The Union Jack, Southwark, SE1

This started out in 1825 as the King of Prussia, the current name being applied around 1914 and I suspect the place may have been rebuilt around this time. Little has changed from the previous reviews. It’s quite a large pub, the main bar area is very gloomy and retains a ‘Victorian’ feel. The main area is broadly L-shaped, with a raised balustered area which doubles a hire venue. Unlike the boarded front part, the majority is patterned carpeted. Furniture is mixed though fairy conventional, but the most striking element here is the huge number of paintings fixed to neutral white walls. They are seemingly by the same artist, but a vast array of styles and really not very good; it’s like drinking in a bad art gallery. Lighting is quite bright in the main room, coming from a variety of styles. A projector hinted at major sporting events and although the pub’s website makes much of its live music on Saturday and Sunday evenings, I couldn’t see any trace of this on – you guessed it – a Saturday evening at 9.10. Customers came in the form of three groups of between two and four, all elderly and at least the larger of the groups being east European, the other customers just old ladies, none eating; an unoccupied table was littered with empty glasses. What was striking about the place is just how full all the neighbouring pubs were, compared to the lifelessness here; the customers at Mc & Sons across the road were having a ball. There were an enticing six pumps, but all with reversed clips and seemingly permanently too, so it was a half of Camden Pale for £2.85 a half, served by a masked barman. This is really a rather depressing place; I can’t see how it can survive, given the lack of customers, but the interiors appearance can’t help, neither can the lack of ale. Rated 3.5.

Official site of The Union Jack - unionjackse1.wixsite.com

Official site of The Union Jack - unionjackse1.wixsite.com

As Quinno describes below as my visit I presume was very close to his, I only called in on my way to the train station because the heavens opened and I could see the Chelsea v Watford match just starting, that combined with the fact Oakham Citra was on, I stayed for a couple, other beers available were Marstons 61 Deep and Fullers ESB. Not a pub I would make a habit of visiting in the future.

A knocked-around place that nowadays I guess can label itself as being on-trend. A pub in two halves, to the left is a gloomy dark grey painted main bar with modern laminate flooring and a partly collapsing ceiling. Six pumps here with four ales and a cider available. The Oakham Citra spluttered and died so a fair half of St Austell Pepper Job (NBSS 2.5) for £2.40 made do. The other potential choices were Timothy Taylor Landlord and Black Sheep Holy Grail along with Orchard Pig Ginger & Chilli cider. The right hand area was a bit brighter with a collection of fairly atrocious canvas at art prints, a carpet that should be condemned and a giant jumbo drop down screen showing the BT Sport footy results to nobody (having never witnessed their attempt at final score before, I can’t say that I am surprised). The commentary from the telly crashed into the piped music in the front area for maximum aural terrorism. It all felt rather futile in here, a classic underperforming Zone 1 London pub.

I haven't been in this pub for many years, and I don't reckon I've missed much. On a wet and cold day in April this pub didn't do much to raise my spirits. It seemed quite gloomy inside, with just a half dozen or so punters spread about the place, probably as refugees from the rain. It's a fairly large pub, and essentially unchanged since previous reviewers' visits But they did have three ales on, with a further three handpumps unclipped. The three ales on were Timothoty Taylor Landlord, Theakston's Old Peculiar, and Oakham Citra (£2.20 a half and in good shape). I seem to remember a much more lively pub when I visited it some 15 - 20 years ago. But on a less miserable day, or in the evenings perhaps, it's hopefully a much more welcoming pub.

A fairly large street corner pub, part boarded and part carpeted. The main area to the front has the bar as usual, along the back wall, a corner section is slightly raised and has sofas, plus an open to walk through rear area forms the additional space. Decor consists mainly of off the wall/modern art as well as B&W portrait photos. The folding doors onto the street are useful in summer however the current roadworks and consequent constant traffic due to the signals make this quite unpleasant. There is also outdoor pavement seating facing the same. The TV was on mute showing the Paralympics while a decent soul music soundtrack played. Five handpumps in all of which two were reversed, remaining were Doom Bar, Landlord and London Fields 3 Weiss Monkeys White IPA....a no brainer. An ok if not particularly remarkable spot in an area where there are a number of gems, I'd drop by again to see what's on.