please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Wheatsheaf used to be one of my faveourite pubs, until I visited last night. I was with a large group of friends I had invited there for my works leaving do. I have no idea who the new bouncer is (since when did a pub need a bouncer? - obviously the clientele have really gone to shit, evidenced by the easy london smack heads who had just got off the train at London Bridge) but when I hugged one of my male friends who I would no longer be working with I got accused of being gay by this guy who worked for the pub. I asked what he was talking about and he through away my beer and pushed me over.
Realising it wasnt worth the hassle, I repaired to the Southwark Tavern. I went down stairs to find a seat, and low and behold this guy had followed me in and had me thrown out. Incredible. I imagine if this guy works at the Sheaf for much more then a week they wont have any customers left.
|
The Wheatsheaf would probably be considered an excellent pub almost anywhere in London, but is unfortunately situated next to the Market Porter. Nothing like the MP's range of beers, but the ones on tap are well kept. Stripped down interior makes a nice contrast to it's neighbour. I like it in here, but only visit on my way to the Market Porter.
|
Made the effort to get in here for the first time. Ordinary, Special, Directors, Bombardier and my choice the Deuchars which was nice enough. Also Erdinger and Staropramen on tap and Youngs London Ale and Chocolate Stout in bottles. Two areas either side of a central bar. Not great but perfectly acceptable.
|
Nice Young's pub which probably suffers a bit from proximity to the Market Porter, but equally was pleasantly quiet on my visit. One thing I would say is that the lavatories make the back of the pub absolutely reek - can something not be done!?
|
Good enough Youngs pub - not so crowded as the Market Porter just up the road, but there again nothing like the range of beer either...
|
Great pub all round. The decor is relaxing, the beer is really good and the service prompt. Watched the Arsenal Liverpool game and the views were excellent and the atmosphere great. Will be back
|
Cosy little pub. Decently kept Youngs but not by any stretch the range of choice as the Market Porter. Friendly. Will go back if the Porter is packed.
kchef - 19 Mar 2008 19:32 |
Cracking little boozer
|
Winter Warmer was in fine form last night
mrse1 - 21 Feb 2008 11:08 |
When you can smell the toilet from the bar and your fighting beer flies in the middle of feb you've got problems.
|
This is probably heresy with some, but i prefer this pub to the 'market porter' - a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, good selection of beer and you can normally get a seat.
|
If you like a "REAL" pub not plastic with excellent Youngs ale good atmosphere staff are not pretentious where you can relax get served quickly even when pub is full (most nights)and enjoy a pint then this is for you.
|
Don't really know what ed42 is on. The Sheaf is still a cracking boozer with a good pint of Youngs to be had. Danny's doing a fantastic job and anyone who thinks the Globe has something to offer clearly likes rough beer and the smell of uncleaned toilets.
mrse1 - 28 Dec 2007 17:25 |
Hi guys,
First off Jolyon, I my know ed42 i may not, but whatever he says, is not my opinon. i used to be the manager of the Wheatsheaf for the past four and a half years, Cracking boozer (ed42), and i am sure danny is running it just the way i left it, i mean he's been there longer than me, so he knows how the pub works.Good luck for xmas guys and i will be thinking of you whilst i'm on a beach doing very little.
|
Ed42 is obviously a mate of Jason's with an axe to grind. I was in the Sheaf last nite and was drinking Young's bitter which was in superb condition. Pub was heaving and service from Danny, Jana and Jenny was excellent as always. Brilliant pub, if you prefer the Globe it prob says more about you than it does about the Sheaf.
|
Yes You can tell Danny is the sole "guvnor", the place has gone to shit.The youngs is warm and vinegar tasting,the service is terrible, and whats with the music being so loud??? Well done to the old "Guvnor" Jason for getting out when you did.. I will only drink in the Globe from now on. Such a shame.
|
not really a youngs (wells!) fan but the beer here is very well kept and served - great pub.
