please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Pub number 1 of the 5 in the old Bromley North village and first up is a pub I have never been in before.
Large pub with a dozen or so punters inside and another half dozen sat out the front on the wooden benches in the sun.
4 pumps with 3 ales on. I opted for a new beer for me which was Skinners Lushingtons @ 4.2%. The barmaid informed me this was her favourite beer and if I didn’t like it she would happily drink it for me, what a lovely girl.
Sport playing on the television but it wasn’t getting many viewers with most of the punters chatting in their own groups.
We only stayed for a pint but I got the impression that this was a decent place to have a few beer in. Friendly bar maid and the punters were also fine.
Who knows why I have never been here…..off to the Anglesey Arms next.
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The Crown and Anchor is a great pub.
We were looking for a venue for our wedding that was a short walk from Bromley Registry Office and the pub, staff and owners couldn�t have been more welcoming.
It is the kind of pub I would love to have at the end of my street. Friendly, decent selection of drinks, good food, Sky and relaxed atmosphere.
The Wedding was a great success and all the guests enjoyed the food, drinks and great decorations that the guys at the pub had put up for us.
We would recommend the Crown & Anchor to anyone having an event or just popping in for lunch.
Thanks guys again for a wonderful event see you again soon.
Michael and Yvonne
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Wasn't overly keen on the previous Management, they were a bit 'In your Face' plus I often felt sorry for the Barstaff, seemed like they were constantly on their backs.Having said that, and I don't normally contradict myself, can anyone tell me who is running the place now ? still the same Friendly Barstaff, but they seem to have lost interest, the Bar is always sticky.
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I am often the loan female in a group of male friends & the bar staff are always happy to chat. Good selection of drinks (if a little on the expensive side) Food always good, with live music on a Monday, plus Theme nights & BBQ's. Gets very busy during Football & Rugby games but always good natured. Always happy to go along with my husband, but equally happy to visit with my girlfriends or enter on my own.
Keep up the good work.
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Family friendly and much improved lately.
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A Big Thank you to Jackie & Tom for Hosting the Charity Quiz Evening last week for our Sarah, it was a great success and much appreciated.
From all at 'Kier Wallis & Co.' x
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My Husband and I arrived late for Lunch service but the Chef said she had not turned anything off in the Kitchen and we could order, utterly amazed, I have worked in the Hospitality sector and have witnessed Chefs throwing mental 'Hissy Fits' plus Pots & Pans if a Customer dare to place an order past service.May I also say that the food along with the service was tremendous. My Husband chatted to the Landlord for ages a very knowledgable Gent, I believe it was his Wife cooking. Thank you both for a very enjoyable Lunch we will most certainly be back.
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The Garden looks great well done guys
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GREAT VENUE TO WATCH THE RUGBY,BIT PRICEY BUT I'LL GET OVER IT AS THE STAFF ARE SUPERIOR, NOT THE USUAL UNINTERESTED SCRUFFY LOT YOU TEND TO GET IN THE TOWN CENTER, IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY AND I DIDN'T WAIT BUT A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO BE SERVED, FINE PINT OF GUINESS, TRIED A YOUNGS ORDINARY BEFORE I LEFT AND THAT WAS IN TOP CONDITION ALSO.THERE WAS SOME SORT OF CHILDRENS GAMES/PARTY GOING ON IN THE GARDEN AREA WHICH, APART FROM WHEN THE DADS WHERE SNEAKING THROUGH TO CLOCK THE RUGBY SCORE YOU WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN IT WAS GOING ON.ITS QUITE A SMALL BAR AND I'D LIKE TO VISIT WHEN LESS BUSY TO APPRECIATE IT IN COMFORT.COCTAIL SAUSAGES APPEARED ON THE BAR HALF WAY THROUGH, SOMETHING WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A VERY NICE TOUCH.ONLY BAD POINT IS THAT ENGLAND LOST.I RATE THIS PUB VERY HIGH.
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Came on to say thanks alot for a smashing Kiddies party this weekend.
Bit confused by comment below ! Whilst I have a couple of Moans at times ie. the �1 surcharge on cards, I have to say I eat here all the time with my Brood and these people couldn't be nicer or more helpful, often re-aranging Furniture to fit us in. Kids always seem to have alot of freedom and its never a problem,hence my surprise.
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Families beware! I live locally to this pub and have always found it to be very family friendly, which for many of our friends has also been the appeal. However recently the person who I assume to be the manager (a rather stout, grumpy man) and an equally grumpy lady have been anything but friendly. When we come in with our children they are stern, unhappy looking and very unwelcoming. We, and our friends who also live locally, spend alot of money over the bar on food and drink and feel disgusted to be treated like second rate citizens in a place that is known as family friendly. We've decided not to go back, simply based on the cold reception we get every time we've been there recently. We have joined the other parents who have become annoyed by the attitude of the staff and started going round the corner to the Anglesey on Palace Road. Their Sunday lunches are just as nice (at the same price) and the staff are far more welcoming to us and the children.
