Being the transport nexus that it is, London Bridge is a bit like puberty – everyone has to go through it at some point, it can be a little confusing when you do, and you end up suddenly seeing the benefits of alcohol. Which is where the pubs in London Bridge come in handy.
So, with that in mind, we’ve decided to put together a list of the finest drinking establishments in the area. From hole-in-the-wall craft beer bars to historic alehouses, here are the best pubs in London Bridge…
The Woolpack
Boasting the best beer garden in the area, The Woolpack on bustling Bermondsey Street is a warm-weather favourite. On a sunny day, you’ll find every man and his dog (literally, this place is prime for pup-watching) jostling for a highly coveted garden table. But even when the sun isn’t shining – rare as that is – The Woolpack delivers. Inside, it’s all vintage tiling and wood panelling, with a wrought iron spiral staircase connecting two spacious floors. If you’re peckish, it would be criminal not to visit one of the many excellent restaurants in London Bridge, but if you find yourself ensconced here the sizeable menu features everything from spicy jackfruit salad to classic cheeseburgers. There’s also a decent wine list and a solid selection of interesting craft beers to match.
Details: 98 Bermondsey St, SE1 3UB
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The Market Porter
Parked directly opposite Borough Market, this old-school alehouse is pretty much always heaving, making it tricky to score a spot at peak times. But even if you have to stand outside, you’ll be rewarded with excellent people-watching and a cracking atmosphere. Choose from one of many real ales on tap, plus a selection of lagers, IPAs, and ciders. And to line your stomach, there’s a menu of classic British pub fare, including a particularly popular pie of the day.
Details: 9 Stoney St, London SE1 9AA
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The Southwark Tavern
Established in 1864 on the site of a ye olde debtors’ prison, The Southwark Tavern has existed through various incarnations as a hotel, pub and even a Luftwaffe target in World War II. Now, after a series of refurbs, it serves as one of the finest pubs in London Bridge, without sacrificing any of its original charm. Perched right at the edge of Borough Market, it’s a hot-spot for local office workers and tourists. But if you want to escape the crowds, head down into the basement, where the one-time cells have been transformed into cosy, candle-lit alcoves. Food is standard pub grub, but the place is serious about beer, boasting six ales and over 20 specialty draught beers and lagers.
Details: 22 Southwark St, SE1 1TU
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The Globe Tavern
Caitlin Isola
Half sitting inside Borough Market itself, The Globe Tavern is a great all-rounder. The ground floor offers everything you’d want from a quintessential pub: a buzzy atmosphere, a regularly changing line up of beers on tap, and a bit of London lore attached (the place doubled as Bridget Jones’ flat in the first film). But what really sets The Globe apart from other pubs around London Bridge is the stellar food residencies it hosts upstairs on the first floor. Having given Chishuru’s Joké Bakare a space to cook before opening her (now Michelin-starred) restaurant in the West End, they’ve just handed the reins over to TÓU, a dedicated katsu sando pop-up from the team behind TATA Eatery.
Details: 8 Bedale Street, London, SE1 9AL
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Mc & Sons
Tucked away on a Southwark side street is Mc & Sons, a friendly family-run Irish pub that feels transplanted straight from the streets of Dublin. The old-timey interior features wooden walls covered with framed photos that commemorate past generations of the McElhinney family. Bring your friends to fill out the hidden 10-person snug with its own private bar hatch, or join the craic in the main bar area. Unsurprisingly, they serve a mean pint of Guinness here, but more surprising is the excellent Thai food. There’s also traditional live music on Saturday nights, so arrive early to get a seat and settle in.
Details: 160 Union St, SE1 0LH
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History buffs best make a beeline for The George Inn. One of the oldest pubs in London, it dates back to the 17th century and has counted William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens among its regulars over the years. As the only surviving galleried coaching inn in the capital, it sports a huge open courtyard (where the Bard is said to have held performances), overlooked by balconies running the length of the pub, where punters could keep half an eye out for their coach leaving. These days, the clientele may be somewhat less… Elizabethan, but a lot of the old period features are still intact, lending it a sense of authentic old-world charm. It’s run by Greene King, so you can expect a decent drinks selection too.
Details: 75 Borough High St, SE1 1NH
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The Roebuck
London Bridge has so many pubs within a stone’s throw of each other that it’s easy to overlook those that are ever so slightly off the beaten track. Which would be a sorry mistake, as it means missing out on the charms of The Roebuck. A 15-minute stroll south of the station, this characterful Borough boozer stands on a leafy corner, a scattering of benches out front. The interior is airy and bright, with Victorian period fixtures and reclaimed furniture, and cosy firesides to cosy up next to in winter. And with free comedy every month, karaoke nights and a regular quiz, you will be entertained.
Details: 50 Great Dover St, SE1 4YG
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The Rake
What The Rake lacks in size it more than makes up for in the quantity – and quality – of its craft beers on offer. This diminutive drinking den tucked around the back of Borough Market was founded by beer nerds for beer nerds. And you can tell. The intimate interior is decorated with beer ephemera, its walls scrawled with tributes from local and international brewers. With 16 keg taps and four cask pumps plus fridges chock-full with a dizzying array of bottled brews, it’s a hop-lover’s paradise.
Details: 14A Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG
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The Rose
Sure, The Rose is a great place to pop into for a drink: it has craft beers, barrel-aged cocktails and decent wines. There’s even a sweet little beer garden from which to enjoy your beverage of choice. But to leave it there would be missing the point. You see, this beloved London Bridge pub is famed for its chicken parmos, in particular the monolithically huge Bermondsey Parmo. It’s a behemoth of a thing, topped with Swiss cheese, bechamel sauce and chorizo, and served with fries and salad. A similarly unrestrained approach is applied to other items on the menu, including the hulking truffle burger. Suffice to say, you’re going to want to come hungry.
Details: 123 Snowsfields, SE1 3ST
Looking for cocktails? Steer in the direction of these London Bridge bars