Reviews of The Understudy. (Pub) in London (London).

The Understudy

0 Reviews

378 Comments

Pub

Pub

Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX, United Kingdom

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Information of The Understudy, Pub in London (London)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

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Open hours of The Understudy

Popular times

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Reviews of The Understudy

w. t.

Awesome place for having drinks. Best outdoor seats with lovely views of Thames river n around city skyscrapers as well as seatings inside. Even though busy most of the time due to its awesome location in busy area. But still overall not bad for drinks n get together with friends.

M. M.

A nice little bar attached to the national theatre, has a rather student vibe, laid back and casual but not too noisy. Seated outside in the summer you can order a good selection of drinks, as well as food from stalls nearby. In the winter/autumn they have blankets to keep you warm if you choose to sit outside. Inside seating is limited, but worth it when it's available in the evening (no worries about the weather). Drink selection is good, and prior to the pandemic they'd let you try tasters on drinks on the tap. Reasonably priced as well for the area.

P. R.

Loads of outdoor seating Food is quite good (though not cheap). Unreliable though - advertising 3 sellers, but only 1 was open just after 8pm yesterday. Beer is decent (but much smaller range than it used to be)

R. J.

This place has a really nice atmosphere and the drinks are very reasonably priced for Southbank. The staff are always really lovely.

C. B.

One of my favourite Waterloo pubs, great vibe, great location, decent beer (bring back the boardgames!)

J. B.

Located inside the national theatre this pub / fast food restaurant serves 3 different options Mexican, Indian and southern chicken. Food was lovely.

N. C.

Amazing place to hang out and chat with friends! Better to do the chatting outside though, the music can get a bit loud inside. Their beers are nice, and you get a guy who looks like Russell Brand serve you which is pretty cool I guess

T. S. F.

The chicken is amazingly tasty! Be careful with the sauce, it's very spicy! A 'medium' here I think is the same as a regular 'hot'!

T. P.

Service was friendly. Cocktails delicious. Shared a platter of small bites. Very enjoyable ....x

D. W.

Wonderful bar under the national theatre. In summer, the large terrace has sling chairs for soaking up the sun while eating from food trucks. In winter there are long tables and benches covered by the brutalist concrete eaves and a cheese menu at the bar. Inside there are comfy Chesterfield sofas and chairs. Great casual vibes. Lots of creative people. Cool place to hang out and talk!

B. J.

Great beer selection often rotated. Good vibrant crowd but feels relaxed at the same time. Decent amount of seating and loads of space outdoors.

A. T.

One of the best pubs serving along the river. Very good vibes when the weather is looking good. A good selection of beers although they could be a bit more experimental!

S.

Went for a drink before going to a recording of QI at the BBC building a short distance away. The atmosphere is amazing, which is only matched by its furniture. Incredibly comfy and clean couches and chairs are generously spaces about. In addition to the conventional tables and chairs. The beers were really good, with a few craft ones on tap as well. Definitely recommended.

S. K.

Friendly staff and a nice atmosphere. Plenty of outdoor seating available.

G. D.

Loads of outdoor tables on the Thames. Order drinks from the QR code. The food, also ordered by QR code, comes from a variety of food trucks nearby. Great choice for groups.

E. D. S.

Lovely and quiet on a Tuesday afternoon. Most people were out enjoying the sunny outdoor area overlooking the Thames while I was inside having a quiet pint after a busy day. Large enough for groups before a show.

R.

really nice name pub near the national theatre. cool place and people.

A. S.

Honestly great place for a date, service is good, nice selection of drink* with good prices for central London and the atmosphere is poppin. *Selection of beer is alright as they don't offer any main stream beers e.g. Carlsberg but they have local beers ( from the Camden brewery) which do include Cider and Lager and ales. Very nice place for a tourist to visit to try local beers with a short walk to the London Eye afterwards

K. K.

Food at the kerb is brilliant. And beer from the understudy makes it even better

L. B.

Great bar next to the National Theatre, busy but quick service, great views of the Thames.

D.

Pleasant bar, stopped for a glass of wine. Next to the Thames

R. B.

Great bar with outdoor space next to the Thames - good selection of beers and rapid service. Food is (Jul 2021) from the nearby food vans which means a good selection

A. N.

Maybe the best al fresco experience in London right now, a spacious terrace under the brutalist architecture of the National Gallery. With QR codes you can get table service from some of the surrounding food stalls. Really nice watching all the tourists and visitors happily walking along the Southbank promenade also

C. M.

The best pub environment known to man in central London. Nice beer and excellent food available in the adjoining establishments. The beer is unique. X

M. W.

A top place for drinks under any circumstance

K. M.

Found this place on our way back from dinner on the river front. Great place for a late night drink even on a Sunday. Great beer options with outdoor seating.

R. W.

Good atmosphere but the beers are tapped without foam, get your act together!

p.

Nice trendy bar along the river thames with huge terrace

L. F.

Great table service and selection. Coped with a reasonable sized group outdoors during the current pandemic. Couldn't praise more highly.

A. P.

Popped in to get warm and have a mug of hot chocolate...definitely recommend it.

M. P.

Nice outside area just about overlooking the Thames when the river is up Beavertown on draft....

E. C.

Polite staff who were super quick at bringing our online orders. Definitely well adapted to the challenges of keeping up social distancing and would be super comfortable visiting again.

T. F.

Loved the food menu and the drinks here. Was a good space to talk to friends and colleagues. Just on Southbank so easy to get to but a bit hidden if you don't normally know to walk this way! Loved the snacks and food, especially fried pickles was an interesting one.

E. R.

Lovely spot for an afternoon drink. They're really well organised with table spacing, ordering from the table and check in at the door - felt safe and comfortable.

e. b.

