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South East London pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of South East London - good or bad, we bring you the most talked about venues and the places you have to visit at least once. We've included a few user reviews, to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there. Or you can follow the links to see full details and all reviews for each pub.

Beer Rebellion, Gipsy Hill

picture of Beer Rebellion, Gipsy Hill

Address: 128 Gipsy Hill, Gipsy Hill, London, SE19 1PL
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Nearest train stations: Gipsy Hill (0 miles), Sydenham Hill (0.6 miles), Crystal Palace (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Nothing not to like about Beer Rebellion. Good beer good music and friendly service. No board games, no distressed furniture and no Jus.

20 Feb 2017 08:25
If you like real ales this place is a must. The first time i drank in here there was a a good selection of ales, I sampled a traditional English Bitter, a Milk Stout and a Porter. The second time I visited I opted for the same but different brewers and all the beer was well kept. There was the usual multitude of Pale Ales, Hoppys as every real ale pubs seem to have these days so it's refreshing to drink in a place where you have a good choice. No tv's, no slot machines. A thoroughly ejoyable experience but pricey.
15 Jan 2017 19:27
Decent, small place opposite Gypsy Hill train station. Run by Late Knights, but oddly had no Late Knights beer when I visited. Had a Milk Stout instead (can't remember vrewery sorry). Toilets are a little odd.
31 Dec 2016 12:16

The Kings Arms, Waterloo

picture of The Kings Arms, Waterloo

Address: 25 Roupell Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 8TB
Phone: 020 7207 0784
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Nearest tube stations: Southwark (0.2 miles), Waterloo (0.2 miles), Lambeth North (0.4 miles)


Nearest train stations: London Waterloo East (0 miles), London Waterloo (0.2 miles), Blackfriars (0.6 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Old fashioned corner pub with the bar divided into two parts. Eight different real ales available, four in each half of the pub. Have to say that apart from the Wadworth 6X I didn't recognise the beers.
Unfortunately due to time I could only stay for the one. Will definitely visit this place again!
One word of caution though. It gets very busy! On my visit I it was still early in the evening and there were people all over the pavement. (Not in an overly inebriated way!)
30 Jul 2017 05:11
Lovely traditional boozer that had real fires burning on both sides of the bar when we went in last week. Didn't try the Thai food but there was a very good selection of ales, most of which were very good. I couldn't see a list of ales anywhere though so you have to have a wander round to the other side to see what is available on the hand-pumps there.
Was very busy when we were there but the bar staff were still managing to serve everyone quickly with little waiting. Very nice place.
16 Jan 2017 11:54
Excellent free house in a time warp street a few minutes walk of Waterloo station. 8 real ales on, all from small micros and the three we had were on good form.
16 Nov 2016 22:21

The Charles Dickens, Southwark

picture of The Charles Dickens, Southwark

Address: 160 Union Street, London, SE1 0LH
Phone: 020 7401 3744
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Nearest tube stations: Southwark (0.2 miles), Borough (0.3 miles), Blackfriars (0.6 miles)


Nearest DLR station: Bank (0.9 miles)


Nearest train stations: London Waterloo East (0.5 miles), Blackfriars (0.6 miles), London Waterloo (0.6 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

This photo is out of date. It is no longer the Charles Dickens and the advertising they are currently putting outside says it will be for Irish beer and Thai food
19 Aug 2017 20:10
This photo is out of date. It is no longer the Charles Dickens and the advertising they are currently putting outside says it will be for Irish beer and Thai food
19 Aug 2017 20:08
The 19th century author and social critic probably never visited this pub.
26 Feb 2017 16:14

The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo

picture of The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo

Address: 5 Mepham St, London, SE1 8SQ
Phone: 020 7928 6196
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Nearest tube stations: Waterloo (0.1 miles), Lambeth North (0.4 miles), Southwark (0.4 miles)


Nearest train stations: London Waterloo (0.1 miles), London Waterloo East (0.1 miles), London Charing Cross (0.6 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

There was a crowd of us who popped in after visiting the Christmas market. When we walked in it was pretty empty and dark. The beer were ok but the service for the bar staff was very miserable and the manager I presume (a guy) was very miserable and wouldn't make eye contact with you and basically ignored you and before last orders was clearing up and when asked if the pub was closing he just grunted yes, still not making eye contact, it was like he just didn't want us to be there. I wouldn't recommend wasting my time or money in going back again as there are a lot more happier pubs around who are willing to take time in greeting this customers and actually showing an interest in them rather than just taking their money!
21 Dec 2016 17:06
The last poster didn't have a drink - but opines that it probably is a good beer pub!

