, Clarkshaw’s Strange Brew No. 1 and Exmoor Ales Wild Cat) and two real ciders (Weston’s Old Rosie and Rosie’s pig). My visit was just after the kitchen had closed so I didn’t see anyone eating, but I did see burgers advertised with the cheapest being priced at £8. The kitchen opening times are midday until 15:00 and 17:00 until 21:00 seven days a week. The pub itself opens an hour early at 10:00 Monday to Saturday and closes at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
The furniture was of differing colours and styles and I spotted a piano in the right rear corner. Also at the rear is the entrance to an attached hostel and an atrium that was advertised as being available for hire. There was some background music playing and the TV was airing muted rolling BBC News. I did not see any signs for live sports or music. Out the front is some seating that is fenced off from the adjacent Lavender Hill.
I found the service to be very polite and the other customers to be friendly enough. However, this isn’t the cosiest of pubs so if I was to return it would only be for a pint or two.
On 14th December 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Crown Inn
Nowadays this is a street corner stand alone pub, but once it would have been part of the continuous Victorian street scene. The interior hasn't fared much better to be honest, one main large room with a central island bar, the place feels totally stripped out and functional.
There is little of interest, it is too brightly lit, there are a few sad and lonely looking framed prints which struggle for attention amongst the pizza meal deal offers and happy hour announcements for cheap drinks. It was cheap anyway, the sole real ale, Ruddles Bitter (where do they get that from?) was just £2, this goes down to £1.50 at HH, and the routine keg offerings become £2.80.
Carpeted except for around and between the door and the bar, mixed seating including two pairs of green leather effect sofas, there is a partly separated section to the rear left. TVs were on showing the Palace v Cardiff game.
Perhaps this pub improves in the warmer months when the outdoor seating to the front becomes viable and more people are inclined to go out, but I'm afraid to say I found it rather dismal and depressing.
On 14th January 2012
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Crown Inn
A big sign at the front of this pub made great play of the fact that real ale had returned. But the introduction of Ruddles Best is really not much to shout about, though clearly it’s an improvement over the other bog standard stuff that was on offer. I didn’t see a menu (not surprising as we were in there after 9.30 PM on a Tuesday) but a large blackboard offered large pizzas £6.95 a pop. The pub itself is nothing unusual, with a central island bar and some standard tables and chairs, as well as a few sofas, scattered around it. There were a few prints on the walls, but to be honest the decor was unexceptional.
On the whole I thought this pub was pretty average at best, not helped by the overly loud pop music (nothing I recognised so I suppose it must have been by some currently top selling artist). I can’t see myself wanting to pay a return visit.
On 12th January 2012
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about Crown Inn
Ok type of place, the paintwork inside looks a bit tired, it has that smokey yellow look. Nice roaring fire with a comfortable Chesterfield sofa nearby, so there would be a big rush for the seats on cold days. Large tables elsewhere. Also has a pool table and dart board. Only 1 ale on sale, Courage Best. There is an ouside area, but no seats, maybe they put them out only in the summer.
On 22nd January 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 759 recommendations about 721 pubs]