The Understudy Upper Ground SE1 9PX
The Understudy is one of the first results of the National Theatre’s renovations, and it’s a craft beer bar with views of the Thames. Just the concept made us so happy we could spit, and the reality turns out to be pretty peachy too. First things first: no, the range isn’t as extensive as somewhere like the Old Red Cow or Craft Beer Co’s rapidly expanding empire. The range on keg is heavy on the Meantime (we’re pinning the next day’s hangover firmly on Yakima Red) but they’re concentrating on London breweries. We spotted beers from Redchurch Brewery, Beavertown, Five Points Brewing Co, Fourpure and a fine Saison from Brew By Numbers. All keg and no cask. There are also plenty of bottles and cans (again, Fourpure) in the fridge, alongside cider and Gosnells London Mead. Prices aren’t outrageous considering the location and hipster appeal of good beer: we got two pints for £9.50. The decor is basic wood and simple seating with the occasional sofa, but the real draw is the floor to ceiling window looking out onto the river. If the South Bank lacked anything, it was a relaxed bar selling decent beer; the BFI bar does well on the drink front but is always too full of Guardian Soulmates first dates to properly kick-back in. Plus, The Understudy’s open longer. But we think the perfect time for this bar will be a weekend afternoon, watching the sun go down over a leisurely pint or three. Oh, and the music choice is superb, ranging from depressing non-cheesy singer-songwriter to laid-back modern stuff.
Kings Arms 25 Roupell Street SE1 8TB
Oh the happy memories we've accumulated in this place over the years. Lurking away from the main roads, half-way down the film-set terrace of Roupell Street, the King's Arms might lazily be declared a 'hidden gem'. Judging by the crowds who find the place every evening, there's nothing very 'hidden' about it. Turn up of an afternoon, however, and you'll find the perfect corner pub for a quiet pint. The front space is split into public and saloon bars — terms that don't mean very much these days — either of which offers a pleasant and traditional drinking environment. The famous back room is a very different proposition — a spacious hall bathed in photons from the skylights. It's sold inexpensive Thai food for as long as we can remember, and very good it is, too. There's a strong, strong emphasis on real ale, with nine on draught (be sure to walk round the full horseshoe of the bar to find them all) and plenty of interesting bottles.
The Windmill 86 The Cut SE1 8LW
Unexpected pub discoveries are the lifeblood of the committed London drinker, and this is one of the most pleasant surprises we've had in our travels. The Windmill is tucked away down the improbably named Lambeth High Street, which during our visit was bedevilled by squadron after squadron of tiny black flies. This onslaught meant a dive into the pub was necessary and what a happy accident it proved to be. The Windmill is a place of contrasts, with the front of the pub nicely lit by the large windows and the back dark and littered with strange objects and ornaments like an American speakeasy. The back wall is covered with bookshelves, upon which are not just books (including Encyclopaedia Britannica seemingly thieved from a nearby library, complete with Dewey Decimal numbers) and bottles, but also a large fireman's hose, a tribute no doubt to the nearby London Fire Bridge Headquarters. While it's no great surprise to find ornate wall carvings and a sewing machine sitting at the back, this is certainly not a pretentious pub, with a pool table and dartboard sitting proudly at the front, plus a chessboard, though you may have to find your own pieces. There's even a space invaders table, to accompany the huge tiled Invader mosaic on the side of the building.
The Lord Nelson 243 Union Street SE1 0LR
Anyone who remembers this place from a few years ago is in for a shock. The former estate pub looks like it's been stormed by a bunch of students and decorated with every kitsch item they could lay their hands upon. It's not just that the walls are covered in Teletubbies, fairy lights and gurning animals. Even the beer taps are loaded with toys. You'd have to be a sour-faced goat indeed not to smile at the decor, though.Drinks-wise, it's mostly kegged stuff, with plenty of lagers and Meantime, and cheap pints on Mondays and Tuesdays. The one draught ale is named Nelson, and we rather enjoyed it (don't order a half Nelson, or you might end up in a wrestling hold). The major attraction of this place (assuming you're not here for the inflatable aliens and floral paintjob) are the burgers. They have 20 different varieties to choose among, including six veggie options. Part pub, part bar, part student union, the Nelson is a one-off, admirable admiral.