Why not try it, and tell us after?
4 Nov 2016 17:45
Walked in but didnt stay for a drink. Looked messy and not inviting. But its probably still a good beer pub if waiting for a train
4 Nov 2016 15:56

Funky Munky, Camberwell

Address: 25 Camberwell Church Street, London, SE5 8TR
Phone: 020 7277 1806
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Nearest train stations: Denmark Hill (0.4 miles), Loughborough Jn (0.8 miles), Peckham Rye (1 mile)


Reviews by BITE users:

Not a bad pub at all.

However, why is the profile relating to any comment worth reading in its own right nearly always deleted?

You'd not have thought that the Plymouth Brethren would run a pub site, would you?
29 Apr 2017 15:19
The Stormbird was the better of the 2 Camberwell pubs I tried last night. I visited the Hermit's Cave across the road back in 2010. Whilst they are related, they are worlds apart. The Hermits Cave has the better atmosphere. The Stormbird has the better beers. The latter has limited seating. I ended up propping up the bar. Only 3 real ales were on - Five Points Railway Porter, Hawshead Windermere Pale & Siren Liquid Mistress. Ciders were Sandford Orchards Devon Mist & Thistly Cross Whisky Cask. Another key draw is the craft beer selection, which included brews from Beavertown, Magic Rock, Left Hand Brewing, Mikkeler, Moor & Siren. There was also a decent bottle selection. Pub of the day in South East London for me and the Railway Porter was divine!
22 Jan 2017 23:59
The Stormbird, as this pub is now called, continues to offer its wide selection of generally well-kept ales.

However, its busy trade seems to have taken its toll on the furnishings, and it is beginning to resemble a students union bar perhaps.

Some investment is needed. It's looking a bit too lived-in these days.

A couple of session-strength beers would also encourage customers to stay longer and have more than just a couple, as sensible folk do with the strong stuff.
13 Oct 2016 19:17

The Alexandra, Penge

Address: 163, Parish Lane, Penge, London, SE20 7JH
Phone: 020 8776 7694
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Nearest train stations: Kent House (0.4 miles), Penge East (0.4 miles), Penge West (0.6 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Reopened under new management this week. Deceptively spacious with a raised bar area to the front and good use of a railway arch to the rear which has been fully incorporated into the building. The fire escape map shows a large function room as well but I haven't seen it. Good range of beer including local brewery Southey, some Adnams and London Beer Factory. Slightly controversially serves in 2/3rd glasses rather than pints but I have to say I like that. Tres European. Absolutely rammed the first time I went in, like a crèche in the early afternoon but a really great locals atmosphere in the evening. Feels like a real destination place at the moment. They will be serving food but the kitchen isn't finished yet. They seem to be growing a large number of plants under the railway arch which makes for interesting decor. Glass of Beyond The Pale was £3. Very good.
25 Mar 2017 10:58
Reopened under new management this week. Deceptively spacious with a raised bar area to the front and good use of a railway arch to the rear which has been fully incorporated into the building. The fire escape map shows a large function room as well but I haven't seen it. Good range of beer including local brewery Southey, some Adnams and London Beer Factory. Slightly controversially serves in 2/3rd glasses rather than pints but I have to say I like that. Tres European. Absolutely rammed the first time I went in, like a crèche in the early afternoon but a really great locals atmosphere in the evening. Feels like a real destination place at the moment. They will be serving food but the kitchen isn't finished yet. They seem to be growing a large number of plants under the railway arch which makes for interesting decor. Glass of Beyond The Pale was £3. Very good.
25 Mar 2017 10:58
CLOSED, but scheduled to reopen in January 2017 to be run by Late Knights
20 Nov 2016 10:00

More information

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