South East London pub guide - information about pubs and bars in South East London # beerintheevening.com

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.

One, Lewisham

Address: 1 Lee High Road, Lewisham, London, SE13 5LD [map]
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Nearest DLR stations: Lewisham (0.4 miles), Elverson Road (0.7 miles)

Nearest train stations: Lewisham (0.4 miles), Ladywell (0.7 miles), Hither Green (0.8 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Recently revamped completely. New manager, new staff and great beer as always. I will be down this weekend and can't wait for the football to start again. No nicer place in Lewisham in my opinion.

1 Aug 2008 11:41

I think the staff are great, a couple of new really friendly girls, Also Joe new guy. Love the new floor.

8 May 2008 01:40

I draw bar staff attention to drinking up times:

DRINKING UP TIME

At the end of the permitted hours, 20 minutes is allowed for customers to finish their drinks 30 minutes is allowed for drinks purchased with a meal.

Ref: http://www.ycc.ac.uk/yc/new/hospitality/hospcat/7.htm

Thus, I think you will find 15 minutes is NOT acceptable. Neither is indignantly advising customers "We can close the pub anytime we like!"

25 Apr 2008 11:45

The Royal Oak, Borough

Address: 44, Tabard St, London, SE1 4JU [map]
Phone: 020 7357 7173
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Nearest tube stations: Borough (0.1 miles), London Bridge (0.4 miles), Elephant and Castle (0.6 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Bridge (0.4 miles), Elephant & Castle (0.6 miles), Cannon Street (0.8 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Well, I've been meaning to come here for months and I finally managed it. I wasn't disappointed - this is an excellent pub. Very nice interior - lots of original features but a good balance of 19th and 21st centuries. Service was excellent - laid back and friendly. Empties promptly removed, and the tables had that London rarity - beermats.

Have to say, I prefer the Harvey's at the Harp at Charing Cross. One or two pints I had were rather insipid, but still drinkable. My mate's mild was as dull as ditchwater and looked like strong, cold tea. Once the pub filled up and more ale came through the pipes the condition of the beer improved. Mind you, everyone else seemed perfectly happy so maybe it's just me. I'll definately be back.

Oh yes - if you fancy a Grolsch, that'll be £3.80, squire. Blimey.

2 Oct 2008 12:35

Didn't notice if Pride was on yet, we didn't stay very long as there seems to have been a sudden price hike, once everybody had met up we moved on. One of my friends reported £3.30 a pint, not sure which beer that was for but even the barman expressed his sympathy! But the pub was busy with people drinking and eating and the pale Ale was excellent as usual.

19 Sep 2008 08:56

I just can't speak highly enough about this place. Harveys beers are so good and stand out from the usual national stuff, service is outstanding, interesting menu and good food, and the customers and surroundings are amenable to a relaxing pint.

I do agree about the acoustics though, when it's busy or there are a few noisy customers it can be difficult to hear conversation. All that glass and wooden floor. Perhaps some curtains would help.

28 Aug 2008 20:32

The Market Porter, London Bridge

Address: 9 Stoney St, London, SE1 9AA [map]
Phone: 020 7405 4751
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Nearest tube stations: London Bridge (0.2 miles), Borough (0.3 miles), Cannon Street (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Bank (0.6 miles), Tower Gateway (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Bridge (0.2 miles), Cannon Street (0.5 miles), Blackfriars (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Packed to the gills on saturday afternoon.

Staff seemed to manage to do rather well in serving the sheer volume of people waiting to be served.

Sweetly kept "Tradewinds" went down rather well.

Remains a classic hostelry to be cherished.

7 Apr 2008 09:52

my favorite pub around borough market. great real ale, always well kept. a wonderful place to stop and watch the world go by.

19 Mar 2008 19:02

Usual excellent selection of beers on offer yesterday and I was particularly pleased with Barnsley Gold, Kelham Island Pale Rider, and Titanic New World. I'm afraid that I have to disagree with the staff being 'friendly' though; if you are lucky they can be quick & reasonably professional but rarely smile and the trick of lobbing empty bottles from on-high into the bottle skip, causing a mini sound explosion each time, is particularly irritating. I know they are always busy, but that's not necessary. Still a top pub mind you, and always the meeting point when in the area.

16 Mar 2008 14:09

The Wheatsheaf, Borough

Address: 6 Stoney Street, London, SE1 9AA [map]
Phone: 020 7407 7242
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Nearest tube stations: London Bridge (0.2 miles), Borough (0.3 miles), Cannon Street (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Bank (0.6 miles), Tower Gateway (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Bridge (0.2 miles), Cannon Street (0.5 miles), Blackfriars (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Greatest pub in the area by a mile. Not a huge beer selection, but the Young's is always well kept. To be honest the drinks are secondary to the blinding atmoshere.

