The Understudy in Lambeth

The £15 deal of burger, fries and a beer is outstanding we both have that before enjoying the play at National theatre

Super chill place...have a beer and just chill

Can’t book online - you need to email and they take 4 days to reply. Basically free seating and serve yourself. Food was good and plenty of it.

Low key and relaxed. Lots of tables outside on the beautiful south bank. Good for drinks or food or both. A mix of ramen, burgers and flatbreads to choose from - a market stalls vibe. Something for everyone. Would highly recommend.

The drinks seemed overpriced, but the atmosphere was amazing because it was by the river.

A great pub in the city of London. They do a great toasted sandwich for £5 😃

Great place especially in the sunshine, in a great location too.

Great location overlooking the south bank and the Thames

Amazing afternoon drink, outdoors, overseeing the river

Excelente ubicación en el Teatro Nacional. Acabamos de tomar unas copas, hacen un buen rango. Un montón de asientos exteriores e interiores. Es agradable mirar el río. Los baños eran satisfactorios (solo ten en cuenta que son unisex)

Everything that is wrong with modern day culture

Delicious burgers, fries and cold drinks. Very fast service given the volume of customers being served. If you're at the National Theatre then grabbing a bit to eat at The Understudy is well worth it.

With probably the biggest outdoor seating area you'll find in the area, it’s ideal for those sunny days when you want to kick back and relax. However, there’s one small catch: the seating situation can be a bit of a game. You’ll often find yourself channeling your inner hawk, scanning the crowd for any signs of a departing patron. It’s like a high-stakes game of musical chairs—just don’t be surprised when you start eyeing that chair with the same intensity as a hawk spotting its next meal! Overall, the vibe is great, the drinks are solid, and if you can snag a seat, you’re in for a lovely time. Just remember to keep your eyes peeled; you never know when a prime spot might open up!

£25 for 2 apéro on the tap. Had to wait for it to be refilled. Was told 2 min and quick, but had to wait awhile

Great spot to enjoy a pint by the river on a nice day.

Very busy, as you'd expect for the National Theater. Get there early if you want to sit inside. Good food and quick service.

Polite bar staff and good quick service

Great vibes, good selection of beers, amazing location, didn't eat there, but looks great

Great place with lots of outside seating , next to the River so superb place to hang out and get some good beers during the coming spring and summer seasons.

Ya babes just swanning around the national being seen

Bar staff are lovely. Sen Noods was the highlight though.

Very limited but interesting menu

Could be more plugs in the rooms

What a lovely atmosphere! 😊 After a matinee at the National, it was great to catch up with people afterwards (you can't talk during a play of course!) and although it's quite busy, the acoustics work so it's no problem hearing people on your table. We just had drinks and snacks - but there were gluten free and vegan offerings which suited our group perfectly. Busy with all kinds of people - a real mix from people working on laptops, to people merrily starting a night out. Definitely recommend - you can be a part of an exciting atmosphere with lovely views (probably not so exciting if you're a Londoner but exciting for me), and also just do your own thing. It's unusual to find a place that caters to such different needs and wants so well.

Was walking by and took a chance, was well worth it. The vibe was super chilled and comfortable, they even let me sit quietly with my pooch. I was served by a lovely, charismatic woman who, once I told her my preference for non-sweet tipples, recommend a Negroni. Hands down my new favourite drink. Unfortunately I didn’t get her name but she had long brown hair, plain tee and friendly vibe, would definitely recommend this place to anyone and hope the owners see this and recognise her as an asset! 😊❤️

Lovely little spot near Waterloo station to catch up with friends after work. Bar staff really friendly and helpful!

This is a great bar (although not cheap). They always have a good range of beers. It's cozy inside in winter and in the summer they open bars outside and there are loads of seats. I've been coming here since it opened, which I think was in 2014.

Slow service. Dreadful music. Music much too loud. Beer is fizzy and cold

Nice pub/food court style place with some good options to eat and drink and reasonable prices.

Very pleasant place for a drink.

Nipped in for a swift half. Beer was good and service was spot on - knowledgable and answering all my questions about the venue. Look forward to returning to try the food.

We visited on a Saturday lunchtime and so the venue wasn't particularly busy, but food and service was great. A good range of drinks on offer and friendly bar staff who were happy to advise on the drinks.

