Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
New pub visits 2024 with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Angel, SE16
SE16
SE16 4NB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Angel
This is a lovely old pub in a splendid riverside location with possibly the best pub views in London upstream to Tower Bridge, The Shard and The Gherkin as well as that new one that started setting things on fire in the summer. It has been sympathetically restored by Samuel Smiths, the ground floor boasts five small areas, some divided by the old style half height screens with low doors which in Victorian days would have been used by cleaners and potmen. Previously a Courage house, my understanding is that the building required extensive refurbishment once taken over, something Sam Smiths do very well indeed, their pub architecture is first rate. Sadly however, for me anyway, their beer is not of the same quality, especially when there is no choice but the keg version of OBB as here which apart from being keg is always served very cold. It is however well worth suffering this to visit and appreciate this pub.
The small rooms all have individual character, one room in the Public Bar retains a dartboard, the Private Bar is central and the Lounge bar is on the end with a fireplace. Stone/terrazzo flooring, lots of wood panelling, retro or possibly original gas lamps on show, stone jars and bottles on high shelves. A small outdoor wooden terrace sits right at the water's edge but the best views are from the upstairs room which has a mixture of seating including a few sofas and armchairs. I had this area to myself on Friday afternoon and sat enjoying the view and sipping my half of OBB while the river craft sailed by and the wind rattled the sash windows. All rather atmospheric.
The place is almost all you could wish for in a pub except for the opportunity to get something decent to drink. As RR says below, even the real version of OBB would make a real difference. Still a must visit if passing or walking the Thames Path however.
On 9th February 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Angel
2 floor Sam Smith's pub next to the river Thames. A central bar with old style fittings as described below. The pub has a dartboard. Sadly the statue mentioned by Steve C below has been stolen but posters advertised the local community raising money to try and purchase a replacement.
On 30th October 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Angel
This pub is in a fantastic riverside location by the Thames and I was very surprised that there were only six or seven people outside taking advantage of the fantastic weekday sun. There is plenty of seating and standing room in which is for pub users and passers by alike and there are a couple of tables along the river front where the water ripples lap up just the other side of a balustrade. I am struggling to think of anywhere better in London to while away the hours on a sunny day. The inside of the pub has been restored to its finest by those people at Samuel Smiths, it’s just a shame that there is no real ale on hand pump and I would have devoured a nice pint of Guinness.
The booze is cheap and the welcome from the barman was very friendly and the location is superb, it’s just a shame about the range and lack of beer. I wouldn’t go out of my way to drink here again, which is unfortunate.
A quite interesting fact is that at the opposite side of the public area to the pub there is a statue of Dr Salter sitting on a bench looking at his daughter and her cat. This guy was a bit of a crusader for the needy in Bermondsey and was a Labour councillor for some years in between the two World Wars.
On 12th July 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Angel
This pub retains a lot of its original character, which is entirely consistent with how Sam Smith's looks after its estate. It has a superb location overhanging the river - in fact it's so close to the river that when there is a high tide, as there was this afternoon, the sun deck at the back gets very wet. If only they did a decent real ale it would be a superb pub. Even the handpump version of Old Brewery Bitter would be a quantum leap forward.
On 21st September 2009
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Angel
A quaint little 2 bar pub on the banks of the river Thames. Plenty of wood panelling but unfortunately no real ale which i am surprised at as it on a London tourist trail and it would have given our visitors a chance to try some of our excellent real ales. Outside seating area with panoramic views of Tower Bridge and the city. 15 minutes from Bermondsey station
On 16th February 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Angel
The first thing to note is that this is a Sam Smiths pub. To some this means heaven (good beer at knockdown prices), to others it means hell (crap beer as knockdown prices)...and don't even mention the Sam Smiths Cola! Personally I have no problem with Sam Smiths beers, the Cider Reserve is excellent and I even like the infamous wheaty tasting “Man In A Box” Ayingerbrau lager. So it's a good start for the Angel apart from the fact that there are no beers on hand-pump. Having recently reopened after a lengthy refurbishment, everything is gleaming and spotless with several nautical themed pictures adorning the walls. From the central bar 2 or 3 Victorian style screens radiate, separating the pub into several smaller drinking areas. There are a few snugs for those who wish to get intimate over their pint. Upstairs is a quieter non smoking room and it is from here that the pub's greatest asset becomes obvious. The panoramic windows offer the legendary picture postcard views of Tower Bridge – spectacularly illuminated at night-time. The Angel will probably appeal immensely to tourists but for now it seems that just a privileged few are aware that it is once again up and running – well worth going out of the way for and idling some time watching the boats go by…if you can stomach the Sam Smiths!
On 13th October 2005
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]