The Princess of Wales, Stratford

This pub has made a lot of changes since 2003. Most recently, they are getting a Darts Team together. Earlier this year they started an Open Mike for music on Sundays, which starts and ends early, so that everybody can still get up early on Mondays. A spin-off from the Open Mike is singer-songwriter-guitarist Phoebe, who will be doing a Thursday night there soon. Last year they converted the back yard into a garden with seating for smokers.

Garyoke is still going strong there on Saturday nights. All music sounds good at the Princess of Wales (without being too loud), because of the wood-covered walls and ceiling.

Also still there are the pool table, quiz machine, juke box, and the big screen for football and racing. Meals are now served between 5pm and 8, Monday to Thursday, and they also do a Sunday Roast.

This pub has now more than recovered from the building works last year which converted the rest of the block into a giant aquarium.

4 Sep 2009 23:11

The Swan and Sugarloaf, South Croydon

The silly clamping has stopped. The surly attitude of the staff is no more. They now have real ale, and they now have an experienced landlord with a good track record. The pub I visited in April 2008 was nothing like the reviews I had read for 2007 and earlier.

20 Apr 2008 20:53