I got the pork dumplings and karage chicken. Both really nice and I would get them again. Service is good - you get a buzzer once you order your food for you to go up and collect it which is fine for me but could be an issue for others. Atmosphere is very chilled but can be quite loud so having a chat can be difficult at times or you have to sit very close if you're in a group. The rum punch is nice tasting and strong but it doesn't look like your typical rum punch. My friend said the same about the margarita. Overall, food is good and a nice place to have a chilled hang out

Somos miembros que visitamos el Teatro Nacional regularmente y hemos comido aquí antes. Para mi mente obviamente sin tutoría un 'bar' es un lugar donde se toma una bebida y posiblemente un aperitivo. En un bar esperas sentarte en una mesa, tomar una copa o tal vez más y salir cuando estés listo para hacerlo, dado que has gastado mucho dinero. Hoy nos sentamos en una mesa que NO tenía un aviso reservado en ella y tuvimos dos bebidas y un poco de comida callejera sobreprecio. Estábamos a punto de tomar otras dos copas, pero nos sorprendió cuando una chica vino y puso un aviso reservado en la mesa en la que estábamos sentados durante 20 minutos después - obviamente había sido reservado por ellos cuando estábamos sentados allí. Esto significaba que alguien con esclerosis múltiple y otro con rodillas muy artríticas tenían que luchar contra la multitud para encontrar otro lugar en el teatro donde sentarse mientras esperaban su actuación. He sido miembro por más de 20 años. ¡No lo llames bar si no lo es! Mal hecho NT, mal hecho.

Easily the worst pub food, the plastic crockery does not really add to the experience. Everything else there is fine, I would 100% go for drinks there, the staff is friendly, the atmosphere is nice, location is good, just don't eat there.

Nice place to stop for a beer on the Southbank

The Understudy is the perfect riverside spot to unwind. Great craft beers, a lively yet relaxed vibe, and unbeatable views of the Thames. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere always buzzing. Whether you’re catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet pint, this place never disappoints. A must-visit on the Southbank! 🍻✨

Cool spot. I wish it had more variety of beers, but still great.

Booked a table before a play, amazing food, quick service, interesting and delicious drinks! Highly recommend!

Expensive food, small portions.

Nice food Great atmosphere Cool beer Good service Automatic door! Near the Eye of London

Pleasant bar, with nice service, excellent juicy hamburger and good beer

Nice riverside bear with some very good beers!

Great place to get a drink before a show. Busy and quite expensive but lovely outdoor area by the river

Thank you to The Understudy for hosting us for the annual Film Twitter drinks/event during the 2024 London Film Festival. If you're looking for a nice space to host a casual drinks/meetup around the Southbank, then I highly recommend using the Understudy. Manager Nesrine and the bar staff were so accommodating and helped me to put on a great event. The vibe is relaxed with both indoor and outdoor space available. There are plenty of food options in Kerb next door and the aesthetic is very chilled with a brutalism-architecture feel. Thanks again for having us and hopefully they will have us back again next year.

Popped in for a quick beer, staff very friendly, and service was quick, but why are all these places doing all these floral, citrus beers now? It's expensive 2 pints, g&t, vodka lemonade & lime £31.80 Jesus and shared toilets. I'm sure the ladies appreciate it.

Used as a start point for a Hidden City experience - would look at ordering food next time

Worst food I’ve had in a long time. Good for drinks though.

Only had house wine. (Overpriced vinegar)

Esto en un nivel un gran lugar para ir y una adición muy bienvenida a las instalaciones en la Ribera Sur. En verano puedes sentarte junto al río y si estás allí para ver una obra de teatro es un lugar ideal para tomar una cerveza y un bocado. Pero es caro y se obtienen porciones bastante exiguas que tienen poco parecido con el menú. Así que anoche mi pan plano de hombro de cordero a £ 12 era pequeño y tenía literalmente 4 astillas de cordero ahogado en salsas. Los fideos de berenjena tenían tres pequeños trozos de berenjena glacis. Sabroso pero no muy bueno. También necesitan hacer algo con respecto a la dotación de personal. Está en un teatro y desde una hora antes de un espectáculo se agobia justo cuando la mayoría de la gente está en un reloj. Tan bien, pero podría ser mucho mejor

Had plug sockets - good. The toilet signs were confusing and the toilets weren't very clean. Had lots of choice of beer and IPA and we got a seat no problem.

A relax place on the southbank offering varied food options that can be enjoyed in the bar sections which is convenient.

Really nice location and friendly staff!

They'd run out of beer....how incompetent do you have to be?

National theatre has been a dream venue of mine for a while since moving to London. I’ve visited several bars but the Understudy is one of my favourites. The service is always friendly. I have noticed some larger groups in whilst I’ve been there and seems like a good place for my upcoming birthday. The food options are a good addition to the space and the management team seem very confident in running their teams. Will definitely be visiting here more often.

Lovely place to have a beer, great scenery

Great food options and delicious beer!

Let me book a table, didn’t tell me the main bar was closed at the time. Pathetic, treat customers better.

Ate before The Real Thing. I like the choice of food at the Understudy- the concept of 3 outlets in one. I had the East Asian noodles which I enjoyed. But the noise is bad; difficult to hear one another; uncomfortable tables and chairs.

Good relaxing place on the afternoon.

Did not make a wow impression, it will go for once

Really good burger and chips, so tasty. Good service

A menudo pasamos por aquí para tomar algo antes del teatro. Siempre es fácil que te sirvan en el bar y la variedad de cervezas es impresionante. Un montón de asientos al aire libre. Lo único malo desde mi perspectiva son los baños sexuales uni que siempre son un desastre.

