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Detail Pages
The Rose, SE1
SE1
SE1 7TL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Rose
Claiming to have views overlooking the Houses of Parliament – it doesn’t – The Merano Rose Bar to give it its full name, is a late 19th century pub, originally known as the Crown Tavern, handily placed for the Terry Farrell-designed MI6 building and situated along the virtual dual carriageway that is Albert Embankment.
The interior is very twee, with patterned wallpaper, indigo paint and enormous sprays of red and white roses (and carnations, see photo) clashing with some enormous oversized industrial lamps and animal skulls bolted to walls. Customers were mixed – including a child – and may have been drawn from the very modern hotels that have gone up in the immediate vicinity of late; perhaps there were some spies in too, given that the website shows some gentlemen in black tie.
I didn’t find this place to be very gastro, but then I did order my drink at 10.21pm and atop a very cluttered bar, the ale front amounted to just Caledonian Deuchars, swerved in favour of something on keg from Wolfpack which was off, my second choice being an anonymous tap called Sassy Session, which turned out to be a cider at £3.50 a half and sweet as hell; one sip was all it took to have me making for the nearest Tube.
The Windmill is the preferred choice in these parts, the Rose certainly not worth sniffing out.
On 1st July 2023
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1994 recommendations about 1960 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Rose
This street corner pub has had the full gastro makeover with Farrow and Ball colours decking the walls.There is a wooden floor throughout and a mix of high tables opposite the bar and more regular dining tables elsewhere ,with all furniture in heavy wood.A long bench seat in red leather on the otherside of the small island bar below some flock wallpaper does give some relief ,although a side area does feel to be for the use of diners.There is however a first floor restaurant with river views.Waitresses will pounce if you show any intent to order food while sitting in the ground floor.The menu is short with mains starting at £10 with a median price of £13.
Just two handpumps offering Doom Bar and London Pride (short measure and a rip off at £3 the half).Eurofizz kegs and £8 cocktails are other options but I found the place modern and devoid of character,there are just so many gastro conversions in London and they all seem to merge into one in the memory.Nothing special at all.
On 6th May 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Rose
Fine old building in an almost-prime position overlooking the Thames, with neither the road on the Albert Embankment to the front nor the busy railway lines into Waterloo on the brick arches to the rear proving too detrimental. The interior has been remodelled to leave an island bar, and redecorated in a typical gastro-pub style. Also has an upstairs room (not visited). Two Sharp's real ales on handpump: Doom Bar and Rye Rock IPA (£4.10).
On 3rd June 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Rose
They’ve introduced a real ale since Philip visited nearly three years ago – Deuchars IPA during my visit, at £3.40 a pint, which tasted OK if served a little too chilled. They advertised food all day, and although I didn’t study the menu, the majority of main courses were around the £9 mark.
This is clearly another Victorian edifice with the exterior essentially unchanged, with some tiling still in place, and the elephant and castle on the gable which will be a familiar sight for anyone who travels into Waterloo Station regularly. But it’s now very modern inside. The front of the modern island bar is painted a sort of grey/lilac colour; the floor’s bare-boarded; there are little posies of flowers on the tables; all the tables are laid for diners with cutlery and condiments already in place and ketchup and HP sauce in those little wire holders. A number of the tables are marble topped, but there was no sign of any tall tables and stools, except for a couple of stools at the bar, nor any fruit machines or games machines. I didn’t spot any TVs, and the music being played at background volume levels was some laid back jazz.
It’s not the sort of pub that I normally frequent. But having said that, they didn’t bat an eyelid when I plonked myself down at one of their tables to drink my pint, even if it is the sort where they give you your change on a little silver platter. In truth it’s essentially a restaurant, so don’t go here if you’re looking for a real pub.
On 8th November 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Rose
Nice corner pub/bar opposite the Thames. Outside seating available. Families welcome. No real ale. Sells food all day. Has upstairs seating area, which gives you a good view of the river. Food is excellent, especially Sunday lunch. Worth a visit.
On 22nd December 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]