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Detail Pages
The Angel, SE16
SE16
SE16 4NB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Angel
I must have been following one of those lists of "must see" London pubs mentioned by the previous reviewer, as this one doesn't have the intactness to get it onto Camra's heritage inventory of outstanding historical interiors, but it does have listed status and is on Camra's OCR list instead (outstanding conversions and restorations). Notable here is the snug beside the bar which has a low door (similar to the Prince Alfred in Maida Vale but not so elegant - in fact, not at all elegant, merely functional). No cask beers, and though I asked for the keg Old Brewery I'm pretty sure the barman gave me Sovereign (£4.90/pint). No matter. It was pretty quiet when I was here, just before sunset in early January and I didn't find this as pleasant as some of the Sam Smiths pubs I've been to in Fitzrovia and Soho, for example, and the beer is nothing to write home about.
Date of visit: 9th January 2024
On 25th February 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Komakino . left this review about The Angel
Previous reviews still hold out about this pub almost 2½ years after the last one. Still no cask ale available although all the Sam Smith’s keg favourites are – I plumped for a pint of Light Mild for £3.40 which was decent enough. There’s plenty to marvel at with the not-so-old partitions at the front of the U-shaped central bar and old photos on the walls – in particular (as mentioned previously) one showing the pub surrounded by other buildings in another life in contrast to its ‘survivor’ building status of today. I walked here in the rain from Rotherhithe Overground (you pass The Mayflower en route) and my tight schedule meant I didn’t have time to appreciate more of its finer points, missing out on the upstairs and the dangle-your-toes-into-the-Thames patio out back. It frequently appears on lists like ‘London's Top 50 Pubs’ and it’s a must-do for its quirks more than anything else.
On 21st April 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1075 recommendations about 1075 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Angel
Another of Sam Smiths beautifully restored London pubs with a collection of separate seating areas around the central serving area. For a North Londoner its Rotherhithe Thames side location also provides different north west facing views of the skyscrapers of London, which can be enjoyed from an outside ground floor decking area.
Yes there’s no draught OBB here but a fairly extensive range of SS products on Keg and in bottle and on a fairly chilly afternoon I went for a bottle of the reliable Taddy porter and enjoyed it whilst taking in the views from the outside decking area.
This is a really nice pub and it shouldn’t be penalised too heavily for the lack of any products on hand pump.
On 20th November 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Angel
Nothing on the outside indicating its a Sam Smiths pub. All becomes painfully apparent when you wonder in, see the pumps and the huge sign telling you that mobiles are banned.
Right.
Outside and inside, its worth checking out for its tradition and of course, its location. A central bar is surrounded by various rooms partition by wood with a 5ft hole to crouch through.
This does of course mean you can find a place where the staff can't see you on your phone.
How else are you expected to work out how to get Charlton on public transport!
On 13th January 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Angel
A survivor building on the Thames side, owned by Sam Smiths. The interior is a fairly open plan U shape, broken-up by half-height wood panelled dividers with extremely low passageway entrances - looked to me like they are a recent addition (having now researched, I was right!). Usual Sam's range of browns and creams, along with a polished concrete(?) floor which gave it an austere feel. On exploring we discovered a tidy and cosier side section with extra rooms, comfy seating and a river view up and including Tower Bridge. There’s also access to a small decking area outside – though mind your shoes as the wake caused by passing boats will break underneath and push jets of water up through the gaps! The upstairs area wasn’t open on my visit, which was a shame as I hear the views are excellent. No cask OBB here, sadly, so bottles of Organic Perry and Pale Ale were the order of the day. The long haired barman resembled Neil from the Young Ones, who would have probably enjoyed it in here. A solid Sam’s.
On 18th December 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Angel
A nice Sam Smiths pub with several divided areas and despite Tris's misgivings an excellent view up river of Tower Bridge, St Pauls, The Shard and the City. No real ale but in these situations the Extra Stout always suffices.
On 8th July 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Angel
Perfectly described below, a beautifully restored Thameside pub with stalls, a dartboard and three coal fires. I do though take slight issue with the mesmeric views across the river as here it's brown, sloshy, murky and nothing to write home about. If this were the Thames fronting the City and Tower Bridge however...
Internally, there are 19th century photos showing this pub in a built-up area with dock houses either side and fronting onto a narrow street. All this has gone now of course, with just one dockside house a short way to the east but with the benefit of the ruins of Edward III's palace just to the south side.
Sadly this is a Smith's house so of course there's no real ale. Worse, it's Sovereign or OBB on keg and whilst there was no Man in the Box to be had, my pint of Taddy Lager went down well on this hot evening, though it did cost £3.50.
This pub is certainly worth a visit but I wouldn't go out of my way to return again as I live nowhere near this part of London.
On 26th August 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Angel
Nice old Sam Smith's pub in a prime position directly beside the Thames, only let down by having no cask ale available. The 'U'-shaped bar is sub-divided into three parts by a couple of half-height screens, and there are two small rooms at the back overlooking the river, but with all having a slightly austere feel due to the wood-panelling. However, if it's open, it's well worth heading upstairs to the rather splendid lounge offering the best views of all. With the dismal beer offering, I opted for the Extra Stout (£3.60), but this place deserves better than this (although it is still worth seeking out for other reasons).
On 1st August 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Angel
A bright and airy pub on our hot and sunny Saturday afternoon visit. As with all Sam Smiths pubs, you can expect to see a historical interior, well you won't be disappointed here. Unfortunately the upstairs room was closed off due to a private function being held on our visit. We went for a Sam Smiths lager as per.
On 1st August 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roy Collins left this review about The Angel
Doesnt even sell Its own Sam Smiths bitter on draught.
On 22nd April 2016
- rating: 2
[User has posted 124 recommendations about 121 pubs]