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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Friday, 28th February 2020
With picture contributions to 10780 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (27 more images)
Detail Pages
Anchor Tap, Bermondsey, SE1
SE1
SE1 2LN
Served areas
Reviews of Anchor Tap (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Anchor Tap
This pub dates back in some form to the mid-18th century, when it was probably the Cod Smack. Rebuilt in the 19th century, it was the tap for nearby Park Street’s Anchor brewery (Barclay Perkins, later Courage), demolished 1981. It’s grade II-listed and is cited on CAMRA’s list of pubs with historic interiors, this being of Some Regional Importance; photos of the interior can be seen on the site.
This is now a Sam’s pub and is well described below. It’s fairly small and very cosy, with multiple rooms, brown lacquered wainscoting to around half height, then nicotine yellow Anaglypta to a gloss chocolate brown Anaglypta ceiling, above a burgundy Lino floor. Furniture is low and traditional, there are knickknacks and framed black and white pictures of the locality from yesteryear, along with a framed, autographed photo of Babs Windsor; mention is made below of the landlady’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the Carry On genre. Customers were few in number, even on a Friday evening, on arrival a couple of French tourists were departing, leaving just a mother and young son propping up the bar, with a couple of others, unseen, playing pool to the rear.
Ales amounted to Old Brewery on pump, me opting for a half of Extra Stout at the unbelievably expensive – for Sam’s – price of £2.60, cash only and as usual, freezing cold, served by an old-school landlord.
This place is fantastic for the heritage value, but I really couldn’t spend an evening knocking back Sam’s beers, but it’s definitely a place to visit at least once.
On 30th April 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2207 recommendations about 2164 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Anchor Tap
Backstreet Sam’s a short stroll from Tower Bridge. It’s a well-worn old gem set over a number of rooms (four, I think) leading off the central bar area. Loads of dark wood, traditional fixtures and furnishings and a bundle of atmosphere, especially the lounge. No cask OBB so I went for the tap cider here. A special mention for the really friendly staff, especially the barmaid who was a fine example of how to make strangers feel welcome, keep the locals engaged in conversation (her knowledge of the Carry On series was encyclopaedic) whilst also getting jobs done quickly and efficiently. Could have easily settled in for a session here. A really good Sam’s pub.
On 18th December 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Anchor Tap
Tucked away just off the main tower bridge drag. Sam Smith’s pub with a quirky multi roomed interior. Didn’t visit upstairs.
On 28th October 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2933 recommendations about 2866 pubs]
View more reviews of Anchor Tap (10)
Along the Thames by Roy Collins
South of the river by Roy Collins
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- Randomness Guide to London - Anchor Tap entry
- Facebook - Anchor Tap
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Anchor Tap - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
London Bridge, 0.77 miles, 14 min walk (show)
London Bridge, 0.77 miles, 14 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes - Paved area at rear - last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 30 April 2022 by Tris C
- Darts : Yes last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
- WiFi : No last updated 18 December 2019 by Quinno _
