St James of Bermondsey, Bermondsey, SE16

Having walked past this pub several times in the past I made the effort to check it out. There's three traditionally appointed, adjoined rooms circumnavigating the centrally positioned bar, three handpumps with a choice of Laines Bestist, Purity Mad Goose and Thornbridge Jaipur. Despite being extremely busy and noisy I found the pub to be reasonably agreeable and would call in again in passing.

Previously visited on 06/01/2020 I decided to re-tick this one as was expecting it to be in Anspach & Hobday ownership (or more likely they were leasing the venue). However seems I was just past the end of that arrangement as the three hand pumps were un-clipped and on checking it was confirmed no (A&H) cask beers were on offer. New owners taking over next week apparently and they might have an A&H cask option but unconvincing at best I would say. The beer offering was listed on the board as Moretti, Camden Hells, Neck Oil, Wingman, Guinness and Camden Pale Ale, although turns out the taps said no Camden Hells instead Cruzcampo and no Neck Oil but Inch’s Cider. On selecting the Camden Pale Ale was told that was off and pointed in the direction of Wingman!! Poor show on the beer front. The pub itself is quite an interesting layout with a front bar with some tired looking tables and chairs showing the cricket. There is a walk through on the left hand side to a back bar and behind it a quite cosy looking snug. Another walk through on the right hand side of the bar takes you out to a beer garden that was shaded but a bit depressing with nothing making it a “garden” rather a concreted area with some tables. I would suggest holding off trekking here based on my stellar review until it settles down in new ownership. I will look in on it again in a few weeks as it is quite close to home. Rating as a 4 on the poor beer options on this visit - was so disappointed based on my expectations of the revisit that I almost went 3 but it deserves a little bit of the benefit of the doubt on this visit.

Dating from the late 19th century as the St. James Tavern, the current name was applied in 2014, presumably along with the trendy grey ‘gastro’ exterior paint scheme; there’s no longer a fish van, unless it serves turbot with a beurre blanc sauce. The interior has probably changed little since the last two reviews, though the colour scheme is now one of dark grey wainscoting with battleship grey walls and a mid-grey Anaglypta ceiling, all to illumination from trendy light fixtures. There’s a modern steel bar back and Wimbledon played in silence on the TV to mixed customers, young professional in the main, older traditional locals seated at a picnic bench out front. There’s now just the one cask pump here dispensing Hammerton N1 at a very stiff £2.95 a half and decent, served by a barmaid who was a bit cunctative. This place is ok but needs a better cask lineup; as things stand it’s the best option in the immediate vicinity though.

Official site of St James of Bermondsey - www.crafted-social.co.uk

Official site of St James of Bermondsey - www.crafted-social.co.uk

Corner pub, partly opened-out to leave a 'J'-shaped bar, and refurbished in a gastro-pub style. The generally dark wood and paintwork made the advertised beer garden seem appealing, and the rear patio is a much more colourful space altogether. There are also a few wooden picnic benches out on the pavement. Three of four handpumps in use, offering Bermondsey Best from Southwark Brewery, Pride and Twickenham Naked Ladies (£4.50).