Simon the Tanner, Bermondsey, SE1

Quite a small plain interior with the bar area at the front a more foodie area to the rear. 3 real ales and "craft keg" served.

Set in the middle of a terrace along a prominent road in the trendy part of Bermondsey, this is a traditional pub given a bit of a modern makeover. The pub has a single room layout but retains two distinctly different areas, with the front part sporting dark floorboards, an unusual but not entirely unappealing paint scheme and plenty of standard tables and chairs. Décor includes stag's skulls and antlers, a beer board and some Warhol-style paintings. A simple curved servery with an art deco counter and plain bar back covered in pump clips stands midway into the room on the right hand side. As you move past the bar, the floorboards change and you find a space with four small tables, a large TV screen and a few unremarkable decorative bits. A small recess opposite the bar houses an upright piano and a collection of board games and next to this was a plaque commemorating John Shirley, also known as "Ale John", who was one of the pub's first and most loyal regulars. Limited seating is available on the pavement outside and there was an indie music soundtrack playing throughout my visit. The menu seemed a little basic, with just five main meals available, each costing around £9.00, which sounds pretty reasonable to me. The pub, previously tied to Shepherd Neame, is now operated as a freehouse and has appeared in recent editions of the Good Beer Guide. Siren Undercurrent, Otley Thai-Bo, Adnams Lighthouse and Hamerton Pentonville Oyster Stout occupied the handpulls alongside one real cider. I tried the Undercurrent which was passable, if not quite up to GBG standards. Keg stuff included beers from The Kernel and Gipsy Hill, whilst the fridges (and beer menus) boasted a strong range of bottled goodies. I had quite high hopes for this place, which seemed like a good bet for some interesting beer in a part of town where good cask ale seems to gravitate towards London Bridge. However, my pint was a bit of a let-down and the place lacked the character of their sister pub, the Queen's Head in Kings Cross. Perhaps one for a revisit, but not quite up to scratch this time round.

Simon the Tanner is set in a terrace,this used to be a Shepherd Neame tied house that i tried going in years ago but it never opened,the pub still sports the old Shepherd Neame pub sign and paint work. Once inside there is a single L shaped room with the right side,the seating is normal tables and chairs. There were four real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Belleville Northcote Blonde which went down very well,the other beers were Adnams Lighthouse,Vale Malestrom and Hackney Golden Ale. Background music was playing,the pub reasonably busy for a late Tuesday afternoon. I was happy enough having a drink in this pub,just a shame the Sheps beers are not on here any more. Pub visited 26/5/2015

Modern-ish fit out of a small, plain boozer. Dimmed lighting, tee-lites on the table, worn wooden floor to the front of the pub. 4 real ales but served too warm though otherwise ok.

Unassuming (Georgian?) mid-terrace with a sign and frontage that reminded me a little of Sheps branding (and reading below I see that it once was an SN outlet). It’s a fairly plain L-shaped bar, painted in a light battleship grey with darker trim. Dark laminate flooring. Not too much décor, just a couple of mounted antlers, some pump clips and an upright piano (oddly located behind a shallow arch) in the main bar. The rear area is more set for dining and looks a little more inviting with quarter length wood panelling and a sun-themed clock. A wall-mounted was TV switched off. Five pumps, three ales (W&E Kohinoor, Adnams Ghost Ship and Fusilier Hop Stuff). I tried the Hop Stuff which was warm and a little below-par. Not to be put off I also had a half of Kohinoor which was worse, a real disappointment as I know how splendid a beer this is as I spend plenty of time drinking it in Reading. Also a cider (Lilleys Crazy Goat) and a small craft keg selection. Special mention of the barmaid, who was very friendly. Disappointing, I doubt I’d return; quite how this one got into the 2014 GBG is a mystery to me. I read somewhere else that this place is the sister pub of the Queens Head on Greys Inn Road which surprises me even more.

This is a fairly small L-shaped one room pub with a bit of a modern cafe-bar/Habitat feel. Boarded flooring, regular seating mostly in fours, there are numerous chalkboards advertising and declaring this and that, some sort of antelope skull with antlers, a sun themed clock and a trio of photos of iconic women, Marylin Monroe, Liz Taylor and some other one. There is a piano in a recess which apparently sees some action on Wednesday evenings, a few novels and a few boardgames. No TVs or machines, little pot plants on the tables as well as clipboard menus advertising pretty regular sounding fare such as chilli and rice (£9) and fish and chips (£10.50), snacks available such as half a pork pie with pickles for £3.50. Four handpumps, seemingly a rotating policy, Adnams Sole Star, Trumans Runner and Dark Star Partridge which was in good shape. The fourth was reversed, the clip indicating a cider. Friendly on the ball staff and the barmaid/landlady politely advised us that the pub was to close shortly for a private function but that we had time for another round should we wish. A photo near the piano indicates this was once a Shepherd Neame pub but clearly free of tie nowadays. I quite liked it here despite its non-traditional feel and would happily nip back in for one if passing by.

Official site of Simon The Tanner - www.simonthetanner.co.uk

Official site of Simon The Tanner - www.simonthetanner.co.uk