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Detail Pages
Anchor Tap, Bermondsey, SE1
SE1
SE1 2LN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Anchor Tap
This pub dates back in some form to the mid-18th century, when it was probably the Cod Smack. Rebuilt in the 19th century, it was the tap for nearby Park Street’s Anchor brewery (Barclay Perkins, later Courage), demolished 1981. It’s grade II-listed and is cited on CAMRA’s list of pubs with historic interiors, this being of Some Regional Importance; photos of the interior can be seen on the site.
This is now a Sam’s pub and is well described below. It’s fairly small and very cosy, with multiple rooms, brown lacquered wainscoting to around half height, then nicotine yellow Anaglypta to a gloss chocolate brown Anaglypta ceiling, above a burgundy Lino floor. Furniture is low and traditional, there are knickknacks and framed black and white pictures of the locality from yesteryear, along with a framed, autographed photo of Babs Windsor; mention is made below of the landlady’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the Carry On genre. Customers were few in number, even on a Friday evening, on arrival a couple of French tourists were departing, leaving just a mother and young son propping up the bar, with a couple of others, unseen, playing pool to the rear.
Ales amounted to Old Brewery on pump, me opting for a half of Extra Stout at the unbelievably expensive – for Sam’s – price of £2.60, cash only and as usual, freezing cold, served by an old-school landlord.
This place is fantastic for the heritage value, but I really couldn’t spend an evening knocking back Sam’s beers, but it’s definitely a place to visit at least once.
On 30th April 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Anchor Tap
Backstreet Sam’s a short stroll from Tower Bridge. It’s a well-worn old gem set over a number of rooms (four, I think) leading off the central bar area. Loads of dark wood, traditional fixtures and furnishings and a bundle of atmosphere, especially the lounge. No cask OBB so I went for the tap cider here. A special mention for the really friendly staff, especially the barmaid who was a fine example of how to make strangers feel welcome, keep the locals engaged in conversation (her knowledge of the Carry On series was encyclopaedic) whilst also getting jobs done quickly and efficiently. Could have easily settled in for a session here. A really good Sam’s pub.
On 18th December 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Anchor Tap
Tucked away just off the main tower bridge drag. Sam Smith’s pub with a quirky multi roomed interior. Didn’t visit upstairs.
On 28th October 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Anchor Tap
A splendid looking corner back street pub run by Sam Smiths. The interior consisted of a snug on the left hand side, central room with back along the back wall and another room on the right hand side along with an upright piano. The interior décor was all dark woodwork and mustard coloured painted walls and ceilings.
On 22nd June 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Anchor Tap
Typical multi-room back street Sam Smith's pub, dating back to 1761, which all looks very 'olde worlde' inside but it's always difficult to be sure... Anyway, as solidly traditional as you would expect, with everything from floor to ceiling in varying shades of brown. Usual range of beer, but the OBB (£3.10) is on handpump here.
On 3rd December 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roy Collins left this review about The Anchor Tap
Hidden away from the tourist bustle of Tower bridge, this is a great old fashioned pub with 3 seperate rooms and lots of dark wood.Sam Smiths bitter is the only ale of course but great value at £3.10.
On 22nd April 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 124 recommendations about 121 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Anchor Tap
Beautiful old interior to a very traditional pub hidden below Tower Bridge Road but very close to the river, Still has interconnecting rooms, one with a piano. Lots of dark wood panelling and a lovely olde worlde feel.
There is only one real ale - Sam Smith's OBB but this was very well kept.
On 22nd March 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Anchor Tap
A small but multi roomed backstreet Sam Smiths Pub, It was my first pub visit of the day and although not a fan of their beer I have to be honest as a first of the day the beer was ok and the pub was probably the nicest of the day. Lots of dark wood and cosy feeling its well worth a visit if only for one.
On 20th February 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Anchor Tap
Obviously this was the tap for the old Anchor Brewery next door. Now it’s a Sam Smith’s pub, and this one now has Old Brewery Bitter (£1.45 for a half) on handpump. I didn’t see a menu, but a pile of knives and forks behind the bar suggest that you can get something to eat if you come at the right time.
The last time I came here I felt that it was cold and gloomy. This time I felt very differently, and judged it to be full of character. I’m always suspicious of a pub like this one that has a sign outrside proclaiming it to be a “traditional English pub”, but I have to say that this pub gives a good impression of one. It’s still a maze of interconnected little rooms, all of which retain some original features, such as the bar counter, half panelled walls and fireplaces. A room on the left is signed as the “Games Room”, and there is a pool table in a room at the back. That leaves the main bar as you enter; a separate room on the right reached through a low opening; and another room at the back which has a bit more in the way of comfortable furnishings and is a bit like a small lounge. Sam Smith’s do a good job of retaining and often restoring the original appearance of their pubs, and this one is no different. This pub is definitely worth dropping into for a swift one, but a better ale selection would improve it dramatically. But of course that is not going to happen under Sam smith’s stewardship.
On 21st July 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Anchor Tap
This is a decent Sam Smiths pub split up into little rooms. One is an over 18's games room which has a dartboard and another has a pool table and another has a door so small that they've had to put padding on the frame to stop people bumping their heads. Opposite the pool room is a small lounge room just before the back door that leads to the beer garden which is little more than a walkway with some tables and chairs. The barman was very friendly, but unfortunately there was no OBB on hand pump leaving only draught.
This is a good pub; it's just a shame about the lack of ale.
On 15th April 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5250 recommendations about 5218 pubs]