please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This is a Shepherd Neame pub, £3.90 for a Spitfire, superb quality. (Last of the six Blackheath pubs I visited this week and have to say Blackheath knows how to sell ale well)
Outside/Inside looks feel like a pub apart from one thing - the stranges/bonkers entry doors that I've come across. It's not a clothes shop/poncey restaurant.
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2nd pub of the 3 in Blackheath in one evening.
Another pub I haven’t used for several years but used to always come in during a night out.
Large outside area to the front is one the best selling points of this pub, but the inside is now also very decent.
According to previous reports it’s appears to have had a make over in 2012 as there is now a flash glass entrance door and the bar has been moved further back and is in front of you as you enter.
A Shepherd & Neame pub with the full range of ales available, my pint of Whitstable Bay was very good.
Busy inside with most of the seats and tables taken, a comedy evening was about to start upstairs the night I was in.
Worth a visit.
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Saturday lunchtime16 Nov... difficult to assess the beers. They had run out of Master Brew, Spitfire and Whitstable Bay.
Oh a busy Friday night sir.......
Wonder why they don't have spare lines cleaned and simply holding water so they don't run out of Master Brew in a Shep's pub. *
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Here I am again. Met two mates in for a Friday drink. Really enjoyed the beer in here especially as they had a mild on tap (very nice). Will be back.
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I haven't been into this pub since it's refurbishment, and the d�cor is greatly improved. It's clean and plenty of space to mingle about. Even with being a Sunday and having the rugby on, I could still catch a glimpse of the TV and I didn't have someone's elbow in my head all afternoon. Making this a great place to come and have a pint.
I went there for a Sunday lunch with my parents and their friends, and I have definitely had better experiences else where. When our food arrived - which was actually quite quick, 5-10 mins after ordering - we had our starters arrive at the same time, and when asked for my mains to be taken back while I had my starter the waitress was quite stroppy about it, as if I had asked something difficult. Generally the food was okay, with the veg either over or under cooked, but filling and reasonably priced. We had the same reaction from our waitress when she had brought the wrong pudding, it's not hard to apologise for a simple mistake. No one came to check we were okay at any point, or if we enjoyed our meal. I'm hoping this was a one-off.
Drinks are pretty standard, but about 5 or 6 ales on. Wine list & spirits is pub standard stuff too.
Overall, nice enough for a pint, especially during the summer, but I think they need to have some dedicated waiting staff or at least experienced staff who can deal with serving food and running the bar.
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The Crown has been Shepherd Neame since 2010, when I attended they had Bishops Finger, Kent's Best, Spitfire, and Late Red on. Seem to recall San Miguel and possibly Oranjeboom on the lagers pumps, as well as the ubiquitous Fosters.
Thorough job on the refurb, plus no sky tv/football anymore, means a different pub with different people, a very pleasant and welcome change in my opinion. Very civilised. Clean pub, pleasant staff, good beer. Food smelt ok too. I may well be back.
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A short walk from Blackheath train station, this is a very smart pub with plenty of seating outside (hottest ever October day recorded on my visit).
Had a pint of Youngs Special which was very good, pub also seemed to be doing a good trade in food.
Very busy for a early afternoon visit, staff were efficient and pleasant.
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Just been back in here again. I stick to my comments of 01/08/2010. I will be in here again soon.
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Now reopened after the refurbishment. It's definitely gone upmarket and a lot of effort has been put ino the swish design, but as a result it's now full of large leather armchairs meaning there are much fewer places to actually sit down and drink. What was a comfy pub is now straddling the fence between a smart bar and bit of a posing lounge : we'll have to see what way it turns out.
On the plus side, it's clean, bright and fresh, the food looked good although I haven't had any of it myself yet and while not much has been done to the outside -it's still the same old tables and chairs -we spent a very pleasant afternoon in the sunshine here. The tables are great for large groups or those that don't mind mingling with strangers, but it would have been good to
have a few seats or benches for smaller groups or pairs of people.
