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Claret & Ale, Addiscombe, Croydon

5 Bingham Corner, Lower Addiscombe Road
Croydon
CR0 7AA
Phone: 02086567452

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about Claret & Ale

This one has been on my list for some while, and I managed to get here the other day. The ale selection was as good as I had expected, with Palmer’s IPA; Hogsback TEA; Timothy Taylor Landlord; Waggledance; Darkstar Sunburst; and Bingham’s Twyford Tipple (£1.70 a half) all on. There was no sign of food at 11.45 on a weekday.

It’s clearly a shop conversion high street bar. All furnishings are good quality normal tables and chairs, with a generally brewers’ rustic interior comprising black beams everywhere with rough lathed ceilings and walls. TVs are on the walls, plus CAMRA and other pub awards proudly displayed.

This is a simple bar, but the ale choices, at reasonable prices, certainly make it stand out from the pub conversion crowd. It’s certainly worth a visit if you’re in Addiscombe for any reason.

On 22nd July 2017 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Pub SignMan left this review about Claret Free House

This small, shop-converted pub is one of Croydon's must-visit, real ale venues. Located just behind Addiscombe tram stop, you'd be forgiven for not spotting the place at first glance as it melts into the surrounding shops, the only give away being a few tell-tale smokers out on the pavement.
Inside is a small, single room with the bar along the left hand wall and two rows of tables along the right side. There are plenty of fake beams and the walls are adorned with a mixture of breweriana and old photos of Croydon landmarks such as Croydon Airport and the Swan and Sugarloaf pub. A large TV on the rear wall tends to show sport most of the time, with cricket in particular seeming to be popular with the locals.
There are six pumps which dispense an ever rotating selection of ales. They always have something from Palmers available and a blackboard opposite the bar lists current and upcoming beers in a cunning ploy to make you want to come back and sample more. On a recent visit I tried the Ascot Alligator and Red Squirrel West Coast Stout, both in top condition and the latter in particular being a very tasty pint. The real star of the show is the Palmers though which I always find myself returning to at some point. Prices are around the £2.60 mark for most pints, which is of course, great value. The staff are generally friendly and they seem to know their stuff when it comes to ales.
The downsides are that it can feel a bit cliquey at times, perhaps due to the loyal band of locals. It also gets very hot in here in the summer with the air-con seemingly not working and the heat can sometimes cause problems with the condition of the beers which are stored in a back room rather than a conventional cellar.
A good pub all told and no serious visit to Croydon would be complete without a tram ride out here, perhaps as a double header with the Cricketers.

On 21st January 2012 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about Claret Free House

As I walked up the Addiscombe Rd in a thunderstorm I thought to myself that this had better be worth it. Rest assured it was, this is a shop conversion but once inside it has the feel of a proper pub, even if from some years ago. The black and white interior with fake beams and stucco walls have an early 80s feel, but no problem with that. Decor includes old pictures of Croydon including the aerodrome, various bits of breweriana and a helpful board listing the beers on now and expected next. The room is carpeted, seating is traditional. The bar runs along the rear portion of a side wall and this is where a handful of regulars were gathered on stools. Two TVs, the rear one showing cricket.
As for the beers, six pumps, Palmers IPA is the regular and I believe the Dark Star Hophead features often too. Also on were Dark Star Festival, Dorking Black Mild, Surrey Hills Greensand IPA and Langham Sundowner. There is also a list of 12 single malt whiskies. A couple of ciders come from Biddenham.
This is the sister pub of the Claret Wine Bar in Cheam, both are certainly worth a visit or two.

On 2nd July 2011 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


I L left this review about Claret Free House

The first time I visited this pub I stood almost outside it looking for a pub. However, this is a converted shop, so is very easy to walk straight past if on the same side of the road as this pub, especially if the awning is extended over the pavement. Once inside, one could be forgiven for thinknig they were in a traditional pub rather than an old shop! Really good friendly local clientele here and has been busy on every visit. One of the few regular outlets for Palmers ales outside Dorset. Although we are not regulars here, we have visited many times and to date not had a bad pint yet. On our most recent visit we had a great pint of Red Squirrel Stout and Dark Star Red. Very handy for the Addiscombe tram stop.

On 6th September 2010 - rating: 9
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Bucking Fastard left this review about Claret Free House

Very good review from Pub Signman so not a lot to add.A well established ale house and GBG regular,my visit must have been on an off day.Tried the Aligator ale from Ascot and Welton's Golden Duck both of which were less than crisp although the Dark Star Hophead was better.Good pub for viewing televised sport but rather dark given it's conversion from a shop ,there is also a good selection of single malts and ciders.I'm not a regular,so I will keep an eye on reviews to see whether I was just unlucky (or not).

On 9th August 2010 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Claret Free House

An unlikely-looking real ale (and malt whisky) emporium, but six welcoming handpumps leave one spoilt for choice. Could easily have had the Dark Star Imperial Stout (at 10.5%) and stayed all day, but had things to do so settled for the more manageable 4.5% Sussex Extra Stout. All-in-all, an excellent place.

On 2nd January 2009 - rating: 9
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


steve lerpiniere left this review about Claret Freehouse

Six real ales , four ciders. the MOST you will find on the "menu " is a cheese or corn beef roll.the Ale is TOP quality.

On 3rd June 2008 - rating: 10
[User has posted 3 recommendations about 3 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john mcgraw left this review about Claret Free House

Looks like a shop from the outside but inside it's a friendly little bar selling a range of real ales and a couple of good real ciders.

On 22nd September 2006 - rating: 10
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]