The Drum & Monkey, Selhurst, Croydon

This pub, described as "derelict" in the Mail, was set on fire today at about the same time as the nearby Windmill. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12464631/Devastating-fires-rip-two-derelict-pubs-Croydon.html

My everlasting memory of the Drum and Monkey will be the overpowering stench of piss that assaulted my nostrils as I passed through the entrance. I thought the pub was closed and nearly walked past without trying the front door, but alas curiosity got the better of me. The interior consists of a pool and dartboard at the front of the pub, a bar on the right hand wall and seating down the left. Standard draught is available from the bar and the only ale option was keg Courage Best. Some low background music was playing and Deal or No Deal was muted on the television. The air was blue and a sign in the bar access hatch said “stand here if you work here, if not f*ck off”. I’ll not be returning here any time soon.

I am a regular at this pub the staff are friendly and the drinks are reasonable extremely comfy atmosphere I highly recommended

I practically walk past this pub every day on my way to and from work, but it looks so sad and run-down that I've never once been tempted to pop inside. Last week however, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and give it a try. The bar was obscured to a degree by a long line of sorry looking elderly gentlemen who are presumably sat there, in near silence, every day of the week. My choice of beer was limited to standard lagers and draught Courage Best, so I went for a pint of the latter at £2.40, which was just about the blandest pint of beer I've ever had. The interior was dark and as gloomy as the atmosphere it generated. Comprising of a single room with the bar at the rear and an empty front area with just a dartboard for distraction. A few gaming machines were dotted around and a large TV screen showed muted Sky Sports News whilst pre-war era music blared out of the speakers for the benefit of the pre-war era clientele. Plus points were a cheerful barmaid who couldn't have done much more to try and dispel the otherwise unwelcoming environment and a nice, big beer garden. All in all though, it was a pretty depressing experience and not one I'm likely to ever repeat.