Today I want to share my favorite London Bridge pubs with you. This area on the south bank of the Thames is packed with places to eat and drink. From classic boozers with cozy corners to riverside specials with sweeping terraces, the area around London Bridge has a pub for every taste and style. From Southwark to Bankside, Bermondsey, and Borough, there are lots of them to choose from. Read on for my top picks and a map of where you can find them.
London Bridge Pubs
London Bridge is a popular area for locals and visitors alike. Not only is there a busy train station here, but also beloved places like Borough Market, the South Bank, and Bermondsey Street.
Add to that open-air venues like Vinegar Yard and Flat Iron Square, and there’s a lot to draw people to the neighborhood. I’m no exception. I find myself in the London Bridge area a lot, whether to meet friends or hop on a train for a day trip.
When it’s the former, I often end up at a pub. In fact, I’ve been to so many London Bridge pubs I thought it was time to tell you about my favorites. They’re some of the best pubs in south London.
Whether you love historic pubs or riverside ones, classic English drinks or traditional English dishes, there’s a London Bridge pub you’ll love.
1. The Southwark Tavern
Since I meet friends here regularly, I’ll start my list of pubs in London Bridge with The Southwark Tavern. Right on the edge of Borough Market, this popular watering hole is said to sit on the site of a former debtors’ prison.
The exterior features caramel-colored tiles and green awnings, and the interior has a classic pub feel.
But the real treat is in the basement. With booths in partitioned alcoves, plenty of candles, and lots of exposed brick, being here feels like stepping back in time. They do a great pub quiz down here, too.
This pub is for you if you love Borough Market and historic ambiance in equal measure.
2. The George Inn
Next on my list of London Bridge pubs is The George Inn. Dating back to the 17th century, it’s the only surviving galleried coaching inn in London.
A National Trust property, The George Inn has classic rooms with oak beams and historic atmosphere. There’s a big courtyard with outdoor seating in front, too.
The George Inn is tucked away through a narrow entrance on Borough High Street near London Bridge Station, Borough Market, and The Shard. It serves everything from real ales to classic pub food, and it has a fun atmosphere.
This place is perfect for you if you love heritage and want to step inside a piece of living history in London.
3. The Anchor Bankside
Right on the Thames, The Anchor Bankside is another of the best London Bridge pubs.
This 18th-century number has a brick facade with red trim and a welcoming terrace right on the waterfront. It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon in the UK capital.
Built on a historic site on the south bank of the Thames in Southwark, The Anchor is said to have been a haunt of river pirates and smugglers back in the day. The interior’s warren of rooms and cozy nooks make it appear so.
This pub is just the thing if you love riverside pubs in London. Just make sure to get here early if it’s a sunny day, as the terrace fills up quickly.
4. The Woolpack Pub
Down on Bermondsey Street, The Woolpack is one of the most beloved London Bridge pubs. This local favorite is known for its ornate interior decor and big beer garden.
Vintage tiling and private booths greet guests on arrival, and upstairs there’s a dining room that’s perfect for a leisurely Sunday roast.
But the real treat is outside. The Woolpack’s beer garden is packed with picnic tables, and it’s a great place to soak up the sun on a warm day. I’ve spent many afternoons and evenings here with friends, and I can personally attest to how enjoyable it is.
This place is for you if you’re a fan of pubs with beer gardens in London.
5. The Roebuck
Down on Great Dover Street in Borough, The Roebuck is housed in one of the most eye-catching buildings in London.
Dating back to the 19th century, this Grade II-listed pub near London Bridge is one of my favorite places to photograph in the UK capital.
Beyond a stunning exterior, The Roebuck features a large outdoor area with picnic tables, an airy ground floor, and a laid-back upstairs lounge.
An independent pub, it offers beers and ales from around the world. It also has a food menu full of dishes made with local produce.
This pub is for you if you want to go somewhere both photogenic and slightly off the beaten path.
6. The Lord Clyde Pub
Not far from The Roebuck, The Lord Clyde is an unabashedly traditional pub near Borough tube station and Mint Street Park. This Edwardian gem on Clennam Street first caught my eye with its colorful tile exterior and historic details.
Later I went for lunch with a friend and discovered an interior full of round wooden tables, leather banquettes, and lots of period decor. Etched glass windows and brass details rounded out the scene.
This pub is for you if you like all things traditional and want to get away from the crowds near London Bridge station.
7. The Horseshoe Inn
Tucked away on a residential street behind The Shard, The Horseshoe Inn is another great London Bridge pub. This under-the-radar boozer is as classic as it gets, and finding it feels like unlocking a local secret.
This stunning pub not only drips with old-world charm, but also backs it up with everything from cockney sing-alongs to dart boards and a pub cat. There’s a garden and terrace for sunny days as well.
This place is for you if you like finding hidden gems and want to see one of the most beautiful pubs in London.
8. The Old Thameside Inn
Back on the river, The Old Thameside Inn is another of the best London Bridge pubs. This waterfront special is right by Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, The Clink prison, and the Golden Hinde galleon.
Set in a former spice warehouse in the 16th-century Pickford’s Wharf area, it features an interior full of exposed brick and stone floors, and a riverfront terrace offering sweeping views across the Thames.
This pub is for you if you like historic atmosphere and river views in equal measure.
9. The Barrowboy & Banker Pub
Right on Borough High Street, The Barrowboy & Banker is another of the top London Bridge pubs.
Set in a former bank building, the interior retains original features like large windows, columns, and double-height ceilings. Chandeliers and a mezzanine level round things out.
The pub uses a maze of old bank vaults under the bar to store and condition all its beer (which is made right in London’s Chiswick). It’s also known for its homemade pies. Yum.
This pub is for you if you like historic details and classic pub food alike.
10. The Wheatsheaf Pub
Right in the heart of Borough Market, The Wheatsheaf is another of the best London Bridge pubs. Serving craft beers and cask ales alongside messy burgers and mouth-watering pizza, this place is buzzing day and night.
The Wheatsheaf also has a multi-level covered beer garden with great atmosphere and fun neon signs (not to mention heaters for cold days and nights).
This pub is for you if you want to eat or drink somewhere fun during a trip to Borough Market.
11. The Gladstone Arms
Right by Borough tube station, The Gladstone Arms on Lant Street is another of the best London Bridge pubs.
This family-run number is a 19th-century hidden gem in southeast London. Known for its live music and homemade Anglo-Indian food, it’s a great place to eat, drink, and be entertained.
The Glad has a lot of heritage, too. Named after former prime minister William Gladstone, it was also mentioned in The Pickwick Papers, as Charles Dickens once lived on the same road.
The pub even has a roof terrace beer garden and an upstairs lounge area. It’s a great place to go if you love live music, a community feel, and good food and drinks.
London Bridge Walk
If you want to see more of London Bridge and its pubs, you can go on my free self-guided London Bridge walk. It will take you around the side streets and show you some of the best local pubs along the way.
London Bridge Pub Map
London Bridge Pubs
I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at the best London Bridge pubs. This area is a great place to eat and drink in the UK capital, and I’m sure you’ll love these watering holes as much as I do when you’re in the area.
If you want more, you can take a look at my blog posts about an itinerary for central London pubs and my guide to the best pubs in London. Cheers!
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I loved seeing all those London pubs- these photos always bring back so many happy memories of the years I spent in London in the sixties!!!
I’m so glad!