The Ship is a lovely historic pub right in the middle of Croydon. It serves good Marstons ales as well as an enormous range of spirits and flavoured shots. The gorgeous bar staff are incredibly friendly and always cheerful. The Ship doesn't open until 5pm and in the week it's a chilled place to sit and have a chat with a bit of background music (and log fires in the winter), but on Friday and Saturday nights the Ship ROCKS! Various local rock DJs play the best in a wide variety of rock, metal and alternative music until 2am and the pub takes on a completely different atmosphere. A great gathering place for local metalheads or anyone who appreciates a good tattoo! Air con is a new feature. There's seldom any trouble in this pub, there's a solid core of friendly regulars who are welcoming to anyone just passing through or looking to make the pub a regular watering hole. If you need to hire a function room, there's one upstairs - speak to the Manager.It's a pity I can't give this pub an 11 out of 10! Brilliant little place. Small but well kept selection of ales, huge selection of spirits and reasonably priced. No food served but have been informed this might change, and since it's an evening only pub there's not much call for food anyway. Air con in the summer, log fires in the winter-what more could you want from an old, traditional pub? Music is big here, and DJs are definitely what keeps it so busy at the weekends, with young and old. Busy and loud, but if you want a quiet pint pop in on a weekday-atmoshere is still great but alot calmer!
STILL VERY MUCH OPEN!!

Was here on Friday night and the place rocked. Busy, Loud, Rockin, Friendly-all the things a great pub should be!
The Ship is an institution, the last real pub in Croydon and one of the best real Rock venues in South London. Open till 2am weekends :-)

Legend, in my own lunchtime
Username: tempest
A vast improvement on the nonsensical brain fart on your homepage.Tempest my A***! More of a gentle breeze.Perhaps - the first good and logical post from slerpy .....everGamboozler-The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is. - Winston Churchill. I love the derision of smaller people who cannot express themselves in a sensible form, its applause from the imbecilic, they are the majority,sadly.

I think that, of late, the ale at the Oval has been fine, miles better than under the last bloke; and better (dare I say than) under Graeme Miall before him.

I think what Richard is trying to say, Chief, is that - even if it could be improved in the keeping (marginal) - you'd need to be a really awkward CAMRA pedant pf the most forensic kind to take issue with it.So, one needs a moustach (sic) and a deerstalker to appreciate the fact that the ale at the Oval is badly kept. Right ho, Watson.Oh yeah, and my oldest kid enjoys the 'Storytime' with Jenny, on a Saturday (will soon bring my youngest when old enough). Now, he used to go to this in previous venue, but here it is a lot more intimate. Best of all, though, his meal was absolutely fantastic (Esther cooks I think)and v healthy. And, last Saturday, I had a meal too. It was not only worth it (very cheap (4 pints, two soft drinks, two meals = £25 - that ain't bad at all) and there was an awful lot) but utterly delicious, (i.e. made with good ingredients)... You simply don't expect this from a back-street boozer.

Slerpy - you're still free! We thought you'd been done for tax evasion again, on those houses you 'inherited' in Dulwich.

Is it true that every time you bend your elbow, your mouth opens?For a short period of time last year the range of ales was very narrow but thankfully the new lady manager is putting on a much wider range. The back bar is more comfortable simply due to one table being removed this has given a tad more space to the other tables and you can move your chair back without sending someone on the table behind into orbit.The serice is usually swift and the staff are welcoming, so leave your misplaced anti 'spoons bias at the door and enjoy probably the best range of ales in South London.On the beer front it has to be the best in the area by a mile, (real ale paradise). What I don't like about it is the fact you have to jostle with other punters to get to the bar. Trying to find a decent seat can be problematic, as it is usually packed in the afternoon and evening. Most of the clientele are paddy's with gambling/drink addictions.

If you like Fullers ales you can't go wrong here as they are always kept in top notch condition, with the full range available such as ESB and Chiswick. Lovely spacious, traditional interior. Decent clientele, not your usual Croydon riff raff. Good professional bar staff. Good outdoor seating area with patio heaters.

It's a shame there's not a better Youngs pub in Croydon, as on balance I prefer there ales to Fullers, especially Youngs special. Spacious and comfortable town centre pub with well-kept Fuller's ales. Definitely worth a visit.Only went in here as they had Black Cab Stout on which is delicious. Although weaned on Fullers ales I find most of their portfolio lacking in taste these days. Saw they had Cronx on as well but sadly we were out of time.

Is this Foxmulder the same person as the poster called Dave Marks? Looks like it judging by the comments. Personally speaking, I've been to Mandy B's karaoke and thought it was good. Will go again some time. I had been to Dave Mooney's karaoke at the William IV on a Sunday too, but was tempted away as the Cricketers had a nice friendly atmosphere, and better beer (though it is expensive). Just Pull Up Outside The Dump and Note How Many People are In there 6 people all night.. If Youre Lucky and I dunno about the Pub Changing Its Name, It Should Be "Sorry we`re Open" Dont Take My word for it go and see for yourselvesDo Not Touch This Pub with a Bargepole, I Think Its too expensive, The Food Is also expensive and well Over the top and to have a drag queen Making himself Look stupid On a Sunday Night at The Karaoke, which is also Shite Thats run By Some Lesbian Called Mandy Barnet and her Partner Danny Murphy who are awfull. These People dont Know me at all, cos if they did they wouldnt come on here trying to Lie. Take My Word For It, stay well clear Of This Pub