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The Ring, Southwark, SE1
SE1
SE1 8HA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about The Ring
This is a classic street corner boozer opposite Southwark tube station, which, as its name suggests, has a bit of a boxing theme. The pub has a good-sized interior, with a lovely parquet floor, low dark wood wall panels and large windows along two sides which ensure the place feels bright and airy during daylight hours. The servery runs in a curved L-shape on the back wall, boasting an attractive dark wood counter and matching bar back, smart brass footrails and a generous collection of pewter tankards on display. At the end of the bar, there’s a head height set of drawers with two stuffed ducks sat on top, which surprisingly doesn’t really look out of place at all. Seating is almost entirely in the form of high stools serving either small high tables or else arranged along ledges and fixed tables around the perimeter. The walls have been comprehensively covered with loads of old boxing photos, including a few familiar faces, whilst at least one pair of boxing gloves was spotted hanging from a light fitting. A TV screen to the rear of the room was showing a muted news channel with loud music playing in the background. Out the front, you’ll find a surprisingly large number of benches along the pavement, many of which are sheltered by the pub’s awnings.
The pub has made it into the Good Beer Guide occasionally in recent years, and there were four cask ales on the bar when I arrived – Southwark LPA, Brockley Pale Ale, Purity Ubu and another beer from a London microbrewery that I forgot to note down. A very friendly barmaid served me a pint of the LPA (£5.50), which was in very good condition, and I really enjoyed taking my time with it whilst soaking up the vibrant mid-week evening atmosphere.
I didn’t have any particularly high expectations for this place but was pleased to find a well looked after pub offering a decent selection of mainly local ales, in good condition and with friendly, welcoming service. I found it very easy to settle down here and had I not needed to head off elsewhere, would’ve happily stopped for another pint.
Date of visit - 6th June 2023
On 7th December 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Ring
A mid-Victorian pub, originally called the Railway Tavern, the Wagnerian name arising from its location opposite the Southwark Ring, a famous boxing venue destroyed in World War II and now the site of a rather futuristic office building called Palestra, by Alsop Architects.
The interior here is good and as mentioned, the walls are absolutely covered with framed prints of former boxers, Cooper being the only one I recognised; a pair of old boxing gloves hangs from a sconce light, lighting over the bar being white, translucent spherical lamps; further décor arises in the form of what looks like a floor-to-ceiling-height ‘tree’(?). The only annoyance I found, was the bright TV showing the news with the sound off.
Helpful bar staff were dispensing, aside from an unused pump, Doom, Bermondsey’s Mayflower Session Ale and Saltaire’s Triple Choc, at a very reasonable £2.40 a half and moreish, but the novelty may wear off after more than a pint.
This is a solid venue, making for a crawl with some other good pubs in the immediate vicinity, especially if included with the Market Porter and Old King’s Head.
On 9th November 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Ring
Used to be the closest pub to my london office at a former company. I was quite surprised to see it in the Good Beer Guide 2021, so 8 years after leaving that company, I headed back to check it out.
Unchanged from as I remember it - single roomed, boxing photos/gloves all around (apparently a gym/ring upstairs), some bench seating out the front under a canopy.
Four real ales on - Doombar, Butcombe, Saltaire Cascade and one unremembered. I went Butcombe and the barman was struggling to get a pint out. He handed over a pint of sludge, that looked bad, smelled worse and didnt get as far as the tasting.
A mere look at my disappointed face caused it to be changed without fuss.
Not really what you would expect in a CAMRA endorsed venue.
On 4th October 2021
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Ring
Compact pub on an angled corner plot, with much-needed additional seating on benches outside on the pavement. Tidy interior featuring boxing-related memorabilia apparently inspired by the eponymous site which once stood nearby. On this visit, I found Doom Bar, Truman's Two Halves (£4.60, Tiny Rebel Cwtch and Joe's Cider from Dorset from four of the five handpumps, with a new real ale being pulled through on the other. Run by the small Windmill Taverns group with several other bars in the vicinity. Handy for Southwark tube and Waterloo East railway station.
On 21st July 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Ring
The Ring has a small L shaped interior that was busy with some very shouty people during my visit one evening just before Christmas. The din meant that the background music was pointless. The walls are covered with boxing paraphernalia. The bar was stocked with premium draught products and I counted five hand pumps. Due to the popularity of this pub I was only able to make out the Sharp’s Doom Bar pump clip. Burgers and hot dogs were advertised, but I didn’t note the prices. I would like to return here when it is less busy.
On 13th January 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5243 recommendations about 5211 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Ring
The building stands opposite the site of an indoor boxing ring destroyed in the blitz,hence the name and the photos inside of pugilists.However that aside there is no longer real boxing connection and the interior has a smart feel with an upmarket colour scheme,wooden floor and an upholstered bench seating running around two walls.Some bar stools are placed along a drinking shelf to the side,and the pavement seating was proving popular.The bar sits in one corner and has two ranks of 7 keg taps (including some leading craft keg brewers),while the 5 handpumps sit between. On my trip besides the regular Doom Bar,there was New River Riverbed Red,XT8,Brick Brewery Kinsale and a very reasonable Roosters YPA,at an unreasonable £4.50.
Food available ,mainly burgers and hot dogs.
A reliable place for real ale in this neck of the woods,and a firm commitment to stock respected brewers means I will call in again despite the rather usury pricing.
On 8th August 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Ring
A single roomed corner pub opposite Southwark Tube Station,as mentioned below the interior walls are covered with black and white boxing photos that I personally found interesting,
five hand pumps with a decent selection apart from Doombar, my Marble Chocolate was a good drop,I would call in again.
On 17th February 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Ring
A small one room bar with boxing memorabilia probably picked by a pub designer rather than a boxing fan.loads of pictures of un-named boxers with no text to indicate their achievments.They did have a video playing of Henry Cooper knocking down Cassius Clay.You was robbed Henry.Oh the beer.Yes 5 handpumps and 2 on stillage.Brains -White Out and Caledonian -Over the bar plus 4 more common beers.Great selection of London bottled beers so I had Moncada-Red Rye 6.0 at the bargain price of £4.00 for 500ml.Brains for £4.10 or Moncada for £4.00(its a no brainer).Disappointed with the boxing theme but impressed with the beer.
On 1st March 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Ring
Located across the road from southwark underground station. Interior as described below with old boxing photographs on the walls. 5 real ales and food served.
On 23rd November 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Ring
This is a fairly compact one roomed pub directly opposite Southwark Underground station. Taking its name from the boxing arena that once stood over the road, the walls are covered with boxing memorabilia, stacks of photos of boxers from yesteryear, gloves, a championship belt as well as more curiously sets of animal antlers.
Boarded floor, beige walls, there is minimal proper seating, mostly stools at drinking shelves. There is some outdoor seating roped off along the pavement. The TV had the horse racing on while music played at an unobtrusive volume, food served. Not a bad beer range with five on even if none set the pulse racing, Brakspears Oxford Gold, Courage Best, Ringwood Best Bitter, Pedigree and Black Sheep Golden Sheep.
Not an essential pub but fine for a quick passing pint.
On 11th June 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]