|
A very busy pub, especially as the local offices disgorge their occupants onto the streets. The beer is worthy of note, night bright glasses of Youngs are always welcome after a hard days work. In fact the Wheatsheaf reminds me how pubs used to be 30 years ago and that is no bad thing!
|
Understand Danny has now become the sole guvnor, much deserved, the sheaf still rocks
|
Greatest pub on Earth, beer, locals, staff all fantastic.
mrse1 - 11 Jul 2007 01:12 |
Enjoyable visit yesterday evening, watching the end of the England - West Indies Test Match on the unobtrusive TV's. This pub is at its best when its quiet when you can enjoy the old fashioned traditional surroundings and atmosphere. And a surprisingly good pint of Youngs to boot !
|
I only pop in occasionally and it can get very crowded especially when the offices chuck out but the staff are pretty good at spotting the thirsty newcomer. Beers good and I like its pubby atmosphere.
|
just love it
|
I love the pub, I know the area out the back is small, but that also makes it intimate and cozy. The beer is consistantly good and the staff are friendly and competant.
Dejaz - 22 Feb 2007 15:04 |
Worst outdoor seating area ever (in the back). Two tables, encompassed by towering, mouldy, Victorian stone walls on three sides, and the pubs toilets on the fourth. If HMP Pentonville has a beer garden (which, with criminal rights these days, it probably does), it probably resembles something like this.
"Fancy standing out front, watching the bustle of life go by and admiring Borough Market?"
"No, let's sit out back, stare at the walls, and listen to people use the toilets"
Back in the day when Young's was a London brewer, I used to pop in here from time to time and find something great on the handpull, like their Double Chocolate Stout. The last few times I've been, it's just been Ordinary, Special, and Bombadier. Hell, you can usually get at least two of those at The Globe just across the way, which is a far nicer pub in every respect. This is one of the worst pubs I know for smoke as well (low ceilings and no ventilation)
Unless The Market Porter and The Globe are full to capacity, I don't think I'll be back in here anytime soon.
|
Pretty busy but really good bottled and draught Youngs beers. Had my first Waggledance...fantastic.
|
I love the Wheatsheaf.It's got the right mix of everything you need in a pub
|
The only down-side is that it can get flooded with BRAYING city workers standing behind your shoulder and shouting the dull details of their worthless lives into your unprepared ear. The only escape is to dull your senses with the well kept Special in this traditional old boozer. It's also within stumbling distance of London Bridge station. So I can be home within 20 minutes of leaving and so could YOU if you lived next door to me.
|
My friend had to twist my arm to return to the Wheatsheaf after I gave up on it back in 2004. I'm glad he did. Every beer I sampled was in good condition and the atmosphere of old seemed to have returned. The perfect place to escape the cold.
|
Popped in for a quick one last night on the way down to the Royal Oak. The pub was crowded as usual and conversation was lively. I do like the atmosphere here - it always seems friendly and welcoming.
The Winter Warmer was OK but it does seem to be a bit insipid this year - I guess as a result of the move to Bedford. I hope they can tweak it to get the 'woody' flavour back into it.
One of the best pubs in the area.
|
Actually there is a dartboard, but they remove it for big sporting events when they put up an extra screen above the cabinet.
|
Unfortunately the advertised 'Dartboard' is actually an empty darts cabinet. Arghhhhh.
|
wood on the walls, dust on the floor, good beer at the bar, tellies on the wall. wood, dust, beer, telly. brilliant pub.
|
Before the refurb this former free house was fantastically excellent and had a roadside tavern kind of feel to it, especially on dark winter evenings. Since Youngs took it over, it is now merely excellent. The choice of beers has fallen markedly as you would expect from a brewery owned pub, and the prices are also what you would expect for a pub close to The City. All the ales are looked after well by the friendly landlord and although I used to hear people say not to drink the ale on a Monday evening, I never had a problem with it! The Wheatsheaf also does a good pint of Guiness and Danny the barman's 'last orders' calls are legendary.
