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Builders Arms, Croydon

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user reviews of the Builders Arms, Croydon

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Backstreet Fuller's pub with a large lounge on the left as you enter and a public bar to the right. Staff seemed friendly. London Pride, ESB & Oliver's Island are the 3 ales. In addition, there was a guest. This was Dark Star Partridge. I was the only customer in the lounge. But there were a couple more in the lounge. Cosy place. But, I'm not a big fan of Fuller's pubs.
blue_scrumpy - 27 Jan 2019 15:55
1st visit to this Fuller's pub while having a tick fest of Croydon GBG 2016 pubs on a Thursday evening .

4 ales on that are duplicated across 2 banks of 4 hand pumps, one in each bar area. The 2 pints of Fuller’s Summer Ale were drinkable but not the best I had during this evening.

7pm ish when we got here with several punters, most being in the larger bar area and garden. There’s 2 bars that are connected with a walk through at the end of the bar.

The large garden to the rear just past the comfy lounge. A decent enough pub but I’ve been in better and wouldn’t necessarily rush back, but it’s another ticked from the GBG.
lezford - 1 Sep 2016 16:50
Fullers pub. Had a beer here (two 'heavy' /strong ales plus London Pride on offer, so not a great selection) and a meal. Meal was very acceptable and service was good. Popular pub despite being off the beaten track.
Trev - 4 Dec 2015 19:59
For those keen on quaffing cask ales, note The Builders made the cut for the 2016 Good Beer Guide.
Gamboozler - 21 Sep 2015 17:38
Charming looking back street Fullers pub. Clean and pleasant interior as well as a nice looking beer garden.
The Fullers beer was very good as always. Would be nice to see the range other Fullers pubs do - some of the George Gale beers for instance on tap.
Deserving of a return for sure.
terenced - 1 Sep 2015 09:46
Met the new manager this afternoon, seems very pleasant.

Returned later in the evening, for a change there was not one of the four TV's screaming football which is good news, although I'm sure that will pi$$ the "bar mangler" off !

Food was very tasty, although could have been a little warmer when served, but never the less very good.

Long may it continue !

Carol53 - 3 Apr 2013 19:27
Met the new manager this afternoon, seem very pleasant.

Returned later in the evening, for a change there was not one of the four TV's screaming football which is good news, although I'm sure that will pi$$ the "bar mangler" off !

Food was very tasty, although could have been a little warmer when served, but never the less very good.

Long may it continue !

Carol53 - 3 Apr 2013 19:27
Manager has retired so we'll see what the replacement is like.....

Very "clicky" pub, not good with giving the correct change but very good with cold food! A couple of the bar staff are ok, the rest seem to have attitude issues. Will be a good place to go when the bar staff are managed of an evening and finally realise they work in a business not a playground with all 4 TV's blearing football noise!
markcr2 - 31 Mar 2013 14:21
I've heard a rumour that the manager may be retiring...
john_the_jester - 28 Dec 2011 12:46
I visited the pub on the 3rd September 2011 at approximately 7:15pm and it was relatively quiet for a Saturday evening, and upon arrival both male members of staff, one being aged between 18-21 and the other 25-30 greeted me in a very professional manor, they both seemed very cheerful, immediately the young bar steward served me asking "what can I get for you sir?", I ordered a pint of London Pride, priced at �3.20 which I thought was relatively okay for a back street pub and I also ordered food which was around �7.25 So all in all my order came to roughly �10.45. My food came within 15 minutes which was outstanding but due to the quietness of the pub it was expected to be within that certain time limit.
Later on in the evening, I could see the tension of the male bar staff had deteriorated due to the landlord and landlady being around and it seemed like they were watching their every move, in my opinion this was really unnecessary, over the due course of my visit to the pub I could see the bar staff were extremely agitated which caused them to worry and had to be careful on what they did, both male bar staff seemed to get on really well with each other and joked around a little bit but still stayed in their professional manor this only happened when the landlord and landlady had disappeared for a while. I left the pub feeling happy and content with the level of service I received from the bar staff that day, but I think the landlord and landlady need to hold back from watching their staff half the time, as this gave them some aggravation and felt like they weren�t being trusted while they were working.

