SURVIVING PLASTIC PALACE

IMG_20171125_184517.jpg

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.

IMG_20171128_091721.jpg
Less London to tick

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.PNG
Bucolic Croydon

South Norwood, of course, is famous for this pub,

20160612_141642.jpg
Joiners Arms – a classic

and thankfully the Joiners is still in the Guide.

The Shelverdine is some way from the Joiners, just outside Norwood Junction station.

IMG_20171125_184434.jpg
Lovely south Norwood

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.

IMG_20171125_105230.jpg
Forest Ultras

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.

IMG_20171125_185037.jpg

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.

IMG_20171125_184636.jpg

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.

IMG_20171125_184817.jpg

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.

IMG_20171125_184846.jpg

IMG_20171125_184750.jpg

Not much else to say about South Norwood, though fans of Ironmongers and street art will be well rewarded with a visit.

IMG_20171125_185136.jpg
Ironmongers/future micro
IMG_20171125_185203.jpg
Street art

As I passed the Cherry Tree back at the station, they’d moved on to “Hi Ho Silver Lining“.  Musical lot down here.

IMG_20171125_185457.jpg
“Roy, Roy, Super Roy”

 

 

 

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

36 thoughts on “SURVIVING PLASTIC PALACE”

  1. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    3. 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!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. 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). 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah, it’s been open about a year. Seems to have around four handpulls active at a time the times I’ve been in.

        Like

  4. 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.

    Like

    Reply

      1. 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.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      5. 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.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment