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The Green Dragon
★ 4.0(1 review)Bar
local-favoritelive-musicfamily-friendly
About the Vibe
The Green Dragon has been a Croydon staple since 1998, occupying a former bank building on High Street that's been given a serious £300k makeover. This isn't your average chain pub – they've won awards for live music and real ale, and you'll find them in the Good Beer Guide every year. The upstairs space, The Dragon's Den, hosts proper gigs and quiz nights, while downstairs keeps things chill with board games, books, and a pool table.
Known For
- •CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular
- •live music venue with Dragon's Den upstairs
- •quality pub grub
- •real ale selection
Best For
family dinnerslive music nightscasual pub visits
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 9, 2026
A Croydon Local's Pub
The Green Dragon feels like the kind of pub locals have been going to for years, and that shows. You walk in and it's clear they've put effort into the space – that former bank building now has a proper stage upstairs for live music, a new bar, and comfortable seating that doesn't feel sterile. The downstairs area is where you'll find families during the day with kids' menus and baby facilities, while evenings bring in a mix of music lovers and ale enthusiasts.
The real ale selection is solid (they're in the Good Beer Guide for a reason), and the pub grub is decent enough for a proper pub meal. What really sets it apart is the community feel – they've got board games, books on the shelves, and actually host live music rather than just having a TV. The Dragon's Den upstairs is where the action happens on Thursday nights with open mic and gigs.
It's not fancy, and the service can be a bit hit-or-miss during busy periods, but that's part of the charm. This is a working pub that serves the neighborhood well, whether you're grabbing a pint after work, bringing the family for Sunday lunch, or catching a local band.