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The Old Justice, Bermondsey, SE16
SE16
SE16 4TY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Old Justice
A short walk from Bermondsey tube, close to the Thames and most certainly ‘backstreet’, this dates from the early 19th century, rebuilt in 1934 in the ‘neo-Tudor’ (a new one to me) style to the designs of Sidney C Clark, having just reopened after something in the order of a five-year hiatus. This is also listed on CAMRA’s inventory of pubs with historic interiors, being of Outstanding National Importance; a solitary photo can be seen on their website. To the fascia, there is a Charrington’s sign and four Charrington’s lanterns with their trademark Toby jug depictions above leaded lights; there’s also an – unofficial – blue plaque, proclaiming that Sir Fab used the interior and exterior in his film Give My Regards to Broadstreet.
The interior was slightly molested, but an order was granted to force the developer to reinstate it with perfect attention to detail paid to anything removed, using salvaged materials; it works very well, me not spotting the obvious joins, if any. The overall colour scheme is dominated by the pale wood three-quarter height original pale wood panelling, exhibiting a modern take on the lignum undulatum motif, the ladies and gentlemen’s markers picked out in even paler inlay. Above the panelling is a royal blue scheme then white ceiling; some of the exposed trunking is not a benefit. There are at least three lovely, exposed brick fireplaces, one with an operational log burning stove and Charrington’s Toby logo above, the other two with fantastic painted (or tapestry?) friezes, one depicting a lighthouse, the other a sailing ship. Furniture is simple and traditional, customers are mixed, though mainly no doubt coming from the plush developments that have sprung up here, mainly youngish with an enthusiastic party going on to the rear room, to the accompaniment of a good Bowie soundtrack.
With a beer board to a side wall, advertising nationals, craft keg, along with a cask choice of Old House Bitter, Drop Project’s Choppy, Sussex Best (£2.90 a half) and Lost and Ground’s Spring Protagonist (£3.05 a half), both excellent, served by a friendly barmaid then barman, also friendly.
I thought this was a cracking backstreeter, well worth the effort to find, making for a great double with the Gregorian a couple of minutes’ walk south of here; a wider choice of cask beers could really turn this place into something of a real ale destination in which to spend some time, certain of no more lonely nights.
Rated: 7.5.
On 30th April 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Winnicott
Covered with scaffolding at the moment, so I was worried about it being closed, but needn't have because it was very much open thankfully. The Brewer's Tudor exterior wasn't really visible, so I spent more time looking around the two-room interior which retains two bars with a central servery. The decor is dominated by mid-brown wood panelling in both rooms, with unremarkable furniture in each part (but do watch out for the step between the two). Pizza menu offered, but just Doom Bar (£4.10) and Hobgoblin available from a brace of handpumps on each counter.
On 1st August 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roy Collins left this review about Winnicott
Called in at 3pm, no one in the pub. Ordered 2 pints of Adnams Ghost ship (only other beer on was Broadside.)The second pint looked cloudy, so told the barman who went down the cellar to check it. Came rushing back saying dont drink the beer. He had forgotten he was cleaning the pipes and it had chemicals in it.Very apologetic and refunded our money. We moved quickly on.
On 22nd April 2016
- rating: 2
[User has posted 124 recommendations about 121 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Old Justice
The Thames can almost be heard from this pub as it is in a great location, but alas not directly on the river. A riverside location isn’t the be all and end all and I was happy on my approach as the picnic tables outside the front of the pub were hemmed in by beer barrels connected by pots containing blooming flowers, which I always find a sign of a looked after pub. I was a little confused as to the reason why one of the tables seemed to be on fire, but I took this in my stride and walked into the pub. I was overcome with disappointment as the bar was small and sparsely decorated and the drinks selection was very limited without a hand pump in sight. Thankfully every where does Guinness which is my favourite tipple at the moment and it was a decent pint, if a little short on measure. I, like the previous commentators, didn’t know that there was another bar at the rear, but I did spot a table tennis table through the hatch and I thought that it was a staff room for the Korean owners and staff. As for the flaming picnic table, it was a Korean BBQ (gogi gui) cremating meat and veg for a small group who were probably sitting at a different table to avoid the thick smoke.
Maybe the food is good, but I don’t plan to return here as there are far better pubs in the area.
On 10th July 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Old Justice
This pub is tucked away down a side street off Jamaica Rd leading down to the river. I thought that it was a small one-room pub, having not spotted the entrance to the back room that I subsequently learned was there, and I am reliably informed contained some traditional Korean barbeque “thingies” set into the tables, but I will probably resist the temptation of a return for that dubious pleasure, having used the things on a trip to Korea many years ago. Anyway, the front bar is very gloomy, plain and unremarkable. The small bar counter sports the usual forest of fizzy beer dispensers, but no handpumps. There are a few tables and chairs on the patio area at the front of the pub, occupied by half a dozen American tourists who must have taken a wrong turning at Tower Bridge. This place has no redeeming features as far as I could see, and without any real ale on offer I doubt whether I shall be back.
On 21st September 2009
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Old Justice
With a riverside location and strong local competition, I was expecting something pretty decent here. How wrong! Admittedly we only visited the front bar however it was not immediately evident that there was another bar. First impressions were hardly inspiring and the first words spoken to us as we stood at the bar were “you're not police or bailiffs are you?” – not a good start (I would mention that this was 2 female punters, not the staff!). The bar was shabby and not too much imagination has been put into making it comfortable or welcoming. A couple of signed football shirts (Arsenal and England) have pride of place but apart from that there is nothing in the bar to grab the attention other than its lack of inspiration. OK for Sky Sports on TV and there are a couple of games machines. The only hand pump bitter was off (not sure what it was) and one of the keg bitters was also unavailable leaving just John Smiths for the bitter drinkers. Guiness and Murphys available and the usual run of lagers/cider. Unaware that there was another bar, we left after 1 pint. Maybe I will return another day and see “the rest” of the pub and see if it has more to offer but I doubt it.
On 13th October 2005
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]