So, you’re in London and want to find a good pub. But where do you go? Well, never fear – we’ve got you covered. Here are the nine best pubs in South Bank, all of which are sure to offer a great experience.
With its river views, heritage sites, and central London location, Southbank is the perfect destination for an outdoor drink or meal. Bankside’s rich culture and beautiful views make it a must-see for any day out.
Whether you’re looking for a place to relax after a long day or somewhere to let loose and have some fun, these pubs will not disappoint. From cosy local venues to sprawling establishments with plenty of room for large groups, we’ve got something for everyone.
Best Pubs in South Bank, London
Looking for a great pub to relax in after a long day of sightseeing? So grab a pint in one of these best pubs in Southbank, sit back, and take in the wonderful cityscape views.
The Hole In the Wall
- Type: Traditional Pub
- Address: 5 Mepham St, London SE1 8SQ
- Known For: The Great Selection of Ale
As a tourist or local in London, one of the best pubs you can visit in South Bank is The Hole in the Wall, and not only for the great drinks. Located just across Waterloo Station, just under the railway, you’ll feel the train passing by every now and then, adding to the experience. It goes without saying that this is the most original pub in Southbank you can have a pint at.
Given its convenient location, the prices are reasonable, and the pub is clean. And smokers have an outdoor area in the back where they can bring their drinks and continue the chat with their mates.
In terms of drinks, The Hole in the Wall has some of the biggest selection of Ale you’ll find, which is great. Red Ale, pale Ale, you name it, they have it.
Finally, for cold winter days, they provide heat lamps that turn on when the temperature lowers.
The Kings Arms
- Type: Georgian Pub
- Address: Kings Arms, 25 Roupell St, London SE1 8TB
- Known For: The Thai Food
The Kings Arms is a traditional pub located on one of the most historic streets in London. And while it is a traditional British pub, on top of the nine excellent real ale pumps, they offer succulent Thai food.
Indulge in the Classic Pad Thai, made of thin rice noodles with tofu, carrot, peanuts, and pork or chicken, or taste the best Pad See Ew you could find, made of noodles, soy sauce, and beef or chicken.
For the Ale, they have lots of choices, but the absolute best are the Hopadelic, Yachtsman, and Aprils Fool Hardy, which will definitely complement the food or the conversation after work. Their drinks are everchanging, so you can always expect fantastic beverages.
Other than that, The Kings Arms have been voted “pub of the year” multiple times – the question is: Is there any reason not to come over and enjoy a meal with a great beer?
The Wellington
- Type: Authentic Pub
- Address: The Wellington Hotel – 81-83 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UD
- Known For: The Chalcroft Farm Beef Burger
Situated opposite Waterloo station, steps away from the city’s most popular attractions, The Wellington Pub provides fantastic food and drinks. It is nestled inside the Wellington Hotel, in case you want to stay for the night.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy traditional British fare or watch sports on TV, the pub offers a great selection of cask ales and delicious food to suit your needs. For instance, the Chalcroft Farm Beef Burger with triple-cooked chips, and the London Porter Hot Smoked Salmon Sandwich with cream cheese and dill are the perfect dishes to enjoy with a pint.
With a ceiling mural providing a unique decoration, the pub is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your stay in London or have a quick chat with colleagues after work.
And finally, this historic pub with rooms provides the perfect hotel experience for those wishing to explore central London.
The Crown
- Type: Upscale Pub
- Address: 108 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8HW
- Known For: The Excellent Cocktails
Nestled between Waterloo and Borough tube stations, The Crown is an upscale pub with delicious food and endless cocktails. The pub has a laid-back atmosphere with bright, simple decor and offers some of the best real ales and burgers in South Bank.
The pub also has a small beer garden, ideal for hot summer days after work.
And most importantly, The Crown is bookable for several events, birthdays, weddings, leaving parties at work, baby showers, and more. With the nice interior design, this is a stunning way to celebrate with great comfort food!
Prince William Henry
- Type: Gastropub
- Address: 216-219 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NL
- Known For: Chilli con Carne with Rice and Tortilla Chips
Willing to visit a traditional British pub with modern vibes? Then stop here. The Prince William Henry is a beautiful yet traditional pub with lots of room for your party, filled with light and equipped with a heated front patio.
Other than great beer, they also offer fantastic wine from all corners of the world, as well as succulent food.
