Founders Arms, Southbank, SE1

Not a great building but positioned in with one of the best views in London. Nice patio area, that is also heated in the Winter - so great to have a pint and soak up the landscape. The Youngs Special was really good.

A large open plan young's pub with an outside terrace overlooking the Thames. Real ale and food served.

A modern single storey pub in a prime Thameside spot, the fully glazed outer facade is angled to give a complete panorama of the river scene. There is a large and hugely popular terrace on the riverside too. Internally it is modern with clean straight lines, Thames bridges are named on the ceiling beams, there is a large wood block map of the river on an end wall, and I thought the circular columns had been designed to replicate the supports to nearby Blackfriars Bridge. The bar runs along the back wall, turning the corner as the building angles back, then there is a separate food servery. Unusually, at the far end and entirely separate from the bar is a coffee bar/counter. Seating is mostly standard issue if rather crammed in, although there are a couple of high tables in the middle. A slightly raised area at the end is really just for diners but a few people were sat here drinking. Two TVs were showing different Olympics channels. Youngs beers, no guests were on, Bitter, Special, London Gold and Bombardier. The pub was very busy indeed but it was pleasing to hear a barmaid taking time to explain about the real ales to a foreign tourist even if he did end up plumping for the Bombardier. There's not really any character here and the clientele are transient but I've never had a bad pint in here and the views are worth a stop by on their own.

A large, popular pub on the Thames path. It's main draw is undoubtedly the good sized terrace at the rear that is crammed full of tables and chairs as well as plenty of infra-red heaters to help make the most of the views along the river. Inside, it's a little less inspiring being a pretty much unremarkable place. Again, the best feature is the floor to ceiling wrap around windows that offer views of the river in the more inclement weather. Besides that there is little to say. There's plenty of tables and chairs, the flooring is mostly carpet except for some dark parquet wood around the bar, and there is a plasma stuck on the wall at the far end, although this was not in use on a recent visit. An unusual feature is a small counter in one corner for coffee and cakes, although with thin slices of sponge being sold at £3.95, I'd be surprised if this does much business. Other than that, food seemed quite popular although I didn't check the menu. Beers on tap were Young's Bitter, Special and Bombardier along with Black Sheep and Hogs Back TEA. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately.