The Old Justice, Bermondsey, SE16

The Thames can almost be heard from this pub as it is in a great location, but alas not directly on the river. A riverside location isn’t the be all and end all and I was happy on my approach as the picnic tables outside the front of the pub were hemmed in by beer barrels connected by pots containing blooming flowers, which I always find a sign of a looked after pub. I was a little confused as to the reason why one of the tables seemed to be on fire, but I took this in my stride and walked into the pub. I was overcome with disappointment as the bar was small and sparsely decorated and the drinks selection was very limited without a hand pump in sight. Thankfully every where does Guinness which is my favourite tipple at the moment and it was a decent pint, if a little short on measure. I, like the previous commentators, didn’t know that there was another bar at the rear, but I did spot a table tennis table through the hatch and I thought that it was a staff room for the Korean owners and staff. As for the flaming picnic table, it was a Korean BBQ (gogi gui) cremating meat and veg for a small group who were probably sitting at a different table to avoid the thick smoke. Maybe the food is good, but I don’t plan to return here as there are far better pubs in the area.

Randomness Guide to London - Old Justice entry

Randomness Guide to London - Old Justice entry

With a riverside location and strong local competition, I was expecting something pretty decent here. How wrong! Admittedly we only visited the front bar however it was not immediately evident that there was another bar. First impressions were hardly inspiring and the first words spoken to us as we stood at the bar were “you're not police or bailiffs are you?” – not a good start (I would mention that this was 2 female punters, not the staff!). The bar was shabby and not too much imagination has been put into making it comfortable or welcoming. A couple of signed football shirts (Arsenal and England) have pride of place but apart from that there is nothing in the bar to grab the attention other than its lack of inspiration. OK for Sky Sports on TV and there are a couple of games machines. The only hand pump bitter was off (not sure what it was) and one of the keg bitters was also unavailable leaving just John Smiths for the bitter drinkers. Guiness and Murphys available and the usual run of lagers/cider. Unaware that there was another bar, we left after 1 pint. Maybe I will return another day and see “the rest” of the pub and see if it has more to offer but I doubt it.

This pub is tucked away down a side street off Jamaica Rd leading down to the river. I thought that it was a small one-room pub, having not spotted the entrance to the back room that I subsequently learned was there, and I am reliably informed contained some traditional Korean barbeque “thingies” set into the tables, but I will probably resist the temptation of a return for that dubious pleasure, having used the things on a trip to Korea many years ago. Anyway, the front bar is very gloomy, plain and unremarkable. The small bar counter sports the usual forest of fizzy beer dispensers, but no handpumps. There are a few tables and chairs on the patio area at the front of the pub, occupied by half a dozen American tourists who must have taken a wrong turning at Tower Bridge. This place has no redeeming features as far as I could see, and without any real ale on offer I doubt whether I shall be back.