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New Pub with Poohbear1863
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Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Saturday, 5th September 2026
With picture contributions to 13128 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Southwark Tavern, SE1
SE1
SE1 1TU
Reviews of The Southwark Tavern (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Southwark Tavern
I'd only turned up in Southwark because I'd found out that the replica of Francis Drake's ship the Golden Hinde was opening as a pub on Thursday evenings. After a half in those dramatic surroundings, even though fake, it was back to reality in the pubs around the Borough Market, which of course is closed in the evenings but the pubs and restaurants are very lively. Too lively for me, a lot of them, but at the Southwark Tavern although there was a bit of a crowd outside, the inside was ok. Just the one cask beer on, and that Harveys Sussex Best, which a lot of people, some of whom fancy themselves as influencers, have been raving about for a few years now. I continue to find it mostly disappointing, even in Lewes where it is brewed. Imagine my surprise to find it here in Very Good condition, and at the equivalent of just £6.80/pint. (The lass who served me misheard my request for a half and presented me with the card terminal with that amount on it.) A pub like this, with only one cask beer on, must still get through a fair bit of it on nights like this, so the beer doesn't have time to hang around and go stale, or worse.
On 4th September 2026
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 4910 recommendations about 4493 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Southwark Tavern
A terrific Meaux exterior in sandstone colour tiling with a multitude of original features,this is the highlight.Inside,it's quite small with a U shaped bar ,some traditional seating below the front window,but with the left leg cluttered up with a coffee machine , food cutlery and condiments.Room for vertical drinking.Although wood panelling remains ,as does a traditional door to the gents,the dark green interior paintwork makes it feel gloomy,and with the muzak turned right up,it's not a welcoming place.The menu looked OK but median main £15 ,no body was eating at 7pm on Saturday.
There is a basement seating area,unvisited by me.5 handpumps but only Purity Mad Goose (NBSS 2.5) ,Doom Bar and St Austell Tribute available together with standard keg dross.
The barmaid did not serve in order,with a bias to women who won't make up their minds so the visit started poorly and didn't really improve.Just stand outside and admire the building then push off somewhere else.
On 8th May 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3252 recommendations about 3252 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Southwark Tavern
This is a late 19th century pub, noted for its fine Meux’s brewery tiling.
I had though that this would be a bit of a historic pub, but although some of the dark wood panelling may be original, or at least dating from the 1930s, but otherwise it’s a bit of a black painted affair, walls and ceiling, with a steel square tubular section gantry; has it had a makeover to celebrate Freedom Day? Customers were a bit too-coo-for-school and mouthy.
Service, as others have noted, was rather slow; I nearly walked. The ales on offer being a reversed pump, Doom, Oakham Citra (‘coming soon’) and Tribute at £2.70 a half and nice.
This pub is just about ok, better than the Wheatsheaf, which isn’t hard, but is no match for the Market Porter; I don’t envisage a return visit.
On 31st October 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2344 recommendations about 2284 pubs]
View more reviews of The Southwark Tavern (15)
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- Official site of the Southwark Tavern - www.thesouthwarktavern.co.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - Southwark Tavern entry
- Facebook - The Southwark Tavern
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Southwark Tavern - whatpub.com
London Bridge, 0.33 miles, 6 min walk (show)
London Cannon Street, 0.6 miles, 11 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 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Beer Garden : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Car Park : No last updated 07 August 2013 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Darts : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 15 January 2020 by Philip Carter
- Function Room : No last updated 15 January 2020 by Philip Carter
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 26 October 2016 by hondo .
- Jukebox : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Karaoke : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Live Music : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Micropub : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Pinball : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Pool Table : No last updated 11 October 2018 by Philip Carter
- Quiz Night : Yes - Tuesdays. - last updated 31 October 2021 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 26 October 2016 by hondo .
- Real Cider : No last updated 15 January 2020 by Philip Carter
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 15 January 2020 by Philip Carter
- WiFi : Yes last updated 26 October 2016 by hondo .
