Guide Details

Best Pubs near South Bank, London

Riverside pubs, theatre bars, market drinks, and easy group stops for keeping a South Bank walk relaxed.

South Bank, London1 guide4 mapped stops
Nightlife/South Bank

Best Pubs near South Bank, London

Guide: Pints Along the Thames

South Bank drinking follows the Thames between Waterloo and London Bridge, passing riverside pubs, a theatre bar, and a flexible courtyard. Views and outdoor tables draw the crowds; the arts-centre bar pours craft beer for drinkers who are not attending a performance.

  • The Anchor BanksideThe Anchor Bankside is a Thameside pub dating back to 1615, serving real ale and food across the bar and restaurant with outdoor seating between Borough Market and Tate Modern.
  • Founder's ArmsFounder's Arms is a glass-fronted river pub with a large heated patio overlooking the Thames and St Paul's, best for pints, simple food, and a view-led pause between Tate Modern and Blackfriars.
  • The UnderstudyThe Understudy is the National Theatre's relaxed bar for craft beer, casual drinks, river terraces, and a performance-adjacent pause that does not require a ticket or a dress code.
  • Flat Iron SquareFlat Iron Square is a Bankside courtyard and taproom setup for groups: rotating street-food vendors, beer, cocktails, screenings, DJs, and flexible seating near London Bridge without committing to one restaurant.

Reviewed by RGuide EditorialVenue details checked

More nightlife guides near South Bank, London

NightlifeBest Bars near South Bank, LondonGuide: River Views Into Late RoomsRooftop cocktails, river pubs, live music, theatre bars, and Borough-side rooms for a night that stays near the Thames.FoodBest Restaurants near South Bank, LondonGuide: Borough Market to Bankside TablesSouth Bank eating clusters around Borough Market and the railway arches between London Bridge and Bankside. Market stalls and fresh pasta cover informal meals; sit down for oysters or wood-fired cooking, while the courtyard lets groups order separately.StayBest Hotels near South Bank, LondonGuide: Riverside Beds and Easy CrossingsSouth Bank and Bankside hotels put Tate Modern, Borough Market, the Thames Path, and mainline trains from London Bridge or Waterloo close to the front door. Riverside design comes at a premium; compact rooms trade space for central access, while larger properties suit families and groups.NightlifeBest Pubs in Covent Garden, LondonGuide: Theatreland Pubs and Beer HallsHistoric pubs, beer halls, themed taverns, and basement cocktails for drinking near Covent Garden without getting trapped by the piazza.NightlifeBest Dive Bars and Pubs in Soho, LondonGuide: Old Soho Pubs and Jazz RoomsSoho's older drinking rooms survive among the cocktail bars, from narrow pubs and a jukebox basement to a jazz club that requires a ticket. Come for cask ale, cava, or conversation without ceremony; reserve the music room when the performance is the reason for the night.NightlifeBest Dive Bars in LondonGuide: Old Pubs, Jukebox Rooms, and Local PintsBest dive bars in London for old Soho pubs, jukebox rooms, live-music pubs, beer halls, Portobello pints, basement rum, and South Bank river stops.