Alma Tavern, pool in Addiscombe / Croydon

Photo: WhatPub / CAMRA

Alma Tavern: Pool & Snooker in Addiscombe, London

Free poolWalk-inPool tableGroupsBeer garden

127-129 Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon · CR0 6PU · Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-22:00

The Alma Tavern is a large one-bar pub on Lower Addiscombe Road, a short walk from Addiscombe tram stop, and it is one to keep in mind if you fancy a game of pool over a pint. There is a pool table on the floor, the pub plays in the Croydon and District Pool League, and you can just walk in and play rather than booking ahead. It suits a relaxed evening with friends: sports on the TVs, a beer garden out the back, and food served most days.

This is a proper local rather than a dedicated pool hall, so expect one table shared among drinkers. It is dog friendly and keeps a quirky historic feature, a tiny publican's office set into the island bar, one of only around twenty left in the country.

The pool setup

Pool here is the single pub table you find in plenty of Croydon locals, not a bank of competition tables. The Alma is a member pub of the Croydon and District Pool League, so the table sees real league play as well as casual games over a pint. You just turn in and use it, no booking and no separate pool desk. If a match or a busy night is on, expect to wait your turn or play winner stays on. Bring your own chalk habits and good humour; this is a friendly local table rather than a hushed practice room.

Good to know

The Alma is open from noon every day, late on Friday and Saturday. Food is served most afternoons and early evenings, so you can make a session of it. There are sports TVs if you want a game on while you wait for the table, plus a beer garden and a heated patio for warmer nights. It is dog friendly. Note that cask ale has not always been available, so check at the bar if real ale matters to you. The pub also keeps a rare publican's office tucked into its island bar.

Getting there

You are on Lower Addiscombe Road in the CR0 6PU stretch east of central Croydon. The handiest stops are the Addiscombe and Sandilands tram stops a few minutes' walk away, both on the Tramlink line that runs through East Croydon. From East Croydon station it is a short tram ride or a walk. There is street parking around but the tram is the easy option for an evening out.

Get directions

Common questions

What is the Alma Tavern?
It is a large one-bar pub at 127-129 Lower Addiscombe Road in Croydon, CR0 6PU, with a pool table, sports TVs and a beer garden. It is a member of the Croydon and District Pool League.
Is there pool at the Alma Tavern?
Yes. There is a pub pool table, and the Alma plays in the Croydon and District Pool League, so it sees both league and casual play.
Do you need to book a table or can you walk in?
You walk in. This is a normal pub table you use on the night rather than a bookable hire table, so just turn up and play winner stays on if it is busy.
How much does it cost to play pool?
We could not confirm an exact price. Pub pool tables in Croydon are usually free to play or coin-operated for a small amount, so check at the bar.
What are the opening hours?
Noon to 11pm Monday to Thursday, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10pm on Sunday. Food is served most afternoons and early evenings.
What is the nearest station?
The Addiscombe and Sandilands Tramlink stops are both a few minutes' walk, with East Croydon a short tram ride away.

Other pool & snooker bars nearby