The Alma Tavern, Addiscombe, Croydon

This time I managed to get a drink in here, and I’m glad I made the effort of a return visit. There were a couple of ales on – Theakston’s “Tour de Wot”, and something called Alma Ale (£2 a half). Unfortunately the barmaid didn’t know who brewed it, but the clip did have the word “Croydon” on it, so I took a chance on it not being a re-badged Greene King beer or something similar. The barmaid did pull it through before serving me with what must have been the first one of the day, so I’ll overlook her lack of knowledge on its provenance. It tasted OK so probably not a GK beer then. There was no sign of any food when I visited soon after midday on a weekday. This is a clean and comfortable pub. It’s carpeted, has banquette or bench seating along the sides, plus some normal tables and chairs. A raised area on the left is enclosed by a ballustrade, had speakers and lighting units on it so I guess would be used for live entertainment of some kind. But I saw nothing advertised. An area on the right contained both a pool table and a dartboard. This is clearly a Victorian pub; probably mid-Victorian as it’s named after the Crimean river that saw action during the Crimean War. Vestiges of erstwhile walls show the original multi-room layout of the pub. The bar counter’s original, but pride of place goes to the stillion cum bar back with a clock, framed by carved wood, as its centrepiece. It’s three-sided, with the front panel having a cut glass panel featuring the pub’s name (but unfortunately obscured by drinks optics). It looks like the centre of it contained a small publican’s office. This is a rather nice pub. The ale choice isn’t exceptional, but it’s definitely more than OK. I would visit again given the opportunity.

Nice to see an open fire on a cold night.Looks to be a food led pub but most were enjoying just a drink.Smart interior but the music was a bit loud.Three good cask beers on Longman -best,Five points -railway porter and my Brockley -ipa.

The Alma Tavern interior consists of an L shaped bar to the right and a seating area to the left. There is a pool table to the right rear where the other two customers on my recent Thursday afternoon visit were playing. Plasma screens are located throughout and live sport is advertised. Out the back is a covered smoking area and out the front is a beer garden lined with numerous picnic tables. The bar is stocked with premium and standard draught and I counted three hand pumps. The Fuller’s London Pride was off, but Caledonian’s Over the Bar and Croydon Alma Ale were both available. Food is available throughout the day with the mains coming in at around £9. Meal deals are also available with one such deal being two meals for £11.45 during the week. This pub was refurbished during a closure in the not too distant past and I think that it is much improved looking at the previous reviews below. I would certainly have no problem returning if passing.

There were two handpumps on the counter, but neither had anything to offer, although one had a clip reversed offering the prospect of a real ale at other times. I didn’t spot any menus. It looks as if the pub has been extended into a house in Grant Road, creating a games room containing a pool table and dartboard. The main room is carpeted and has a small raised and balustraded area to the left. There are some prints on the walls, one featuring some British soldiers fighting it out at a river – presumably the Alma, in the Crimea. I was the only person in there, and as nobody had turned up to serve me by the time I had finished looking around I decided to leave, getting the sole nicotine bouncer to move away from the outside of the door so that I could open it. A bit depressing really, but maybe it’s a more friendly and welcoming place at other times.