The George, SE1

Date visited: 17th November 2018. I came here once about 20 years ago so can't really recall it, but the earlier reviews still apply. Back then food was a baked spud with baked beans and Cheddar cheese; food today seems to revolve around chicken and the ubiquitous scotch egg. However, at 4.30 on a Saturday afternoon the place was absolutely rammed, despite the absence of office workers at the weekend - the throng may comprise students from the nearby Guy's and King's College campus; we could barely get in and the ambient noise was incredibly loud; little children were running around in the beer patio. Added to this, the stench of stale urine in the lavatories was about the worst I've ever experienced in a pub; I could have vomited. Despite the presence of GK IPA and Abbot, there were four other ales and more adventurous than those listed below but as this was such an awful experience overall, I walked out. In short, a place in which to stick your head round the door then go somewhere else. Rating: 3 --------------------- A visit last night to show the place to a friend as part of a crawl and it was a far more restful affair, with most of the – probably students – sitting outside; this allowed us to better appreciate the heritage, with a stroll out onto the upstairs gallery. There were about six ales on and none mainstream, two halves of Southwark LPA costing a stiff £6.50, though on good form. This was a far better experience than my last; it’s now worth a more prolonged visit, though there’s better to be had locally, but it’s a must-visit if only for the building; score upped accordingly.

seems to be more of a National Trust relic than a pub with ludicrous tourist trap prices to match. £5.25 for a pint of Landlord! one of the stranger pubs I have visited. but possibly worth it to say I have been.

Official site of The George - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of The George - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Old pub that is owned by the National Trust. Worth a visit on that basis for me and 5 beers on was a bonus. I tried the house George Ale and it was fine. Bigger than it looks and extremely busy.

Cant believe I haven't reviewed this pub before,it's still high on the tourist circuit and the Greene King ownership will always raise a red flag.However it's appearance is noteworthy although some of the interior is rather dull and predicatable.There are 6 handpumps which will offer 4 GK brews but now two guests which on my trip were Sambrooks Powerhouse Porter and a decent Hackney APA.There is a sign on the wall asking for suggestions of your favourite ale ,so there is a small chance that ale quality might be improving here,a phrase I never thought I would utter.