The George, Bermondsey, SE1

The Truman’s signage, including the iconic black eagle, is much in evidence on the exterior, and the original Truman’s leaded light windows have survived as well. Inside it’s completely opened up now, but the saloon and public bar doors to the street are still signed as such, and are both still in use. The wood panelling, bar back and bar counter all look to be original survivors, the latter with the distinctive London pub bar engine access doors on the outside. The seating around the sides is hard wooden pews, complete with seat numbers and no doubt re-cycled from some erstwhile church, plus some normal tables and chairs. The saloon bar side of the room is carpeted while the public bar side is bare boarded, thus maintaining a tenuous link with tradition. The only ale on was Courage Best (£3.00 a pint), plus a (Doom Bar?) clip reversed and two handpumps apparently unused. There was no sign of any food late on Wednesday afternoon. The only decor was (apart from the wallpaper) various adverts. At the back on the left is an area containing a pool table, and I could have done without “Gold” radio station blaring out – but that’s just my taste in pub music (or lack of it). This is a standard but decent boozer. Like most pubs there are thing about it that I liked, and things I didn’t, but that’s largely my subjective opinion. It was clean, the service was friendly enough, and although it still has some original features in place it’s certainly not a destination pub.

Randomness Guide to London - George entry

Randomness Guide to London - George entry