Perry.bradley - 10 Oct 2011 15:20
Went in here last Saturday for the Six Nations, as the pub was advertising that it was showing the game. As there was (club) football on when we got there we asked, politely, if they were still showing the (international) rugby . The very surly response was that they would turn over after the end of the football - so missing the first 10 minutes. Unhappy, but by now leaving it too late to go elsewhere we stayed. What a mistake! The landlady had to be asked to get off her bar stool and serve us, she then made the barman stop pulling my partners pint in order to go and get her a cup of tea, and as soon as the half-time whistle had blown the TV was switched back to the football results - where it stayed! At least four other groups of people had come in after we did to watch rugby, luckily for them they left to go elsewhere when they realised that weight of numbers and customerservice meant nothing when compared to what the landlady and her very small group of very rude regulars wanted.
anonymous - 16 Feb 2011 14:41
Fullers what a mess you have made here,on my last visit this place was buzzing great beers great service excellent food served on pipping hot plates toilets and pub sparkling a credit to the lovely couple and staff.now a mess you are certainly cutting corners ashame on you.
abcorn - 26 Jan 2010 17:47
This used to be a great pub which we visited on a regular basis. Very disappointed on our last visit. There is no escape from the 3 televisions that destroy the atmosphere completely. The prices have gone up considerably after the latest refurbishment. Won't be drinking here again.
lovefullers9876 - 2 Jan 2010 17:56
Prices have gone up, it's cold, the quality of the food and portion sizes have gone down (roast served on a stone cold plate anyone?)... oh and the water in the hot tap in the loos is also cold... seems that corners are really being cut since it changed hands.. very disappointing as I used to really like this place!
frances100 - 29 Nov 2009 18:07
Place has been done up to a very good standard, now there are booths and chill out areas whereas before I did feel a little sparse. Food is a fairly good standard and a good range of Beers. They show all the sport and have a wicked Beer Garden. What more could you ask of your local?
Popsuruncle - 14 May 2009 10:26
Has now re-opened. ESB was a bit cold but still the same atmosphere, tunes and all in all is still a good place to go
lazylover - 30 Apr 2009 10:59
This place has undergone an amazing refurb recently and is looking fantastic upon it's re-opening. The only drawback is that the prices seem to have gone up to reflect this, making it one of the most expensive pubs in the area.
This is a real shame, as I think this is a great pub, with an excellent beer garden and a good selection of well kept Fuller's beers.
Definitely worth a look-in if you're in the area, if only to check out the new interior, but there are a few other decent pubs in this part of town offering good beer for less money.

Pubsignman - 7 Apr 2009 23:42
The Builder's Arms is currently closed for refurbishment, but should be open again just after the beginning of April.
john_the_jester - 24 Mar 2009 13:17
Very nice pub, visited last night. Usual range of Fuller's ales , I had the ESB which was lovely.
Miles007 - 18 Feb 2009 12:12
Very well maintained Fullers pub with a good choice of food and 4 Fullers beers. The Jack Frost and ESB were both in great condition. A friendly back street place which looks popular with the locals.
chick - 18 Jan 2009 15:25
In there a couple of Saturday nights ago. First time for a while as not one of my fav pubs but pleasantly surprised - busy - Carling lager was fine - friendly atmosphere - good service.
beergardenatrear - 21 Dec 2008 09:42
A good beer pub, service ok,
mrcolinpalmer - 28 Nov 2008 21:14
gareth1011, was the landlady who left called Karen if that is the one she now does a great job running my local , the Crown &Sceptre (South Croydon) the Crown is a proper pub not some inner town beer barn.
slerpy - 21 Nov 2008 13:07
This pub has been a bit up and down over the last couple of years. All was well until the landlord was removed a couple of years ago and then a succession of managers meant that a visit here was a bit of a hit and miss affair with the beer, food and service being somewhat unreliable.

I have started going back here because things seem to have settled down and I must say that things are back to what they were, or better. The service is friendly and efficient and the beer and food are good.

There's a decent garden and it's comfortably away from the hubbub of Croydon's centre, but only about 10 minutes walk from East Croydon station.