Very busy lively bars along the Thames great walk with outstanding views of London Town .

B. B.

Great bar on the riverside. Loads of outdoor tables in the summer. Large selection of very excellent craft beer on tap. Little bit loud when busy but where isn't! Always been able to find a free table when visited. Lots of very friendly staff, very quick service.

J. B.

Have visited this bar twice and had great experiences both times. Possibly the nicest venue to enjoy a craft beer whilst at south bank. Always a good rotating tap selection and not at an extortionate cost. Staff were very friendly and the small good menu focusing on toasted sandwiches works perfectly well. It does get very busy but understandably so

C. B.

Food closed a little early which was a shame but what we were able to get was amazing! Great atmosphere and really good selection of drinks.

B. I.

Love this place! We come here quite often, beer selection is always fabulous, they occasionally have tap takeovers and the staff is lovely. Great spot for a quick drink before or after a show at the National theatre or to bring a date. Wonderfully located riverside with s huge outdoor space in the summer. Definitely recommend!

J. N.

A great bar, below the National Theatre, with Thames Side views. Always has a great selection of beers on tap. It can get very busy in the evening. If the weather is good, then, there is plenty of outside seats.

G. H.

Great pub, outdoor seating and good location.

A. S.

Nice location, spacious, some nice IPAs

H. O.

Great bar with good beer selection. Would be nice to come here after the theatre some time

P. B.

Nice outdoor area, table service via the QR code was a little slow and limited choices, but fine.

J. L.

Great little pub with ample outside seating built into the brutality concrete structure of the theatre. Decent selection on tap, near the river. Nearby stands sell food on weekends. Limited indoor seating - best when the weather is good

T. Z.

Great place to sit and have a drink. Lots of outdoor seating and easy to use app for ordering drinks.

C. H.

Nice bar under the National Theatre on the South bank of the river Thames. Beer on tap is limited although there are bottles. Seating indoors and outdoors. Very fast service even when the place is crowded. A welcome haven, perfect if waiting for a show.

K.

I reserved a table in advance at this venue for a large meet up event. The communication by email was really good, as well as with the staff on site. A few days before, I asked to change the table to outdoors, due to nice weather. However when I arrived to set up early, there was a staged performance going on outside and outside was crowded. So I asked last minute to have our original table indoors, because it was cooler indoors and the side of the bar was open allowing air in. Luckily, the table was still available. My group took over half the bar and enjoyed both the indoor and outdoor areas. I made sure to tidy up after my guests. Food is allowed in the bar, provided it’s from a National Theatre venue. Dogs are not allowed indoors, but outside is fine. Children are allowed inside with their adults, it’s a lovely family environment. The bar was busy, but we didn’t have to wait more than 10 minutes to be served, which is great considering there was a staged event outside which was proving popular. The vibe is chilled and on previous visits, they had music playing. I really like this bar and will be back.

D.

Pleasant venue under the National Theatre serving craft beers. Efficient, friendly staff. Prices reasonable given location and drinks on offer. (I paid £3.20 for a 1/3 pint of beer that was wine strength). The tall tables are wobbly and the stools uncomfortable- the sofas looked very comfy though - unfortunately all occupied during my visit!

C. A.

Modern aesthetics and an interesting selection of beers. Despite it being crazy busy, I didnt have to wait more than four minutes to get served. The outdoor seating along the river is also very pleasant. Worth it if youre in the area.

J. K.

Superb location just by the river Thames with a great selection of beers and drinks. Particularly good during summer, when you chill on deckchairs outside and try brilliant pizza from a van nearby. Good vibe all year round - a gem in what is otherwise a very tourist-focused area.

T. D.

It was ok, but this strange man kept appearing in my wing mirror 🤷‍♂️

C. P.

Great staff, great food and such wide variety of guest beers on tap! Fantastic playlists too - nice soul music played on a good quality sound system.

H. S.

Really nice bar with an amazing atmosphere. We like to go in there for one or two beers after an evening walk along the Thames. The stuff is always very friendly. Sometimes it is a bit noisy, but it's a bar, so I don't mind. 😉 It's definitely worth a visit.

G. H.

Love this place. Great atmosphere and massive outside area. Great selection of drinks too!

G. H.

Very good for a quick and easy meal.

C. B. (.

Really nice bar on the Southbank at the national. Lovely vibe. Friendly staff. Great range of drinks and coffee. Comfy seating and outdoor seating. The serve some fun bar snacks like retro sweets. They also have board games. Can get very busy. A nice place to meet up with friends.

M. S.

Nice, trendy hipster bar located next to the national theatre. Place had a relaxed vibe and chill out music was playing in the background. Great selection of craft beers on tap, the brewery fresh larger from the micro brewery was handsome. There was a whiff of urine in the air which slightly unpleasant. Free wifi available.

J. M.

This is a really fun place to go, small and quirky, with lots of character and warmth. Service is pretty fast and the music was nice and boppy. Perhaps the lasers made it feel a little tacky, but overall a really good bar.

G.

A really great bar. It has a fantastic atmosphere at peak and off peak times that is accompanied by a good style and volume of music. The bar offers a wide range of largers and ales and has very friendly staff. The decor fits perfectly and works very well. There is plenty of seating inside and outside that is a mix of sofas and high tables. The drinks are pricey but what do you expect, it's next to the river in central London.

D. W.

Lovely place, good location with a view of the river. Board games on Sunday gives a good atmosphere, and they have a decent selection of cafe drinks as well as beer and cider on tap. The dark hot chocolate was particularly good. Nice staff and decent prices, it is obvious why it is popular.

