The Rake, Borough Market, SE1

Randomness Guide to London - Rake entry

Randomness Guide to London - Rake entry

One of Manchester’s historic pubs and a Robinson’s house. It’s always been a bit scruffy and remains so even though I think they’ve had a bit of a refurb recently. I remembered it as having a plethora of knick knacks and tat behind the bar but most of that is gone now. Also gone is the macabre mosaic which allegedly included the ashes of a long time landlady. Back in her day you’d likely get thrown out for having the temerity to ask for a pint of Old Tom, it was halves only. Lost a bit of character but still one to visit.

The Rake is one of the smallest pubs in London with an interior measuring 13’ x 7’ although they claim it can accommodate over 40 people. Just where they would go is anyones guess and if you want a seat at one of the three small circular tables, you can pretty much forget it. There isn’t even room for a Gents toilet; you have to nip out the back into the adjoining market although the ladies and wheelchair users are more fortunate with their own facilities within the pub. Since its days as the Old Kings Head, the Rake has been reinvented as a speciality beer and ale pub with an indeterminate number of bottled beers stacked up in fridges behind the bar as well as several foreign draught beers and 3 constantly changing Real Ales (Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted, Stonehenge Great Bustard & Cairngorm Trade Winds on my recent trip). The interior won’t win any prizes with quite plain décor, bare floors and bright lighting. The only things of interest are the signed graffiti messages and numerous brewery signs. The small decked, covered terrace (with heaters) virtually doubles the size of the pub however they shut the patio at 10pm at which time everyone is shepherded inside and the pub becomes insanely uncomfortably. Price wise, the ales are very reasonable (my Cairngorm Trade Winds was £3.10) although the speciality draught and bottled beers come with a more demanding price tag. Its (lack of) size makes the Rake a bit limiting for a long session but it is a thriving part of the excellent local pub scene and worth exploring in conjunction with its neighbours.

First pub on yesterdays London crawl and was empty when we got there. Chose Beartown Bear Ass which was fine, but the Triple FFF Moondance was cloudy. Drinkable though. The other ale on offer was Cotleigh 25. Plenty of bottled beers on offer. No toilet available as it was out of order with a notice asking customers to use the one in the market. Small pub with very little room inside.

Official site of Utobeer, owners of the Rake - www.utobeer.co.uk

Official site of Utobeer, owners of the Rake - www.utobeer.co.uk

I walked in here from the snow on the 17th before Christmas and was glad to find a place that wasn’t rammed with drunken chiefs. The reason that it wasn’t heaving was due to the lack of any beers the majority of people have ever heard of, including me. I plumped for the Yellow Hammer from the three ale choices which I thought a little bland. I must admit that I had been on the Guinness for a few hours before drinking here so maybe my taste buds were shot. There was also a selection of German beers on draught and the barmaid was friendly, if maybe a little patronising. The pub itself is very small but there is a covered and heated outside area to the left and the smoking area is on the edge of the market when the covers are up. This place is very easy to dismiss when walking past, but it is worth a look.