Guide to the best pubs in London Bridge

Guide to the best pubs in London Bridge

London Bridge is probably best known for sights such as Borough Market and The Shard, but there are plenty of watering holes tucked away among the headliners, letting you catch your breath while touring the area. Thanks to London Bridge's proximity to the Thames and merchant past, there's no shortage of riverside views or historic charm among the local boozers, either. Read our guide to the best pubs in London Bridge to find the top spots for a refreshing pint!

In this guide
  1. The best pubs in London Bridge
    1. The Barrowboy & Banker – Stately pub in grand bank setting
    2. The Anchor – A-maze-ing historical pub
    3. The George – One of London's oldest pubs
    4. The Horniman at Hays – Pies, views and character
    5. Rose & Crown – Beers, burgers and beds
    6. The Shipwrights Arms – Classic pub in historic building
    7. The Gladstone Arms – Family-run music haven
    8. The Southwark Tavern – Perfect for hitting up Borough Market
    9. The Dean Swift – Taps 'n' tapas
    10. The Market Porter – The Potter Porter
    11. The Lord Clyde – No-fuss boozer
    12. The Woolpack – Whiling away the hours in the garden
    13. The Old Thameside Inn – Pints by the river
    14. The Anchor & Hope – Award-winning and artistic
    15. The Miller – Laughs and draughts
    16. The Horseshoe Inn – Hidden gem
    17. The Britannia – Smoked meats, beers and cocktails

The best pubs in London Bridge

Top London Bridge pubs to visit

The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker – Pubs in London Bridge
The Barrowboy & Banker

The Barrowboy & Banker

Stately pub in grand bank setting

Thanks to the former bank building it occupies, The Barrowboy & Banker pub takes your breath away as soon as you walk through the door, with a sweeping staircase connecting its two levels, an eye-catching contemporary lighting fixture, and elegant furnishings throughout. The Fuller's establishment offers cask ales, craft beers, spirits and other drinks to quench your thirst, as well as award-winning pies and other traditional British fare.

The Anchor

A-maze-ing historical pub

A maze-like warren of rooms, passages and staircases next to the River Thames, Borough Market and the famed Globe theatre, the Anchor was supposedly frequented by William Shakespeare and other historical figures in one of its previous incarnations. Today, it's an excellent choice for refuelling while wandering around the area's many sights, serving platters of deep-fried deliciousness and classic pub fare alongside Greene King beers and other drinks.

The George

One of London's oldest pubs

Established in 1676, there's a whole lot of history hidden in the walls of The George Inn. The galleried coaching inn with original features boasts a large, sunny beer garden, along with several meeting and private rooms and a dedicated sports area. The menu at this Greene King establishment complements the full range of drinks with classic British pub food such as fish ‘n' chips or a nice Sunday roast.

The Horniman at Hays

Pies, views and character

The Horniman at Hays is housed in a former tea warehouse in the Hay's Galleria building and is characterised by an evocative interior, with golden taps crowning a wood-panelled marble-top bar. The pub boasts an outdoor terrace with a great view of the Thames and the HMS Belfast anchored in front. The Nicholson establishment is famed for its award-winning pies, for example the game suet pudding, accompanied by rotating cask ales, house gin and other drinks.

Rose & Crown

Beers, burgers and beds

The Rose & Crown in London Bridge is a PubLove part-pub part-hostel, offering lodging as well as food, drinks and a sociable atmosphere. The vibrant establishment caters to a youthful international crowd, gorging themselves on tasty burgers courtesy of the Burger Craft kitchen, for example the acclaimed Juicy Bastard with a double beef patty, double cheese, BBQ sauce, tomato and lettuce. Beers, spirits and other drinks are also available, of course.

The Shipwrights Arms

Classic pub in historic building

This classic English pub is housed in a Grade II listed building, behind a striking, ornately decorated blue front. Dating back to 1884, the pub offers a range of lagers, cask ales, fine wines from around the world and other drinks from behind a central island bar. Pub fare staples such as cheeseburgers and fish ‘n' chips are available as well. The Shipwrights Arms also shows major matches on two big screens.

The Gladstone Arms

Family-run music haven

Hidden away next to London Bridge Station, The Gladstone Arms is a family-run affair that regularly hosts live music, comedy nights and other entertainment. The drinks include a changing selection of local beers across 13 taps, and if the lively atmosphere becomes too much, you can take a breather on the rooftop terrace. The food shouldn't be missed out on, either, as Indian flavours adorn British staples in dishes such as the tikka masala pie.