A. M.

Riverside bar on the South bank. Pleasant shaded outside seating during the day with good selection of drinks. Outside stage with music, on the Friday I was there. Very busy bar come the evening. Nice friendly staff trying their best to serve customers quickly.

J. D.

Really good beer, loads of craft beer. Great selection. Constantly changing too. Toilets are all cubicles and very nice! Really good seating outside for nice days but there's a really good atmosphere inside a well.

H. W.

Great, lively bar with lots of outside seating. Can get very busy towards the end of the week after work due to the offices located around it. Would recommend making a reservation if you wish to secure a table for a group.

C. S.

Nicely tucked away under the National Theatre, this bar has a intimate atmosphere despite being a part of one of the biggest theatres in the world. A large range of beers/ales and not overly priced for the area. Especially good in summertime

A. P.

Really nice atmosphere. They also have board games behind the counter and on Sundays I hear that the winner of any board gets a free drink! It also does food but nothing too much, simply chips and toasties... Admittedly the toasties looked lush!

C. R.

Couldn't order coffee at 9:30pm because they'd 'put the chemicals in the coffee machine' but otherwise quite a nice place to drink after a show. Not overly friendly staff but also not too busy on a Tuesday which was great. Very reasonably priced drinks, nice atmosphere&music and situated in cute area with a pleasant view along river bank.

T. R.

My go-to on South Bank. Always busy but staff friendly and happy. Great beer range and toilets are the biz! Love the deck chairs on a warm day and the view is unbeatable.

O. N.

Outstanding selection of beers in a great location with both indoor seating and outdoor deck chairs.

A. K.

original selection of beers, and relaxed sunny terrace, a great combination

M. W.

Great selection of beers, cosy interior, and on the Southbank, so near perfect. The only minor negative is the lack of seating, which isn't really an issue in summer due to the massive outside area, but is noticeable in winter.

M. C.

Brilliant atmosphere at the bar even when it has been a busy or a quiet night. They even provide blankets for you to use outside which is a nice touch. Nice location right next to the Thames and in a short walking distance of Waterloo station as well.

T. K.

Love this place. So close to the Thames. Which you pay for in terms of drink costs. In the summer you can drink outside next to the river and there's usually a pizza van offering reasonably priced 10 inch pizzas. On colder nights theres some really comfortable seating with leather sofas and chairs. It gets very busy in the after work rush and doesn't really quite down til after 10pm. Open til 1am so it's great for a final drink before heading home.

O. C.

It's a fairly cosy pub with a small range of beers and larger on offer. The food looked great with vege and vegan options. I didn't eat though so I can only comment on the booze! Great if you are about to watch a play etc. as they announce the start time.

P. L.

A charming pub hidden away underneath the National Theatre. I love coming here with tourist friends - it's really cosy and the place is always bustling. You might need to wait a while at peak times to get a table. The beer selection is pretty good, and beer is priced according to how strong it is, so you don't get punished for drinking table beer. Prices are alright given you're in Central London. All in all, a lovely place to stop for a pint! No food though.

J. L.

Surprisingly good craft beer selection for a theatre bar. Fun to drink under the concrete waffle slabs too. Much better in summer than winter as most of the seating is outside. Only criticism is the price of pints.

A. B.

This was described as a pub, which I suppose it is, but it's a very hip one. Inside seating is cozy groupings of chairs and sofas. Adequate selection of beer and cider on tap, a few wines, delicious bar snacks and a huge patio to die for, right on the Thames. Perfect for large groups as there are several tables that seat over a dozen people. Didn't hurt that the weather was perfection the day we went. Staff is pleasant and accomodating. Highly recommend.

R.

Really nice selection of craft beets. The choice rotates between different breweries. Nice atmosphere and a really good spot in summer with out door seating and a couple of options for food pulled up just near by.

N. B.

Bar staff are amazing. Barmaid an absolute lifesaver in allowing me use of her charger to get enough life back into my phone in an urgent situation. Great haunt.

Z. H.

Nice place in a great location. Prices are too high and can get a bit busy with tourists and theatre-goers, but overall a good venue to meet friends for a drink. Often a spot I will suggest as initial meeting point in the area.

J. S.

Absolutely love this pub. Great location, fantastic beer and a really fun vibe. The only down side is it's popularity means it often takes ages to get served and it's hard to find a seat in the summer.

A. M.

My favourite bar along southbank! A great selection of craft beer, wine and hot drinks, with comfy sofas and a large outside area. It can get really busy at peak times but the vibe is always good and service friendly.

M. S.

As a tourist, I wasn't sure if this would be worth stopping by, but I had a nice time. They have about 10 beers on tap, wine, bottled beer, and liquor. Relaxing music, nice atmosphere, tasty drinks, good service, and clean restrooms - glad I popped in.

R. W.

The Understudy is almost hidden in plain sight. An unassuming sign saying simply ‘Bar’ means that, thankfully, it’s not rammed with tourists - a good thing for anyone wanting a decent beer by the Thames. Pop in, take your pick of a good Meantime beer (my favourite is the wonderfully refreshing Yakima Red), grab a seat outside and watch the world go by. Under-appreciated.

S. D.

Nice bar at the National Theatre. In good weather has lots of seats right on the River Thames. In the summer they have a stage outside and another outside bar. Good beer with many guest beers.

S. L.

Overpriced but conveniently located bar that attracts more than just theatregoers. In the summer they open the forecourt up with tables which is really nice for enjoying a Waterloo Sunset - but be prepared to pay around £6/pint for the pleasure.

J. G.

Lots of nice outdoor seating in summer. When I went they had weird dancefloor vibes with obnoxious music inside. No one was dancing and it was a bit strange. Just let us drink in the sun in peace guys.

S. G.

Been here a couple of times and the service is great. The staff are also friendly and the atmosphere is brilliant.

