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Doggetts Coat and Badge, Southwark

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user reviews of Doggetts Coat and Badge, Southwark

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

A Nicholson pub with a decent choice of cask ales and decent food menu. The upstairs restaurant area overlooks the river with at table service. If you're in the area, this pub is better than most.
alexw - 26 Apr 2017 23:56
Doggett's Coat and Badge is the prize and name for the oldest rowing race in the world.Up to six apprentice watermen of the River Thames in England compete for this prestigious honour, which has been held every year since 1715. The 4 miles 5 furlongs (7,400 m) race is held on the Thames between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier, Chelsea, passing under a total of eleven bridges en route. And if you visit and the right time it's not a bad pub.
Tuna - 26 Feb 2017 22:05
We had a day out in London and we were looking for a place to eat at lunchtime. We found the Doggett by chance looked at the menu outside and we said this looks reasonable. We decided to go upstairs as we found it was a bit Closter phobic. We found a restaurant area with a magnificent view very spacious and we noticed at the bar they sold cask ales! We were shown to our tables and we order our drinks, when they came we ordered our meals, my colleague ordered a cheese burger and I ordered a special steak & ale pie. Both meals were delicious and they were hot. Lunch time was fairly busy and it was only ran by one staff and he was calm and very professional. I asked him about the company and he explained who were the owner, I was interested because I remember when Nicholson were part of Allied Lyons. I would recommend this watering hole when passing this pub on the south bank. KEEP IT UP!!!!!
Quality_Checker - 23 Oct 2014 17:23
Visited yesterday and as always beers were good. However we decided to try the food, which was a mistake. The hot food was really cold and everything seemed old - stale bread and salad that was a good few days out of date. Complaints were of course just met with a shrug as it was obvious the staff all knew the food they serve is terrible. My advice - it's worth a visit especially if you can get onto one of the upper terraces but just stick to the beers and eat somewhere else.
TameTomato - 5 Aug 2014 15:15
Arranged to meet an old friend and his family here on Sunday(22nd June) afternoon, after finding the pub on this site. I read some reviews one of which was on the money, the others not so, hence this post. (TWG, good review). We arrived just before 12 and found a table outside straight away. Ordered drinks, one pint of beer, one pint of lemonade and half a lager, £5.30! Great value. Friends arrived and more drinks and food ordered. Small calamari, though decent sized serving, was only a fiver, and a 21 day aged steak and chips £15. Now that is not a bad price for anywhere! The ale was good, the food was good and the service more than good. Ok, so they aren't overly friendly, but it was a busy day, middle of London and lots of tourist trade. Efficient,pleasant and got what we ordered. Highly recommend going there for a meal and nice seating. They even do breakfast until 12 on the day we went. Friends from abroad and said food better than some in Paris.
Bigfish22 - 22 Jun 2014 17:42
Decent selection of real ales, but a serious problem with flies inside and out. Also struggled to contain my rage at the absolute ineptitude of the staff, none of whom seemed to speak much of the queens and few seemed to understand which drink was which.
TommyRogers1979 - 29 May 2014 22:46
Huge riverside pub on 3 levels.

Very much an after work place on a weekday, amazing selection of 10 different beers on tap, all from different UK breweries

Out of all of the levels the ground floor bar was the busiest with the restaurant on the floor above, I cannot comment on the food as I didn't see any being served.

A very nice large beer garden.

Decent pub but the beers are the real reason for a visit.

lezford - 7 Jun 2013 14:45
The beer is great, cant be faulted. However, they clearly have a policy of ripping people off through VERY short pints. Happens every time I visit. I complain, but I bet the tourists don't.
Wilson_MacDonald - 6 Jan 2013 15:00
Made my first visit here for donkey's years on Sunday afternoon, as it seemed the perfect place to stop off and enjoy the world going by on a hot sunny day.

I don't recall it being a Nicholson's - clearly the multi-level designed and grotesque grey concrete facade suggests a 1970s pub/restaurant origin, and frankly I was much re-assured by the Nicholson's paraphernalia as it not only implies a bit more homeliness and character (even if it is faux) and a reliable food and drinks range.