It's good to have the Builder's Arms back.
gareth1011 - 5 Sep 2008 15:09
A good solid fullers beer pub, nothing fancy, just good beer with a friendky welcome away from the bustle of Croydon town centre
martins2 - 4 Aug 2008 09:03
I was flabbergasted I have lived near this pub since 2001 and assumed it was a coughing old man's pub but I was persuaded to sit in the beer garden during our recent (brief) mini heatwave and I enjoyed the afternoon SO much!! I thought the inside bar smelt of wee a little bit but I will definitely be back to the beer garden in the better weather. The wine was not too shabby nor was it pricey, v.pleasant! We had just had lunch somewhere else but I perused their menu and WILL be tempted to go there for lunch this summer.
clarabel - 25 May 2008 21:32
Impressive garden that was a joy to seat even after the sun went down

Nice range of tab, great machines to play on, a joyous pop-in visit
the_original_rawnsleys - 12 May 2008 10:05
Highly under rated , the beer is very good and the service speedy.
slerpy - 31 Mar 2008 18:10
Nice pub, they've recently done the menu up and the food is pretty good.

Beer garden is big and very good in the summer


Popsuruncle - 2 Feb 2008 12:26
An excellent locals' pub - many locals who have been driven out of the Glamorgan by the office workers now come here. The Fullers' beers have improved of late and there is sometimes live music on a Friday night, which is worth a punt.
beerlover666 - 10 Oct 2007 07:15
This place is Top Banana. A really nice comfortable local full of great characters behind the bar and as regulars. Also very friendly to non-regulars, popular with people from not around the area as it is the perfect example of what a good local should be like. Suitable for all ages, two bars, plenty of screens and a birdcage for added effect. The beer garden is pretty awesome too! Vastly improved since taken over by Matt and Karen last year and now that they have left their legacy continues. Good music in the bcakground, but not too loud that you have to shout to hear yourself speak. Midnight opening on Fridays and Saturdays so there is no excuse whatsover now to go to The Alma!
anonymous - 1 Aug 2007 17:17
Nice relaxed local friendly pub. Nice quick service, nice pint of Pride, and ESB. Nice garden too in the summer and I'm sure they do BBQ's in the Summer.
New years eve party is pretty good too, according to my old man, normally have fireworks too.
JOERICH22 - 29 Jun 2007 12:37
Nice enough Fuller's pub in a suburban street close to East Croydon station; ales always drinkable but can be a bit mediocre at times.
Rich66 - 30 Apr 2006 00:08
best pub in its area. cosy, good selection of beers and very friendly, even if it can get a bit busy on friday/saturday nights. may well find it lacking a bit in representing the younger generation, but its by no means an 'old man pub'. only problem id say, is that when the new licensing laws came in, they got given a permit to stay open late. however, sadly according to the manager, people were still leaving at 11 and it didnt make paying the staff worthwhile. however they still have it, so who knows whether they may re-impliment the plan in the summer months. Rock!
ercol - 3 Feb 2006 13:31
Best pub in Croydon for a beer garden in the summer.
stevokinevo - 18 Jan 2006 11:28
Nice and relaxed, fairly spacious with a no smoking area and a nice garden with giant connect four and other oversize games for summer fun. Board games available if your so inclined and its one of those pubs that no-one would look twice if you were. In two halves with a definate locals side and a larger public bar. A good boozer if you live in the area or happen to be passing through. Fullers beer is ok but if you're a real ale hound you'll be better served at the Claret Bar 5 mins down the road. A Good pub.
DanielG - 9 Nov 2005 12:55
I wandered into this place completely by chance and thought it had a bit of charm to it. Fullers beers are always welcome.

A decent local for those who live in the area but a little out of the way to make a special journey.

Dart board is an excellent idea!

Boozywoozy - 3 Sep 2004 13:05
What a discovery after drinking at the terrible "Orchard" round the corner! (Or "The Or-har" as it is known due to its missing letters.) The Builder's Arms is a great local Fuller's pub at the end of the Victorian Lebanon Road. The beer is excellent (all Fuller's beers + the usual sold), and there's usually space to sit if you want. Only down sides are no evening food, and no pool table or darts.
Richard Hayes - 18 Feb 2004 13:39

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