It used to be frequented by London's archaeologists on Friday nights (and some other nights) but for some reason unbeknownst to mankind most of these have disappeared over to The Horseshoe in Melior St, which is completely devoid of atmosphere.
The pub is also handily located a few footsteps away from London Bridge tube and rail station, so I often use it to meet people for short (or long) evenings. It also remains the friendliest pub in the whole of Borough. There are a few small TV's showing football or other sports but these are turned off at other times and the volume is kept to a level so that it doesn't interfere with conversation. The music volume is also kept at a respectable level. The emphasis of the Wheatsheaf is definitely orientated towards a beer and a good chat rather than a party, which is how I like it! I hear that food is great but I've never eaten there myself, preferring to maybe grab some stuffed olives from Borough Market opposite.
Oh, and in the summer the drinking clientele spread out across the road, merging with those outside the Market Porter and turning Stoney St into one big al fresco pub..
Sound like a recommendation? It is.
|
Looked in on Tuesday when waiting to meet someone by the station to see if the Winter Warmer was on yet.
No. Instead the third hand pump has been given off to Wells Bombardier.
I don't think I'm going to bother with Young's pubs much anymore.
anonymous - 19 Oct 2006 16:44 |
very decent alternative to the market porter if, as it often seems to be now, that's horrendously busy.
what it lacks in range of beer compared to market porter it makes up for with service/character.
|
don't let the smoked glass scare you, inside is a friendly and excellent pub with good food and nice atmosphere. less 'suits' than the market porter.
|
I don't understand what is so "peerless" about the Market Porter. Sure it's got a great range of ales but lacks atmos.The Wheatsheaf oozes charcater and atmosphere and the service is much friendlier than next door
|
I have spent the last few sundays at the wheatsheaf, it serves a truly excellent sunday roast, the atmosphere has been great and they have also been hosting an acoustic music session in the evening. The beer is consistantly good and the staff join in the fun as do the customers. Get down there now.
|
To have only one person serving on a busy Saturday afternoon isn't a good idea and caused a long wait to be served. Youngs Ordinary was well kept but that's one of the few positive things I can say. Suffers by being next door to the peerless Market Porter.
|
Youngs pub opposite the historic Borough Market. Situated in an area of exceptionally good quality pubs, the Wheatsheaf offers an unpretentious and basic approach and is certainly not overawed by its more popular and talked about neighbours. The standard Youngs regulars are complemented by a seasonal beer (currently St George Ale - perfect for England World Cup day). A bit pricey but probably on a par for the area. The central bar virtually divides the pub into 2 and the decor is quite plain and bare but in keeping with the atmosphere. Popular with market workers, tourists and office workers and an essential stop for any (highly recommended) pub crawl of the area. Several medium sized plasma screen - ideal for sport (I saw the Sweden v Trinidad match here). Friendly staff and customers - the pub is "Twinned" for want of a better word with the regular Top 40 pub The Bell in Bush Lane near Cannon Street. There is a small if unspectacular courtyard at the back a regular overspill into the street outside when busy or sunny.
|
Although the wonderful Market Porter next door does leave the Wheatsheaf in the shade in terms of atmosphere, friendliness and popularity, the quality of the beer at the Wheatsheaf is, I think, slightly better...
|
Have been to better and worse Youngs pubs, this probably would get a better rating if it wasnt right next door to the peerless Market Porter. Unfortunately for The Wheatsheaf its like comparing organic steak to a macdonalds burger. The bar manager could do better in the hospitality stakes too.
|
Not sure what this swearing thing is all about, I visit quite often and have only ever found a very friendly if lively atmosphere.Beer good as ever, long live the 'sheaf!
|
ah how some people can`t take things said in jest. language may be strong some times but atmosphere is everything in a pub, and this one has mother f!*ckers
|
Maybe we just caught this place on a bad night, judging by the mainly favorable previous postings...
Call me on fashioned, but doesn't the publican drunkenly hollering "Good night Mother F*ckers, bye!", on about 3 occasions at chucking out time appear a bit rude?!?!