C. d. H.

Great little pub with views on the southbank. Excellent selection of beers which regularly change and good variety from sours to stouts. Bar staff very friendly and helpful.

S. G.

We're visiting England on an anniversary trip, and we met up with a friend. She brought us to Understudy for a local hot spot to just chill and have some drinks. It had some nice local beers, and the cocktails were good. I liked that they have board games that you can play, too (cuz I'm one of those nerds). They even have a board game night.

J. W.

Really love this place. A great (permenant) successor to the Prop Store. Great selection of craft beers, resonable prices (but not cheap: a pint of 6.2% craft IPA cost me £5.90, which is not bad for central London), and really nice laid back but vibrant atmosphere. A hotspot for theatre aficionados, beer lovers, and locals. Food is nice, although is geared towards snacking rather than meals. Currently has the River Stage located right outside it, addidng great drinking to some fantastic free outdoor theatre.

K. F.

Well they let us in dressed like this. Good beer too.

R. A. G.

Exposed concrete gives this bar a gritty feel but the service keeps it warm, friendly and lively. Often busy in the colder months but expansive riverside seating is offered for those who can brave the Thames' chill (or wait until Spring)!

H.

Great little spot on the south bank. In summer it has a massive outside area, whilst the inside is quite cosy for when it's a bit colder. If you're going to the National Theatre it serves as a perfect pre/post show drink spot. It's also close to the BFI and the south bank centre so if those are more your jam this place still has you covered.

G. H.

Tucked beneath the National Theatre, serving a wide selection of craft beers and cocktails too. Can get crowded as the evening progresses but has plenty of tables and chairs outside for when the weather's nice. Staff are friendly and toilet facilities are great.

T. Y.

Nice bar near Waterloo/Southbank. Good for Thurs/Fri after-work drinks

N. D.

Great location for a pub overlooking the river with views of north London as well as the city skyscrapers, and St. Pauls cathedral. Is usually quite crowded outside during the summer but less people come during the winter which creates opportunities for cozy nights out.

J. R.

Nice sized coffee and beer place on the Thames. Though it's in the middle of the walking area with herds of tourists, it doesn't feel it. Always feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @joerazz

S. C.

Amazing theatresque pub bar. Lovely people, not only staff but customers too. Lovely selection of drinks too, pale ales, gin, craft beers etcetc And... it's a piece of the fantastic national theatre! Same concrete walls... Truly sweet!

D. T.

This is a cool little pub tucked away on the Thames south bank. They have lots of nice beers to choose from. The seats give a really nice view of the River Thames. They also have board games that you can borrow.

O. C.

Lovely French/Italian style brasserie. Very good value.

E. H.

Really friendly staff. My little girl was given a 'babyccino' when I ordered a beer (Meantme Brewery)! A mix of high tables, comfortable sofas and long tables - families like us, people having meetings, and others relaxing with a drink and a book. This place has a warm atmosphere.

S. M.

Great location. Busy on nice evenings as it's right in the Thames. Good choice of ales, larger and cider. They also had gluten free beer.

T. M.

Love this bar. Iva is an amazing bartender and the music is very fun! Great place to be on the weekend if you want some music, epic service and general chill vibes!

K. B.

It is a bar. Close to the national. Probably not where you would organise a birthday or a catch up with friends...unless you were also going to the theatre. It is fine. Staff are friendly. And a perfect place for a pre-show or post show drink.

A. W.

Lovely staff, lovely clientele, fantastic location and a beer and wine choice to be extremely envious of. Plus the food options near by that you can bring back to your table. Head here, you'll love it!

D. S.

Our favourite place for drinks. In summer it is unbeatable, great selection of changing ales, wines and cocktails. Incentive music selection, friendly crowd, deck chairs, pizza van. Just perfect.

R. L.

Very impressive selection of craft beers. Friendly staff. Great outdoor seating area with views of the southbank and river. They also sell penny sweets!

K. B.

Drinks can be a little pricier, but you're also paying for the ability to sit out by the Thames in the summer months. Great selection of drinks, board games, and also bar food - sweet potato fries are a must.

j. m.

One of my fave spots on the southbank. Lovely when the suns out. Lots of good drinks to pick from. The bar snacks are tasty. Worth a visit.

M. C.

Great pub on Southbank. Can get busy, but lots of seating outdoors and food vans nearby. Selection of beer is good. Toilet area is nice.

J. H.

Overpriced but good amount of outdoor seating. Good beer and alcoholic drink selection. Unfortunately I don't drink alcohol and soft drink selection is dismal also they've never had the non-alcoholic beer in stock when I've asked for it.

C. D.

A nice spot to drink on the Thames with a decent selection of keg beers, a bit on the pricey side but keg beer is these days. Not dog friendly though

i. c.

A fantastic craft beer bar, sadly let down by frequently uninterested bar staff who seem more interested in themselves than maintaining the availability of the beer, serving the customer, or cleaning the bar and tables. The location in summer is unbeatable however. Please, up your game!

C. B.

At the time we went the weather was terrible and The Understudy was especially busy, with no seating available inside. When the weather is good however there is a really good seating area outside on the Southbank. Some good local ales, but a bit of a clinical feel.

M. N.

Good selection of drinks and good prices for the Southbank. Absolute suntrap outside as well!

S. M.

Great atmosphere and smartly equipped to deal with the expected traffic of such a popular area. Taps, crafts and wines all respectable. You'll spend a penny or two, though.

O. S.

Went here for my birthday drinks last night. They gave me a great long table and were really helpful with booking. Nice informal spot which has a great atmosphere.