Three Stags 67-69 Kennington Road SE1 7PZ
There's a board outside the Three Stags that proclaims it's 'sustainable', without actually explaining whether that means the food, the beer or the fact that the pub has so far survived the carnage of pub closures that's hit the capital. The explanation is that the Three Stags wins awards for its environmental sustainability, sourcing products from responsible suppliers and making sure their green credentials are held at the centre of all they do, which is a perfectly good reason for them to be included as one of the best pubs in the area. There are a handful of tables by the busy junction outside but the inside is quite spacious and tall, with a variety of busts casting their gazes over the punters below, in particularly displeased fashion in the case of Queen Victoria. There's a punk theme going on, and the pub seems to claim a connection with the Sex Pistols of which various references can be spotted, though the internet unearths no particular tie we can find. There are just a trio of ales on hand pump (it's a Greene King pub), and a few chilled keg taps that include Punk IPA. A well thought-through wine list fills a board above the bar, though that seemed of little interest to the man dipping in glass bowls for crisps and seemingly leaving full packets beside confused strangers lining up for drinks. We never did find out if he worked for the pub, the crisp company or was just some random oddball. The food menu is impressive, and of course environmentally laudable. Additional unique aspects include a Trench Map of the Great War just inside the gents, a nod to the Imperial War Museum around the corner, no doubt, and Chaplin's Corner, a little nook at the side of the pub in memory of Charlie, who spent a number of formative years in Kennington.
The Tankard 111 Kennington Road SE11 6SF
The Draft House chain is growing quickly. And Amen to that. This, their 13th venue, is anything but unlucky, bringing quality ales and a friendly vibe to the foot of Kennington Road. The Tankard — a return to the pub's original 1825 name — is in august company. It sits between the Imperial War Museum and a row of mature plane trees that carry the names of the Apollo astronauts. But this is a thoroughly down-to-earth pub, with cosy bench seating and strong beers. As with its predecessor on the site, the Grand Union, there's an upstairs bit with outside decking. It's a choice spot in fine weather, but wasn't much use on the drizzly day we dropped by. The roof terrace was supposedly built to allow gawkers a peep into Bedlam hospital, which was formerly in the Imperial War Museum buildings. The food choice is a little more extensive than some of the other Draft Houses. This place has a proper kitchen that can muster something more involved than the usual burgers and hot dogs. Look out for the Sunday roasts and the English cheeseboard. The bar is as well stocked as you'd expect from the chain, leaning more toward keg than cask, and a fine array of bottles.
The Understudy is one of the first results of the National Theatre’s renovations, and it’s a craft beer bar with views of the Thames. Just the concept made us so happy we could spit, and the reality turns out to be pretty peachy too. First things first: no, the range isn’t as extensive as somewhere like the Old Red Cow or Craft Beer Co’s rapidly expanding empire. The range on keg is heavy on the Meantime (we’re pinning the next day’s hangover firmly on Yakima Red) but they’re concentrating on London breweries. We spotted beers from Redchurch Brewery, Beavertown, Five Points Brewing Co, Fourpure and a fine Saison from Brew By Numbers. All keg and no cask. There are also plenty of bottles and cans (again, Fourpure) in the fridge, alongside cider and Gosnells London Mead. Prices aren’t outrageous considering the location and hipster appeal of good beer: we got two pints for £9.50. The decor is basic wood and simple seating with the occasional sofa, but the real draw is the floor to ceiling window looking out onto the river. If the South Bank lacked anything, it was a relaxed bar selling decent beer; the BFI bar does well on the drink front but is always too full of Guardian Soulmates first dates to properly kick-back in. Plus, The Understudy’s open longer. But we think the perfect time for this bar will be a weekend afternoon, watching the sun go down over a leisurely pint or three. Oh, and the music choice is superb, ranging from depressing non-cheesy singer-songwriter to laid-back modern stuff.
Kings Arms 25 Roupell Street SE1 8TB
Oh the happy memories we've accumulated in this place over the years. Lurking away from the main roads, half-way down the film-set terrace of Roupell Street, the King's Arms might lazily be declared a 'hidden gem'. Judging by the crowds who find the place every evening, there's nothing very 'hidden' about it. Turn up of an afternoon, however, and you'll find the perfect corner pub for a quiet pint. The front space is split into public and saloon bars — terms that don't mean very much these days — either of which offers a pleasant and traditional drinking environment. The famous back room is a very different proposition — a spacious hall bathed in photons from the skylights. It's sold inexpensive Thai food for as long as we can remember, and very good it is, too. There's a strong, strong emphasis on real ale, with nine on draught (be sure to walk round the full horseshoe of the bar to find them all) and plenty of interesting bottles.