Oh and then his mate (or maybe he worked there, he was behind the bar at one point) propositions the ladies I was with as we're leaving...
The Youngs Special and Pilsener couldn't be faulted but the whole experience left me a bit cobfused.
|
A true market pub, great beers well kept and the best atmos for miles around
|
I prefer this to the Market Porter, and it's often less crowded. Definately fewer tourists, too. Beer is Youngs and it's pretty good though I didn't find it excellent – a bit flat. Lots of characterful regulars, and a good atmosphere.
|
What a strange pub it is too, the Market Porter up the road has claimed a lot of the passing suits, all of the tourists and plenty of beardy CAMRA beer spotters, the Wheatsheaf may actually have all the local market porters and traders drinking in the place.
It’s a Youngs pub that is mostly a corridor making a U shape around a bar. The wood panelling and strange hair of the regulars (it is a right regulars pub) give it a strange feeling that you’re looking into the past, which is interesting.
Drank Youngs Christmas Ale. It was pretty rich and tasted of currants.
Bit crowded for us.
|
Just to be a dissenting voice… I’ve always preferred this place to The Market Porter; it's more pleasant, less frenetic. I'm a regular visitor, although I’ve never tried the food. Good enough staff. At times I could do with a seat, but guess you can’t have everything.
|
The Youngs Ordinary was rather insipid yesterday - one of those "dilemma" pints - do I take it back to the bar and risk an argument / confrontation or do I struggle through to the end of the pint ? Rather cowardly, I chose the latter option. Perhaps I should have tried the Marstons Pedigree, on as a guest beer, unusual for Youngs pubs.
|
Loads of character and a (rare sighting these days) a darts board directly outside the toilets, expect to see people wandering about with darts in their head! It really has got something unique about it, the layout of which appears to encourage mingling and chatting to strangers. Feels like a true freehouse without all the identikit 'chalk' food boards that plight British pubs. Brilliant.
|
I too prefer The Market Porter, but I also like this pub. Youngs Ordinary in fine form - but pricey at £ 2.60p. A rare sighting of Smiles Bristol IPA, which seemed to be selling quite well.
The small fairy lights along the bar and the small candle lit saucers on the ledges look out of place as do the spotlights on the ceiling, but overall quite impressed with the pub
|
Very run down, cramped and smoky. However good the beers, too unappealing to face staying for a drink.
|
Disappointing. Friendly enough, the beer was fine, the customers were your usual mixed Borough bunch - but the pub somehow lacks chracter and is incredibly smokey. I don't think it's a BAD pub, but compared to The Globe, The Market Porter and The George its a bit souless.
|
good memories of this place. Always went there after working at Borough Market. Small, friendly and dark and smokey.... I like that sometimes!
|
Some of the best beer in London!Finalist in Young's best kept cellar competition and busier than ever. Sam obviously had an axe to grind
Tony - 13 Oct 2004 15:22 |
Used to be one of the best pubs in London (this is going back a bit). Now serves vinegar and not worth your custom. Better to do battle with the crowds down the road at The Market Porter - there is a good reason why this pub is so quiet.
Sam - 11 Oct 2004 14:34 |
Best boozer in london bridge/ borough by miles...no contest
Mike - 13 Jul 2004 15:37 |
This is simply the best pub in the area for an unpretentious atmosphere and good beer
Marc R - 22 Jun 2004 22:28 |
Nice, good Youngs pub with, when I was there, a bit of an eccentric vibe. Great on hot days when one can site out by Borough Market and mingle with all the other drinkers.
|
What a little gem of a pub!...Attractive old building with a saloon and public bar.No pretentions,just friendly atmosphere,good service and superb pint of Youngs Special.How a pub should be.
|
A class act the Wheatsheaf. The low ceiling, the clumsy design and the crampt furnishings give this pub real character. I would highly recommend a visit.
Good for:Post Borough market pints - lots of.
|
The Wheatsheaf is a truly great pub.