I wasn't disappointed on any of these fronts. Let's get the negatives out of the way: the cask ale selection wasn't as broad as many of the chain's counterparts, but as I was on a Pimm's tip I didn't fret about that - as to quality I can only rely on others to comment but I imagine it is good. Secondly - yes the prices can be somewhat prohibitive as sadly one comes to expect from prime riverside London locations. But we didn't think a large pitcher of aforesaid concoction at �18 these days was too awful - I've known worse!

We eschewed the bottom bar's outside seating area as it is very shaded and buried at the bottom of Blackfriars Bridge - on a sunny day I'd recommend you head up to the top floor bar and try to secure seating on the terrace, which has commanding views up and down river. It is a glorious sun-trap so be mindful not to turn pink as you while away what will almost certainly be too long chatting, quaffing, viewing and sun-soaking. To our mutual amazement, as a fivesome we still managed to grab a table with no tussles. Perhaps the reviews on price here are putting punters off?!

I should make mention of service standards, given that they didn't always reach the expected level by previous reviewer's reckonings. Can't speak for the first 3 levels, but the 2 youngsters covering the top bar were perfectly pleasant - it took a while to mix up the jugs of Pimms but only because half the ingredients were downstairs so fair play.

Doggett's may not suit everybody's idea of a classic pub experience, nor may it suit if you're not able or willing to enjoy some al fresco socialising. But on the right day and with the right people, and in the right mood, it could just hit the rignt spot.
TWG - 20 Aug 2012 14:21
Totally agree with previous reviewer, the drinks are very expensive (�6.10 for pint of ale and half a diet coke is ridiculous). Some of the bar staff aren't overly friendly but I must say that the bar man/waiter upstairs was complete opposite, he made time to talk to our party and bent over backwards to help. Food was nice, if slightly more expensive than a lot of pubs.
IMG1975 - 26 Jun 2012 11:58
�4+ for a pint of Guinness? In a Nicholson's pub?

I realise location counts and all that but this is a joke.

Go elsewhere.
shoegazer - 9 Apr 2012 01:42
Another great place to watch the World go by from.

In this case there is a Window overlooking the River Thames, recently I spent an Afternoon here drinking the excellent Rudgate Bitter and watching the River traffic go by.
AuldJimmy - 17 Feb 2012 17:45
This pub has received a great deal of flak over the past years and I would like to give a description of a positive experience last night. I was hosting a 'pub evening' for an alumni society and the pub offered us a private area whch was very comfortable. I found the staff courteous and friendly and they were efficient in clearing empty glasses and crockery. The sharing platters ordered were well presented with a variety of tasty nibbles and sauces. The ambience of the pub made it one of the most successful pub evenings I have hosted recently. Thank you, The Doggetts!
dcbeagle - 11 Nov 2011 17:07
A Nicholsons pub. Several levels, with a terrace bar at the top - very busy in the summer, the next level down seems to be for private hire, the one below is a restaurant and at the bottom is the main bar. Popular with tourists and can get busy....however, a good selection of beers, with enough nooks and crannies to settle down for a session..
d.franks - 8 Oct 2011 17:29
A friend and I have visited this pub on most Sunday evenings for a couple of years or more. But in recent times the beer prices have risen so much that we have only used it when they've had Doombar on, because it was cheaper than the rest. However, that beer's price has risen from �3.25 to �3.60 since our last visit a fortnight ago, so we won't be going back. Lots of other people have also stopped using the place due to the price increases. Until some months ago there was a large blackboard listing the prices of all the beers, and the prices were also on the handpumps. No longer, of course... And the Nicholsons pub on the other side of the bridge, The Blackfriar, was still selling Doombar this evening (Sunday) for �2.85 a pint; a mere 75p difference!
Petersham - 22 Aug 2011 02:50
My first time in here after a good mate was down who went in and enjoyed the experience a few years back.

Really impressed. Good choice of ale and really friendly barman. I went for the Thornbridge Jaipur and it didn't disappoint.

