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Detail Pages
The Hand & Marigold, Bermondsey, SE1
SE1
SE1 3UH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Hand & Marigold
Walking down Bermondsey Street from London Bridge you pass many hipster hangouts that the Viz character Foodie Bollocks would rave about having just visited Borough Market ,it is natural that you worry that the H&M might be compromised,but stay calm as this revitalised pubs sits next to a dodgy looking estate reminding you that Millwall FC is not far away.The exterior glazed tiling is a feature ,transfers give an etched glass feel to the large windows pouring light into the square interior.The wooden flooring is not classic but upcycled although noise does bounce off the undecorated walls.Gentle jazz does help.Furniture is traditional and there is a charming side snug with a leather bound banquette,etched glass divider all situated down the quiet side of the three sided bar.Just a collection of spirit bottles along the bar back,four indie beer taps , four real ales and two handpumped ciders.Tables can be booked but times of arrival are advertised.There are new,modern loo doors to the rear ,functional rather than attractive but the star here is the real ale,from the people who own the excellent Traf in South Wimbledon.
On my trip that meant Marble Manchester Bitter,Burton Bridge Sovereign Gold,Runaway Progress Dark Mild (NBSS 4.5) and Ranaway Only After Dark (NBSs 4.5 ,superb strong 6% dark ale).IMHO this is the best ale house in the London Bridge area,I will most certainly be back and will spend a lot longer in here next time.I expect it will weather in and if Foodie Bollocks does discover real ale ,expect him and his acolytes to freqent this fine pub too.
On 9th June 2025
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2971 recommendations about 2971 pubs]
Tris C left this review about The Hand & Marigold
This pub harks back to at least 1770 but was rebuilt, probably in the late 19th century. By many accounts, this was once a bit of an unfriendly down at heel locals’ pub, fiercely resisting the gentrification of the area to the immediate north and its onward march towards achieving sourdough socialism. As mentioned below, the pub has only just reopened and is something of a work in progress, under the stewardship of a welcoming and knowledgeable young couple.
The gilded lettering to the windows is the product of self-adhesive sleight of hand. Thereafter though, the interior is a masterclass in upcycling: the parquet floor is Edwardian, part of the bar coming from various locations including an original 1970s’ top, the near ecclesiastical neo-Gothic snugette to the left, diligently fashioned from Georgian wood and reclaimed Tudor members with etched glass infill. The colour scheme is an amalgam of blue paint above dark modern wainscotting, off-white to the remainder of the walls with matching ceiling. Furniture is mixed and conventional, with some yellow fluted banquettes; décor at present is simple with a little breweriana and a few prints, bathed in lighting from simple fixtures; plans are afoot to install several more lavatories, to provide more bogs than Ireland; another plus point is that there aren’t any electronic distractions, other than decent unobtrusive background music. There weren’t that many customers at the time of my Wednesday 9.00pm visit, but it’s early days so I would imagine that once the pub’s reopening becomes more widely known, expect footfall to justifiably pick up.
At the counter there was a bunch of four keggy offerings to the left-hand side, including a nitro stout and a cider; to the right-hand is another keg bank of six (see photo, which shows just five), including a Siren brew at 12%. The meat of the operation totals four pumps: Runaway High Krausen, Brighton Beer Ace, Siren Best (£2.40 a half and decent) and Abbeydale Dark Angel, £2.90 the half and rather lovely.
Providing great competition for Simon the Tanner, the gloves are off at the Hand & Marigold.
On 13th March 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2243 recommendations about 2200 pubs]
Moby Duck left this review about The Hand & Marigold
Re-opened as The Hand & Marigold in March 2025. A single roomed pub refurbished in a traditional manner featuring etched glass, wood paneling and partitions, basic regular height seating and tables. The bar supports four handpumps which on my visit offered an interesting selection of Brighton Bier Ace, Lacons Gem, Burning Sky Dark Mild and Runaway High Krausen, the latter two were of exceptional quality scoring a NBSS of 4 and 4.5 respectively.The pub was very busy with the only downside being just two single unisex toilets, however this new incarnation has been very well done and if the beer quality stays up it's a winner in my book.
On 8th March 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2183 recommendations about 2150 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Marigold Bar
Basic London corner pub with just keg being served on the bar to the rear. Nothing special.
On 5th October 2019
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Marigold Bar
Quite an attractive corner building in an old-school boozer kind of way, and that is reflected inside the simple 'U'-shaped interior. This features a high ceiling and plenty of window area on two sides, but a limited amount of aged furniture around the periphery (although there are also several small tables outside). A large black & white photograph and a display of album sleeves comprise the main decorative features. The solitary handpump was offering Greene King Abbot; but, having tasted samples, neither the barman nor I were sure about the quality so we settled on a pint of the keg Old Speckled Hen (£3.80).
On 12th November 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8733 recommendations about 8733 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Marigold Bar
Old style corner pub in a gentrified area.Warm and cosy but dated interior.Busy with most people watching the footie.Greene King-fireside on cask was okay.
On 16th January 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]