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My second visit to this Pub and I have to say its a breath of fresh Air. New Menu, I tried the Homemade Curry and it was amazing my Mum had a Fish Pie special also Homemade, can't comment on taste as don't eat Fish but she practically licked the plate. Management Couple and Barlady were really lovely and it was great to see it busyish.The Fire was all set and ready to blaze maybe next time I'll stay and get cozied up. See you soon !
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Visited couple of times recently inc today had delicious fresh Fish & Chips the place was heaving but the service and smiles from the staff never faultered. A really nice experience, so nice I stayed far tooo long, a glass of Pinot tooo many I think. I will return and bring others. Well done.
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Really very impressed with this Pub, spotlessly clean,nice friendly efficient staff, great choice of Food and Drinks ( fabulous quality Chunky Chips ).I only wish I lived closer then I could make it my Local.
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After visiting this pub post refurbishment I must say I was very impressed. The garden is lit up with decretive lights and there is an undercover seating area, again with decretive lighting illuminating it.
There is a very good selection of wines from all over the world and the beer that is being sold is of a high quality and caliber. This pub would not be a place to come if you have been working on a building site all day after getting covered in dust searching for a thrust quenching pint, more so to have a glass of wine in the afternoon and enjoy good conversation.
Working in the construction industry myself I would much rather go to a nice boozer after work than the Crown And Anchor however after swilling 5 pints and munching a bit of grub I would enjoy going to the C&A for a glass of wine or too, after a shower of course!
The down side to the pub is that the management will charge you for using their debit card payment facility even if your transaction is over a certain amount. Also the pub is quite highly priced, even for Bromley. Its prices are more comparable to central London which might deter some people however if you are looking to have quality beverages then you should expect to pay for them.
The best time to visit this pub in my opinion is on a warm summers evening, sit in the garden and relax.
Worth a visit.
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I am 50/50 on this Pub. Most of the times its good, but on Bank Holidays etc it seems to attract a few of the Wannabes from all around. I hear one guy bragging about how he kept avoiding jail and the cops etc.
It used to be non-smoking - even in the garden. This was nice for a family pub. They seem to have given up on that - which is a shame.
Food can be variable. Some food I have had has been brilliant, like the roasts (although a bit on the dear side), where as some has been very average. so like I say 50/50. I avoid the food now tho. I saw a bag of food delivered left outside by the back door in a big paper bag. It had a big streak of damp on it that look just like dog wee. Make of that what you will!
So in summary. Go in if quiet. Nice Pub then. Avoid on Bank Hols or Footie days. Food is hit or miss.
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Been here a few time and thoroughly enjoyed it every time. Clean and not the typical Bromley pub which is a good thing.
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I really love this pub. There's always a good, friendly atmosphere, the staff are really helpful and the food is much improved. Popped in for a Sunday roast yesterday and it was great. As is the all day breakfast on a Saturday. It's everything you could want from a local.
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I am still in two minds about the Crown and Anchor. As nice as it is it seem all to prim and proper for a pub. A bit like drinking in a restaurant or hotel lounge. Ha! you would get that kind or 'mother-in-law' style disapproval if one were to get even slightly drunk or even loud. if one were to swear in there, well I wonder what would happen. I think the Red Lion round the corner has the right tone for a pub.
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prob my fave pub in bromley/beckenham. small but clean and friendly,lovely beer garden. nice food. good atmosphere if you want to take kids in there.
emwil - 18 Jan 2009 14:40 |
it has been refurbished well but was much better when gay. it was well known for miles around. if it had been refurbished and remained gay it would have made a fortune as it did seem to have many loyal punters.
people like to forget it's gay past like it is a dirty secret. Gay pubs are important for gay people to meet other gays in a safe friendly environment. There is only one gay bar in Bromley to the other 20/30 or so straight pubs. you wouldn't eye up a nice guy in Walkabout would you.
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Very enjoyable visit with several of my pals last weekend. very clean and well kept - great bar staff (thanks Janet!). Good range of beers - one of the better watering holes around Bromley. Recommended
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I remember when this pub was GAY. It was always busy at the weekend, and so so during the week. The pink pound is very strong at the moment, and I for one will not be going back in this pub. What makes it worse is that the pub has a wonderful beer garden and brilliant in the summer. A permanent sun trap.
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truly truly sad that martinlloyd himself the manager of crown and anchor has to put his own review but it does reflect him as a person sad and desperate is an ok pub just dead and boring i think the manager still has a job to do with getting rid of a few scumbags other than that it is very very clean and nice and friendly atmosphere.
