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The George, Bermondsey, SE1
SE1
SE1 4TR
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The George
Dating from the mid-19th century, this pub was rebuilt in the 1930s for Truman’s by their inhouse architect, A. E. Sewell. There’s a fantastic Truman’s exterior, however, the name to the fascia in gilt lettering was covered in 2022 by the current name as part of corporate branding undertaken following acquisition by Craft Union; a further and permanent act of vandalism is the removal of three Truman’s lanterns; what has been added though, is the large fluttering LGBTQ+ flag. Otherwise, this pub is listed on CAMRA’s inventory of having interiors of special interest, this being of Special National Historic Interest.
I almost came here around a year-and-a half ago but was put off by the rather laddish and a bit chavvy customers, not to mention the very bright lighting. This place has clearly changed since the change of hands, but it’s now much more atmospheric, with a carpeted or boarded floor, original glass and wood panelling, some now with trendy patterned infill; a detailed description can be seen on CAMRA’s website. Furniture is traditional, there are games machines and despite being night, daylight horse racing was shown in silence on the TV. Customers now are a lot more varied, being local, yes, mixed in age and gender or to put it in CAMRA’s words ‘ungentrified, local custom’, along with some studenty types, probably resident at the nearby LSE accommodation block and all enjoying the karaoke.
Sadly, there’s no cask ale here, just four unused pumps each sheathed with triangular section cardboard adverts for meal deals, me opting for a half of Neck Oil at £3.25, served by a zesty barmaid.
This is quite a nice pub; the addition of a quality cask selection would get the score up, but the pub loses a point each for (1) the lack of cask; and (2) especially the utterly unnecessary exterior alterations; it would make for a good double with the Spit & Sawdust though.
On 19th June 2023
- rating: 6
[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 The George
Fine-looking old Truman's pub with an opened-out but otherwise relatively well-preserved U-shaped interior around what is almost an island bar. Many of the coloured glass window panels survive, as does the glazing in most of the toilet doors. The more modern alterations are mostly sympathetic too, so it retains a lot of character. However, the beer choice is much less interesting, with all four handpumps disused on my visit, and John Smith's (£3.70) inexplicably taken instead of Beavertown Neck Oil.
On 22nd March 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The George
The Truman’s signage, including the iconic black eagle, is much in evidence on the exterior, and the original Truman’s leaded light windows have survived as well. Inside it’s completely opened up now, but the saloon and public bar doors to the street are still signed as such, and are both still in use. The wood panelling, bar back and bar counter all look to be original survivors, the latter with the distinctive London pub bar engine access doors on the outside.
The seating around the sides is hard wooden pews, complete with seat numbers and no doubt re-cycled from some erstwhile church, plus some normal tables and chairs. The saloon bar side of the room is carpeted while the public bar side is bare boarded, thus maintaining a tenuous link with tradition.
The only ale on was Courage Best (£3.00 a pint), plus a (Doom Bar?) clip reversed and two handpumps apparently unused. There was no sign of any food late on Wednesday afternoon. The only decor was (apart from the wallpaper) various adverts. At the back on the left is an area containing a pool table, and I could have done without “Gold” radio station blaring out – but that’s just my taste in pub music (or lack of it). This is a standard but decent boozer. Like most pubs there are thing about it that I liked, and things I didn’t, but that’s largely my subjective opinion. It was clean, the service was friendly enough, and although it still has some original features in place it’s certainly not a destination pub.
On 25th July 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]