Why the Anchor Bankside Pub London is the Only Southwark Spot You Actually Need to Visit

You’re walking along the Thames, dodging the selfie sticks near Borough Market, and suddenly there it is—a massive, sprawling pile of red-shuttered brick that looks like it’s been leaning against the riverbank since the dawn of time. That’s the Anchor Bankside pub London. Honestly, if these walls could talk, they wouldn’t just whisper; they’d probably scream about the Great Fire of London, Shakespeare’s rowdy rehearsals, and several centuries of smugglers hiding gin in the floorboards.

It's old. Really old.

While most "historic" pubs in London are just Victorian refurbishments with a bit of dark wood and some dusty taxidermy, the Anchor is a genuine survivor. It’s the last of the great Bankside inns from an era when this side of the river was basically the Wild West of England. Think theaters, bear-baiting pits, and prisons. Today, it’s where you go for a pint of Greene King IPA while watching the sunset hit St. Paul’s Cathedral across the water.

What Most People Get Wrong About the Anchor Bankside Pub London

People often assume this is just one building. It’s not. It’s a labyrinth. Because it was rebuilt and expanded so many times—most notably after the Great Fire of 1666—the floor plan makes absolutely no sense. You’ll walk through a door thinking you’re going to the bathroom and end up in a wood-panneled "Clink" room or out on a terrace you didn't know existed.

There’s a common myth that Samuel Pepys watched the City burn from a chair inside the pub. Technically, he watched it from "an ale-house on Bankside," and while the Anchor is the only one left standing from that period, the current structure was largely rebuilt shortly after the fire. Still, the foundations are ancient. You're standing on history. Literally.

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The Dr. Johnson Connection

Samuel Johnson, the man who wrote the first real English dictionary, was a regular. He wasn't just there for the booze, though. He was friends with the Thrales, who owned the Anchor brewery nearby. There’s a room dedicated to him, but don't expect a museum vibe. It’s still very much a place where people spill beer and argue about football.

The Weird, Dark History of Southwark’s Favorite Local

Back in the 1600s, Bankside was outside the jurisdiction of the City of London. That meant if it was illegal, it happened here. The Anchor Bankside pub London sat right in the middle of this chaos.

• Smugglers' Holes: During various renovations, builders found secret recesses in the walls. These weren't for aesthetics. They were for hiding contraband—or people—when the authorities decided to cross the bridge.
• The Proximity to the Clink: The infamous Clink Prison was just a few yards away. You can still visit the museum nearby, but the pub served as a sort of "last stop" or a place for the gaolers to drink away their shifts.
• The Theater Crowd: Imagine finishing a play at the Globe (the original one, not the 1990s reconstruction) and heading here. Evidence suggests the actors and playwrights of the Elizabethan era frequented the inns along this stretch.

It’s gritty. It’s uneven. The stairs are steep enough to give you vertigo even before you’ve had a drink. That’s the charm. If you want a sterile, modern bar, go to Canary Wharf. You come to the Anchor because you want to feel the weight of four hundred years of London grime and glory.

Navigating the Maze: Where to Actually Sit

Most tourists cluster around the ground floor bar or the immediate outdoor seating on Park Street. Big mistake. You’ve got to explore.

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The pub is split into several distinct areas:

1. The Riverview Terrace: This is the gold mine. On a sunny day, it's the best seat in the city. You’re looking directly at the North Bank.
2. The Minstrel’s Gallery: Elevated and tucked away, great for people-watching without being jostled.
3. The Cellar Bar: Atmospheric, dark, and slightly damp in that way only ancient English basements can be.

If you're visiting in winter, find the fireplace in one of the wood-paneled rooms. There is nothing—absolutely nothing—like drinking a stout in the Anchor Bankside pub London when the fog is rolling off the Thames and the wind is howling outside. It feels like you've slipped through a crack in time.

Is the Food Actually Any Good?

Let's be real. It’s a Greene King pub. You aren't coming here for a Michelin-starred experience. You're coming for the "Fisherman's Catch" or a massive plate of Fish and Chips.

The menu is standard British pub fare. It’s reliable. It’s heavy. It’s exactly what you need after walking five miles through Southwark. The pies are usually the standout. They’re thick-crusted and come with a lake of gravy. If you're looking for something "light," you're in the wrong neighborhood.

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What to Drink

They carry the standard Greene King range—Abbot Ale, IPA, and usually a seasonal guest tap. If you aren't an ale fan, their cider selection is decent. Just remember that the prices reflect the location. You’re paying a "Thames View Tax," but honestly, for that view, it’s worth the extra pound or two.

The Best Time to Visit (and When to Avoid It)

Avoid Saturday afternoons at all costs if you hate crowds. Between the Borough Market overflow and the football fans, it gets loud. Fast.

Instead, try a Tuesday evening or a Sunday morning right when they open. There is a specific kind of silence in an old pub that hasn’t filled up yet—the smell of old wood, polish, and stale beer—that feels incredibly authentic.

Actionable Tips for Your Visit

• Don't just stand at the first bar you see. Walk all the way through to the back and head upstairs. There are multiple bars hidden throughout the building. If one is crowded, another might be empty.
• Look for the "Clink" room. It has a specific window that used to look out toward the old prison site.
• Combine it with a walk. Start at London Bridge, walk past Southwark Cathedral, hit the Golden Hinde (the pirate ship), and then end at the Anchor. It’s the perfect historical trajectory.
• Watch your head. The doorways were built for people in the 1700s who were significantly shorter than we are. If you’re over six feet tall, you're going to have a bad time if you don't duck.
• Check the tide. If you’re sitting on the lower outdoor levels, the Thames is a tidal river. It’s fascinating to watch the water level rise and fall against the stone embankments while you sit there.

The Anchor Bankside pub London isn't just a place to get a drink. It's a survivor. It survived the Great Fire, the Blitz, and the rapid gentrification of the South Bank. It remains a messy, beautiful, confusing piece of London history that refuses to modernize too much. Grab a pint, find a corner, and just listen. The building has plenty to say.

Next Steps for Your Visit:

1. Check the weather: If it’s clear, aim for the rooftop terrace 45 minutes before sunset.
2. Book a table: If you're a group of more than four, use their online system. This pub is popular, and "winging it" usually means standing on the sidewalk.
3. Identify the Samuel Johnson bust: See if you can find it tucked away inside; it’s a fun scavenger hunt for the literary-minded.
4. Download a digital map of the area: Cell service can be spotty inside those thick brick walls, so have your walking route saved offline.