Obviously, the prices have all gone up and it's a little on the expensive side and I'd imagine a lot of the old regulars will now feel excluded. It's a pity to see what was a cosy old-fashioned pub with a lot of potential be lost forever; it certainly needed some improvements but could have been made to work. While the new pub is attractive and would probably be a great, slightly smarter destination in the evening (although I usually give Blackheath a miss in the evenings, especially at weekends), as a place for a quiet pint in comfortable surroundings, I'll be looking elsewhere.
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Maybe I've just been unlucky with the beer. The Crown is currently boarded up for a refurbishment. Due to reopen around Easter.
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Don't know what Glasgowboy is going on about because I found the beer very good and there was a good choice. A lot better than the O'Neils across the road. Pub was clean (as were the toilets) and the service was very good.
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Seems a bit more welcoming than it used to. Berr still pretty crap.
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Go to the Hare and Billet. It has a decent toilet, and nice food, thanks to new management.
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Quiet when i popped in on a weekday lunchtime but i enjoyed my pint of Masterbrew.
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Beer OK but in need of some TLC....toilets awful, but it has improved, a bit since i last went there.
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This pub used to be the jewel of the village. After 2005, under new management, it has been run down to the point where it is said that the entire regular custom has moved elsewhere. Trade volume has decreased by some 60%.Substandard ill trained staff, poor quality beer condition, anonymous landlord/management and an environmental health hazard to boot. If its products were free, i would not recommend this despicable place to a starving alcoholic.
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By the way, the Masterbrew was the worst pint that I had all day round Blackheath.
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Popped in after visiting the Hare and Billet and the Crown suffers in comparison. A nice terrace outside but somewhat tired inside. The toilets stank and it took a good 20 minutes for the previous customers' glasses and bottles to be cleared from our table.
The usual basic Shep range - no seasonals and the Spitfire was off.
Overall it seems not to be trying, just going through the motions with a captive audience visiting the heath.
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I've heard recently that this place has been bought by Shepherd Neame and that an extensive re-fit is planned for the autumn. I hope this is true as Blackheath really could do with another quality pub right now and I think Shepherd neame have the money and ability to do it. Given the location and the outside seating it could turn out to be a fantastic boozer, so cross everything !
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There must be something in the water in Blackheath. All the pubs glasses smell like they have all been washed in the pond. This one was particularly bad for smelly glasses. But it does have a beer "garden" (or terrace) that catches the sun, and you can run across the (busy) road for a punt in the (empty) turf accountants so you could have a good time here if you held your nose. I also like the fact they scrubbed out the 8 in "new menu, 2008" and replaced the 8 with a 9, while leaving the "new". It kind of somes up the place. Good if you want a pint, and not care too much about the furniture.
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Some good bar staff, and some who don't really care.....
cleaning the pumps would help..
T.5 still working there
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the toilets stink and the steel urinal is overflowing......
The beer is good ., and they have a 118 lookalike
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rude staff
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pub smells
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This pub has bar staff who are very rude,they serve who ever they want to thats after they finish chatting with each other,I was in here the other day and the older blonde barmaid walked pass me 3 times to serve others who came in after me,when I explained what had happened that I had been waiting 10 mins she said she couldnt understand me, I am english she was the one you couldnt understand, the rudeness was un called for. I am a paying customer who wants to purchase a drink and not be treated as if im not there. maybe the pub should employ bar staff who have people skills, I work with the public and I would be sacked if I treated them like this. so I wont be taking my custom to the crown Pub ever again.and I will be getting in touch with the brewery..
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Went in today and service is fairly abysmal. The lady who served me walked off after doing the first drink of my order and didn't come back for nearly 10 minutes, by which time I'd had my order completed by someone else. There was only IPA and Bombardier on tap.
The food took 50 minutes despite it being fairly quiet and my girlfriend's medium-rare steak sandwich was quite well done.
I won't be going back in a hurry.
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I went in here a week ago - a strange first impression caused by the whole place reeking of urine! We walked about trying to find somewhere that didn't stink, but everywhere was bad. It was quite surprising to see 30-odd people in the place given the smell, and on a Tuesday night. But it was snowing, so we stayed for a drink...