22 Oct 2008 12:37

I saw on the events board that the upstanding Mr Clatworthy and his boys are scheduled to make another appearance before the place closes.

17 Oct 2008 12:23

Great musical entertainment last Sunday, probably the last time Benn Clatworthy will play here as the pub is sadly going to be demolished in January.

There's a report in The Publican at http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?storycode=61497

All the best Danny!

16 Oct 2008 11:41

The Jolly Gardeners, Vauxhall

Address: 49-51 Black Prince Road, London, SE11 6AB [map]
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Nearest tube stations: Vauxhall (0.5 miles), Lambeth North (0.7 miles), Kennington (0.7 miles)

Nearest train stations: Vauxhall (0.5 miles), London Waterloo (0.9 miles), Elephant & Castle (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Now heavily refurbished in slightly Teutonic style (appropriately) and a long way from its old incarnation as a shabby local. A pleasant range of German beer, as well as food that looked good but we didn't try any.
Pleasant staff, comfortable benches; beer £3.70 a pint which makes an evening here a little dear. Good though.

5 Oct 2008 08:16

A very pleasant surprise to find by chancejust off the Albert Embankment. Superb selection of beers; and nice staff. Plenty of room and seating. Good German fare!

28 Sep 2008 01:51

A Kraut bar in Kennington;Mein Gott Farters! Place was packed full of them tonight, all dressed as Nuns. Possible forward attack division? Ring the invasion bells! Excellent place! Superb selection of German beers and food. Clean, comfortable and big. Good luck! Enjoy! A must to visit!

25 Sep 2008 23:48

The Cutty Sark Tavern, Greenwich

Address: 4-7 Ballast Quay, Greenwich, London, SE10 9PD [map]
Phone: 020 8858 3146
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Nearest DLR stations: Island Gardens (0.5 miles), Cutty Sark (0.5 miles), Mudchute (0.7 miles)

Nearest train stations: Maze Hill (0.3 miles), Westcombe Park (0.8 miles), Greenwich (1 mile)

Reviews by BITE users:

my apologies to sarahq, but i can only speak as i find, and having used this site for many years you usually find single entry reviews are bogus, especialy such over the top glowing ones after a series of bad ones, if you bothered to check my other entries you would find some really positive ones and you may not have been in such a rush to be so judgmental,
i hope you enjoy all the other tourist trap rip offs in London as you seem very easily pleased

6 Nov 2008 09:56

I am responding to the comment left by VINNIE. I am visitng the UK from New York for a month sabbatical and only arrived LAST WEEK!!!!!
I found this pub recommended in the New York Post and when visiting Greenwich wanted to visit it as the reviews in there were excellent!! I find it highly insulting that you would say I am not a 'genuine' reviewer as this is just the first pub of many I intend to visit and review!!! Dont judge everyone with the same eyes!!!
My partner and I ARE real english pub fans and your negative attititue is sadly one of the things that ruins this county. You get the friendly lovely english people and then people like you!!!

5 Nov 2008 17:03

I am a regular in the Cutty Sark, and I think pubfan101 is being too harsh. It can get particularly busy as people come from all over to sit by the river and enjoy the view and the ales. Even on days like these, I have always found that the staff are very friendly, helpful and cope really well, even when run off their feet. They serve food every evening until 9pm. Go during the week when it is quieter and there will be no wait, and one of the 4 handpump real ales can be enjoyed in peace. The best pub in Greenwich by a mile.

5 Nov 2008 15:41

The Charles Dickens, Southwark

Address: 160 Union Street, London, SE1 0LH [map]
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:

PS - while plaintalkingdrinker's generally negative, at least he's been to more than 1 pub in the last two years, which is more than can be said for you judging by your reviews.

9 Aug 2008 11:56

Let me get this right - if someone posts a review that differs from your opinion of a place, you expect them to APOLOGISE or accuse them of lying? I suspect you may have a Barack Obama-sized ego there Mr. Controller.

I think this is a decent place, but also had an experience like plaintalkingdrinkers where the place was empty and the mindless scrolling of Sky Sports News on the TVs dominated the pub. How about if there's nothing to show on the TVs they don't show anything? I have yet to meet anyone who's said "Let's go to __________, they'll have Sky Sports News on".

Anyway, I'm sure that view differs from yours, so a thousand apologies and hail marys...

9 Aug 2008 11:53

Please be aware in my last postng the girls behind the bar at the "Charles Dickens" are difinately NOT "P's". many apologies.

