Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in London Bridge, London, United Kingdom

Shunt Vaults - creepy/cool... by CityCat

CityCat — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:33:51 +0000

Review by CityCat

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7378 7776

Website: http://www.shunt.co.uk/

Damp, dark, eerie, low-lit caverns underground London Bridge.. Absolutely loved a recent night here. There were exhibitions set up in some rooms and live music too. It was so much fun to wander round! Can't recommend enough.Damp, dark, eerie, low-lit caverns underground London Bridge.. Absolutely loved a recent night here. There were exhibitions set up in some rooms and live music too. It was so much fun to wander round! Can't recommend enough.

The Refinery - More refined than most by Litro_K

Litro_K — Fri, 22 May 2009 23:35:57 +0000

Review by Litro_K

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0845 468 0186

Website: http://www.therefinerybar.co.uk/

Tags: cool, bar, trendy

It's near the Tate Modern, it's in a landmark building that's part of a funky glass and steel development, it has a pÃ©tanque lawn and a roll top bath out front, plus a mini croquet lawn...how pretentious, you may think.

And yes, I can imagine that this place opened and suffered as a result of all its grand ideas. I believe you, DanWilkinson, that it was only average in the beginning. I'm sure that the service was beyond slow; we had a long wait to get served at the bar and the staff seemed united by a common air of being really, really stoned. I have to say the prices weren't unreasonable: drinks were average, burgers at the £6-£7 mark and they had a wide menu with most choices coming in at under £8.

Our food took a good 20 minutes to arrive, which is fairly unusual for just burgers and light bites. The hopeless staff were sweet, but couldn't offer up much more than 'the kitchen is really overloaded today' - not usually a good sign. The food (I had the grilled chicken club, my fellow diners had burgers, mussels, prawns and onion rings) was absolutely fine, but we didn't sample anything life-changing.

Still, something about The Refinery really won me over. Maybe it's the design and the concept of the whole place - industrial, airy, lots of wood and loads of room. Maybe it was the fact that they had a good DJ spinning and the music was determinedly above average. Maybe it was the crowd â¬ a rather eye-pleasing mix of office suits and quirky design/ interiors types. Or maybe it was the fact that it wasn't packed to the rafters, and there was space to look around, hear your friends' voices, and take it all in.

The Refinery is trying hard to tick many boxes all at once, and probably won't succeed in all areas. But once theyâ¬"ve worked out what theyâ¬"re best at, and concentrate their efforts, I think more people will realise what a thoroughly nice space it is. Iâ¬"ll certainly be returningâ¬¦

It's near the Tate Modern, it's in a landmark building that's part of a funky glass and steel development, it has a pÃ©tanque lawn and a roll top bath out front, plus a mini croquet lawn...how pretentious, you may think.

And yes, I can imagine that this place opened and suffered as a result of all its grand ideas. I believe you, DanWilkinson, that it was only average in the beginning. I'm sure that the service was beyond slow; we had a long wait to get served at the bar and the staff seemed united by a common air of being really, really stoned. I have to say the prices weren't unreasonable: drinks were average, burgers at the £6-£7 mark and they had a wide menu with most choices coming in at under £8.

Our food took a good 20 minutes to arrive, which is fairly unusual for just burgers and light bites. The hopeless staff were sweet, but couldn't offer up much more than 'the kitchen is really overloaded today' - not usually a good sign. The food (I had the grilled chicken club, my fellow diners had burgers, mussels, prawns and onion rings) was absolutely fine, but we didn't sample anything life-changing.

Still, something about The Refinery really won me over. Maybe it's the design and the concept of the whole place - industrial, airy, lots of wood and loads of room. Maybe it was the fact that they had a good DJ spinning and the music was determinedly above average. Maybe it was the crowd â¬ a rather eye-pleasing mix of office suits and quirky design/ interiors types. Or maybe it was the fact that it wasn't packed to the rafters, and there was space to look around, hear your friends' voices, and take it all in.

The Refinery is trying hard to tick many boxes all at once, and probably won't succeed in all areas. But once theyâ¬"ve worked out what theyâ¬"re best at, and concentrate their efforts, I think more people will realise what a thoroughly nice space it is. Iâ¬"ll certainly be returningâ¬¦

The Garrison - My favourite pub with my favourite waiter by aimeealewis

aimeealewis — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:57:22 +0000

Review by aimeealewis

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7089 9355

Website: http://www.thegarrison.co.uk/

Tags: friendly, relaxed, gastro pub

I love love love the Garrison. Everyone we have taken there has been really impressed by the food and felt really comfortable. They also do great beers and ales. It is always really busy so it is best to reserve a table. On Sunday they do a cinema downstairs showing new releases. Have yet to go but it sounds great. The decor is shabby chic, making it a little bit shoreditch but softer.

