The Anchor Bankside Bar & Restaurant

GaryWong

Anchor Bankside appalling service 22nd April 2009

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Visited this pub last Sunday evening with friends as it looked reasonable from the outside .... but the service was totally rude and the staff clearly had no training or any idea of what a pub should be like.
Without sounding any 'last orders' bell a staff member came to our table and ordered us to leave, then stood over us whilst we downed our drinks! The appalling rudeness in this place was quite unbelievable - do not visit under any circumstances! Go to London Bridge station around the corner where there are a couple of lovely local pubs where you will be treated in a civil manner.

Jamesarama001

The Anchor 10th September 2008

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Another riverside pub with great views of the river thames. If your walking along the southbank then pop along for a drink, and if its sunny sit outside on the terrace.

The pub is as normal as any other pub. It can get busy at times, although there is plenty of bar and bar staff to keep things moving. The food was not great, however the last time I went they'd installed a fish and chip shop which seemed to be popular but expensive.

Generally the Anchor is a tourist trap, but if its not busy, then it makes a good place to have a drink after work. I'd go for a drink and the riverside terrace and views but i'd pass on the food.

damo1977

Worth a revisit, if you've been before. 3rd September 2008

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My original view of this pub is below. It has been recently refurbished and now serves a wider selection of drinks.

I have now managed to sit outside, although it was cold and raining, so we had to crouch under the parasols. A much improved pub though, with a selection of beers including Hoegaarden!

No longer do you need to avoid this pub. It's definitely worth a visit if you're passing.

November 2008

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Previous review

"This pub gets trade by being old.

The pub has been on the site for a long time, and as such panders to the foreign tourist trade.

There is a large outdoor seating area where you can eat if you can get a seat, however I am yet to manage that. The service at the bar is poor and there is a very poor choice of drinks available.

The pub is linked to the Premier Inn hotel behind, which would be useful if you are staying there. However, there are many other pubs in the area which deserve your custom a lot more.

Avoid."

emily051

the worst service 26th August 2008

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I went in for a nice evening with friends and it was totally ruined by disgusting service. Some members of staff there are a disgrace.
We ordered a £3.75 Fougasse garlic bread with sauces, But a tiny piece of normal garlic bread toast arrived instead, which we thought was a side to our other main meal. When we told the staff our Fougasse didn't arrive after waiting for it for a while, they came back saying it'd ran out. so we wanted to return the garlic bread toast (which was outrageous for £1.99 and it didn't look like they should even charge for it) and we wanted a refund saying that's not what we ordered. Then the whole drama started. The staff who took the order finally came to our table only to say there's nothing they can do and they can't refund because we touched the toast already. Then he went on to lie that he told us that the Fougasse ran out when we ordered. Then he went on arguing that this was also a garlic bread so we should eat what they gave us. He was absolutely determined not to take any notice of whatever we said and left us almost smirking, giving us his final word 'there's nothing we can do about it'
Finally we called the manager, who only repeated the three different arguments the staff went through with us - and only to show his determination not to refund this £1.99 for this pathetic toast we didn't order.
After a long argument, he finally said he will refund it and walked off red faced. Then he never came back with the money...! We never got that £1.99 back!
We expected simple apologies and refund for this small money as a matter of principle, instead we had to argue with the staff and manager over our dinner and feel disgusted and stressed.
I don't know if they treat everybody in this pub as a tourist and have some sort of strict no refund policy because they think these people will never come back anyway so it's better to take the money ... well that's the impression we got.
The main meal we ordered was horrible anyway, so we'll certainly never go back.

sue

A sunny drink by the Thames 31st December 2007

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The Anchor is a historic Pub on the Thames. It was rebuilt in 1676 after it was damaged by fire. In the last couple of years it has been re-furbished and enlarged. It is a popular place for dinner and drinking by the Thames.

We had dinner here with friends once and the food was pretty terrible and overpriced.

Instead, visit on a sunny day and make sure you score a table by the river. Can take forever to order a drink though.

Fen

Anchor pub overlooking the Thames 15th June 2007

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The Anchor pub & restaurant is situated on the river thames between the Tate Modern and Southwark Bridge.
Great to visit in the summer as there are plenty of tables outside to sit and enjoy a drink as well as plenty of space inside.

bru

7th May 2007

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fantastic location. Close to Globe Theatre and Southwark Cathedral (borough market!). Overlooking the Thames.
Often overcrowded, but especially in summer is THE place to have a pint after work.

jennipenni

A South Bank gem 17th March 2007

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We sat in the non-smoking section (which is located next to the carvery), and thoroughly enjoyed our meals!

I am really glad we came here. I have heard about it and looked forward to trying it out.

This is one of Londons oldest and most historic pubs, it was around during the Great Fire of London in 1666. It itself succumbed to fire later on and was rebuilt in 1676.

We went on a cold and rainy day, so could not sit outside (which is unfortunate, as they have a dedicated decked patio area for the pub that overlooks the Thames!) On a sunny day this must be absolutely fantastic!

They have a big dining room which has gorgeous views over the Thames. They also have a Shakepeare Room which has pine panelling from the 18th century. This room is used mostly for functions and the like.

An interesting titbit of information for film buffs as film makers love the surrounding area of alley ways: Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible had a pint of beer outside the Anchor, on the patio.

3 of us had the carvery and one of us cod and chips. The cod was succulent apparently, the chips, salad and peas fine too. Nothing to write home about, but good value for money.

The carveries were the best I thought. There are three choices. Pork, beef or lamb. 2 of us had lamb and 1 had pork. It came with roasted (I love cooking veges this way!) pumpkin and potato, roast potatoes, a good helping of meat, a Yorkshire pudding and a ball of stuffing.

Service was efficient – staff courteous and the manager gave special treatment to my father in law and served his meal himself! Not sure why. It just shows that it pays to be friendly and chatty!