Smashing beer garden out at the back. Will no doubt give this place another go in the future.
willesden_seadog - 14 Aug 2011 02:08
I have visited this pub many times during the past 2 years and find it ok.
The beer choice is quite good, with up to 8 handpumps on,bar staff are quite pleasant. but recently the pub increased its prices for real ales to �3 60p a pint across the board no matter what strength the beer may be, the exception being London Pride which was �3 50p and Doom Bar at �3 05p
but you have be lucky to see Doom Bar on.The prices of the beers used displayed on each hand pump but now they display no prices at all My friends and I have stopped using the pub and use other pubs that don't
charge so much for their beers
beergulper - 16 May 2011 23:21
Visited on Easter Saturday morning, the first time in a couple of years. The pub was very clean and well decorated, with clean toilets.

Ten real ales were on, with the usual good and imaginative Nicholsons' slection. Each pump had it's own tasting notes.One problem on the serving side was that the barmaid couldn't seem to get her head around the concept of a pint of Diet Coke!

It was great to sit outside by the river with an ice cold pint of Aspell's cider and watch the world go by. A barbecue was being set up on the Thames-side Path, and I imagine it would have become really busy during the afternoon.


flashharry1965 - 26 Apr 2011 13:44
Staff were exceptionally rude. Drinks order messed up and forgotten. Food took over an hour to come. Food had to be sent back as was absolutely woefully overcooked, roast beef was like leather, burger had been incinerated, chips were cold, roast spuds were tasteless and soggy. Pepsi was �2.05 for a half pint. Manager had to come over twice, she was rude as well. Ended up not paying for food. Worst pub I have ever been to will never go anywhere near it ever again. Spectacularly awful. Never seen anything like it.
charliew - 27 Mar 2011 17:05
always had a nice time here, good selection of beers, food good too. If the weather is fine and it's not too busy either the garden or riverview areas are great. Pricey but this is London so to be expected.
TheTrooper - 13 Mar 2011 21:53
Had lunch on a Saturday back in September. The Founders down the round was heaving because it is the local for Tate Modern. However, this place was comparatively deserted and a great place for beer it is too.

Food was OK, but this is a beer site. Went upstairs where we sat looking over London and had a chat with the very knowledgeable East European barmaid who was studying to be a cellarmaster and kept bringing tasters to discuss, as she wanted to know our thoughts on English beers. It was a difficult job, but stiff upper lip. Can't remember anything that was on the beer list now.

Not all bar staff are untrained monkeys - she would grace any beer orientated pub with her knowledge. I will go back there anytime I'm near.
Lord_Jeffers - 16 Nov 2010 23:32
I'm very surprised this pub scores so poorly. I've been here several times recently and have had no problems. And no mice sightings either!
Very impressed with the selection of real ales. 10 handpumps with 9 working on my last visit. As well as Doombar, Landlord and Pride there were many less common ales eg Cotleigh Tawny and Williams Bros Joker I enjoyed a few pints of Acorn Porter, a Yorks brew not often found in the south.
A lively place with a good view of the Thames and plenty of seats available.
I've used this place several times before walking along the Southbank to watch a film at the NFT and then returning to discuss afterwards.
Considering the arty enviroment closeby this pub is pretty down to earth.
I've not eaten here so cannot comment on the food.


outtamehead - 31 Oct 2010 06:31
Been here a couple of times, sitting downstairs in the bar. Great view of the river if you manage a window seat, beer was usual for Nicholsons, good choice and drinkable. Second time in a guy came round with mini shephered pies to try (don't think they were made from mice!!) which were tasty, would be tempted to have a full once if decided to eat. Busy place but no probs getting served, would call in if passing again.
phill1110 - 10 Oct 2010 18:51
Definately NOT worth visiting. On the second floor, where the dining room is, we actually saw mice wandering around!!!! The waiter said that they were actually aware of that, and it was due to the fact that the pub is next to the river! Simply unacceptable!!
In addition, there is an extremely rude waiter in the dinning area on the second floor, we encountered him on Tuesday, 21st of October 2010 when we visited, between 8:30 - 9:30pm. He actually demanded that we tipped him, otherwise we should have eaten downstairs. He treated us mostly inappropriate, in my opinion he needs professional help with his issues.
In conclusion, visiting this pub can be a very disappointing experience. AVOID!
nickTheGreek - 21 Sep 2010 22:39
Been in here twice now, once sat inside and the other in the garden next to the river. Both times have been very enjoyable. A nice selection of ales and lagers on, with a range of prices to suit every pocket. The pub itself is very nice and the food is excellent.
Leebs - 30 Aug 2010 21:56
This was actually a great New Years Eve pub with the only exception being that you couldn't see the fireworks. Have dropped in for a pint or a meal from time to time as well and found it pretty decent.
thecupv1 - 24 Jul 2010 02:46
Only a 4.5 out of 10? Very disappointing. Nice pub set over 4 levels with decent views over the Thames if you get a suitable seat. 6 ales were on offer, 2 interesting ones - having been at University in Sheffield, I opted for the Jaipur, which was fine. Enjoyed a spot of lunch in here which I can also reccomend. Not really much to say about this one, other than it was a proper, non-pretentious pub. Gave it a 10 in order to pull the ratings up a bit as obviously some people have a bit of a problem with this place, realistically more a 7.
Sharp - 18 Jun 2010 09:56
Worth stopping here during your walk along the Thames. Always have very well kept Ale in here - bit weird upstairs with a sports bar on the 1st floor but table football is always fun and generally a nice crowd.

