The best pubs in Southwark

The Barrowboy & Banker, set in a grand former bank, impresses with its sweeping staircase, polished wood interiors, and striking design details. Spread across two levels, it's equally suited to private events or a casual pint, offering a rotating selection of cask ales, craft beers, wines, and spirits. Its menu of award-winning pies, classic British dishes, and one of London's top Sunday roasts makes it a Southwark destination for both food and drink.

Among the more unique pubs in London, Tamesis Dock is set on a converted 1930s Dutch barge moored in Southwark, offering food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere right on the Thames. Despite the one-of-a-kind setting, however, the pub vibes are very much on point. Guests can enjoy cosy indoor decks or a roof terrace with views of the Houses of Parliament, alongside live music, refreshing pints, and a friendly crowd.

Sitting at a prime spot beside the Thames, within walking distance of Borough Market and the Globe, The Anchor is a sprawling Southwark pub full of nooks, staircases, and hidden corners. Shakespeare himself supposedly frequented an earlier version of the tavern back in his days, adding to its historic charm. Today it's a popular pit stop for sightseers, serving hearty pub staples and fried favourites alongside Greene King brews and a wide choice of other drinks.

The Southwark Tavern, perched by Borough Market, combines classic British charm with stained-glass windows, pavement seating, and a snug brick-walled basement dining room. Its menu covers all the pub favourites, from fish and chips to hearty Sunday roasts. To drink, there's a wide choice of beers, including rotating craft specials, alongside other pub staples.

The Anchor & Hope is renowned for its ever-changing blackboard menu of modern British dishes made with responsibly sourced ingredients. Seafood, venison, globally inspired plates, and more all regularly make the cut, paired with a robust assortment of wines, cocktails, and craft beers. If you want a piece of the pub to take home with you, you can also buy one of the artworks displayed on the walls.

Dating back to the 1600s and even referenced in Dickens' “Little Dorrit”, The George is one of London's oldest pubs. Its galleried setting, spacious beer garden, and oodles of character have made it a beloved spot for drinks or classic British pub fare through the ages. Modern amenities include private rooms, meeting spaces, and a dedicated live sports section.

With its location right in one of Waterloo Station's arches, the Hole in the Wall is a great choice for sinking a few after work before catching the train home. The bar offers  six cask ales and more than 25 beers on tap, including brews from Bermondsey's famed Beer Mile. The Southwark pub's name derives from a story that relatives used to pass food to prisoners through a hole in the prison wall here.

The Steam Engine combines a classic pub setting with a backpackers' hostel, creating a lively hub for a young, international crowd. Drinks flow alongside stacked burgers from the in-house kitchen – sink a few pints and order the Cheesus Christ burger, and you'll be thanking the heavens accommodation is close at hand. A spacious beer garden rounds out the offering, perfect for sunny afternoons.

Full of playful stage props and dramatic decor both inside and out, Vaulty Towers is a delightfully eccentric Southwark pub that packs its calendar with all sorts of entertainment – quizzes, stand-up comedy, DJ sessions, live blues, and more. It's just as inviting for a casual drink or bite to eat, though, and its location next to the railway station is very useful too.

The Lord Nelson is a popular Southwark pub with a buzzing atmosphere and one of the most extensive burger menus in all of London, featuring options from beef and chicken to lamb, wild boar, veggie, and vegan, all with a wide choice of toppings. Set against a backdrop of colourful, eclectic decor, it's a lively place to settle in for a meal or simply enjoy a few drinks.