Secret Drinker: The Moon Under Water, Norbury
This week SD was suffering the cold and cough bug that has plagued the nation for the last two months.
In need of some entertainment and aware anything outdoors would not be a good idea, SD weighed up the options.
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N1980B 040803 tm 32 The Moon Under Water pub, 1327 London Road, Norbury, for secret drinker review.
boozer
Flowery facade: pretty on the outside but not much unique indoors
No point in going to the cinema - a hacking cough is rarely popular with paying film viewers.
Pub it was then, and SD trundled off down the road to find somewhere inviting.
Ok, truth be told SD was actually on the way to Norbury for a curry, but a quick drink on the way couldn't hurt.
And so it was that SD ended up at The Moon Under Water in Norbury, rather than a more central Croydon drinking destination.
For some reason The Moon Under Water always reminds SD of a temporary building that won't be there for much longer (maybe something to do with the low roof), but it has in fact been serving Norbury for 15 years now.
It's a part of the Wetherspoons chain and the outside always looks inviting, with baskets of flowers adorning the walls.
This was SD's first visit to this pub, but on stepping inside was slightly disheartened to find it not much different to any other Wetherspoons.
SD has two main problems with the chain: first, that its pubs often lack personality and second, that the cheap prices attract people hell bent on getting drunk for under a tenner.
Actually three main problems if you count the food, which SD has had bad experiences with, but as that's not an essential part of going to the pub we won't discuss it here.
Despite the same-old same-old feel, The Moon Under Water does make some effort to stand out from other pubs in the area - for example at the end of last year they held their second annual conker tournament.
But overall SD would have to say that unless you happen to be in the area, travelling out to The Moon Under Water seems a bit pointless when there are many other similar Wetherspoons pubs in just about every part of the borough.
The Lowdown
Style: Traditional
Cost of a pint: From around £2.10
Cost of a glass of wine: From around £2.10
On tap: Carling, Fosters, Stella, John Smiths, Guinness, guest ales
Service: Ok
Parking: On street nearby
Disabled access: No real problems
Verdict: An alright local but don't go too far out of your way
The Moon Under Water
1327 London Road
Norbury
SW16 4AU
Tel: 020 8765 1235
4 Comments
by BenDover, Purley
Saturday, January 24 2009, 9:19AM
“"This was SD's first visit to this pub, but on stepping inside was slightly disheartened to find it not much different to any other Wetherspoons."
What did you expect?”
by Slerpy, Sanderstead
Thursday, January 22 2009, 9:03AM
“The Real Ales are top notch, the Manageress is always ready with a warm welcome. When I get to this far flung part of the Borough it is an obvious port of call.As for the 'spoons chain they have served the drinker well in keeping the price of a pint relatively low.”
by John the Jester, Thornton Heath
Thursday, January 22 2009, 8:45AM
“Well said, Alph. I'm not sure why Secret Drinker expected this to be different from other Wetherspoons pubs. Pubs in the chain can vary due to the quality of the staff, but the beer is usually of good quality even if the range is reduced through poor management. In the Moon Under Water I have never had any problems with either - I rate it as one of the better pubs.”
by Alph River, Croydon
Thursday, January 22 2009, 1:40AM
“SD: Of course the Moon Under Water "lacks personality" ~ it's a pub, not a person!
The real ales are the great strength of this pub, but they escaped your notice somehow.
Pubs are about beer, and love them or hate them, Wetherspoons certainly are doing their bit to promote traditional British Beer.
Atmosphere (which is what I assume you meant by "personality") is created by you ~ the customer and your friends. And that, depending on the quality of the drinks, has nothing to do with the décor. :-)”