I had a pint of Adnams Broadside. It tasted revolting to me, but I was told by the landlord that it was exactly right, and he asked me if I'd ever had any before. As he wouldn't replace it, I left 9/10 of a pint, and we moved on to Zero Degrees, where they (always) let you taste the beers first, and it doesn't smell like a urinal.
A bit of a sad outcome, but the Crown is reliably disappointing for me. I can understand not wanting to replace beer on a rammed Friday or Saturday evening, but on a quiet Tuesday, when it's snowing outside, it was enough to remind me why I've only been there long enough to order a drink 4 times in 6 years.
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As mmicham says: "a good mix of punters" and a great place for a meeting point. Staff are friendly and welcoming and a decent crowd of white and blue-collars can be found here midweek though Saturday generally sees a very different selection of randoms (much like the rest of Blackheath and Greenwich). Always a pleasure and the beer selection isn't bad at all. It's a real local without being too cliquey and will only get better with a few (impending) minor alterations.
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On the face of it, the Crown ticks most of the right boxes but for some reason it fails to make a lasting impact. Enticingly situated overlooking the heath, the interior is quite spacious, comfortable and pleasant but fairly open and formulaic. 5 Ales generally (but not always) available but, despite the revolving selection, there is rarely anything beyond the standard names with Theakstons being the only regular beer that is a bit out of the ordinary. They are Cask Marque accredited and quality is generally good and the prices quite reasonable for what is a fashionable area of London. The small 2 seater snug in the front window is an intimate, idyllic spot and there are plenty of seats outside looking over the heath. Service has always been good but, as much as I do like the place, I always feel that it needs something to lift it up to the next level and make it a pub that is truly worthwhile going out of the way for.
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Love this pub. I've always had a good visit. It's a great location and they always have a good selection of beer and wine.
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Funny place this. Whilst sitting in here on a Saturday afternoon with my girlfriend enjoying a pint, the police visited the pub then went, only to be followed by another group of officers five minutes later. Don't know if this is a regular trouble spot???
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More to my liking than the �Irish themed� pub opposite, The Crown is a little more tuned to my traditionalist tastes, yet still falls a little short of my initial expectations. Several ales were on offer and my London Pride was served in good nick (though a short-measured), but the feel of the pub just didn�t quite sit right with this reviewer. It was homely, yet somewhat lacking. I only stayed for one and just didn�t fancy another. I wouldn�t deter anyone from paying a visit and last Thursdays visit (8th Nov) may not be my last, but I won�t be rushing back.
HTM69 - 11 Nov 2007 12:50 |
To be fair not as bad as the reviews seem to suggest. Sure you have to wait sometimes for a pint and that is not ideal. However, I would suggest trying O'Neils over the road, waits in there are often far longer. On the whole this pub has a great mix of punters old/young and the atmosphere in my opinion really isn't that bad.
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Either an excellent time or an awful time to be had here. Range of beers varies from good to awful, as does the quality and standard. Struck gold a few weeks ago when a big rubgy game was packing out O'Neill's and my husband and I had the place to ourselves for a good 45 minutes!
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Totally agree with previous review
its just location
ive never liked the place and think again its only packed because of its location and prob a meeting point as it were.
wanna get served (forget it) and the bar staff dont seem to give a crap either.
forget it
if u like a drink dont go here if u wanna stand around with a note at the bar then your welcome to it
crap and ive finally convinced my mates as well !!
stay out of it !!!!
anonymous - 19 Jul 2007 03:01 |
Gets away with murder because of it's position in Blackheath. Worth going to in the afternoon, but forget the evening, you'll sober up before being served.
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This pub really needs to try harder. With its prime location at the edge of the heath this should be a classic - unfortunately it's tired and indifferent. The beers aren't particularly well kept and the recent addition of a dobbing great TV in the corner hasn't helped the atmosphere one bit.
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Probably the cheapest place in Blackheath, although given the area that's all relative I suppose, �2-50 a pint was the most reasonable price last time I checked. Still, it's right near the heath and the clientele is a good mixture of young and old, with a genuinely good atmosphere all in all. Agree though, toilets are a little unwelcoming, even by pub toilet standards. My one qualm is that with the bar right next to the door it often gets very crowded, and it often takes a while to get served at busy times. Still, wouldn't bother drinking anywhere else in the wallet-troubling world of Blackheath drinking establishments.
