Bedford Tavern

You know the type – the kind of pub where regulars have their spots at the bar and the barstaff know what you're drinking before you ask. The Bedford sits right on Sydenham Road, close enough to West Croydon to catch the after-work crowd but far enough removed that it doesn't feel touristy. It's got that traditional boozer energy without trying too hard, the sort of place where you can nurse a pint and actually hear yourself think, or get stuck into a proper match day atmosphere when something's on the telly. The fact it's part of Whelans Premium (a proper Irish outfit) means you're getting decent pours and a no-nonsense approach to doing things right.