User name:

Password:

Login


Sign in with Facebook


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 Brainypool on the Pub Forum

The Salt Quay, Rotherhithe, SE16

163 Rotherhithe Street
SE16
SE16 5QU
Phone: 02073947108

Return to pub summary

Pub Type

Greene King

Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Salt Quay

Modern Greene King pub, designed well to make the most of its fine riverside position. Plenty of outside space, with the open-air tables and seats supplemented by a covered seating / dining area in front of the main building. The interior is quite well appointed too (albeit in a way that probably won't appeal to the traditionalist), and there is also the Terrace Bar and viewing area upstairs (not visited). The only problem was the real ale, with only the guest Landlord (at a whopping £4.55) available from the four handpumps, with reversed clips for the regular IPA, Churchill IPA and Belhaven Old Gold noted (although the latter went on while I was there). Perhaps I just caught it on a bad day?

On 13th September 2015 - rating: 5
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about Old Salt Quay

This is a large modern riverside pub on two levels, I suspect the segmental arched windows are included to mimic the nearby riverside warehouses with the upper dark stained barge boarded exterior designed to suggest age. The large areas of exposed brickwork inside continue the theme of an old warehouse but overall for me it just doesn't work. It really is a huge barn of a place though and with boarded floors, high ceilings and a child friendly policy it makes for a loud and resonant interior. Thankfully you can escape to the large riverside terrace or first floor deck where excellent river views are available. A sign in the window indicates that a planning and licensing application has been made to extend the upper deck.
The ground floor bar has three handpumps, two on, offering GK IPA and Abbot, sadly the third had a reversed clip for the infinitely superior St Austell Proper Job. Another bar serves upstairs but there are no handpumps here. Service was at best, perfunctory, why oh why when there are two staff is it that both go on walkabout serving food and collecting glasses at the same time?
Food served, sports on TV, this pub will certainly suit some people but the overall feel is of a large bland and corporate barn. Given the premium site it occupies this is a bit of a shame, for me, the riverside views are the only redeeming feature.

On 13th April 2014 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


hondo . left this review about Old Salt Quay

Large 2 floor greene king pub. Real ale and food served. The best feature of the pub is the large patio/terrace giving excellent views up and down the river. Live music advertised.

On 31st October 2012 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Old Salt Quay

This pub used to be called the Spice Island, and is located pretty much at the location of the boatyard where the Mayflower was constructed before its famous voyage to the New World. It’s now a Greene King pub so there are no surprises as to the ales you will usually find available. On my weekday lunchtime visit, the only real available when I arrived was Abbot Ale (at £3.10 a pint). However I noticed that one of the reversed clips was for York Brewery Yorkshire Terrier. The barman informed me that it had just finished, but that they would soon be putting Old Hooky on. So, pretty naff timing on my part, but it is encouraging that they do have a guest ale policy even if I just missed out. There is a typical pubco type food menu – my cheese and pickle baguette, with the smallest salad garnish I have seen, was £3.99. Par for the course I guess.
The pub itself is a large stand alone building right by the river. Inside it’s a large drinking barn on two floors. There is pine cladding everywhere, with the walls a mixture of brick facing and crimson painted. Its floor is bare boarded of course, with furniture a mixed bag of normal tables and chairs, high tables and stools, and some sofas/armchairs. It has an enviable position on the river, with plenty of seating outside from which to enjoy the view. It can be superb, if pretty crowded, sitting outside on a warm day. As a pub it’s just about OK, but what makes it a bit special is its location.
[Admin edit: Name changed to The Old Salt Quay from The Spice Island 22/2/10]

On 2nd March 2010 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]