One of the hazards of pubbing in London, apart from warm beer, is the impact of major sporting events.
I’d hoped to finish South-West London GBG entries in St Margarets, only to find out there was one of those dreadful Twickers “rugby” games on that mean you get squashed by Range Rover driving lager drinkers who have probably reserved all the tables anyway. So I have one irritating visit west of the Thames left.
Not a lot left to do in London this year, all the GBG action appears to be in Marple and Totnes, but as usual Greater Croydon comes up with a few surprises.
Like Shelverdine Goathouse in South Norwood, the inevitable Antic.
South Norwood, of course, is famous for this pub,
and thankfully the Joiners is still in the Guide.
The Shelverdine is some way from the Joiners, just outside Norwood Junction station.
Emerging from the station I was greeted by the unmistakeable sounds of drunk men singing “Don’t Look Back In Anger” from within the Cherry Tree, surely a future Guide shoe-in with its “Doom Bar on match days only” offer.
Yes, I’d forgotten that Crystal Palace All Stars FC had been playing the Potteries XI. When did football matches start being played on Saturday afternoons, anyway ?. What’s wrong with 11.30 am on Sundays ?
London gets all the best ephemera from visiting football fans, Alan Winfield may appreciate this piece snapped at great personal risk in the Gents at the Parcel Yard.
There were no Ultras in the Shelverdine, but I did have the slight worry it would still be restricted entry an hour after Palace’s late winner.
Plenty of security guards, but I look “mostly harmless” and was allowed to buy a half in a plastic glass, the only nod to the danger that warring Croydon and Stoke fans might pose to society.
Anyway, that’s where my whinge stops, as this is a lovely little Antic place with the benefit of good post-match beer throughput. I’m perservering with Volden; their Pale here shone through the plastic (NBSS 3.5).
And I found a table. Of sorts.
A thin posing table. Perfect for observation.
Palace fans were in good form for a team still adrift at the foot of the Prem, but they make a rare noise, and will always hold my affection for ending Stevie G’s dream in 2014.
You’ll know what an Antic pub looks like by now. Table football, clocks, beer menus.
Not much else to say about South Norwood, though fans of Ironmongers and street art will be well rewarded with a visit.
As I passed the Cherry Tree back at the station, they’d moved on to “Hi Ho Silver Lining“. Musical lot down here.
retiredmartin 
We are,of course,eternally grateful for the sacrifices you make and the dangers posed by reporting from the front-line.
In years to come future tickers will lay a beer mat-shaped emblem resembling a poppy but in peace-time white at your graveside.
Age shall not weary RM, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun at last orders and in the morning at opening time
We will remember him.
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A brown poppy, surely 😀
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A boring one.
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We shall, of course, have a funeral cortege with the coffin on a heritage Bass dray, pulled along by a squadron (?) of mobility scooters.
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I may have a deathbed conversion to Plum Porter, of course…
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That’s on the bar for the wake.
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As long as that death comes after my last tick in a current beer Guide, you can put a picture of Napoleon on my grave as far as I care, Prof.
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Nice sentiment. Martin should be commended for his dedication to having to suffer the likes of Bass, Wolverhampton and Dudley Brewery ales, Everard and lots of other beers that are no longer brewed where and or how they were originally meant to be. Only thing is, most of the pubs Martin seeks out don’t open in the morning, in fact some of them hardly seem to open at all!
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The railings next to the clock tower look very much like the entrance to a defunct underground public toilet.
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Think it was !
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I too thought it was an entrance to the loo… the (Water)loo line. (yes, probably not close but it’s the thought that counts). 🙂
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You’re right. It’s the pathetic effort that counts.
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“You’re right. It’s the pathetic effort that counts.”
(takes a bow) 😎
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You didn’t pop down to the Portland Arms whilst you were in the area?
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That’s quite new, isn’t it ? I expect I’ll be back there soon enough. Looks decent.
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Yeah, it’s been open about a year. Seems to have around four handpulls active at a time the times I’ve been in.
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In my day it was The Mad Squad,then The Executive Crew,
Not many more replies on your great blog Martin,things are moving faster than we ever thought.
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Hope you liked the Forest sticker, Alan. All the best, mate.
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Yes, Martin i loved it.
Nice to see the proper Forest badge on it,i have a sports shirt that has Dennis the Menace colours and the old Forest badge on it,the wife got it for me,i have wore it on many pub crawls,as i have always been proud to show who i support.
Thanks Martin.
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Plastic glass? Sheesh.
Reminds me a bit of my concert going days back in the late 70’s / early 80’s. In Canada the excuse given back then for not being allowed to buy beer at a concert was because some yob might chuck his bottle and hurt someone. I’m pretty sure they had plastic back then. 🙂
And then in 1981 I managed to get a ticket to see Bruce Springsteen in Manchester and what do they do there? Sell beer in plastic bottles! Bloody brilliant! 🙂
Cheers
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That’s an interesting point though, Russ. I go to a lot of gigs in pubs (100-200 people) and generally you take glass in, stadiums – plastic.
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Ye Olde double standard at work. 🤔😏
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Funny post and great read!!! I don’t believe I’ve ever been into an Antic pub? Is that just a London/Southern phenomenon? Are they owned by Raddy Antic of David Pleat ‘funny dance’ fame?
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Yes, they are ! But don’t mention that again as THAT goal sent City down in 83, and we’ve never recovered.
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I thought it was at your place! Tony Book your gaffer? I can sense your pain 😵😵😵 bring back Gleghorn and Beckford 👍
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Antic are pretty much South and east.London, taking over a host of great Victorian era pubs and rebranding them for hipsters and young professionals
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Well…if they are keeping them open that’s a positive?
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Oh yes,Antic are great, but expect to see a much narrower mix of regulars than you see on your travels !
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Demographic = hip young beautiful people?
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I wouldn’t go that far ! Not as suave as you find in Mailbox in Brum. Lot of families at weekends.
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I must have done quite a few Antic pubs,but never know as they do not sign their pubs outside.
Who runs that crummy looking pub Farrs School of Dancing which is close to Dalston train station in is it North or East London.
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Dalston is East London and city.
Agree about not knowing which is an Antic.
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Shelverdine Goathouse was the spoons wasn’t it? I’m sure I went and it was a spoons about 2 years ago, so I’m amazed it got in the guide so quickly!
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Yes it is amazing. Opened 29 Sep 16, which doesn’t give long to be nominated and assessed for consistency before GBG selection in Jan/Feb 17, does it ?
Good job it was good then 😉
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Alan, Farrs School of Dancing is an Antic pub – their website is here http://anticlondon.com/
I don’t often comment on blogs, but I’ve been a long time reader here and on your own blog, best wishes mate and thanks for sharing your experiences of pubs over the years. Luke
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Thanks Luke. Appreciated.
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