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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
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Doggett's Coat & Badge, Southbank, SE1
SE1
SE1 9UD
Pub Type
Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Doggett's Coat & Badge
A particularly ugly looking building on the south bank of the Thames, this is a large, split level Nicholson’s pub that isn’t likely to draw anyone in for it’s aesthetic appeal, but we were just looking for some sustenance after completing the nearby Bermondsey Beer Mile, and this chain can at least usually be relied upon to provide something half decent and nourishing.
Inside it’s actually quite pleasant, with wood strip flooring and great views of the nearby Blackfriar’s Bridge. Paintwork was a mixture of a very dark green with some cream in places, with lighting provided by a mixture of spots, old fashioned style metal lamp shades and some rather unusual kitchen whisk style lights. A few TV’s were dotted around showing a sports channel, but the volume was off so this was not too intrusive. A few pictures were dotted around the walls, and it almost felt quite elegant in places, in stark contrast to the pub’s exterior.
Beers on tap were their own Pale Ale, London Pride, Tribute, Doom Bar, Doom Bar Amber and Timothy Taylor Landlord, with Harvey’s Sussex Best apparently coming soon. Ciders meanwhile were Thistly Cross, Mortimer’s Orchard and Mortimer’s Orchard English Berry.
On 5th February 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Doggett's Coat & Badge
Ugly building in a nice location. Nicholdon’s pub with a multi level interior giving views across the river.
On 9th October 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Doggett's Coat & Badge
Awful looking pub saved by its location on South Bank and views onto the river.
Unfortunately you pay for the privilege.
On three different levels the seating is positioned to take account of the views. Outside seating as well.
Nicholsons pub with 6 real ales.
On 21st November 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Doggett's Coat & Badge
I've walked past this large Nicholson's pub countless times, but never actually bothered to pop inside to see what it's like. Built in keeping with the Southbank's aesthetically challenging architecture, the pub looms over the Thames at a prominent spot adjacent to Blackfriars Bridge. The pub has been set out over a number of levels, but it is the ground floor that will be of most interest to drinkers, containing the main bar and a decent amount of seating. Entering from the riverside you pass through a compact front seating area with tables wedged into a couple of nooks either side of the entrance. The bar is immediately apparent, running down the right hand wall, with a reasonable amount of space left empty opposite to allow for queues and through traffic at peak hours. Beyond, a passageway runs down the left hand side of the building with a drinking ledge and high stools, before emerging into a good sized rear seating space. Walls here have been painted in dark shades and have a variety of pictures dotted around as well as a few bookshelves. Comfy button backed banquettes and lots of standard chairs make up a good proportion of the available seating options and there appeared to be some sort of work party taking place when we arrived, as a food platter had been laid out on some of the tables. We ate in this area as well, but stairs lead up to a first floor, street level, formal dining room with table service. It's not possible to sit here unless you intend to eat, so I didn't bother to explore. There are also two further floors with their own bars which are available for private hire. As you might expect, there was a mix of customers on a mid-week evening with the obligatory office workers and confused tourists clogging up the bar area.
The pub has appeared in some recent editions of the Good Beer Guide and there was a healthy range of ales on offer on this particular visit, with the hand pumps dispensing Nicholson's Pale Ale, Sharps Doom Bar, Truman's Runner, Brains Rev James, Hop Back Winter Lightning, Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, Everards Tiger, Fullers Oliver's Island, Moorhouse White Witch and Black Sheep Bitter. I enjoyed a well kept pint of the Old Engine Oil, but there was a long wait at the bar and service was gruff and unfriendly.
Despite the poor service, I thought this was a decent enough pub and one that compares favourably to some of the other establishments in this high profile part of the city. The extent of the beer range coupled with the fact they seem able to keep it in good condition, was probably the biggest plus point and, whilst I can't imagine settling down to a session here, I will certainly bear this place in mind when passing in the future.
On 15th March 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Doggett's Coat & Badge
Charmless monstrosity of a building in a great location on the South Bank of the Thames by Blackfriars Bridge. Various levels inside, not all always open. The interior is quite dark, unless you can manage to get one of the few tables with a view of the river. Some patio seating beside the riverside path, but that area is nearly always overcrowded. Quieter patio beer garden to the rear. Thankfully the beer quality is good these days, with ten handpumps in the main (lower) bar and four more in the first-floor dining room, and a better-than-usual selection on my latest visit with various seasonal Rugby World Cup ales on.
