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Picture of The Southern Cross
Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Saturday, 4th March 2023
With picture contributions to 9749 other pubs
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The Southern Cross, Watford

Pub added by elizabeth mcgraw
41-43 Langley Road
Watford
WD17 4PP
Phone: 01923256033
Correct details

Pub Type

Flaming Grill (Spirit Pubs)

Served areas

Reviews of The Southern Cross (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Southern Cross

This large, brewer's Tudor pub - painted in the vile Flaming Grill colour-scheme - doesn't look exactly inviting. However, it is much more pub-like inside than one might expect, with a pool table and dartboard. Also has front patio terrace and rear beer garden. Of course, it is still a chain dining establishment... On the beer front, Greene King IPA and London Glory were available from two of the four handpumps, along with a decent Tring Side Pocket.

On 16th April 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8061 recommendations about 8061 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Pub SignMan left this review about Southern Cross

I'd had this pub marked out as a possible ale oasis in the barren lands of Watford, so it came as a great surprise to find, on approach, that this is actually a large Flaming Grill pub - not a chain I'd ever associated with good beer (or good pubs come to think of it). However, such prejudices were soon put aside when I reached the bar and found five ales available - Tring Side Pocket for a Toad, Greene King IPA, Windsor and Eton Zinzan's Drop, Sharps Doom Bar and Taylor Landlord. As if that wasn't enough, when ordering my pint of Tring, the barman prompted me for a CAMRA card which got the price of my pint down to £2.90.
In many ways, there ends the positives. The pub itself is a rambling, multiple roomed venue based around a central servery and has a relentlessly dull corporate feel to it no mater which part of the pub you choose to sit in. You enter into a bare boarded area with lots of high tables and stools and a large TV screen showing live rugby, with a loud and lively young crowd shouting at the screen. Various pillars and sections of partitioning wall break up the space here and a pool table has been stationed in one of the nooks this has created. Moving past the bar into the rear part of the pub you reach a carpeted space with lots of standard tables and chairs, some padded banquettes and a fireplace with an impressively large beam for a mantle. Local photos and floral wallpapers combine to cover the walls and over to the right there is a sense of a more formal dining area with lots of standard seating and some curved banquette booths under pastel shaded walls decorated with arty photos. From here a full circle can be completed, passing the other half of the servery, from where I spent some time waiting to be served, only to eventually be told I needed to move round to the packed main bar - a request that led me to abandon plans to grab a bite to eat as I wasn't going to spend any longer stood at the bar than I already had. The menu was typical of the chain and plenty of people seemed to be enjoying the meaty fayre on offer.
This place was a bit infuriating, showing good potential given the restrictions such a format requires and offering decent beer and comfy enough seating. However, the service was sloppy (although kudos for mentioning the CAMRA card) and the décor utterly uninspiring. One for a crawl around town maybe or for a safe bite to eat, but certainly not for an extended session.

On 7th April 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Clive Thompson left this review about Southern Cross

This has for some time been one of Watford few decent real ale pubs. The long standing Managers moved on recently and there was some concern about the future quality of real ale. However my visit tonight showed a decent and interesting selection including Rudgate Ruby Mild served straight from the cask. Decent and well priced food menu and they also provide accommodation. Five minutes walk from Watford Junction train station, ten minutes from the Town Centre.

On 10th February 2010 - rating: 7
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]

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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Watford Junction, 0.32 miles, 6 min walk (show)
Watford Junction, 0.32 miles, 6 min walk (show)
Watford North, 1.25 miles, 24 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Southern Cross, Watford
5th Mar 2023, 14:23
Picture submitted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off approved
 
4th Mar 2023, 23:22
Picture submitted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : Yes last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Beer Garden : Yes last updated 07 April 2016 by Pub SignMan
  • CAMRA Discount : Yes - 10% - last updated 07 April 2016 by Pub SignMan
  • Car Park : Yes last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Child Friendly : Yes last updated 07 April 2016 by Pub SignMan
  • Darts : No last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Jukebox : No last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Karaoke : No last updated 30 December 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Live Music : No last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 30 December 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Micropub : No last updated 07 April 2016 by Pub SignMan
  • Pinball : No last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Pool Table : No last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Quiz Night : Yes last updated 07 April 2016 by Pub SignMan
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
  • Real Cider : No last updated 10 August 2013 by Clive Thompson
  • Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 30 December 2013 by Clive Thompson
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