The Hide Bar

LiG

Spiritual solace 20th November 2008

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In trendy Bermondsey Street, surrounded by quality restaurants and gastropubs, The Hide Bar more than holds its own. The incredibly comprehensive drinks list - particuarly spirits and wines - is testament to the knowledge of owner Paul Mathews and the input of his landlord, the Wine and Spirit Education Trust which owns the building.
Cocktails are a speciality of the house, but there is also beer from the Meantime Brewery in Greenwich and some amazing rare rums and bourbons, not just for aficionados.
The food tries to keep up with the drinks - meat is from Borough Market butcher the Ginger Pig, cheeses from Neal's Yard Dairy etc - but it is just-above-average pub fare (burgers, fish and chips, a daily risotto special).
The back bar is the venue for weekly tutored tastings and masterclasses, for example cognac or martinis, which are usually free, and this area can also be booked for private parties.
The Hide is special because the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable, and the crowd is relaxed, of mixed age and interesting.

HORSCHECK

The Hide Bar 16th February 2008

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In February 2008 I met up with a lovely bunch of friends for a late Sunday lunch at the Hide Bar.

A special Sunday Menu from noon until 4 p.m. was available while we were there. It offers about 15 different main courses and a limited choice of deserts, side dishes and snacks.

I ordered the Hide's Beef Burger, with bacon, cheese and hand cut chips for 9 GBP. The dish came on a big dark tile and was okay, but nothing too special, although I really loved the hand cut chips.

They have an extensive drink list with a large variety of cocktails and wines. As I was there on a Sunday afternoon I opted for beer.

The Hide Bar gets its draught beer from the local Meantime brewery in Greenwich. Light beer, stout, pale ale, wheat beer and cask ale might be on one of the three taps. The price for a pint is about 3,50 GBP.

The atmosphere on this particular Sunday afternoon was very relaxed, therefore it was just the perfect place for our little meeting as our main goal was to communicate with each other.

Oh, and I am sorry that I can't comment on the ladies toilet as I always went to the men's toilet, but on one of my next visits I promise to check it out. *winkygrin*

DIRECTIONS:
The Hide Bar is situated only a 10 minute walk from the tube station London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee line) which is also served by overland trains.

jo104

Hideaway at the Hide Bar 16th February 2008

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Not the easiest place to find & kind of stuck around some back streets, we walked from Tower Bridge side down some dodgy back roads.

The venue was trendy and pleasent enough even though the place was not very busy and our table of 10 stayed the longest during the brunch menu. Later on a DJ plays music from one of the raised seating areas but looked a little sad with his apple mac instead of decks but it gave a chilled relaxed ambience.

The food choices were limited and I must say that I thought my beef burger cooked medium was ok. The served everyone on the table at the same time which was good and Natalie commented on how many and good the olives side order was.

The restrooms could do with a bit more attention as one toilet blocked and the other had a wobbley seat.

sue

Lovely bar, skip the burgers... 13th February 2008

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I had to organise a Sunday lunch for 10 people in the London Bridge area, and when I read sizemore's review of the Hide Bar I figured it could be just the place. I wanted somewhere relaxed, where we could eat and drink, and most importantly, somewhere that sport was NOT being shown.

It turned out to be a great venue for us, as the place was virtually empty for the 4 hours we were there, which meant we had plenty of space to relax, it wasn't noisy, and service was good. The lack of clientele could be seen as a negative under other circumstances, but for us it was perfect.

The food menu was fairly uninspiring, though cheap. Out of desperation I ordered the Chicken Burger, which was a disappointment, but thankfully the hand-cut chips were tasty. There were only two desserts available - Chocolate Fondant, or assorted ice creams. We were told there were only 4 serves of fondant left, which lead to much discussion over which of the 10 of us needed a fondant more. I opted for the Pistachio & Chocolate ice creams which, although a little melted on arrival, where creamy delicious.

I did really like the Hide Bar though, and wouldn't hesitate to return one evening for drinks, but not for a Sunday lunch. Let's hope they fix the toilet issues before my next visit.

jennipenni at 13/02/08

Great review Sue, and it was a pleasure dining with you on Sunday! Strange that they ran out of pudding when there were so few people eating there! And not much choice to start with. But I too would visit again were I in the area. A pity re the loo situation, yes... the one being 'out of order' and the other kinda flying off..

koko at 13/02/08

Excellent review Sue! I was really debating with myself whether this place deserves 3 or 4 stars ;) I like the video you took :)

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koko

The Hide - a good meeting place 12th February 2008

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I came to The Hide for a meeting. The Hide is a bar, restaurant, lounge with a well stocked drink's list but the menu for food is rather short. The place is very comfortable. Later in the afternoon music was put on.
They had only two deserts on the menu and ran out of one of them.

I ordered for the Hide beef burger with hand cut chips. I liked the huge chips very much. I ordered my burger well done since I was asked and it turned out to be very dry indeed.

The ladies toilets didn't impress me too much since one out of the two was out of order and the toilet seat of the other seemed to be on the move. The soap dispensers sat in the sink and only provided some soapy water.

jennipenni at 13/02/08

It was lovely meeting you on Sunday Sonja... and what a lovely review! The chips were the best part of my main meal too :)

jo104 at 13/02/08

Well done on your first review :-) yes that wonky seat was a bit bad & I was the one who almost flooded the bathroom but the staff acted swiftly on my comment it was blocked & sealed off the offending toilet.

HORSCHECK at 13/02/08

Great first review here. A pity that I didn't check out the ladies room. *winkygrin*

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sizemore

Seek out The Hide 5th January 2008

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I like The Hide because it's a good way to hide from sports fans when every other pub in London seems to be showing some kind of match. It also serves coffee flavoured beer (and a chocolate one I have yet to try).

Best of all though I can walk in after midnight on a Friday night, find a seat and good conversation while drinking an old single malt recommended by the friendly bar staff who all seem to know their stuff.

And I like the ceiling. It's like drinking inside a giant egg box.

jennipenni at 12/02/08

I ate here for the first time this weekend pat, and enjoyed it. The food was lovely and the staff were so friendly! (note to self: write the review!)

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