The Anchor Tap in Southwark

The pub with the most character we have found in London so far. The food was delicious. Fish and chips and bangers and mash . And the server was so friendly. Highly recommend

The fries and beer were delicious. In addition, I was able to exchange items due to the friendly behavior of the store staff. Recommended for those who want to enjoy the local atmosphere.

A traditional old pub full of nooks and crannies where customers are made to feel they are part of the establishment and the staff are a joy.

A few hundred feet away from the hustle & bustle of Tower Bridge lies this gem of a pub. Unchanged decor takes you back to the fifties, there's even an upright piano there. The beer, Sam Smith's, was perfect, thick and creamy with a good head that stayed to the last few drops. We had loaded natchos Korean fried chicken and fish fingers goujons.

A real pub!!!! The fish and chips are very good!!! Great beer!!

Good pub to have a drink near Tower Bridge. It is very worth it!!

A great proper boozer with an excellent selection of Samuel Smiths beers. We always have the organic lager 🍻

Very cool spot, hidden away on the south bank. We had the chicken schnitzel and steak and ale pie. The pie was delicious. The schnitzel was fine, nothing special. Beer is cold and served quickly. Three stars for service because it wasn’t anything e exceptional. Nice guy just did the basics.

Best sausages ever! Definitely will go back!

Wonderfully preserved old London dock pub in the back lane between Tower Bridge & the ancient wharfland. A beautifully aged corner pub by the legendary Samuel Smiths. The heritage lobby, packed with vintage collectables, benches, pews & a barrel takes you straight back to when these were old working docks. A cozy Victorian London home bar opens into a labyrinth of anterooms for games, drinking, chat, no music or digital friending & reminiscing by original iron fires, including a corner set piece cracking orange over a authentic leatheresque floor. Spill runs perimeter the floor round the bars. A central bar that sits broadly through the property in a sold wood L. Simple worker back bars sit against heritage patterned paper under the decoratively papered ceiling. This is a vintage gem in dark seclusion, period authentic, with beanded barrel table & bench seating under dimple glazed windows. There historic location story pictures over the half wood pannelled walls. This is a superbly authentic piece of London pub heritage that captures its rime & essence perfectly accompanied by pub genius Samual Smith , the quality, vintage brews in their signature lit bar towers. Landladies Gerri & Julie set a superb vibe for banter & enjoyment. I loved chatting in pub talk with them & their team; absolutely priceless.

Thanks you John for the explication ! And your smile the best bartender on the London You need to go here !

I didn't eat here but had drinks and used the pool table. The stairs to the toilets on the upper level require you to be reasonably sober, with great balance.

Traditional pub, very nice and friendly.

Great traditional sam smiths pub.good organic larger.

Unique old pub near tower bridge. Darts room, pool room.

We had dinner for two (two ciders and two cheeseburgers) and paid £54 for just that (€65)! The side fries were great, the burgers were not good. The atmosphere is nice, the people are nice, but we certainly wouldn't go here again.

Cozy London pub just off the tourist track. Very nice staff.

I was with my brother who was a brewer and we had possibly the worst pint in my 57 years on this earth. Don't go for the beer 🤣🤣

Most unwelcoming pub in London. We were only visitors who ordered food and waited for our pie almost 30 minutes (compare it to 10 - 15 minutes tops in lots of other pubs) and when we asked if everything is okay, were told that “it’s not a McDonald’s)”. There is also a piano inside, but it’s not allowed to play it. The bartender told us that the owner doesn’t like music. Pies were delicious though. But why should one bear such inhospitality, if there are so many other pubs around with similar tasty pies and amazing atmosphere to enjoy?

The pub is bursting with historical ambience, eating, drinking, darts and pool billiards... Everything your heart desires right on Tower Bridge

found by chance in November, between 2 visits to monuments, very good pub, with organic beers and top service.

Friends and I discovered this amazing little pub by accident and it's since become our most favorite spot in London. We were in town over New Years and walked in and everyone remembered us, which was so fun. The food is excellent, the staff is out of this world and the atmosphere is quintessentially a London pub. We played darts and pool and had so many laughs! It's fabulous. Will be back as soon as we come back to London. Thank you Julie, Gerry, Maxine, Marc and John (and everyone else) for always welcoming us. Anchor Tap is a very special place!

Amigos y yo descubrimos este pequeño pub increíble por accidente y desde entonces se ha convertido en nuestro lugar favorito en Londres. Estuvimos en la ciudad durante Año Nuevo y entramos y todos nos recordaron, lo cual fue muy divertido. La comida es excelente, el personal está fuera de este mundo y el ambiente es esencialmente un pub de Londres. ¡Jugamos a los dardos y al billar y nos reímos tanto! Es fabuloso. Volveremos en cuanto volvamos a Londres. Gracias Julie, Gerry, Marc y John (y todos los demás) por siempre darnos la bienvenida. Anchor Tap es un lugar muy especial!

