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Detail Pages
Bunch of Grapes, SE1
SE1
SE1 9RS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Bunch Of Grapes
This is a Young’s house, with Bitter, Special and Bombardier on during my visit. The only seating inside is tall stools and tall tables, but there were some benches outside at the back being mainly utilised by smokers. The ceiling, and the ducting thereon is painted black, adding to the darkness of the place. There were clipboard menus on the tables – sandwiches were in the £4.50 - £7 range, and main courses were in the £8 - £11 range, e.g. the steak and ale pie was £9.95. Not cheap, but not overly expensive for Central London. Some soul classics (Aretha Franklin, Eddie Floyd, et al) were blaring out far too loudly for my liking. It’s probably just me, but pubs seem to be playing music louder than ever these days. There are a few bits of etched and cut glass around the place, as well as a couple of nice brewery mirrors, but other than that there are no endearing features as far as I could see. I found it uncomfortable and noisy I’m afraid, and nothing like the decent pub it obviously once was.
On 29th October 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Bunch Of Grapes
I found this to be a rather bland Young’s pub that had four of their ales on during my visit along with a standard and premium draught selection. I found the staff to be friendly enough and they were reasonably good at spotting who was waiting to be served behind the selfish drinkers that were standing at the bar and not moving for anyone. Granted it was busy being the last working Friday before Christmas, but there wasn’t much Christmas cheer even though it was snowing outside.
I was disappointed with the quality of my Guinness which was sub standard, especially for this area full of good beer pubs. This along with the lack of atmosphere will have me walking past next time I‘m in the area.
On 22nd December 2009
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5288 recommendations about 5256 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Chris 87 left this review about The Bunch Of Grapes
My impression of this pub from my short visit was extremely positive in stark contrast to some of the bewildering reviews below. The interior to this Youngs' house is splendid and would I'm sure be to the liking of a number of notable users - witness the marvellous glass panels, vintage Bass mirror and some rather lovely prints of Borough Market and other landmarks of the surrounding area. Youngs' Bitter and Special were both served in tip-top nick alongside Bombardier and Kew Bitter. Excellent.
On 15th July 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 179 recommendations about 179 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Bunch Of Grapes
A Youngs pub close to London Bridge station having to compete in an area of high quality pubs.
It is quite modern in décor internally having undergone a major Youngs makeover in 2007, but externally it's a grade II listed building and was apparently a pair of Victorian houses converted into a Freehouse and you can still see some signs internally of Victorian fittings which survived the ‘07 refurb throughout dark wood panelled ground floor bar.
The homely upstairs bar area is like sitting in a cosy large front room, and out back there is a split level patio area on three levels which is a great way of providing a decent outside drinking area in a limited space.
Usual Young's Ordinary, Special, and Waggledance on and CW Bombardier as guest.
Have only visited on a evening for one before moving on to other establishments in the Borough area, but for a pint of Youngs Special, its always been alright for me.
On 21st June 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2147 recommendations about 2019 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Bunch Of Grapes
A better outpost of the Youngs empire, a decent selection of their beer in good condition. An inviting pub set out on two floors, with the cosy upstairs in particular being an excellent place to a enjoy a Winter Warmer in a comfy chair next to a real fire, with the downstairs being a dark wooden panelled affair (not old, I know). In the summer the little garden/patio out the back is nice. A downside are the prices, which seem to shooting upward at a trajectory far steeper then a lot of the surrounding competition.
A definite place to hit on a Borough crawl or worth seeking out for a relaxing/intimate occasion.
On 25th June 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5185 recommendations about 5168 pubs]