The Builders Arms, Croydon

Just what Croydon needed - another pub claiming to be a cut above the rest. The Builders Arms in London's perpetually "up-and-coming" suburb had me rolling my eyes before I even crossed the threshold. After all, how many times can we reinvent the wheel when it comes to neighborhood watering holes? But like finding a forgotten twenty in your winter coat, sometimes cynicism gives way to pleasant surprise.

Let's address the elephant in the room - The Builders Arms Croydon sits in that sweet spot between "cheap enough to visit regularly" and "pricey enough to make you question your choices." It's the kind of place where you can still get change from a twenty for a decent pint and a sharing plate, though you might need to squint at your bank statement the morning after a proper session.

The first crack in my armor of indifference appeared during a random Tuesday evening visit. The pub was humming with that perfect level of activity - busy enough to create atmosphere, not so packed that you need to perform interpretive dance just to reach the bar. The staff actually seemed... happy? In London? I know, I was shocked too.

The beer selection deserves particular mention, if only because it forced me to abandon my prepared criticisms. Fuller's London Pride and ESB on tap, both kept well enough to satisfy even the most pedantic CAMRA enthusiast (you know who you are, Geoffrey from the local beer appreciation society). The rotating guest ales show someone actually gives a damn about what they're serving, rather than just stocking whatever the brewery rep pushed hardest last month.

Their pizza situation is something I'm still trying to wrap my head around. Monday's two-for-fifteen deal seems suspiciously generous for London, yet here's the kicker - they're actually good. Not "good for pub pizza" but legitimately good pizza, with properly proved dough and toppings that haven't just fallen off the back of a cash-and-carry truck. It's the kind of food that makes you question whether the chef has some sort of secret Italian grandmother locked in the kitchen.

The beer garden out back is another unexpected gem, though calling it a garden might be stretching the definition somewhat. It's more of a "collection of tables existing in proximity to some strategic greenery," but it works. On summer evenings, it transforms into something approaching actual charm, especially when they've got one of their live music acts performing. Yes, I witnessed a ska band that didn't make me want to flee immediately. Mark it in your calendars, people.

Speaking of events, their quiz night (Tuesdays, for those taking notes) manages to strike that elusive balance between challenging enough to feel worthwhile and easy enough that you won't spend the evening questioning your entire education. Though I still maintain that question about 1980s Eurovision winners was absolutely unfair.

The whole place has this irritatingly genuine community vibe that's increasingly rare in London pubs. Regular faces at the bar who actually acknowledge newcomers instead of treating them like invasive species, staff who remember your usual order (concerning for some of us), and an atmosphere that somehow manages to welcome both young professionals and old-school locals without either group looking like they're planning an escape.

They've managed to modernize without sacrificing character - contactless payments and decent wifi coexist with original wooden beams and that slightly sticky floor that all proper pubs seem legally required to maintain. The parking situation is typically London (read: potentially maddening), but there's usually space on the surrounding streets if you're willing to circle the block a few times like a vulture with a driving license.

Look, I didn't want to like The Builders Arms Croydon. I really didn't. But much like that friend who keeps dating someone you initially disapproved of, it's grown on me to the point where I've had to grudgingly admit I was wrong. It's not revolutionizing the London pub scene, but it's doing the classics well enough to earn its place in the community. If you find yourself in this corner of London's sprawling southern reaches, you could do far worse than spending an evening here. Just don't blame me if you end up making it your regular - I tried to stay cynical, I really did.