I thought it would lose its character after the Youngs refurb but - all credit to Youngs - it turned out pretty much the same as before - except for the yuppified food (where have the chips gone??). Regarding ale - they have been serving Smiles the last few times I was there. Say no more.
Andrew - 5 Dec 2003 10:51 |
I agree with Richard. I think the guy referrin to last orders and attitude of staff at 1045 is talkin about the Market Porter - he simply posted the comment in the wrong pub.
anonymous - 7 Nov 2003 13:14 |
I can't believe some of the comments here. Quite simply, this is the only pub by Borough Market worth drinking in.
True, you might get a wider choice of real ales elsewhere, but at the end of the day, what makes a pub special is the people and the people in here are fantastic - staff and regulars alike! Dodgy atmosphere? Making you feel unwelcome? They're not talking about the same place.
Richard - 6 Nov 2003 17:42 |
After reading previous comments on the pub I feel duty bound to add that all my recent experiences in the last couple of years have been good, there is often a lively atmosphere and the pub should be visited for people to find out how good it is. Although only Young's beer is available in the pub, it has always been in good condition and I have enjoyed every pint. Good on ya!
|
I had a few wicked pints of special served today by a gal with a gigantic pair of eyes!! God Bless you sweetheart. I will return for more. Rev Salandy, Southwark Cathedral, SE1
|
I am the landlord of the Wheatsheaf and at a total loss re:last orders. Last orders are called religiously at 10.50.All staff are paid until midnight and so have no motivation for getting away early. The pub is currently busier than it has ever been and it is a very rare night that all the customers have gone by 11.30.
I can only suggest that people come down and experience for themselves what we strive to make one of the friendliest pubs in the area.
Tony Barry - 22 Jul 2003 11:38 |
Pub has gone seriously downhill lately. Good at lunchtime for a nice bit of grub, but forget coming here in the evenings. By about 10:45 you are made to feel like a hindrance. There's no call for last orders. Avoid.
Tristán - 21 Jul 2003 11:20 |
think it may be about time to rereview the wheatsheaf at borough market.
last night a colleague and my self visited there, like we have done on a number of times before.
The service was unbelievably bad. first the staff were ignoring the customer. 2ndly after pouring the e2 pints of Guinness they just put the pints on the bar on front of them and carried on chatting - we we at the other end of the bar. we sat down on the empty side of the bar. I over heard the bar person refer to us as "f*cking w*nkers" because we sat down where they had just cleaned up - but hey it was 9.50!
at 10.55 they turned out all the lights and cashed up, no calling last orders or time just off with all the lights and then walked round putting the chairs on the tables. We obviously then sat in the dark slowly sipping our beer just to annoy them, we left at about 11.15 with out any response from the staff.
Usually this pub has service which has been good enough to comment on to friends but last night was appalling. I have no idea whether the manager/owner was a away but if you have any contact with these people it would be great if they got the feed back so it does not happen again. or alternatively if they have an email address I will contact them directly.
dan smith - 10 Jul 2003 16:46 |
A former real ale oriented free house, virtually next door to the Market Porter. Now refurbished and owned by Youngs - it's ok but not what it was. Sadly, before the change in ownership, the governor spent more time in the bookies than running the pub.
Simon - 11 Jun 2003 11:06 |
Now a good Young's pub (since 1999/2000?) Was once a much better freehouse (unofficially) owned by Bass Charrington but the maverick enterprising landlord kept an excellent range of guest beers on. Sadly the pub was always threatened with closure due to the works going on above and around it, so Youngs' purchase of the property was actually something of a reprieve. Starting in this pub, continuing at the Market Porter and finishing at the Royal Oak in Tabard Street makes up an excellent crawl!
|
Friendly, but rather sterile atmosphere...that said, its next to the Market Porter (good pub) and opposite the Borough market which has good food. Also try the pie and mash shop next to the Globe pub nearby
Andy Middleton - 17 Mar 2003 22:16 |
friendly service, nice ambiance & good ale
karyn - 16 Jan 2003 09:36 |
skip nav