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Disappointment of the week with Gann
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The Union Jack, Southwark, SE1
SE1
SE1 0LR
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Union Jack
This started out in 1825 as the King of Prussia, the current name being applied around 1914 and I suspect the place may have been rebuilt around this time.
Little has changed from the previous reviews. It’s quite a large pub, the main bar area is very gloomy and retains a ‘Victorian’ feel. The main area is broadly L-shaped, with a raised balustered area which doubles a hire venue. Unlike the boarded front part, the majority is patterned carpeted. Furniture is mixed though fairy conventional, but the most striking element here is the huge number of paintings fixed to neutral white walls. They are seemingly by the same artist, but a vast array of styles and really not very good; it’s like drinking in a bad art gallery. Lighting is quite bright in the main room, coming from a variety of styles. A projector hinted at major sporting events and although the pub’s website makes much of its live music on Saturday and Sunday evenings, I couldn’t see any trace of this on – you guessed it – a Saturday evening at 9.10. Customers came in the form of three groups of between two and four, all elderly and at least the larger of the groups being east European, the other customers just old ladies, none eating; an unoccupied table was littered with empty glasses. What was striking about the place is just how full all the neighbouring pubs were, compared to the lifelessness here; the customers at Mc & Sons across the road were having a ball.
There were an enticing six pumps, but all with reversed clips and seemingly permanently too, so it was a half of Camden Pale for £2.85 a half, served by a masked barman.
This is really a rather depressing place; I can’t see how it can survive, given the lack of customers, but the interiors appearance can’t help, neither can the lack of ale.
Rated 3.5.
On 28th November 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Union Jack
As Quinno describes below as my visit I presume was very close to his, I only called in on my way to the train station because the heavens opened and I could see the Chelsea v Watford match just starting, that combined with the fact Oakham Citra was on, I stayed for a couple, other beers available were Marstons 61 Deep and Fullers ESB. Not a pub I would make a habit of visiting in the future.
On 3rd November 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Union Jack
A knocked-around place that nowadays I guess can label itself as being on-trend. A pub in two halves, to the left is a gloomy dark grey painted main bar with modern laminate flooring and a partly collapsing ceiling. Six pumps here with four ales and a cider available. The Oakham Citra spluttered and died so a fair half of St Austell Pepper Job (NBSS 2.5) for £2.40 made do. The other potential choices were Timothy Taylor Landlord and Black Sheep Holy Grail along with Orchard Pig Ginger & Chilli cider. The right hand area was a bit brighter with a collection of fairly atrocious canvas at art prints, a carpet that should be condemned and a giant jumbo drop down screen showing the BT Sport footy results to nobody (having never witnessed their attempt at final score before, I can’t say that I am surprised). The commentary from the telly crashed into the piped music in the front area for maximum aural terrorism. It all felt rather futile in here, a classic underperforming Zone 1 London pub.
On 2nd November 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Union Jack
I haven't been in this pub for many years, and I don't reckon I've missed much. On a wet and cold day in April this pub didn't do much to raise my spirits. It seemed quite gloomy inside, with just a half dozen or so punters spread about the place, probably as refugees from the rain. It's a fairly large pub, and essentially unchanged since previous reviewers' visits
But they did have three ales on, with a further three handpumps unclipped. The three ales on were Timothoty Taylor Landlord, Theakston's Old Peculiar, and Oakham Citra (£2.20 a half and in good shape).
I seem to remember a much more lively pub when I visited it some 15 - 20 years ago. But on a less miserable day, or in the evenings perhaps, it's hopefully a much more welcoming pub.
On 8th May 2018
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Union Jack
A fairly large street corner pub, part boarded and part carpeted. The main area to the front has the bar as usual, along the back wall, a corner section is slightly raised and has sofas, plus an open to walk through rear area forms the additional space. Decor consists mainly of off the wall/modern art as well as B&W portrait photos. The folding doors onto the street are useful in summer however the current roadworks and consequent constant traffic due to the signals make this quite unpleasant. There is also outdoor pavement seating facing the same. The TV was on mute showing the Paralympics while a decent soul music soundtrack played.
Five handpumps in all of which two were reversed, remaining were Doom Bar, Landlord and London Fields 3 Weiss Monkeys White IPA....a no brainer.
An ok if not particularly remarkable spot in an area where there are a number of gems, I'd drop by again to see what's on.
On 13th September 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Union Jack
Reasonable-looking pub with three rooms partially opened-out to leave a 'L'-shaped bar in the larger space, a further seating area (part raised up three steps) at the front and another room towards the back. Also has some wooden benches out front. Busy, but not overcrowded, on a Thursday evening, with a number of people eating. Three of the five handpumps had reversed clips (for Pride, Doom Bar and Landlord), leaving Old Peculier and London Fields IPA (£4.00) so for once the less-interesting real ales were off. My first revisit for over six years, and the beer quality had certainly improved since the previous occasion (so rating upped accordingly).
On 31st January 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8092 recommendations about 8092 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Union Jack
Small street corner pub close to Tate Modern,it has fold out windows that would be useful in fine weather,but they give the impression from the outside that this is just another modern bar.In fact on my Saturday lunchtime visit ,it felt like a quiet pub with just a handful of punters,some watching Sky Sports on two flatscreen which were sensibly on low volume.The bar room is unremarkable with standard oblong tables and wooden chairs.To one side is a smaller room,equally quiet.I expect a visit afterwork on Fridays would find a totally different atmosphere.
No sign of any food being consumed,but thankfully there were two handpumps working with London Pride and a decent Oakham Bishops Farewell on my trip.
Not much to look at,but if you are as lucky with the guest ale as I was,then you may be tempted to stay beyond the one.
On 28th February 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Union Jack
A bit of a gastropub realy.Lots of tables and few customers. Wacky (to me)paintings dominate the décor.Outside seating to the front.Four handpumps but only Doombar on.
On 6th March 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nick Johnstone left this review about The Union Jack
Far too noisy with the 'music' as always for the bar staffs benefit rather than the punter.
On 29th April 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 98 recommendations about 98 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Union Jack
This place is has three small TV's and two projector screens for showing the sports. It also has table football and a dartboard and snooker table around the back – Can't really go wrong with that formula.
Pride, Discovery and Bombardier were all available along with standard lagers, Bulmers and Guinness. The barman was serving out of order, but he was nice enough when he finally got to me.
I liked it in here as the lively crowd gave it a good atmosphere although it wasn't that busy. I'd go back if in the area.
On 19th January 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]