Oval Tavern

I was frustrated the online menu didn’t quite match the real-​life menu but the man on the bar staff comped me a half-​pint of the mango cider on tap, so all forgiven =) I got the avocado pesto pasta as a side for 2 pounds and it was a nice-​sized portion. It was served cold, however, so I asked for it to be warmed which seemed to disturb the cook. Of course pesto+ avocado = amazeballs. My husband’s Moroccan burger was a bit spicy and he liked it. I liked the tartar sauce that accompanied the dish.
I’m just dinging another star because the food took FOREVER to come. I really thought they were killing the lamb for how long it took. The barman apologised though so my heart softened a little.

Recently, I’ve taken a shine to exploring more local pubs in the area and The Oval is nicely situated between me and my other local, The Glamorgan. In fact, the pub was recommended to me by another bartender of another pub. How can you go wrong? The pub itself kind of abruptly appears on you — like exams or deadlines you’ve procrastinated on — because it’s located down a residential street. It’s lined with houses on both sides and then dead smack in the middle is its brick-​face, painted signs, and muffled chatter of clients.
The pub itself has a very dark interior, with warped wooden floor boards and a low ceiling. It feels like a pub should to me. It’s eclectically decorated with the generic pub stools but the walls are lined with photos of different bands. It’s got an indie and, dare I say it, hipster feel to it. In the opposite corner of the pub you’ll find a little elevated space for the musicians that come there to play. The Oval Tavern is probably best known for it’s daily selection of music and performances: Tuesdays they do blues, Friday is DJ night and Sunday they usually have Jazz on (the full list can be seen at their website:
) I imagine the pub to get VERY crowded during these gigs which may be a downside (depending on how much you like people). However, every time I’ve got the pub has been empty, or nearly empty and that has suited me just fine.
More so, since this IS a pub, the beers there are rotated fairly often. After chatting with the bartender, he informed me that they usually have Trooper and Tribute on but the other three or four taps rotate regularly — in fact — every time, thus far, I have been to the Oval the changing taps were already rotated. I have yet to try their food but I have noticed they do a barbecue when the weather is particularly nice and it has taken every fiber of my willpower to keep from buying food. All I can really say is that. the food smells good.
All in all, it’s a great pub and one that I could definitely see myself frequenting regularly.

A great, low-​key pub about five minutes on foot from East Croydon station. They’re stocked with all the major beers on tap and have a solid selection of bottled beer. The pub itself is very spacious and is a great place to rendezvous if you’re a big group. All in all, an unpretentious watering hole frequented by Croydon locals.