On 11th October 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about Doggett's Coat & Badge
Nice Nicolsons pub and easy to get seated with views over the river.About 5 cask beers on,inc Harvestoun-afterglow and my Maxim -lambtons was dull but not the pubs fault.
On 25th September 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Doggett's
Dogett's Coat and Badge is a Nicholson's next to Blackfriars Bridge. It consists of a large pub-bar area, and has an outside terrace as well as a restaurant, and the name comes from a historical association with the actor and politiican Thomas Doggett. As ever with this chain, the food is good and reasonably priced. There were 6 ales on, plus Blue Moon on tap (OK, technically not a real ale, but it's not the worst American beer around). Staff were inefficient and, to be blunt, a bit slack as well as surly. I eventually secured a pint of Wharfedale's Fair Dinkum which was fine but not brilliant. It's by no means the best Nicholson's around, but it's fine for a meal or a few beers.
On 4th December 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3280 recommendations about 3245 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Doggett's
A great location for a pub,yet the building from the outside is unsympathetic and stark.However Nicholsons have done as much as they can with the interior,with a restaurant on the first floor and rooms for hire further up the building.That just leaves the wooden floored bar room if you just want to drink,but the views through the large plate glass windows of the tidal flow of the Thames under Blackfriars Bridge is memorable.There are a lot of high tables close to the bar helping viewing and steps lead down to a riverside terrace,sectioned off from the walkway.Towards the back of the bar room there are a few banquettes and more traditional furniture ,leading through to the large garden terrace.Menus are dotted about,so you can eat here as well as in the restaurant.
My visit was on a hot Friday afterwork,and although busy the pub was never rammed.The muzak was quite loud and the atmosphere was lively with a wide mix of ages,afterwork boozers,tourists,young ladies and lads.At the bar there are two banks of five handpumps with London Pride,Sambrooks Junction,Brewhouse Lemon Grass,Hilden's Scullion,Wanderer Pale Ale,Navigation Traditional,Growler Gladness,St Austell Tribute and Harviestoun Schehallion and Old Engine Oil.Most pints were just shy of £4,but no issues with quality among a wide range of beers consumed by the crew.My visit coincided with the Nicholsons beer festival,one reason for the appearance of some unusual brews.
Better than I was expecting,certainly on the ale front,it will make it onto the list for next years Last Friday of the Month drinking sessions.Deservedly in the 2013 GBG,it will be busy afterwork given the location so plan accordingly.
On 27th July 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Doggett's
The name has been abbreviated from the previous Doggett's Coat and Badge, the coat and badge being the prize for winning the river race from London Bridge to Chelsea after which the pub is named. It is a shame that the upper floors are closed and seemingly for private hire only as the vista of the river and buildings over in the City would be first rate. Drinkers are restricted to the ground floor and outdoor terraces while diners can make use of the first floor (no one was). The bar is typical Nicholsons, wooden floor and dark wood attempting to add character to what is a characterless modernish building. There are a few prints of river scenes but I did take a wander upstairs too and there is a huge print of a Victorian map at the head of the staircase that is worth a look.
The bar runs along a side wall towards the front, 10 handpumps offering a good range. Roosters Yankee, St Peters Mild, Nicholson's Pale Ale (St Austell), Brains SA, Hopback Summer Lightning, Tribute, Pride and Doom Bar. My initial choice, Itchen Valley Calypso went despite the valiant attempts of a rather clueless barmaid to fill the glass with foam, rather more worryingly she was about to use the same glass to continue with my revised selection and had to be abruptly told!
Still a decent selection and an ok stop off while on a stroll along the South Bank.
On 10th August 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about Doggett's
Just popped in on a South Bank wander and was pleased to see 10 handpumps offering 9 (then 8 as my choice failed to fill a pint glass) ales from the Nicholson's card. Both of the beers we had were good quality and at the price they certainly should have been. There's also an extensive array of taps offering both the usual and unusual (Suffolk Blonde lager?) suspects.
On a pleasant evening, we opted for the outside seating although, as already noted, the wall blocks most of the river view.
Service was reasonable - certainly better than some in the chain. Overall, I'd be happy to return if wandering past and, if you're not unduly alarmed by the prospect of a pint costing £4 or so, you may enjoy a visit as well.
On 2nd April 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 453 recommendations about 425 pubs]