9 Aug 2008 10:38

The Lord Clyde, Borough

Address: 27, Clenham St, London, SE1 1ER [map]
Phone: 020 7407 3397
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Borough (0.1 miles), Southwark (0.4 miles), London Bridge (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR station: Bank (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Bridge (0.5 miles), Elephant & Castle (0.7 miles), Cannon Street (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

A great, traditional boozer with a very friendly atmosphere. Five real ales on - always in excellent condition - albeit with a rather unadventurous choice of London Pride, Spitfire, Greene King IPA, Youngs Ordinary and Broadside. Well worth a visit.

1 Oct 2008 21:55

One of the nicest bars that I've been in; a dream, Been in the same family for half a century. Clean and lovingly run. The heart of The Borough.

28 Sep 2008 00:53

Very nice place indeed; certainly worth a visit on Bankside tour.

27 Sep 2008 06:52

The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo

Address: 5 Mepham St, London, SE1 8SQ [map]
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:

Nice pint of Doom Bar to couple some tasty nachos. Was quite drunk by the time I arrived here so not much else I can add!

10 Aug 2008 14:45

Vinnie - thanks re info.

In there the other night(wednesday)for a couple of pints on route home, very busy & okay atmosphere. Long may it continue

27 Jun 2008 02:06

re ranting and raving,their was a guy last week had a gripe with the land lord and spent the whole day sending message after message accusing him of all sorts,i think he'd forgottrn his medication,his ravings have since been removed

26 Jun 2008 12:57

The Prince Regent, Herne Hill

Address: 69, Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London, SE24 0NJ [map]
Phone: 020 7274 1567
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Nearest tube station: Brixton (0.7 miles)

Nearest train stations: Herne Hill (0.3 miles), Brixton (0.7 miles), North Dulwich (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Ahh, poor jimmyay 1, who can't read. I am called 'Meatboy' which implies, does it not, that I am, in fact..wait for it.. a male! Which means, a Dad! Which is obviously something you'll never be as you have clearly insinuated that you have no penis and therefore no cum. Sorry to disappoint you. Oh and, um, my son is not, in my opinion, 'unruly' so what gave you the ill-conceived thought that children are automatically fitted in that category? Breastfeeding? Shock- horror! Were you fed bile from birth? Cos that's what you're chucking up now! Ah poor sod.

4 Oct 2008 00:19

The Prince Regent has the most impersonal staff that you could find. When you go to a pub you usually soon learn its character. Here you would expect that these were former concentration guards. If you want to pay way over the top prices and have it served by people who appear to have no souls then this is the place for you.

24 Sep 2008 19:08

Could be a great boozer. The service is just so slow and it's so over priced. On a Tuesday evening we waited outside on a table to order. That took 25 minutes. Then the burger and chips took 45 minutes to arrive with no acknowledgment/apology.
And this is the one to look out for. They use to charge for "table service" but on so many occaisons while I have been waiting at the bar I have heard so many arguments by the bar staff and customers who don't want to pay service for drinks on top of food...now they write "service charge optional" in small writing on the receipt. When I went to pay the guy behind the bar handed me back the chip and pin machine bypassing the option for me to pay the service charge selecting "yes". When i asked why he did that his reply was: "well, customers normally pay us tips!!"
Sadly this may be happening a lot so beaware!

4 Aug 2008 13:45

Lazy, Tower Bridge

Address: 146 tanner st, (shad thames end), London, SE1 2HG [map]
Phone: 020 7394 8001
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Bermondsey (0.5 miles), London Bridge (0.7 miles), Tower Hill (0.7 miles)

Nearest DLR station: Tower Gateway (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Bridge (0.6 miles), Fenchurch Street (0.8 miles), Cannon Street (1.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Being one of the many parties that put in a bid for Lazy, i did have a chance to meet the chap that sucessfully bought the lease. I knew Daryll well and as dissapointed as i am to have my bid rejected, it's nice to know that such a quality venue will again have a quality operator. Having looked into the new guys company ( and application ) , it's obious that he has original ideas bar and having run a club in London Bridge obiously knows the area.

All the best i say !

21 Aug 2008 22:06

Previous owner wasn't aussie, might dress like one,sandals in winter and that, but
from south london. Pal

21 Aug 2008 19:34

As someone once said: time will tell (A.Einstein).
The future GM is also an aussie, knows the vibe and knows the business, some freshness and good PR and hopefully he'll get the old croud back, if not, he'll get a new one, not better, not worse, new!
Wetherspoons you say? good luck to you pal!