Child friendly too so great place to go when you've got the kids with you!
spike45 - 5 Feb 2010 16:41
Been in here a couple of times and have always found it pleasant enough. Can sometimes be a bit of an effort to get served when it gets busy.
telephones_and_toliets - 25 Nov 2009 12:36
handy place to stop and have a jar while strolling along the south bank, had a couple of decent pints of landlord,got served reasonably quickly and you can stand and watch the river traffick go by weather permitting, it wasn't particularly busy for a Friday night, and all the bar staff where in halloween costumes, probably not where I'd choose to spend a whole night, but a handy stop off on the way to the market porter, I'll give it a 6/10 for it's river location
vinnnie - 12 Nov 2009 12:20
handy place to stop and have a jar while strolling along the south bank, had a couple of decent pints of landlord,got served reasonably quickly and you can stand and watch the river traffick go by weather permitting, it wasn't particularly busy for a Friday night, and all the bar staff where in halloween costumes, probably not where I'd choose to spend a whole night, but a handy stop off on the way to the market porter, I'll give it a 6/10 for it's river location
vinnnie - 12 Nov 2009 12:20
handy place to stop and have a jar while strolling along the south bank, had a couple of decent pints of landlord,got served reasonably quickly and you can stand and watch the river traffick go by weather permitting, it wasn't particularly busy for a Friday night, and all the bar staff where in halloween costumes, probably not where I'd choose to spend a whole night, but a handy stop off on the way to the market porter, I'll give it a 6/10 for it's river location
vinnnie - 12 Nov 2009 12:19
My preferred pub along the south side of the Thames. Its big inside with a large BBQ and seating area outside to the rear.
Some of the seating areas inside are a little dark but that adds to the atmosphere.
Its a Nicholsons pie pub with the usual good value meals on offer. A very good choice of ale and also some strange strawberry beer that my partner decided she liked. Bar staff friendly especially when trying to decide what ale to have.
Will be visiting again soon.
CambridgeBlue - 7 Sep 2009 12:37
Bloody awful pub.

No character. Rude and inefficient service.

Avoid!
griffo59 - 18 Aug 2009 14:52
Good price on London Pride of �2.50 when available. Service is very slow when busy, as previously noted, this is often caused by the ineptitude of the bar staff rather than lack of actual numbers.