A. M.

London institution. Great location no matter what the weather is like, suitable for indoors and outdoors. Apart for the good ambient and drinks selection, the great thing about it is you can find locals hanging around in the south bank area, normally full of tourists.

M. W.

Alocated on the south bank this would be an ideal place for a relaxing after work drink especially if the sun is out. It has benches outside gracing the Thames and is well situated for transport, Waterloo being only 5 minutes away, likewise Charing Cross. Two downsides though. Firstly everyone else had the same idea and secondly their good selection of craft beer is punitively expensive. Lastly it had jazz muzak blaring loudly which certainly did not add to any ambience.

S. T.

My usual spot for drinks in Southbank. They provide a variety of drinks and it's very cosy. Wheelchair access ✔️ One of the few completely accessible bars around with automatic doors, step free entrance and accessible toilets. 👍

T. A.

A very nice bar in a sea of chain bars on the Southbank! The BFI Benugo Bar is the other really good bar in the area, would recommend both, this one potentially has a bit more character (and better drinks!)

M. C.

nice bar next to thames next to tate. very warm casual place to have some wine and a nice chat with friends while having many people around you. cool view, one of the best central london locations :)

A. I.

Great selection of beers and decent chilled vibe. Bit too loud on a saturday. Tries to almost be a club but it's not!

K. F.

Relatively small inside but really nice outdoor area with cocktail bar and pop up burger stand. Quick service at the bar too, great place for a drink in the sun

E. H.

Had beer. Arrived quickly. Can't complain! Good spot on Southbank.

A. B.

Great place to go when it's sunny as it has lots of outdoor seating available, however is a very snug bar if it's raining! Good selection of IPAs.

T. B.

Superb location, fantastic selection of beers! Grab a seat and keep it for a few hours while you sample the selection. Top notch.

C. H.

Best bar buzz in London. Young creative crowd (and a load of people from IBM across the road) Great in summer with all that outdoor space, great drink selection.

P. F.

The Understudy is unfortunately too often too crowded to be comfortable. However, they have a good selection of cask ales, and the staff tries hard to serve the too many customers. The location is excellent for a quick stop during an afternoon stroll along the Thames, and the outside seating gives you the possibility to watch some of the street artists while having a pint.

A. O.

Great selection of beer. Great location with plenty of outside seating. Average £5-6/pint

J. R.

Fantastic bar staff here the two times I've been. Decent selection of beer. Board games available. Good vibe on a Friday night.

D. H.

Great social setting. Very busy on a Friday the small bar and lack of indoor seating is a bit of a let down but there is plenty outside so it works.

O. H.

A great place to grab a drink and play some board games on a Sunday afternoon; just make sure you book a table as it does fill up! The staff are all friendly and helpful.

D. K.

Great range of nice beers .. Gets way too busy on nice evenings with the large terrace outside though ... It would get 5 stars if it took less than 15 minutes to get a drink !

C. A.

Bar with a large quantity of outdoor seating on the banks of the Thames. Very pleasant in the Summer, but the queues for drinks can be extremely large at peak times.

P. W.

Very cool. Good selection of beers!!

K. G.

Nice looking bar - I've been here twice in the last week; once at 6.30ish and it was packed, and another time about 9ish and it was almost empty. Nice selection of London beers.

M. H.

This is a brilliant place to grab a drink and relax. A fantastic range of craft beers and ciders. Well worth checking out.

M. E.

Always a great atmosphere whether it's summer or winter. The understudy is a cosy bar in one the most central spots in London!

B. W.

Superb bar. Fantastic atmosphere! Unisex toilets?! You must be joking...awful when its busy. Rank.

R. S.

Great find, full of vintage clothes but wore expensive. Franklin Tree was a fab shop, stuff handmade by very talented ladies.

S. T.

Around £5 a pint but a lovely way to spend a couple of hours on London's Southbank. Good music and very friendly staff.

C. D.

One of my favorite spots (I am a huge fan of the furnishing). The staff are always helpful and although they do serve beer, their coffees are great!

B. E.

Great staff at a finally more relaxed bar-café on Southbank. Gets super crowded when the work crowd decide to nip in before heading home, but quiet and relaxed enough in the afternoons

J. F.

Nice place, lots of outdoors seats, good range of beers. Several gluten free beers too.

T. l.

Good service, nice beers, great location. The spot by the river makes it just a great place to hang out on a sunny day!

N. V.

Good selection of beers and other drinks. Great in summer as you can stand outside, but still good in winter where you can hide inside.

N. H.

A cosy, contemporary bar. Has good beer and a great vibe. Have outdoor seating, great for the warmer months.

B. P.

I've been here a few times. The staff are friendly, but lways very slow and inexperienced. I saw a bar maid pour the shortest shot of gin ever!

R. A.

Good place with huge outdoor seating area. Unfortunately it is often full and there isn't usually much space to sit down and the bar is too small for the number of customers it serves.

T. D.

Lovely bar at the National Theatre. Met Simon Russell Beale after the Lehman Trilogy, what a lovely guy. Definitely recommend 😀

D.

Busy. Bit pricey. Obviously it expects a student, not too demanding, clientele. Nice decor (part of the building). But in the end, nothing special.

s. n.

Needs a better selection, otherwise fast and friendly service with good atmosphere.

W. D.

Still a lovely place to spend time... BUT... be warned the beers are INSANELY EXPENSIVE these days. I mean even for central London they are eye-wateringly anomalous.

S. B.

I went to the Understudy on a Saturday evening in February and I quite liked it. It was full but not crammed and it had river views, cozy armchairs and several craft beers to choose from.

A. S.

Probably my favourite spot in Southbank so far, nice seatings and no matter what time you come and how many of you, you could always find a place to sit and enjoy the sun.