Lovely pub, exactly what we were looking for in London. Great beer, great atmosphere, and as we were told, older than America. Take note that there is no WiFi and cell service is not great. Enjoy the drinks the conversation!

The Anchor Tap is a true hidden gem just a stone's throw from Tower Bridge. This cosy pub has a warm atmosphere, complete with a fireplace that makes it perfect for a relaxing winters day. The friendly staff are always welcoming, adding to the delightful experience. The restaurant is based up the stairs. The food is outstanding, especially the burgers. Every item on their menu tastes homemade and is simply delicious. While I don’t go as often as I used to, it has once again become my go to spot in the area. The games room is a fantastic bonus. You can enjoy darts, table tennis, pool or a variety of board games. Without a doubt, The Anchor Tap is the best Samuel Smith boozer I have visited.

Lovely, lovely staff, fantastic traditional pub food. At least when really relaxed midday when we went.

Great pub. With a lovely real fire.

This was once a nice bar. Terrible drinks. My wine was warm and tasted bad. Landlord insisted on keeping front door open on coldest night. Freezing. Avoid!!

Everything you want in an old pub in the heart of London. Not too busy either.

Simply gorgeous food and the staff is very friendly!! Real food real people, great pub experience!

Nice place to relax and a bite to eat

Great pub lots to do eg dats and pool!

Pasamos en este pub a la hora del almuerzo. Comimos bistec y pastel de cerveza ... increíble! Y lo terminó con pudín de toffee pegajoso con natillas. Tan delicioso. Maxine, nuestro servidor, era la bomba!

A proper old fashioned pub which I adore with a real fire in the winter months.

Cannot recommend this pub enough. Lovely little pub tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Tower Bridge. Cute bar with a log fire, lots of seating, games rooms where you have darts, pool and table tennis. The Samuel Smith fruit beers were delicious, the team was very friendly, the service was great. To top it all off the food was incredible, not your average pub grub, it was one of the best pubs lunches we've had.

Home from home pub. Great food great beer great company

Is this the most miserable landlord in any London pub. You are not made to feel welcome in any way shape or form. Zero people skills.

Cutest little pub-quintaessential English:) The food was excellent! ( had a couple pints, the sausages & fish & chips appetizers). Staff was super friendly as well!

Decidió ir a tomar unas copas y mirar los menús para las siguientes noches de cena, 1 impresión de la calle importa ¿eh? Pedí 2 bebidas, 2 pintas de cerveza, 1 era tan plana como lejos *, se lo mostré al propietario que simplemente lo vertió en otro vaso, no tanto como una pena por eso. Pensé, oh bueno, estas cosas suceden así que volví la noche siguiente y vi al propietario de nuevo y lo adivinaste, obtuve exactamente el mismo resultado. El propietario de este encantador pub es el individuo más miserable que nos hemos encontrado, una opinión compartida por la mayoría de los que se sientan a nuestro alrededor. Si quieres un buen pub inglés con un gran ambiente y una bienvenida genuina, dale a este lugar una falta.

fantastic fish and chips, good vibes

I was waiting at the bar for 15 minutes to be served because there was only one person behind the bar. Dreadful communication and took forever. We were seated in the lobby area and the door was kept open, the manager insisted, and we were very cold. Not returning.

What a great place! Super cozy, the team is very friendly and helpful, actually providing valid advice when asked for recommendations, and the food is delicious! If you can: Go there! :)

Really nice pub in South London, close to tower bridge!! But annoyingly, Google maps and website says it closes at 11pm but we got there at 6:15 they said they're closing in 15. Might have been a random event or something, but it was annoying as we made it all the way there. Been here a few years ago though and it was great!

Cozy English pub in a small back street in London, with a good pub sandwich with chicken.

A destination pub on the South Bank. The modern section is luxurious but the original corner is full of history and character.

Characterful pub with standard range of Sam Smith drinks. Worth a visit.

Really good beer and staff lovely

Super friendly, amazing atmosphere and really good food. Can't go wrong with a pint of a Samuel Smith beer either 👌

Oh, cielos, oh, cielos. Mi compañero entusiasta tradicional del pub londinense y yo nos quedamos boquiabiertos al descubrir esta joya más hermosa y sin molestar. Tiene uno de los mejores interiores de cualquier hostería en Londres, pero luego vimos que es un pub Sam Smith y como la mayoría de los verdaderos ale oficiaanados, detestamos esta pseudo-empresa de cerveza y su horrible política de no abastecerse de otras cervezas. Nos fuimos inmediatamente y solo podemos esperar que algún día pueda ser asumido por una empresa que se preocupa por la verdadera cerveza y la elección.

Nice service and pleasant atmosphere in the pub.

