Virtual Pub Crawl: Croydon
Welcome to our Virtual Pub Crawl around Croydon town. Have a drink with us, learn some fun facts and take our quiz.
The Oval Tavern
Our first stop on the crawl is just a short walk from East Croydon station and is a pub that’s been around for quite some time.
The Oval Tavern opened in 1869. In 1980 it was renamed the Sheffield Arms before returning to it’s former name 5 years later.
Since 2015, the venue has been in every Good Beer Guide due to it’s well known, real ales! Esther, the owner of Oval persuaded Mark from the The Cronx Brewery to brew with the hops grown in the Tavern’s garden which gave birth to the Oval Tavern Green Hop Pale.
Until March this year they hosted seven sessions of live music per week ranging through contemporary jazz, blues and roots, trad folk, gypsy jazz, big band, klezmer, rock, grunge and everything inbetween they’re proud to promote emerging artists. The Oval also put on events for our LGBT+ community and have strong ties with Croydon Pride, programming the live stage for a crowd of 15,000 in 2019.
During the lockdown period, the Oval Tavern has been doing a takeaway service with their delicious food which can be delivered to those at risk or self-isolating. They have also been supporting musicians by giving them an online platform where they can perform from home & get paid!
Quiz Time
How many episodes did The Oval Tavern pop up in 'Peep Show' on Chanel 4?
A.3, B.10, or C. 5
All quiz answers can be found at the end of this page.
Swan & Sugarloaf
Next, we stop off on South End. The Swan & Sugar Loaf stands. This grand building was built by the local brewers, Page & Overton in architectural vision of Alfred Board of Croydon, before this the old Swan & Sugarloaf inn was only 1 story tall.
Here’s a painting by Walter William Acock of the inn’s old granary and stables from our art collection.
Quiz time.
The Swan & Sugarloaf is currently a…
A. Sainsbury's, B. Tesco or C. Safeway
The Cronx
Next we’re heading back to East Croydon to drop into Box Park. In 2011 at a beer festival, two Croydonions met who were both looking at starting a new business. After a year of planning the Cronx Brewery was formed.
After forming The Cronx Brewery in the borough, the team set their sights on a first proper craft beer bar that would not only showcase their own Croydon-brewed beers, but beers brewed from all over London and beyond.
The Cronx Bar opened in 2016 and has been a popular destination for local beer lovers ever since. Since lockdown began they have been keeping busy and keeping fridges stocked across the Borough. Visit their online store now https://www.thecronx.com/shop
Quiz Time
During lockdown, The Cronx Brewery has sold and delivered 12.386.75 litres of beer to your homes. How many pints does this equate to?
A.14,699, B.16,980 or C.21,797
Greyhound
Next we head to the high street to visit the Greyhound. J Mercer was the Landlord when the venue was opposite Allders. In 1926, the Inn underwent major alterations during which, workmen uncovered an inscription dated from Tudor times.
It was a quotation from the Bible (Psalm 103.15) "As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes". Unfortunately the inscription was sadly damaged during the building works and along with the hand that wrote the inscription, turned to dust.
In 1964 St. George’s Walk was built and the Greyhound was moved to be opposite Fairfield Halls. This place was HUGE! Aside from the bar, the pub had plenty of function rooms for events and live music.
A lot of big names would come to the Greyhound to hangout and perform. Some of these names include David Bowie, Elton John, Norman Cook aka FatBoy Slim, The Buzzcocks and many more. The Greyhound later became the Blue Orchid nightclub and finally closed in 2004. The site is now the MyPT Studio.
Quiz time.
Where can you find beer on the moon?
A.Next to the American flag, B.It’s the name of a crater or C. The dark side of the moon
The Ship
Staying in our neck of the woods! The Ship, opened about 1640; has no connection to the sea or to boats. The earliest records in the 1640’s show it spelled 'The Shippe' which suggests an old English spelling actually meaning 'Sheep' so it would have been The Sheep.
The Ship is known as part of Croydon’s alternative scene with great vibes. The music varies from classic rock to swing to 80’s pop rock. The venue serves real ale and does amazing food. What more could you want?
Quiz time.
Which of the following is not a type of hop?
A. Millennium, B. Victory or C. Tomahawk
Green Dragon
Lastly, leaping across the street and into Green Dragon, which was originally located on the high street. The building now known as Green Dragon House used to be one of Croydon’s oldest coaching inns before closing in 1959 and moving up the road.
Green Dragon is an award winning live music and real ale venue that has highly praised food. It’s also somewhere where you can get you can get competitive with your friends in their comfy corner on classic console games such as Street Fighter and Tekken.
After the riots in Croydon (London riots) in 2011, the landlady of the Green Dragon at the time, Esther came up with the idea to put reasons why people love Croydon on post it notes on their windows to bring people together.
Quiz time.
Which of the following varieties of apple is a traditional cider apple?
A.Cox’s Orange Pippin, B.Egremont Russet or C. Kingston Black
Final Round
Thank you for joining us on our virtual pub crawl around Croydon! Tag us on social media @museumofcroydon and let us know what your favourite Croydon pub is!
See quiz answers below:
The Oval Tavern
How many episodes did The Oval Tavern pop up in 'Peep Show' on @Chanel 4?
A.3
Swan & Sugarloaf
The Swan & Sugarloaf is currently a…
B. Tesco
The Cronx Bar
During lockdown, The Cronx Brewery has sold and delivered 12.386.75 litres of beer to your homes. How many pints does this equate to?
C. 21,797
Greyhound
Where can you find beer on the moon?
B. It’s the name of a crater
The Ship
Which of the following is not a type of hop?
B. Victory
Green Dragon
Which of the following varieties of apple is a traditional cider apple?
C. Kingston Black