The Southwark Tavern

Perfect for hitting up Borough Market

The Southwark Tavern is a bastion of traditional hospitality on a corner next to the famed Borough Market. It features a charming setting behind iron-wrought stained-glass windows, and encompasses pavement seating and an intimate dining area with exposed brick walls in the basement in addition to the main bar. You can find all the usual suspects on the food menu, from fish ‘n' chips to Sunday roast dinners, accompanied by a broad selection of drinks, including limited-edition craft beers on tap.

The Dean Swift

Taps 'n' tapas

The small and elegant Dean Swift corner pub in historic Shad Thames, near the picturesque Butler's Wharf Pier, doesn't feature overwhelming decor, just a simple, unpretentious setting, a friendly atmosphere, well-poured pints and tasty grub. The latter includes authentic Spanish tapas alongside the usual pub fare, with the Sunday roast dinner worthy of special mention. Beers from around the world are available across 20 taps, alongside wines, spirits and other drinks.

The Market Porter

The Potter Porter

The Market Porter is a classic British gastropub, sidling right up to Borough Market. The traditional pub surroundings offer hospitable familiarity for a pint, with classic British meals served in the upstairs dining room. The menu includes favourites such as pumpkin soup, a pie of the day, and fish ‘n' chips, with roasts served on Sundays. Potterheads should definitely pay the establishment a visit as well, as it was used as a bookshop in the third Harry Potter film.

The Lord Clyde

No-fuss boozer

A proper Southwark local, this traditional Edwardian pub with original features covers all the bases. Grab a seat indoors or outside and order yourself a drink – or a cocktail pitcher to share, if there are more of you – while you wait for your Pieminister pie of choice. On Sundays, roast dinners are a must. Major live sports are shown whenever they're on, and the establishment is dog-friendly, as well.

The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack
The Woolpack – Pubs in London Bridge
The Woolpack

The Woolpack

Whiling away the hours in the garden

Bermondsey's the Woolpack is a favourite among locals and a sure-fire hit among first-time visitors, thanks to its ornate interior and pleasant beer garden. The latter is fitted with picnic tables, while the former includes a function room with a renaissance-themed ceiling. You can fill up on classic British fare such as sausages and mash, massive burgers and Sunday roasts, accompanied by small-batch local spirits, wines and craft brews.

The Old Thameside Inn

Pints by the river

Housed in a former spice warehouse, The Old Thameside Inn is nestled in between a historic prison building, a Gothic cathedral and a full-sized replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, suffusing the pub in a distinguished, historic air. Thanks to its titular Thameside location, it also lets you enjoy a drink and a chat while watching the river flow by. The fine Nicholson establishment rounds off its offer with refreshing pints, pub fare classics and live sports broadcasts.

The Anchor & Hope

Award-winning and artistic

Compared to the Anchor Bankside, the Anchor & Hope in Southwark loses the riverside location but adds a bunch of awards and a changing menu of contemporary British cuisine. Ethically-sourced seafood and venison are regularly featured, accompanied by an extensive wine list, cocktails, craft beers on tap and other tipples. In addition to the food and drinks, you can also get your fill of art here, as the artwork on the walls is for sale.

The Miller

Laughs and draughts

The Miller is a lively Borough pub that's a favourite of students, as well as aficionados of real ales and ciders. The bright red second-floor front loudly proclaims it the home of the Hoopla Improv Comedy Club, throwing out jokes from the upstairs stage while fresh pints are poured downstairs. An outside seating area is available as well, and Bunsmith are in charge of the burgers and fries.

The Horseshoe Inn

Hidden gem

Providing a safe haven away from the bustling neighbourhood, The Horseshoe Inn is housed in a picture-perfect Victorian corner building. The interior is similarly retro-inspired, with old tomes, timepieces and signage as decoration, and a cat as master and commander. You can gaze at The Shard while cradling your pint in the garden, tuck into traditional British pub grub, play darts and more at this welcoming local.

The Britannia

Smoked meats, beers and cocktails

The Britannia is a classic London boozer tucked down a residential street five minutes from London Bridge or Borough station. The palm tree-covered garden area is the perfect place to enjoy a beer or cocktail al fresco (look out for weekly deals). Inside, it's spacious and ideal for enjoying some of their special BBQ dishes. The food is by Smok'd, who originated from a pop-up from Ribstock champions, BBQ Whisky Beer. They cook smoked meats inspired by American pit masters with a modern British touch. Highlights include beef rib and smoked beef brisket, as well as creamy Mac and cheese, wings, loaded fries and other comfort food classics.

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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.