21 Aug 2008 18:44

The Rose and Crown, Southwark

Address: 47, Colombo St, London, SE1 8DP [map]
Phone: 020 7928 4285
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Nearest tube stations: Southwark (0.1 miles), Waterloo (0.5 miles), Blackfriars (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR station: Bank (0.9 mile)

Nearest train stations: London Waterloo East (0.3 miles), London Waterloo (0.4 miles), Blackfriars (0.4 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

popped in while looking around area , a nice pint, very impressed

26 Oct 2008 19:21

A hidden gem of a pub of Blackfriars road. The German's bombed the church behind 60 odd years ago, thankfully they missed this temple of beer worship. Thank you Lord!

26 Oct 2008 09:42

Proper old style boozer. Excellent Shepherd Neame beer and a landlord you can have some great craic with.

22 Oct 2008 12:34

The Gipsy Moth, Greenwich

Address: 60 Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich, London, SE10 9BL [map]
Phone: 020 8858 0786
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Nearest DLR stations: Cutty Sark (0.1 miles), Greenwich (0.3 miles), Island Gardens (0.4 miles)

Nearest train stations: Greenwich (0.4 miles), Maze Hill (0.6 miles), Deptford (0.8 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I cant say I noticed much difference refurb wise between Christmas and being in there 2 weeks ago, but then again I had had a lot more to drink at Christmas.

The garden was a really nice atmosphere when it was hot the other week but I suffer a bit being sat in the sun and could have done with more shade for such a big garden. We ended up sitting under the tree at the back and a pigeon did a very large poo on my friends head, which although it was hilarious as it was him and not me, BEWARE.

The bar staff seem chipper and up for a laugh but I think there were a lot of elements that I preferred a few years back before it got done up in a big way.

27 May 2008 17:49

excellent refurb, a lot brighter inside.
Food menu top end and fast service, will be great for the coming summer.
Uber good beer selection also.
David

13 Apr 2008 22:47

Went here 18 months ago and was mildly impressed. Returned recently and was less so. Had a terrible pint of Adnams Broadside, and despite the bar being quite long they were only serving in one small bit of it leading to an unseemly scrum to get served. The men's toilet was broken as it was on my previous visit. On the plus side the lager selection is decent (bottles of Birra Morreti), and it's got a big garden which I expect is good in the summer.

30 Mar 2008 20:44

The Blythe Hill Tavern, Forest Hill

Address: 319 Stanstead Road, London, SE23 1JB [map]
Phone: 020 8690 5176
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Nearest train stations: Catford (0.4 miles), Catford Bridge (0.5 miles), Honor Oak Park (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Very friendly pub which, like previous reviewer, I checked out following its CAMRA success. A proper locals pub full of old boys and tracksuited geezers watching the golf. The sort of place you could easily while away a day in, particularly with the beautifully kept pints of Freedom ale and Hophead.

21 Sep 2008 09:25

Having lived in the area for years and walked past the door without going in ever, I was intrigued when it won our Camra Branch pub of the year. I can see why; lovely garden; unspoiled interior; beers in top nick (Landlord, Harvey's Best and Westerham Summer Perle when I last went) but what gets it for me is this is topped off by first class SERVICE. A pub not to be missed if you are in the SE23/SE6 borders.

13 Sep 2008 17:37

This is a brilliant old school Irish pub. I come here every Thursday after 5-a-side football and the welcome is always great. The impecably polite barstuff wear shirts and ties and remember what you do and what you drink. Musicians come and play every Thursday too.
Good-sized screens showing football when it's on.
Landlord buys drinks at Christmas.
If you buy a big round and there's Guiness in it then they bring the Guiness over to you, even if you're sitting outside.
A wide range of drinkers from young to old, geezers sitting there reading books.
Pubs like they used to be and how they should be.

29 Aug 2008 15:26

The Kings Arms, Southwark

Address: 25, Roupell St, London, SE1 8TB [map]
Phone: 020 7207 0784
See full pub details

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:

A smashing back street Victorian boozer which is well worth going out of your way to find. Excellent looking front bar with fair selection of Ales on tap with large open rear for eating reasonably priced and plentiful Thai food.

Packed when we visited on a Tuesday night.

However this fantastic pub on many fronts is let down by ignorant bar staff and a we had a virtualy identical experience to runnerbean below.

1 Oct 2008 11:44

One of the best pubs in London. A short and pleasant walk from Waterloo Station or Southwark tube, (Incidently, this pub is in Lambeth, the boundary is at the bottem of the street with Southwark). Very busy, but comfortable place. Only problem as with most places, no seats outside for smokers to sit. How about fixing a few painted benches along the side to sit on chaps? Still a very nice pub.

25 Sep 2008 12:03

A great,great pub. Lots of pleasant places to sit or stand and a very good selection of well presented beers. A must have address for the true bitter drinker.

25 Sep 2008 00:55

More information

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