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Nice large pub, family friendly (which puts me off). You may think you're in Thailand or somewhere because they think it's normal to serve 6 meals to a group all at different times.
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The most improved pub in Blackheath. No great competition, admittedly, but what was once a dirty bar with dodgy beer has completely turned it around. A nice local boozer. Tip: if you can, get yourself in there during a mid-week afternoon to watch the betting "syndicate' wave their cash goodbye as they shuffle to-and-from the opposite bookies. Hilarious. MikeB
anonymous - 29 Dec 2005 13:16 |
Unfortunately in 2003 the owners (scottish and newcastle) were in the process of selling The Crown and were reluctant to invest any money into it for maintenance or re-decorating hence the reason fot the recent poor comments. In September 04 the new owners (Spirit Group) invested some much needed cash into the place and i am glad to say The Crown Has been returned to its former glory "a great local on the high steet". As for the Geordie manager (who happens to be my freind) You Realy do need to check him out.
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I totally agree that it is over-rated. With a location like this it should be a better offer. Do they practise keeping toilets this dirty....a disgrace and thats the whole pub.
Matt - 18 Oct 2004 18:42 |
Can't believe all the positive comments, agreed the beer is good but in general this place has gone down hill over the last 3/4 years and I never go there now. A shame due to a superb location.
michael - 20 Aug 2004 11:52 |
One of the best pubs in London. No matter how busy it gets, you always get served fast and efficient. Cosy and "proper". No complaints!
Indigo - 29 Jul 2004 16:10 |
The beer is good, nice in the summer time, Your right the Geordie manager Land lord is well worth a look at...
A regular - 30 Jun 2004 15:06 |
Drnk there a few weeks ago and found the place to be realy great. good selection of real ales, and good food. Geordie manager is lush, well worth a visit to see him.
aleyna - 11 Jun 2004 21:13 |
Great selection of real ales, big screen TV, Big headed governor. Toilets stink, what about a refurb?????
Danny - 22 Feb 2004 16:17 |
Good place to watch footie but gets busy so get there early to get seats. Bar staff are nice. Strangely one of them always seems to be carrying a plate with a sandwich on round the pub saying "who ordered a BLT?" Watched the England v Argentina game in here last year during the World Cup. Just after we scored Terry Waite walked in and said "well done. Those Argentinians are dirty players." then walked out again!
Tim - 5 Sep 2003 18:27 |
New Manager, geordie bloke, nice chap, handling the place really well.. the assistant manager lass who has been there for a while is great.. and the 2 big lads behind the bar are friendly and supply the muscle when needed. The friendliest place to drink in the village at the moment.. Except the Hare and Billet, but that's a few minutes walk away! *gasp*
Moosh - 3 Aug 2003 01:34 |
Good place, good beer - but because it is the only decent boozer in Blackheath Village, it gets rammed. Go in the summer when the seats outside are full, but you can get a seat inside.
Darryl - 20 Jun 2003 00:11 |
Watched the football in there a few times as Oneils doesnt do football (idiots) and Zero has not sound. Good pub in the winter very cozy
ian - 9 May 2003 11:28 |
I used to work and live there in 1995. Was a great pub then but in my last few visits it seems to have gone down hill fast. Blackheath used to be great for drinking...what has happened?
stuart - 16 Apr 2003 13:08 |
Was Ok seems to be run by country squire now manager always dressed in tweed never goes behind bar. staff all looked stoned off their faces very slow and morose
edmund keane - 1 Apr 2003 12:46 |
Nice and homely.
Clare - 22 Oct 2002 13:58 |
More suited to my Grandad
The Pope - 12 Sep 2002 17:02 |
Plenty of character, and heaps of gorgeous barmaids - you can't go wrong! Good selection of beers and a plenty of room outside for summer overspills - well worth a visit.
Pauly H - 1 Aug 2002 16:40 |