The staff are really friendly too. We especially like David who is very chatty. So if you meet him say hi from me!I love love love the Garrison. Everyone we have taken there has been really impressed by the food and felt really comfortable. They also do great beers and ales. It is always really busy so it is best to reserve a table. On Sunday they do a cinema downstairs showing new releases. Have yet to go but it sounds great. The decor is shabby chic, making it a little bit shoreditch but softer.

The staff are really friendly too. We especially like David who is very chatty. So if you meet him say hi from me!

Roxy Bar and Screen - Space Oddity by gilka

gilka — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:35:36 +0000

Review by gilka

Rating: 4.00

Tags: relaxed, lively, bar

I went there for a friend's birthday after failing to enter to the Shunt... My first impression when I entered was that I am going to hate it but after a while I noticed that the screen was displaying slides about galaxies which was great and there were a group of people dressed as Aliens. We had some really funny conversations with them and the atmosphere was lovely. It was £2 to get in.I went there for a friend's birthday after failing to enter to the Shunt... My first impression when I entered was that I am going to hate it but after a while I noticed that the screen was displaying slides about galaxies which was great and there were a group of people dressed as Aliens. We had some really funny conversations with them and the atmosphere was lovely. It was £2 to get in.

The Old School Yard - Hmmmm by tedford

tedford — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:54:04 +0000

Review by tedford

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7357 6281

Website: http://theoldschoolyard.com

Tags: live music, cool, friendly

I went here on 23rd Dec and it was empty. This certainly isn't fair to judge it on how popular it is as it was the Monday before Xmas so fair enough.
WHat I can judge it on are the cocktails, and I only had 1. It was a so called 'happy hour', and a cocktail that tasted of cheap booze and acid, having looked at the website I think it was a Hemingway martini.
Leaving aside what is subjective personal taste for the cocktail, the big gripe is that the drink was served in the TINIEST cocktail glass I've ever seen. At a happy hour price of Â£4 something it wasn't great, but if I paid full price for that well, I wouldn't, I'd just walk out. It's definitely not a cocktail bar no matter what the reviewers say below. Interesting that all of them have only ever put one review on this site, and it's all effusive praise for this bar. Coincidence? I think not!
Having said all that, it might be a great laugh and you won't care if it's full on a Saturday night, but it is in a bit of an awkward spot to get to so if you don't like it then it'll be a hassle to go elsewhere.I went here on 23rd Dec and it was empty. This certainly isn't fair to judge it on how popular it is as it was the Monday before Xmas so fair enough.
WHat I can judge it on are the cocktails, and I only had 1. It was a so called 'happy hour', and a cocktail that tasted of cheap booze and acid, having looked at the website I think it was a Hemingway martini.
Leaving aside what is subjective personal taste for the cocktail, the big gripe is that the drink was served in the TINIEST cocktail glass I've ever seen. At a happy hour price of Â£4 something it wasn't great, but if I paid full price for that well, I wouldn't, I'd just walk out. It's definitely not a cocktail bar no matter what the reviewers say below. Interesting that all of them have only ever put one review on this site, and it's all effusive praise for this bar. Coincidence? I think not!
Having said all that, it might be a great laugh and you won't care if it's full on a Saturday night, but it is in a bit of an awkward spot to get to so if you don't like it then it'll be a hassle to go elsewhere.

The Hide Bar - Spiritual solace by LiG

LiG — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:34:06 +0000

Review by LiG

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7403 6655

Website: http://www.thehidebar.com

Tags: relaxed, bar, stylish

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.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.

Roxy Bar & Screen - A perfect kind of place by bron99

bron99 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:14:31 +0000

Review by bron99

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7407 4075

Website: http://www.roxybarandscreen.com

Tags: friendly, trendy, alternative

The Roxy on Borough High Street is possibly a perfect destination. In essence it is a bar with a full size cinema screen that has a varied and interesting programme and an audience that is interested in what's on and buzzy and chatty the rest of the time. The food they serve is okay, possibly the weakest thing, though both food and bar service is friendly and helpful. If you're looking for something interesting to do when you meet up for a drink check out the programme here.The Roxy on Borough High Street is possibly a perfect destination. In essence it is a bar with a full size cinema screen that has a varied and interesting programme and an audience that is interested in what's on and buzzy and chatty the rest of the time. The food they serve is okay, possibly the weakest thing, though both food and bar service is friendly and helpful. If you're looking for something interesting to do when you meet up for a drink check out the programme here.