The chef at Prince William Henry prepares an excellent range of food with local produce. All dishes are cooked to order, from pub classics, such as Fish and Chips, to Ribeye Steak to rich and delicious salads.
And in case that isn’t enough, they have a Buffet Menu with 7 items for only £8.95. You can choose among Sausage Rolls, Tomato Pasta, Potato Salad, Scampi Bites, or even Southern Fried Chicken Goujons.
Let’s not forget the lovely service that will make you feel welcome as soon as you step in!
The Stage Door Pub & Kitchen
- Type: Authentic British Pub
- Address: 28-30 Webber St, London SE1 8QA
- Known For: The Excellent Roof Terrace
Next on our list of best Southbank pubs is The Stage Door Pub & Kitchen, the perfect spot for a quick drink and some nibbles. With a wide range of beers on tap and draught, as well as a killer selection of pies and mash dishes, you’re sure to find something to your taste.
What makes The Stage Door Pub so unique is the exotic food on offer – Try the Thai Platter with King Prawn Chilli Rolls, Satay Chicken Skewers, and Vegetarian Rolls. And make sure to taste the 100% Plant-Based Burger with a plant-based pattie, lettuce, tomato and sweet chilli sauce.
And if you’re looking to catch up on the latest sports matches, they have TVs set up both inside and out. Last but not least, the roof terrace will add lots of entertainment to the party!
So whether you’re looking for a laid-back evening with friends or a lively night out, this pub in South Bank has you covered.
The Camel & Artichoke
- Type: Modern Pub
- Address: 121 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE
- Known For: Craft Beer and Lentil and Sweet Potato Burger
The Camel & Artichoke is a modern pub that is known for its craft beer and for its excellent position in South Bank next to Waterloo Station.
Dating to the 18th century, the pub serves classic British pub food, and it also has a beer garden, which makes it a unique choice for the summer to meet friends or have a drink after a long day in the city.
On top of that, they are in partnership with RockIT Burger, allowing them to serve handmade patties and small bites that are packed with flavour. And it’s a great option for the weekend, too, with outstanding cocktails, such as Raspberry Collins and Purple Rain.
All in all, if you are looking for a swaggy place to hang out and have some good food and drinks, then The Camel & Artichoke is where you should be heading to!
Vaulty Towers
- Type: Playful Tavern
- Address: 34 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RG
- Known For: The Pub Quiz Nights
Here has come the most original and peculiar pub in South Bank – Vaulty Towers, a pub with a personality that is nearly impossible to match.
This quirky spot in South Bank offers whimsical decor, cocktails, creative bar eats, DJ nights and other activities. The decor is super outlandish and amazing, with cool music and cute seating both outside and inside.
The cocktails are definitely worth trying – Try the Elephant in the Glass with Aperol, Lime, Chilli Syrup, and Pink Grapefruit. Alternatively, the Fancy Vaulty Royal with Prosecco and Glittery Lanique would surely make the night spicier!
The food menu is also great, with reasonably priced snacks and dishes, like the Sticky Korean Fried Chick’n Fries and the amazing Poutine Burger straight out of Canada.
And how could we forget the Pub Quiz Nights – Expect punishments, lunges, weird bits, and much more, and the first prize is £100! There’s no better way to say, Vaulty Towers is the place to be for alternative nights out.
Waterloo Tap
- Type: Industrial-themed Pub
- Address: Sutton Walk, London SE1 8RL
- Known For: The Huge Selection of Beer
Proudly labelling themselves as having “The freshest beer known to humanity,” Waterloo Tap has much more to offer than just beer, and this is overall one of the best venues to spend the night.
This industrial-themed pub is known for its huge selection of beer equipped with 20 keg and 6 cask beers on tap at all times; there’s something for everyone at Waterloo Tap. The pub showcases beers from top brewers in the UK and abroad, so you can be sure you’re enjoying the best of the best.
Regulars include Czech and German, such as Budvar, Bitburger, and Rothaus. And for local brews, Timothy Taylor, Bristol Beer Factory, Redemption and Marble are also available, which is great.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, when visiting Southbank and looking for a pub to go to, any of the pubs on this list would be great options.
From the originality of Vaulty Towers and their quiz nights to Prince William Henry and their buffet menu with great drinks and The Kings Arms with succulent Thai food, you’re in for a treat.
They all offer something unique that is sure to make your experience enjoyable. Just remember to drink responsibly!