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Detail Pages
The Steam Engine, Lambeth, SE1
SE1
SE1 7BU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Moby Duck left this review about The Steam Engine
A pretty unremarkable pub with three handpumps but all unclipped, the keg consisted of second division craft plus a couple of premium lagers. The Rap music was a little loud. This ones not for me.
On 13th July 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Tris C left this review about The Steam Engine
This place dates from the mid-19th century, but I suspect it was rebuilt in the late ‘20s or early ‘30s.
Of late, it’s become part of the six-venue PubLove chain, specialising in beds for backpackers and burgers, boasting of being home to the ‘Juicy Bastard’, served from an open kitchen. The interior seems to match the three previous reviews, being a place that’s been subjected to a trendy but tasteful makeover, with predictable motifs such as smoky blue paint, floral wallpaper, spun metal lampshades, potted palms, bare brick and tubular steel elements to the bar and a young, studenty crowd, many of whom were playing board games, all to a Donna Summer/Giorgio Moroder soundtrack.
The cask selection amounted to Big Hug Brewing’s Pave the Way and Sambrook’s Pumphouse at £2.70 a half, served by an indifferent barman, lacking in condition and a bit warm; the beer that is.
This place is ok, certainly better than the Flowers of the Forest and making for an interesting double with the Pineapple at the end of the street.
On 5th June 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Steam Engine
The interior remains as described by others, below. It felt a bit studenty, but apart from the constant banging of the side door and regular barging by a drunk couple of idiots it was reasonably comfortable. The staff were functional, harmless and inoffensive. There were 8 craft beers on but only one ale on draft – Sambrook’s Pumphouse IPA – which was in very good condition and went down rather well. I’d be happy to come back and include in a crawl.
On 25th March 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Steam Engine
Craft burgers are the flavour of the month at the Steam Engine which was devoid of custom and any atmosphere when I visited the Thursday evening before Christmas. This is historically one of the busiest pub days of the year so this pub’s peers all had a healthy crowd in attendance. Maybe the depressing music was keeping people away, or maybe it is because this place feels more like a diner than a pub.
Craft beers and five hand pumps are supported by the bar which was being manned by an aloof member of staff. I’m not one for staying long in worryingly empty pubs so I knocked back my half and was glad to leave.
On 1st February 2017
- rating: 3
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Steam Engine
Refurbished in understated trendy style, with tastefully matching furniture and fairly minimalist decor with much dark paintwork. One large L-shaped room with a long bar and kitchen area at one end; tiny yard at rear serves mainly for smokers with a few stools on the pavement also. Four beers on pump, mainly from local brewers, plus Old Rosie and predictable selection of craft ales. Beer quite drinkable; Cask Marque listed. Food mainly of the posh burger variety, and unusually has some rooms to let also. Pleasant enough as a modern take on a pub.
On 29th September 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Steam Engine
The Steam Engine is a back street pub that is next to a council estate and also close to Lambeth North tube.
Once inside there is a single oblongish shaped room which is wrapped around the bar,there is a pool table to the front of the bar,there is comfy bench seating to the front with normal tables and chairs elsewhere,there was a piano on a small raised area to the rear left,background music was playing during my Saturday afternoon visit.
There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Purity Gold which was quite a nice drink,the other beer was Doom Bar.
I was quite happy drinking in this locals pub.
Pub visited 2/8/2014
On 2nd August 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Steam Engine
This is clearly a locals’ pub servicing the nearby estate, although when I visited I entered behind a group of eight or so girls (who ordered and paid for their drinks separately!) on some sort of walking tour of London. Goodness knows what they were doing in this backwater – a wrong turning at Waterloo Station possibly. Anyway, the outside of the building is now covered in trelliswork, presumably in the hope of getting some climbing plants (wisteria by the look of them) to give it a more rural appearance.
Inside it’s one of the more depressing pubs that I’ve visited. Regulars at the bar swearing; the blue baize covered pool table dominating the front of the bar area; the “humorous” saying in large letters on the walls (guys no shirt no service; girls no shirt no charge); the magenta painted bar counter front – did nothing to endear me to the place. There was just the one ale on – Pedigree, at £2.20 a pint between 10 AM and 3 PM daily is very cheap, but it wasn’t in good shape. The young lady behind the bar took one pull that produced a half pint of froth, which she left to go and serve another customer. I looked for, and saw, the sparkler and pointed out to the barmaid that it would much easier to pull the pint if she removed the sparkler. She did so and pulled the pint easily, muttering something as she did so. This pub is not really worth bothering to find in my opinion.
On 31st May 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Steam Engine
Not too bad a place, bit dark inside. Real ale on sale but can't remember what it was. 3 large screens showing sport, other than that, no comment.
On 6th September 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]