Proper old school pub with a pool table and dart board. The Tap is about having a good night rather than being all fancy.

The atmosphere is wonderful and the food is good pub fare. Definitely stop in when you go visit Tower Bridge. It’s one street over from the bridge and very close by.

Walked into the Anchor tap today ,greeted by warm friendly ,knowledgeable staff.Made my day after a long walk ,a "proper" pub 😀

Había visto este pub en línea y pensé que se veía bastante interesante. Es un pub muy antiguo con mucho carácter. Nos detuvimos a tomar una copa y como era un buen día soleado, nos sentamos afuera con vistas al Támesis. Perfecto para una bebida fresca en un día soleado caliente.

Después de un día ajetreado de hacer cosas turísticas con un amigo de Oz, este fabuloso hallazgo fue un remanso de tranquilidad! Un pub inglés apropiado para mi amigo, peculiar, deliciosa hamburguesa con patatas fritas y no ridículo rip - de los precios turísticos como habíamos experimentado en otros lugares. Maxine, un personaje así, bienvenida a Londres... gracias por cuidarnos. Sin duda volveremos de nuevo.

The Anchor Tap in Shad Thames is a hidden gem and a must-visit for anyone who loves a traditional pub atmosphere. As a Sam Smith’s pub, it offers a fantastic range of their unique beers, and I have to say, I’m particularly fond of their Chocolate Stout and Organic Wheat Beer. The Chocolate Stout is rich, velvety, and perfectly balanced—not too sweet, but with a delightful hint of chocolate that makes it incredibly satisfying. The Organic Wheat Beer, on the other hand, is light, refreshing, and has a crisp finish that makes it an excellent choice whether you’re popping in for a quick drink or settling in for the evening. The pub itself exudes charm, with its cozy, old-world interior that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The staff are always friendly and welcoming, and there’s a real sense of community here. It’s a great spot to unwind, catch up with friends, or even enjoy a quiet pint on your own. Whether you’re a local or just visiting the area, The Anchor Tap is definitely worth a visit. I highly recommend stopping by for a pint (or two) of their excellent beer selection. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again.

Best pub around tower / london bridge. Feels like being home every time. Staff is incredibly friendly and beer is cheap. I strongly recommend for anyone looking for a pub which is not too busy with dart and pool

Try the level head ipa not too strong with a good taste

Nice pub with a very friendly staff. There is a games room with darts and a pool. Food is also delicious.

Great Fish and chips! Prices were reasonable

Lovely little pub oasis in the heart of London, great beer and house stout! A free game of darts too! Brilliant pub.

Before we left, we were looking for a nice pub near Tower Bridge and spontaneously came up with this place. The waiter was world class and did a very good job. We didn't test food, we concentrated more on drinking. The location was also very comfortable and you hardly heard any of the construction noise inside (it was surprising). We will come back in any case.

Very friendly barmaid, good food and drinks and fantastic atmosphere!

Maxine is a the best if you ever go, go upstairs and have a beer and talk with her absolute legend!

Best friendlies pub we'd be into in London good craic with John the barman food excellent beers superb no music just people talking a little gem of a place just around the corner from the bottom of tower bridge surprised it wasn't more busy people are missing this oldie world pub with hundreds of years of history much better than the yuppie bars nearby!!

Amazing pub with an excellent selection of beers, plenty of seating space, good prices and service.

Great ambience and fantastic beers

authentic London pub, very good beers and if you want to eat something, a room upstairs with a fireplace. Excellent fish and chips

The bartender is a gem! Had the most enjoyable time there. Best fish & chips by far!

The place was literally empty with no music. The pool table doesn’t work properly.

A great old fashioned pub very close to the crowds but seemingly undiscovered. Excellent Sam Smith's beers and cider. Decor looks untouched for decades; upstairs dining area verging on the dingy but did 8 of us fine. Very friendly service. Fish and chips, Big Catch and steak pies all excellent. Definitely worth the detour from the more obvious locations nearer Tower Bridge or the river.

Tasty food at a good price with friendly staff. Recommended

Amazing pub and fantastic beer!

Traditional pub with great people & service. Very welcoming pub with lovely food & friendly bar staff. Has a pool table & darts for some activities & encourages you to have conversation without the need of your phone. Great place & a hidden gem!

Anchor Tap is amazing! Natalie shared with us about how the 250 year old bar (1761) was once bombed and gave us great recommendations for local Samuel Smith brews. We loved the “digital detox” without tvs, music allowing just a great atmosphere to talk and share a beer!

Total rip off. Unfriendly staff. Terrible experience

I had fish and chips and steak and ale pie. I asked for beer as a recommended menu item, so I tried it as the best one. It was a very delicious and satisfying meal. It's a quiet pub that's good for conversation, and they welcomed us brightly on the second floor and took great care by coming to ask us how each menu item tasted! I am so grateful to the staff whose boisterous laughter is so nice to hear. Thanks to them, I was able to have a pleasant last night of my trip to London👍🏻😎 Be sure to try the Steak and Ale Pie!!!