A. G.

Good bar on the river serves some excellent and interesting beers, nice bar staff too. Definitely worth a visit.

C. A.

Popped in for a beer, great selection and they let you try the beers first. Didn't try the food, we were just thirsty!

C. D.

One of my favourite bars on southbank. Great beer selection and fairly reasonable prices considering the location.

M.

Good beer selection, little south bank pricey. Outdoor seating near the river is a plus

M. W.

One of my favourite places in Southbank. Chilled vibe, great IPAs and a selection of boardgames you can play.

N. P.

Heaps of outdoor tables in the summer, good beers, not too spenny, good thesp vibe. This is basically a very good place to have a drink.

A.

They guys are friendly and do good cocktails. Nice place to sit and chill out, open until late.

T. J.

Really liked this bar, it had a great vibe and the beer was great too. Nice seating, nice relaxed atmosphere.

H. C.

Nice atmosphere. Generally easy to get a table if you arrive before 6. Nice view of southbank and river

A.

Great place for a summer drink in one of the nicest summer venues in London. Lacks that final oomph for a 5th star but a very solid shout.

P. B.

Good selection of beers and quick service. Loads of seating outside and can easily get a space too.

D. L.

One of the better pubs along southbank. Cocktails, beers indoors and outdoor seating. Very laid back.

R. J.

Slightly pricey but good atmosphere and location is great. Brilliant number of outside seating in the summer which really adds to it.

A. C.

Very long waiting time. Excellent food though!

R. J.

Really good beer range, nice outside seating if it's warm overlooking the river

A. B.

Good beer (citrus creme ale, coconut chokolate stout), sticky flor, good atmosphere, I had to ask for a glass instead of plastic

D. W.

Continually changing craft beer list, very laid back feel with great views of the Thames and Somerset House from outside

B. S.

Good selection of craft beer on draught, and nice selection of craft beer bottles and cans. Good views of the Thames too.

R. C.

Excellent range of beers, always something new to try. Great in the summer with the large terrace and pizza van

H.

Really strong and tasty beers! Nice family ish vibes.. Didn't understand their board game offer

B. A.

Very nice corner bar with great range of craft beer. Surprisingly easy to get seats this close to Southbank

J. M.

Good south bank bar. Especially in the summer as its outside area is about ten times larger than the bar itself. Never really had issues with times getting served

R. S.

Lovely place to work, great playlist and good WiFi connection and an excellent range of beers for when the day is done!

L. C.

Ver enjoyable, you can borrow games like Jenga while having a nice drink with Good views. The chocolate was nice!

P. C.

Lovely atmosphere sitting by the river in summer, and the drinks are reasonably priced for London. I do miss the Propstore bar, though.

G. G.

If you’re gonna charge £6 a pint you’re gonna want to make sure the receptacle isn’t plastic. Then the complimentary water comes in a glass 🤷🏻‍♂️

B. G.

The place can't deal with the large South Bank crowds at peak times. Then again, nowhere can. Nice beers available.

A. S.

Riverside views and nice place to relax.

N. G.

Awesome bar with excellent beer selection and cool board games - deck chairs outside on a sunny day on the south bank

D. H.

Plenty of outdoor seating by the river which is handy as it can get quite busy. Good selection of ales on tap.

S.

A nice spot on the south bank on a sunny day, part of the national theatre so a bit pricey, staff are polite and helpful. Food available next door.

D. C.

Amazing location on the south bank. Decent selection of cidre and super convenient for pre and post show drinks.

A. P.

Good view

A. R.

Nice place, nice drinks, a bit pricey. Don't ask the staff for football and if they're showing matches then they'll rip you apart.

C.

Cool place drinks are not too expansive. And you have a nice terrace on the water front.

J. e.

Nice bar with a good selection of beer, awesome on a sunny day as there is loads of outdoor seating

J. N.

Great choice of beers, friendly and enjoyable outside space. Can get very busy.

R. S.

Outdoor area needs some effort. Nicer seats/table, bit of greenery. Drinks quite pricey

M. R.

Outdoor space great

B. M.

Great place with great beers and an awesome location. Finally somewhere along the Thames that doesn’t fell compromised by its location.

A. S.

Good beer selection but it's a mission to get served at the bar on sunny days.

C. L.

Good selection of beers and food. Awesome location and plenty of seating during summer

H. S.

Very unassuming venue from outside, different story inside, wonderful friendly and helpful staff, variety of seating, board games available to hire novel touch.

A. L.

Good place to sit. Awesome location. Overpriced alcohol. But is guess it's the cost you pay for the location.

A. R.

Nicely nestled next to the Thames, this is a great bar offering a huge range of beers, sunlight and people-watching.

O. R.

Really nice bar, with good selection of beers and also a few games behind the counter 😀

V. D.

Delicious burgers and Caesar salad, concrete coolness, nice wine and psychedelic music. Loved it.

D. H.

Busy bar with a good selection of beer and other drinks and friendly staff.

L. E.

great place although crowded usually, a bit pricey but great location for a drink after a long walk

N. J.

First time I've been to it and pleasant place to be very comfy seats nice drinks nice location

E. S.

Great location, reasonable selection of beers and a funky interior, but can get very busy.

d. c.

Lots of activity near the Thames which is good but can be quite busy. Drinks were good

G. B.

Small bar with good atmosphere. Probably worth avoiding show nights unless you are happy to sit outside

J. D.

Nice bar with a great selection of beers and plenty of outdoor space with a view on the River Thames.

H. W.

Love this place. It's the best spot for having a drink and making plans for the future :)

L. P.

Beer, very friendly staff and games. Simple, but alltogether the best bar i've been to in a while.

S. H.

Good selection of beer, great location but pretty busy.

