The Old Thameside Inn, Southwark, SE1

A great location with an outside terrace running around the building on the waterfront,with the Golden Hind to one side in a dock this Nicholson's doesn't have to try too hard given the tourist trap nature of the area.The interior is at a lower level and so the windows dont offer the same panoramic views as being outside.There is a lot of exposed brickwork and the pub has a lower cellar bar which I didn't visit.The decor is traditional but looking a little scuffed at the edges.There are two banks of six handpumps but all beers are doubled up.On my visit besides the regular London Pride and Nicholson's Pale Ale there were three guests from obscure microbrewers and my pint was golden, clear yet dull.So unmemorable the name has been erased from the grey stuff. The overriding impression is of sloppy execution by the team in charge here.This is not one of the better Nicholsons. Sadly there are few better alternatives close by apart from The Rake.

Nicholson's pub next to a full sized reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake’s Tudor galleon The Golden Hinde. 2 floor bar (didn't visit the cellar bar) serving real ale and food. The pub has an outside terrace overlooking The Golden Hinde and the Thames.

This is a pretty big, tourist reliant pub situated, as the name suggests, on the banks of the Thames, not too far from London Bridge Station or Borough Market and a short stroll from the Globe Theatre or Tate Modern. It's easy enough to find as you are greeted by the sight of the Golden Hind, which stands right outside the pub's entrance. Perhaps the biggest draw for this pub is a stretch of wooden walkway between the river and building, which is lined with high tables and stools and affords great views of several riverside landmarks of the capital. The interior is a different story. As with many pubs of its size, the place feels a little dirty and uncared for, with dull wooden floors and walls, sticky tables and a general feeling that the place needs a bit of sprucing up. It has the feel of a typical town centre drinking barn; a notion that was reinforced when the lady at the table next to us realised that her bag had been stolen from the back of her chair. Later in the evening a drunken bloke started trying to pick fights with whoever stood next to him at the bar whilst the staff turned a blind-eye to the whole thing. The beer, thankfully, made up for these short-comings. A good selection was available including London Pride, TT Landlord, Sharp's Doom Bar, Hook Norton Old Hooky and Leeds Midnight Bell. I had a very nice pint of the latter and several good pints of the Old Hooky. We also tried some of their food, which was okay, if a little uninspiring. As a pub it is flawed, but has enough about it to make it worth a look. I've always thought it is a good pub to meet up at, given it's distinctive location, but for a decent session there are a number of pubs in the vicinity that would offer a better experience.