Absolutely loved this little pub. Quite a large group of us, 8 adults and 3 kids on a Sunday lunchtime, but the service couldn't be bettered. The lovely lady managed everything spot on. Food was excellent and of course so was the old brewery best bitter. We'll make a point of returning when in this area which is fairly regularly.

This place is so underrated. It’s a bit hidden away but it’s a lovely little local pub. It’s never super crowded. It has great prices and it’s quiet so you can have a chat with friends. I really like the fireplace in the winter.

A long-standing site, it has not lost its charm. We were amazed by the good vibes there were and the number of interior rooms and parlors depending on the rest, dining or living areas.

Great traditional pub just off the Tower Bridge. Obviously very traditional. Good service. Food was a bit middling if I'm honest - the loaded nachos were really just plain corn chips with 3 x different sauces. The garlic bread was burnt on the underside. The pie was alright if a bit plain. The beer was excellent, though (like the food) they were out of several options. It's not helped by the massive construction racket next door unfortunately. Nevertheless, I liked it and was happy with the place.

I lost my puppy and the staff found it and it was still alive. Thank you Well the puppy has run off again if you see him just call him his name is Patrick Thank you

Real old-fashioned pub. Surprisingly quiet despite being at the foot of Tower Bridge. The food was very good and the waitress was adorable.

Perfect proper pub, great staff and fantastic landladies

Really great pub. Lovely atmosphere, good beer, friendly staff and fair prices.

I felt like this place was a little unwelcoming, didnt stay long Also the toilets are up a very steep set of steps

I found this pub by chance on Christmas Eve, but the service and atmosphere were really great. Be sure to visit

So rude ! First the barman ignored us when we walked in. Then we waited for him to finish what he was doing and then I said hello and asked something but he just ignored me. I thought he just didn’t hear and I asked again but he ignored me again. After some time, he just replied “sorry I was doing something”. Yes sorry I didn’t know that cleaning a glass would make you so busy that you can’t even look up and say hello.

Great discovery by Hazard! The cozy atmosphere with the fireplace! Brilliant and nice exchange with my son for a good while without checking our cell phones since it was strongly discouraged by the boss (just a photo taken of the fireplace discreetly)! Top !

A great traditional pub. Staff and clientele very friendly just how a pub should be.

Wunderschöner original authentischer Pub. Burger und Fish&Chips mega lecker, riesige Bierauswahl und total freundlicher Service!!!

Classic pub food - fish and chips, pies etc - with good chips in a quiet upstairs room with a discouragement of phones. Not haute cuisine, but that's not the point. Cosy bar downstairs. Lovely warm staff. Smith's beers. Everything you need from a good pub, and bang where you need it.

Came across this pub by chance and what a fabulous find. Very quirky and so full of character. The staff were very friendly and helpful. A lovely old place, and would love to try out the food on my next visit

This is a great place to go if you're looking for a traditional English pub atmosphere. The food was hot and delicious!

Super cozy and friendly place to meet up away from the crowds of central London

Very traditional pub hidden away from the mainstream, worth seeking out.

Helt ok pub strax intill Tower Bridge. Här är det lite enklare att få plats jämfört med de ställen som ligger i direkt anslutning till bron. Det serveras god öl och bra mat till modesta priser för att ligga centralt i London. Men väldigt trevligt lite ruffigt med en fin innegård för de som vill sitta ute.

On our first trip to England, first day in London, after touring the Tower, we asked for the best and oldest pub nearby for that old pub experience we had heard about so much. We couldn’t have picked a better, more special place. It was like being at a friend’s warm home where you could relax, or have fun with some social games. We arrived close to midday kitchen break, so were the only couple besides one regular. The bartender was the coolest, happiest and most accommodating and personable host we ever met. He gave us a tour of the place, including the cellar where the kegs are stored. The experience was about the best of our entire trip. More special memory for our 20th wedding anniversary than Buckingham Palace. Thx John for a great time, great pint, and awesome fish n chips.

Rude member of staff. Mentioned cider had line cleaner in it and tasted vinegary. Staff said ‘bloody hell’. After insisting of getting a pint of something else, he said, do you want a half or something else? My reply was” no! I would like a pint I paid for please!!” He then proceeded to laugh at me with his colleagues… Not professional in my standards. As with other I know. I used to love this place and no longer be coming back because a narrow minded member of staff. It’s a real shame…

Ao lado da Tower Bridge, esse pub fica escondido, mas vale a pena a visita, principalmente por não ser ponto de turistas ele é um genuíno pub britânico, oferecendo bons pratos, boas cervejas e com o bom atendimento londrino.