J. C.

Cool place to have a drink, great selection of beers too. It's ideal for sunny afternoons!

P. C.

Good selection of beers overlooking the river with plenty of outdoor seating

J. B.

Nice atmosphere and great outdoor seating area – and they finally got rid of the gendered cubicles 🙌

B. J.

Nice little bar, often a good and cheaper alternative to RFH bar. Has sun trap beer garden.

J. W.

Such a fun & nice bar, with a good selection including some unusual ones!

D. M.

Great pub. Really good atmosphere with a good selections of beers on tap.

p. c.

Great place to soak up London riverside

J. H.

Friendly staff loads of outdoor seating and great selection of beers and cider.

H. M.

Great location, good drinks selection, a bit on the pricy side though.

D. S.

Expensive, but nice drinks and a lively terrace on the south bank. Note: they take bookings if you have a group.

C. C.

Great location but mediocre choice of beers, and the nice ones always still to be sold out

a. c.

Great beer friendly bar staff and nice brutalist decor

s. f.

Extremely chilled and ambient pub overlooking the water. Great music and decor

A. J.

Good beer and nice staff. Lovely all round winter and summer

L. F.

Nice atmosphere, good drink selection and not too expensive.

J. R.

A great place to sit with a beer in the sun and they have a good selection.

J. B.

Never too busy, decent range of craft beers. Good toilets, nice decor

A. W.

A great beer selection in a bar which never seems as busy as some of the others on the south bank.

G. M.

Good beers, lovely atmosphere especially in such amazing weather.

M. W.

Nice location but very busy. Pity that food stands block the view of the Thames.

S. A.

Fantastic music and atmosphere on a Saturday night, just gutted that they had run out of Meantime lager, my favourite!

D. H.

Great beer and one of the best views in London. What's not to like?

N. M.

One of my favourite places to watch the world go by, great selection of craft beer.

G. J.

Great selection of beer, fun music and bar staff that clearly enjoy their job.

S. V.

Great little pub on Southbank. Great in the summer as they have lots of seats outside.

m. d.

Barrel Aged Imperial Lord Smog Almighty from the tap, what else needed?

E. H.

Great beers and an unbeatable location on a sunny day. Pricey but worth it.

G. B.

Vibe is great, large outside seating area when the weather allows, working until late, good atmosphere and location, good selection of drinks

O. K.

The atmosphere inside is great. The only bad point is high beer prices

K. F.

Great drinks selection. Awesome to sit by the river in the sun!

S. F.

Busy, but super little boozer on the south bank - great in the summer when there's loads of outside seating.

J. G.

Never too busy, never too quiet. The Goldilocks of 'craft' beer bars. Good location.

A. J.

Great location. Nice selection of teas, coffees, beers & food.

T.

I liked the beer and music selection but too crowded for my liking.

D. P.

Outside bar. Nothing special but convenient for the NT

P. M.

Nice place with loads of space outside. Is also next to the river, excellent for sunny days

K. S.

Good selection of beers and wine. A bit noisy, but comfy and cozy

S. L.

Great bar with loads of beer to choose from. Plenty of outside seating

C. W.

Great place for groups and very busy when the sun is shining, as there are deckchairs for public use!

N. S.

Love this place, music is always great, relaxed atmosphere, nice staff.

G. S.

The outside space overlooking the Thames is great. Good choice of beers.

N. O.

A great place on the South Bank of the Thames. One of many bars on the bank. A good find

C. S.

Big fan. Excellent range of beers and a very central location.

J. D.

Great for craft beer fans, and amazing location especially in the summer.

T. “. T. F.

Lovely laid back coffee, drinks and food. Sit outside in the sun or inside in the warm. Equally good...

G.

Good atmosphere, friendly staff and great choice of beers

M. R.

Lots of deckchairs available. Nice relaxed atmosphere. Real ale available too

C. R.

Prices are steep, but it's got nice views and you can sit outside.

K. H.

Peaceful place, though if some place to sit and have a cup of hot drink will be the main attraction of the area :)

C. W.

Great South Bank spot for beer, wine, cider and relaxing. Lots of seating outdoors.

D. P.

Good range of beers, nice atmosphere, popular on a Friday night

M. L. S.

Best friend's birthday drinks and pizza. Fun and kooky atmosphere

S. M.

So busy 20 mins to get served but great views and buzzy area

A. P.

Great beer selection and seats my the Thames. Normally pretty busy

M. F.

Fantastic selection of beers for the Buxton Brewery Tap takeover 🍺

A. S.

Great for after work drinks in the sun. Food festival just down the path too

J. H.

Crowded post-working hours, but good atmosphere and a lot of great outside seating.

M. M.

Always friendly and helpful with good beer and good natured company, but never the cheapest!

T. B.

Excellent choice of beer and seats in 99the sun - what's not to like?

D. S. T.

Great Pub, great beer and amazing music. Great place for a quick stop

L. C.

Very friendly staff and great tasting beer! 😁

S. G.

Love this place. Been here many times & will always return when I'm in the area

A. B.

Good beer selection considering the high footfall location.

N.

Great spot right next to the Thames. Better than most offerings in South Bank

S. G.

Nice for a pint when walking up the south bank. Reasonable selection of alcoholic beverages.

J. J.

Nice bar with good views, not too loud even when crowded

N.

Great find if you want a relaxing cafe / pub vibe in an area surrounded by tourists.

J. R.

Cosy bar just by the river. Good for beers as well as coffee and chat with friends.

M. M.

Good selection of beer and nice ambience in a stellar location

F. C.

A good range of beers to choose from. Very nice location.

V. K.

Great pub, good selection of craft beers and friendly staff.