The Windmill 86 The Cut SE1 8LW
Unexpected pub discoveries are the lifeblood of the committed London drinker, and this is one of the most pleasant surprises we've had in our travels. The Windmill is tucked away down the improbably named Lambeth High Street, which during our visit was bedevilled by squadron after squadron of tiny black flies. This onslaught meant a dive into the pub was necessary and what a happy accident it proved to be. The Windmill is a place of contrasts, with the front of the pub nicely lit by the large windows and the back dark and littered with strange objects and ornaments like an American speakeasy. The back wall is covered with bookshelves, upon which are not just books (including Encyclopaedia Britannica seemingly thieved from a nearby library, complete with Dewey Decimal numbers) and bottles, but also a large fireman's hose, a tribute no doubt to the nearby London Fire Bridge Headquarters. While it's no great surprise to find ornate wall carvings and a sewing machine sitting at the back, this is certainly not a pretentious pub, with a pool table and dartboard sitting proudly at the front, plus a chessboard, though you may have to find your own pieces. There's even a space invaders table, to accompany the huge tiled Invader mosaic on the side of the building.
The Lord Nelson 243 Union Street SE1 0LR
Anyone who remembers this place from a few years ago is in for a shock. The former estate pub looks like it's been stormed by a bunch of students and decorated with every kitsch item they could lay their hands upon. It's not just that the walls are covered in Teletubbies, fairy lights and gurning animals. Even the beer taps are loaded with toys. You'd have to be a sour-faced goat indeed not to smile at the decor, though.Drinks-wise, it's mostly kegged stuff, with plenty of lagers and Meantime, and cheap pints on Mondays and Tuesdays. The one draught ale is named Nelson, and we rather enjoyed it (don't order a half Nelson, or you might end up in a wrestling hold). The major attraction of this place (assuming you're not here for the inflatable aliens and floral paintjob) are the burgers. They have 20 different varieties to choose among, including six veggie options. Part pub, part bar, part student union, the Nelson is a one-off, admirable admiral.
Three Stags 67-69 Kennington Road SE1 7PZ
There's a board outside the Three Stags that proclaims it's 'sustainable', without actually explaining whether that means the food, the beer or the fact that the pub has so far survived the carnage of pub closures that's hit the capital. The explanation is that the Three Stags wins awards for its environmental sustainability, sourcing products from responsible suppliers and making sure their green credentials are held at the centre of all they do, which is a perfectly good reason for them to be included as one of the best pubs in the area. There are a handful of tables by the busy junction outside but the inside is quite spacious and tall, with a variety of busts casting their gazes over the punters below, in particularly displeased fashion in the case of Queen Victoria. There's a punk theme going on, and the pub seems to claim a connection with the Sex Pistols of which various references can be spotted, though the internet unearths no particular tie we can find. There are just a trio of ales on hand pump (it's a Greene King pub), and a few chilled keg taps that include Punk IPA. A well thought-through wine list fills a board above the bar, though that seemed of little interest to the man dipping in glass bowls for crisps and seemingly leaving full packets beside confused strangers lining up for drinks. We never did find out if he worked for the pub, the crisp company or was just some random oddball. The food menu is impressive, and of course environmentally laudable. Additional unique aspects include a Trench Map of the Great War just inside the gents, a nod to the Imperial War Museum around the corner, no doubt, and Chaplin's Corner, a little nook at the side of the pub in memory of Charlie, who spent a number of formative years in Kennington.
The Tankard 111 Kennington Road SE11 6SF
The Draft House chain is growing quickly. And Amen to that. This, their 13th venue, is anything but unlucky, bringing quality ales and a friendly vibe to the foot of Kennington Road. The Tankard — a return to the pub's original 1825 name — is in august company. It sits between the Imperial War Museum and a row of mature plane trees that carry the names of the Apollo astronauts. But this is a thoroughly down-to-earth pub, with cosy bench seating and strong beers. As with its predecessor on the site, the Grand Union, there's an upstairs bit with outside decking. It's a choice spot in fine weather, but wasn't much use on the drizzly day we dropped by. The roof terrace was supposedly built to allow gawkers a peep into Bedlam hospital, which was formerly in the Imperial War Museum buildings. The food choice is a little more extensive than some of the other Draft Houses. This place has a proper kitchen that can muster something more involved than the usual burgers and hot dogs. Look out for the Sunday roasts and the English cheeseboard. The bar is as well stocked as you'd expect from the chain, leaning more toward keg than cask, and a fine array of bottles.