Only popped in for a quick drink while waiting for the train but the bar maid host made it a really nice drink. She greeted us nicely which isn't common in a lot of bars and was offering suggestions ect. Wasted in a bar like that hidden away

Qué gran idea pero tan mal ejecutada. Toda la comida era tibia a pesar de que lo recogimos inmediatamente. Parecía que todos los elementos estaban pre-preparados fuera del sitio y se agregaban juntos para poner en un microondas. Los fideos eran un bulto sólido con salsa vertida encima. Las papas fritas eran la única parte que estaba bien.

Atmosphere is nice but food mediocre

Mediocre burger that took ages and ages to be served. I wish I had the ramen, that looked nice.

No better place to venture after work than the understudy

During the summer months it's open until 1.00am on Friday and Saturday. The staff are relaxed and it's a nice crowd who can sit outside as well as inside. Only downside is unisex toilets which I dislike.

Nice outdoor space. Good music and reasonable drink selection. Didn't try the food

Easy chill vibe place to grab a drink. They normally have music . Great in Summer

Love this tiny food market. 3 different food stalls plus a bar (or food trucks outside) order from your phone and collect when ready. Great food, reasonably priced and quick service. A gem

Dropped in for some drinks. Very good spot in good weather. Does get busy.

Worst meal I've ever had in London. Not recommended in terms of taste. 2 people eat 20 minutes apart from each other... Service?

Really nice venue until 7pm when they increase the volume of speakers to aggressively loud, seriously unpleasant having to shout having a conversation. (Sitting outside)

Great place with some beautiful views

Prosecco was flat but told them and they replaced with a new one from new bottle 10/10

I recently enjoyed a pint of KERB Lager at The Understudy in Southbank, London, situated right under the National Theatre block. As a white beer lover, I was thoroughly impressed with this lager. The beer had a crisp and refreshing profile, with a smooth, slightly hoppy finish that was perfect for a warm afternoon. The subtle citrus notes added a pleasant zest, making each sip more enjoyable than the last. The ambiance at The Understudy was relaxed and inviting, providing the ideal backdrop for savoring this delicious brew. Highly recommend for beer enthusiasts visiting Southbank!

Different as I was unaware it was there. Only had a drink.

I recommend the fries and brisket

Good place to drink beers and watch the sun go down (when it's sunny lol)

Was here for a friend's birthday drinks, the beer was nice and the staff friendly, however they had moved the table reservation and not updated the system so spent a while looking for it (the staff and us). The food was so disappointing, £11 for the tiniest bowl of uninspiring noodles!

Love this place. Get selection on tap, great atmosphere, right by the Thames. Staff also lovely. We came for drinks but decided to get some food too, also great!

Something of a tourist trap but a really nice bar with good food and plenty of room. Location is excellent if in the Waterloo area - Guinness good but usual Southbank pricing. We will visit again.

I am giving 5 starts for the security on the 11th July 2024. He was amazing. His personality is so comforting. His presence attended such security to the venue in Waterloo.

Great starting place for the 007 shadow of the spectre game. We sat and had a drink before we set off travelling around London following clues.

Enjoyed a handful of beers in this pub in a great location along the south bank. Really good beers on tap too. Only ate some crisps so unable to comment on the food. Maybe next time.

Only had drinks, but we love the location

Nice location to enjoy an evening beer by the Thames in the sunshine. There's a nice sized outdoors seating area. Good drinks and friendly staff.

Nice place to sit outside, catch some rays and enjoy a beer. Food is a little basic and you need to order and pick up from inside.

Good location in concrete settings - popular with summer outdoor sitting although drawback on toilets queuing!!

I am not sure why they have good reviews but don’t even believe the reviews. If you want to taste good food please got to WAHACA near by. Food here was not good at all so unless you love tasteless food. Cost versus quality and quantity. Very small portion but it doesn’t matter since taste is not justified. Don’t recommend any beers either. Anyway so if you are foody then don’t even come here. We are here in London on food tour so I can assume you that I am very crazy about food and service. Atmosphere is good but food is not. I like Guinness but even I see it was flat and bartender told me Guinness supposed be o be taste like that 😀. I told him that’s what I drink often so I know my beers. Good luck to whoever wants to try but don’t spend too much and regret later about taste. Try small things and may be a beer before ordering for group. I don’t recommend this place if you are foody.

Great place to visit on the river, great vibe, great music, drinks were good value for money.

Very good location and energizing place

Great place along the river to sit and have a drink. The bar snacks are varied and good.

Sunny South Bank Friday feeling Why not spend £10 on a plastic cup of rose!!

Great experience in the sun by the river with friends and colleagues

Nice cozy place for gathering with few freinds to few crowd. Brilliant view of Thames and Central London Iconic landmarks. Freindly helpful staff. Ample room with many tables and benches for gatherings. So many entertaining around the place.

Really vibrant, though the music is too loud.

What a wonderful place 😍 riverside vibes and great beer. The food is fantastic and even when we had a food delivery issue due to a technical issue Nessie and her team were amazing and we appreciated the support and 💯 will be back here! 😍