E. H.

Great spot. Good on a sunny day. Pricey and plastic glasses. Better on a week day

F. L.

Really enjoyed it

J. F.

Nice craft beer pub in a great location. Not cheap but where is in Central London?

B. M.

Nice spot, great selection of beers and a nice view

J. S.

Nice beer and wine selections. Helpful staff.

T. C.

Cool place to grab a drink, friendly staff, whoever rota'd them must know what they are doing.

D. D.

Fantastic beers and wonderful to sit out on the southbank on a summers day

R. F.

Very good beer selection right on the south bank

A. C.

Nice bar, friendly staff. Casual and relaxed vibe.

M. B.

Nice bar at the corner of the National Theatre. The pricier end but not crazy for London.

L. C.

Good vibe, lovely in the sun. Good collection of board games as well!

A. H.

Nice craft beers but can get quite crowded, and location means it's not the cheapest

B. J.

Great bar and fun atmosphere, can be busy.

J. B.

Book ahead for God's sake Rose

T. H.

Nice craft beer, nice atmosphere, nice staff and nice view. Do it.

L. L. Z.

Great place to hang out with colleagues after work, but always too crowded!

T. H.

All round good. Caipirinha's excellent, tapas excellent, service excellent, love this place.

R. S.

Good but to crowded. No outdoor heaters, which given the location is a loss

L. S.

great selection of beers, lots of outdoor space.

M. A.

Great bar with a fun vibe and outside seating

D. D.

Way too noisy for my liking, but seems a nice venue.

R. W.

Usually a decent selection of draft beer, and the views aren't too shabby

R. M.

Great selection of beers, nice location on the south bank

P. G.

Beers good, vibes lacking...

s. w.

Love it here sometimes it so crowded you can't get a seat but great when you can I always call in when on the south bank

S. D.

Pretty good place to sit down and talk and enjoy the surroundings.

S. B.

Big crowd after a play at the National theatre. A good place to talk.

I. M.

Great atmosphere to just chill and drink with friends

B. R.

Great beers on river front. What's not to like.

N. C.

Easy atmosphere and great selection of beers

S. B.

Great buzz and nice IPA but bit pricey

J. L.

Good selection of beers, pricey but to be expected on Southbank

T. S.

Very friendly staff and a nice collection of beers

R. T.

Great for an after work drink. Gets very packed on a Friday.

A. M.

Cosy bar with a wide selection of craft beers, often busy

Y. K.

Can get quite crowded, end up with a plastic cup wine and random price seems to be the case for same drinks.

A. H.

Awesome beer, great location, nice staff

M. T.

Great venue for evening drinks. On the pricey side

A. T.

Great location, great choice of beers, REALLY expensive

k. R.

Great atmosphere friendly staff comfortable surroundings

M. C.

Great location. No beer on tap when I went.

J. M.

Clientele a bit pretentious (workers from nearby blue fin get a discount). Good in the summer.

I. Q.

Great outdoor seating for summer. Terrible indoor seating for winter.

J. M.

Good beer selection. Comfortable place

K. M.

Loved this place! Sunday board games are a great idea.

J. B.

Cool bar by the Thames, better when you can go sit outside.

K. M.

Love this space for outdoor seating in prime location with nice wine

Z. J.

Great views and fairly conveniently located for anyone in Waterloo.

L. L.

Great pub with huge beer list.

S. A.

Very cosy and inviting!

J. F.

Excellent stop for an afternoon coffee on the South Bank. Not too touristy.

A. R.

Lovely place but petjaps predictably expensive drinks for a pub thanks to its location

M. M.

Great for American tourists... Fun to try new craft brews

R. L.

Slow service but good beer and nice location

H. D. S.

Great service relaxed vibe - busy but fun

L. H.

Always a brilliant night!

M. H.

Great for "one for the road" after a show ... a lovely mix of people.

D. W.

Nice beer, nice outdoor seating and nice views.

R. H.

Really good outside space tonnes of room, wish it was open later though.

S. C.

Great venue...Great scenary great music ...Perfect for a date....Enjoy xx

R. T.

Good beer but service often slow

J. W.

Large outdoor space, discount for King's College Staff, what's not to like?

M. D.

Right by the theatre on Southbank so quintessentially cool and relaxed atmosphere.

M. A.

Nice little bar with a good selection of beers.

R. B.

Stumbled across this on a date. Awesome riverside late night drinking spot

E. C.

Great location.

R. V.

Always a brilliant range of local beers.

C. B.

Great food

D. T.

Great vibe with a good selection of craft beers

C. D.

Favourite place on the Southbank. Good beers and boardgames.

C. m.

Had great beer at good prices

Z. P.

Great location, good atmosphere, prices slightly high

T. I. L. b.

Great venue with interesting selection or beer

S. D.

Fantastic location, amazing decor, fair prices. Hard to beat

T. T.

Bar take a while but great atmosphere

D. R.

Great place to drink after a hard day in the office

D. L.

If you like craft beer come here

A. S.

Great beer selection nice beer garden

H. A.

Nice place, strong beers, medium price

R. G.

Nice place.. But more bar staff are needed

D. M.

Really nice bar with a great atmosphere!

S. L. P.

Friendly staff, nice music and good location...

S. Z.

Very nice views and location at Southbank, can get very very crowded however.

S. s.

Has ample outdoor seating facing the Thames river.

A. R.

Good pub with great outside seating area

M. M.

Nice selection of craft beers in a fantastic location.

S. R.

Decent Craft Ale Bankside Pub.

V. L.

Nice place for good games and drinkong beer

S. K.

Good selection of proper beer

A. G.

Chips

J. C.

Good riverside location, good music, good beer.

S. P.

To busy and deorganised for my taste, good coffee

L.

Love this bar, quick service and cosy!

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