Guide to the best bars in South Bank and Waterloo

Guide to the best bars in South Bank and Waterloo

Unsurprisingly, London’s riverside South Bank is one of the city’s busier areas to explore, so when it comes to picking the best places to sink a pint or two, it’s always worth planning ahead. We’ve hand-picked our favourite spots to enjoy a drink in this creative district, from boardgame bars to old-school pubs; here’s our guide to the best bars in South Bank and the neighbouring Waterloo.

Great bars in South Bank and Waterloo

The best Waterloo bars and South Bank bars

Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness
Lyaness – Bars in South Bank and Waterloo
Lyaness

Lyaness

One of the best in the world

Lyaness is one of the city’s most iconic bars. The bar has been established by the most awarded barman in the world, and the cocktail menu focuses on just five ingredients to allow the team to apply a cook’s approach to mixology. The space is sleek and sophisticated, with velvet seating, shades of blue and green and sweeping views of the neighbouring Thames. They also serve wine, champagne and beer, and a food menu of bar snacks, small plates and sharing plates.

Draughts

Board games galore

Draughts is a bar for those who enjoy simultaneously getting stuck into a pint and a board game. They have thousands of games on the shelves to choose from, so no matter how many times you return there will always be something new to try. Their drinks menu comprises everything from classic cocktails and beers to soft drinks. If all that gaming works up an appetite, you can enjoy tasty food like burgers, tacos and more.

The Anchor & Hope

A British pub experience

The Anchor & Hope pub in Waterloo serves a menu of mouthwatering British dishes scrawled daily on a blackboard and an extensive list of wines, cocktails, craft beers and more. The multi-award-winning pub is quintessentially British, with a dark interior, lots of wood panelling and art that you can purchase adorning the walls.

The Understudy

A KERB venture

KERB at The Understudy is the newly-refurbished craft beer pub at the National Theatre on the South Bank Riverside Walkway. The menu features a line-up of wine from independent makers, guest ales, Gipsy Hill beers and spirits by East London Liquor co. There’s also a range of streetfood traders serving food from around the world, like Mumbai-inspired vegan cuisine and chicken wings made with special six-spice seasoning.

The Waterloo Tap

Beer and gyoza

The Waterloo Tap is the place to go for all things beer. Their menu boasts beers from national and global brewers with a rotating assortment of 20 kegs and seven casks that are available every day. Expect everything from Czech pilsners and session IPAs to British ales. If you get peckish, they also serve a small menu of gyoza.

Tonight Josephine

An ode to an icon

Tonight Josephine is one of the most Instagrammed bars in London, primarily thanks to its neon pink interior and iconic 'Good Girls Don't Make History' sign. The bar is an ode to Josephine De Beauharnais, a hedonistic icon who became the Empress of the French after marrying Emperor Napoleon I. She had an admirable way of life, living by the motto 'c'est la f**king vie'. The cocktails are excellent and creatively named, and there's also a selection of wine, beer and cider to enjoy.

Vaulty Towers

Waterloo's funkiest bar

Vaulty Towers is Waterloo’s funkiest drinking hole, decked out in theatrical props and decor. The drinks menu features all the classics, like wines, beer and cider, and various cocktails, like Negronis, fancy Bloody Marys and classic Tom Collins. If you’re hungry, you can enjoy a bite from the classic food menu, from Korean fried chicken wings and buffalo sauce burgers to Mac ’n’ cheese and more.

Oxo Tower Restaurant

Picturesque riverside views

Pop along to Oxo Tower Bar for cocktails with a scenic riverside view. The terrace bar has been around for a while, features sweeping views of the River Thames and St Paul’s, and is one of the prettiest spots to enjoy an al fresco summertime drink. The bar food menu features snackable dishes, like fried whitebait with 'nduja mayonnaise and charcuterie sharing platters.

The Distillery Bankside

More than 50 gins

This is one for the avid gin drinkers, a bar housed in a former fragrance factory with more than 50 types of gin to sample. If gin isn’t your thing, they also serve a range of craft beers, cocktails and wines from around the world. The space is modern with an outdoor terrace, perfect for al fresco drinking in summer.

Skylon

Sweeping city views

Head up to the third floor of the Royal Festival Hall in the South Bank Centre and you’ll find Skylon. This swanky bar and restaurant serves a menu of modern European fare in a bright, spacious setting with panoramic views of London’s skyline seen through the epic floor-to-ceiling windows. The bar is very much the room's centrepiece, with an impressive range of indulgent cocktails and a long list of wines.

The Green Room

A neighbourhood favourite

It’s vibes all around at Green Room, South Bank’s neighbourhood bar and kitchen. It houses a pretty garden and timber-framed pavilion designed by iconic architect Benjamin Barfield Marks for indoor dining. The all-day menu is filled with all of the pub grub classics, like Cornish haddock with chips and tartar sauce, and there’s a cocktail menu to accompany it. There's also usually a DJ spinning some tracks on a Saturday.

Paradiso

Burgers and drinks with a view

Paradiso was formerly a chicken restaurant named Marsha but has been reborn as a relaxed burger joint that doubles as a cocktail bar with magnificent views of the Thames. Along with an array of different burgers to choose from, including different buttermilk chicken options, you can enjoy a variety of drinks here and even indulge in bottomless brunch on weekends.

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.