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So droll when the manager of his own pub has to put his own review on here and rates the pub 10/10. It is a nice pub but not that good Mr Lloyd! Let the punters decide how good it is!!!
flbr1 - 28 Sep 2007 16:39 |
Thank god they got rid of the faggots and perverts that used to frequent this place
anonymous - 23 Aug 2007 15:31 |
What a Fantastic pub, probably the best in Bromley, if not KENT!!!
Warm welcome, decent drinks in clean galsses, lovely food, sky sports, kids welcome until 6pm, nice patio and garden and the best bit.. NO SMOKING...clean and smart, this is most definately the pub for the elite.
with regards the user that said there was no staff when they visited... the manager tells me, if they make themselves known at the bar, he'd like to personally apologise for their mishap and buy them a drink.. well done... I'll certainly go there again and again and recommend to all my friends.. 10/10
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Highly recommend this pub. Lovely atmosphere, lovely surroundings and lovely garden. Very family friendly. Food and beer excellent! Staff very friendly. Will definitely be visiting this pub more often with friends and family (and great to drop in for a coffee and lunch while shopping in Bromley). Love the fact that it is non-smoking. I'm very impressed!
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After what looked like a pretty impressive refit and change of character, this pub is a disappointment. As has been mentioned no staff around and locals cliquey. And light coloured carpets surely aren't a good idea? Theirs better pubs around.
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Popped in this afternoon. This is a pub on our list for an imminent crawl. May well have a second hand pump, (Youngs) but no one serving, maybe the staff were checking the toilets at the time! After a few minutes of non bar staff attendance we left to go to the Anglesey.
Needs to get its act together if it is to compete with the other pubs in the area.
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I went to the pub yesterday afternoon and it was abolutely packed.
The atmosphere was brilliant and the whole place was bright, airy, clean and tidy (it was a lovely change to see the staff regularly checking the toilets, which I need not say were spotless!) I had some home-made garlic bread which was fantastic (completely ruined my lunch by eating too much of it!) The staff were very friendly and seemed to always be smiling.
Fortunately, it was a fairly dry (although cold) day so the garden had quite a few families, and play things were provided for children, however the children had to leave by around 6.30ish, which I believe is fair enough.
The pub is non-smoking. A friend who I wnet with is a smoker, and she said how strange it was that after an hour, she was not even craving a cigarette, however when she did finally break (!) smoking was allowed out on the front patio and apparently in bad weather, you are allowed to smoke in the heated back garden, which is partially covered.
There is apparently live music every Monday evening and I overheard some customers talking about the homemade food, which sounded delicious, so I will definately return to sample to food and live entertainment, and then re-review it for all you eager pub-goers out there!
(& with regard to the comments of the previous reviewer, they now have second real ale pump!)
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Nicely done out, but lacks atmosphere, very clean and clinical looking. Caters well for lager drinkers but has a solitary hand pump for London Pride..which wasn't too great really.
Nice garden at the back and good for families
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Not a gay pub any more. Family friendly and no-smoking.
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been going here for 7 years it had its quiet spell in early 2005 but now is getting busy,met my partner here 7 years ago so is allways close to the heart ..
anonymous - 31 Dec 2005 19:08 |
It's a gay pub which appeared to have no customers when I visited (on a Thursday). A local helped me to a drink which was spoiled by someone shouting at him shortly afterwards. Bit grubby, but great garden.
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Well, this is my favourite pub on a sunny day, the beer garden is huge!! straight people do come in (some don't go out straight tho!) but most are fine, and they're definetly the minority. shouldn't everybody be welcome?
it's great to have a pub that you can chill out and relax in, and then go abso- bloody -lutely crazy at weekends!! top notch.
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Right, i have a sever chip on my shoulder regarding this place. Used to be my local, until...one day i sauntered into a heterosexually redecorated pub and dare i say it... Burberry chair covers???? Not only does it look like the front room of a caravan, but it is now full of straight people!!! Wont be going there any more, thats for sure.
Jules - 20 May 2004 18:30 |
can't wait to go back, very friendly atmosphere. best jukebox for miles. If you want to be surrounded by quirky people, smiles and a real coal fire in the winter, or a sunny garden in the summer this is the place for you. The pub cat is also a stunner, meow!
Sheryl - 19 Mar 2004 15:08 |
Lovely atmosphere, the garden is fantastic in the summer. The manager is a complete star and where else can you find a gay bar in Bromley? Definatly worth a visit. And wow, the landlady is gorgeous just like her daughter!
sally-anne - 19 Mar 2004 14:51 |
nice relaxing pub, with a beautiful garden. Ideal for family
mischief - 17 Mar 2004 22:32 |
i was very pleased with this pub, the staff were very welcoming and polite and it was a breath of fresh air to see such a well run traditional pub but with modern benefits. It was a privelege neh an honour drinking in this pub and i recommend to all.
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nice pub not enough women though,
and needs to be bit more welcomeing to new custmers make them feel welcome.
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nice pub , friendly local gay bar
matt - 21 May 2003 14:33 |
