The Understudy in Lambeth

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)

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.

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!

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!!

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.

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

Really vibrant, though the music is too loud.

Nessie and her crew provided the best customer service after a food order mess up! Great venue and wonderful service, will come back again!

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! 😍

Very bad organized game... Not gonna visit again...

This bar is part of a larger network of restaurants and cafes and if you walk a bit further inside you’re met with the best museum gift shop. The atmosphere was cozy and quiet when I was there mid afternoon on a week day.

The location was lovely and the vegetarian burger was great. I liked the sofas for seating but some people had high tables that did not look too comfortable. The food was nice as well.

Lovely place in central London on South bank with some interesting interior and craft beers 🍻

Good place to have a long stay with cold one and some appetiser

Great spot if the weather is nice enough to sit outside.

Comida y bebidas en mal estado. Pedí Udon y recibí fideos poco cocidos más estrechos que los espaguetis. Pequeño tazón de gyoza pegado todo junto por £ 7. 50 . Buen personal, cabe destacar. Lugares limitados con bonitas vistas del río que tuvimos la suerte de obtener, pero en general el interior es feo. Buenos baños relativamente hablando.

Good options for drinks, clean bathrooms, good seating though it gets busy

Food is very basic but the atmosphere is great with fantastic views to the river

Great place ! Can get very busy as it's right on the river but this is what also makes the atmosphere even better.

One of my favourite places to stop for a drink on a sunny day. Plenty of outdoor seating to sit by the river and watch the world go by. Really good beers on tap and a great location.

This was the starting point of an organised hunt through the city. The staff were very involved and we enjoyed our visit.

An amazing eve by Thames.Cannot gorget our girls day out.

Absolutely love the vibe of this place!

Brill place for embracing spring evening

The food is very good. Everything is very expensive but I guess that’s London. Very busy at peak times too. On a sunny day there can’t be many better places to stand outside with a pint.

The sun had warmed London for days, heat pounding down, absorbed by concrete and community, driving those thirsty for friends and refreshment to the drinking holes. Thursday is the new Friday, they said. Let’s grab another. Shall we get some food? Eatings cheating. £7.50 a pint? That’s not bad for London to be fair. The sun is setting but the warmth of humanity remains.

The so-called pizza was mainly tasteless hot dough. The vegan burger was alright. Counter staff were pleasant but the area was grubby and those present were assaulted by most unpleasant, unmusical noises from the sound system Overall, a slightly generous Poor

Lovely bit of business this. Banging in the sunshine I imagine.

We have eaten here previously and found the food excellent, so as we were seeing another performance at the NT we came again. Unfortunately I was served a disgusting reheated cheeseburger within a couple of minutes of ordering and more than ten minutes before my husband’s pizza. The manager agreed to replace immediately, but it was still greasy and not pleasant. I ate because we hadn’t eaten all day, but sadly I’ve had better at a football match.

Great place for an after work drinks with friends. Nice atmosphere. Decent food.

This place used to sell one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in London but for whatever reason they’ve changed their offering to some really lacklustre burgers. I got the chips with beef brisket and was so disappointed. The brisket was cold, soggy and tasteless. Very disappointed and probably not gonna come back RIP

I went in late night, Alice, Zain and Veera were amazing. They were so helpful, they are so kind and give amazing service!!!

Although the wings could do with a bit of work, I had the lovely pleasure of being served by some amazing staff such as Zain Alice and veera. They made the entire place feel so welcoming despite how late it was.

Noisy and buzzy. Bookable tables. Good place to meet friends, but not a relaxing venue. Enlivened by Michael Sheen dropping in after his show.

I'm not sure because it was a Sunday evening, but being almost hassled by security to drink up at 9.30pm and thrusting plastic glasses at us just felt unpleasant. Great location and drinks were good. I just felt rushed and could not wait to get rid of us.

We went here as a large group after my niece had run the Marathon… bar service was fantastic , food was ordered via a QR code, good choice of burgers, pizzas and sides … good value for the location too … great for a group

Had a lovely evening of drinks with friends on a quiet night. Not too loud, big table. Great service.

Booked table for convenience for pre show food and drinks. Ordered 1 pizza and 1 chicken burger on the app at 6.30. Pizza took 15 mins but chicken burger took 45 mins, so had to stuff it down before getting upstairs for the show. Staff didn't care. Pizza was basically a thick focaccia with a light pizza topping and burnt at the edges.

Great restaurant, excellent food and really helpful staff