Riverside location is pleasant, food however I would avoid here as it is well overpriced - a mate of mine had "large" fish and chips, which consisted of one and a half pieces of battered cod and 14 chips! (All for �10.95 - hardly value for money)
jfrebrycn - 9 Aug 2009 11:55
First time back in the place for nearly 18 months. Not my choice of venue either. It still gets my vote as Nicholson's worst pub. Its like drinking in a multi-story carpark but without the atmosphere. Indifferent beer, poor almost non-existent service, and calling the muck on my plate 'food' is stretching the definition of the word to its limit. Three thumbs down!
Zaphod - 3 Jul 2009 11:23
This Pub is a disgrace. Service is terrible, not because of lack of staff, but because the staff have no idea how to work a bar. Food was very Average. Would never eat here again. The only thing it has going for it is its location. I would prefer to walk on past now. Avoid
HENDO - 31 May 2009 11:02
Great food, well kept and interesting range of ales, a variety of foreign beers.
Pub clean, good service and a splendid location.
flashharry1965 - 28 May 2009 13:56
Reasonable pub, bit confused sometimes with so many bars and it's a shame that the tables are mostly out the back as it means the views aren't great. But good beer and not too expensive.
konarob - 26 May 2009 11:24
Immaculate pub in great position by the river and Blackfriars Bridge. Top notch ales and food.
flashharry1965 - 22 May 2009 13:06
Visited this pub o a relatively quiet tuesday afternoon last week. Location is absolutly great, beerwise I had a pint of Thwaites Nutty Black and a Thermal Cheer (Isle of Purbeck).
Both beers were very good, service was friendly and quick. Would go back for a pint or two.

Pidley2547 - 12 Mar 2009 21:42
In london last weekend and popped in here - great location, beer pretty good (Tim Taylor) and some lovely mulled Cider which was well needed as it was bitterly cold outside. Staff plesasent. A bit souless, but great location for people watching
lordcheese - 2 Dec 2008 12:09
I've never been to this pub, but I've been to several others and in my experience they are great.

Whether you enjoy drinking beer, eating food or looking up girls' skirts then pubs are the places for you.

Some of them even have doors you can go out of, which is very convenient for the smokers, or people who need to leave.


feckler - 27 Aug 2008 12:03
I suspect this place is awful but as it's on the end of my liver-punishing London Bridge to Blackfriars Run pub crawl, I've never really seen it and appraised it whilst sober. It's all big and swirly and there's a river or something nearby and occasionally I can have a beer and search the eight floors for a free pool table.
agnes_guano - 19 Aug 2008 13:59
Charmless monstrosity in a great location on the South Banks of the Thames by Blackfriars Bridge. Beer-wise, it's the usual Nicholson's hit (or mostly) miss.
rpadam - 14 Jun 2008 16:25
Oh dear. What has happened to Nicholsons as of late. They used to be the least crap of the major chains.
This is the third one of their 'Cask Marquee' pubs I've been in lately where the beer was filthy. (Blackfriar & Williamson's Tavern being the other 2) Both the 'Dirty Tackle' and 'Landlord' were undrinkable. Too much water in the lines perhaps. As for lunch... The 'warm chicken & bacon salad' was cold slimy bacon and 4 day old cardboard chicken on a bed of composting vegetable matter.
Zaphod - 28 Feb 2008 10:16
When I visited there were 5 well chosen ales for sale and they were well kept. Found the staff pleasant and the pies very good . Will return
CAP - 23 Feb 2008 18:04
Wondeful example of just how crap Nicholsons pubs can be.
Went in around 2ish on a Saturday, all beer was off, so had a pint of the black stuff instead. Shame it wasn't really a pint with at least half a head on it. As the barmaid had rushed off to serve some other sap as soon as the change hit my hand I had to wait at least 10 mins to get it topped up.
The tables where left un-cleared for the entire time we were there, so sat peering through other peoples left lunch for half an hour. An no, it wasn't so busy that it couldn't have been done.
mrse1 - 10 Feb 2008 13:31
4 of us went there in our lunch hour. The food came so slowly, and not all together than one of us didn't have time to eat it. Was given a refund in the rudest possible manor by totally disrespectful waiting staff. Food when it arrived for the others was average and over priced. Won't be going back when there are so many other decent places near by with a bit of respect for their cutomers.
mbooley - 5 Feb 2008 15:00
After an enjoyable pint in The Blackfriar across the bridge I thought I'd hie mysel' to Doggets... Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
This is an industrial sized boozer on 4 floors - with lifts. The barman who served me was a monosyllabic grunter from somewhere beyond these shores. The only cider on offer was the chemical piss that is Strongbow and the over-hyped, over-priced and very ordinary Magners. I opted for a pint of Timothy Taylors Landlord, which was alright.
I chose to get away from the countless flat screen TVs on the ground floor, all showing the England v Wales rugby and went upstairs to... Oh my goodness - a "Sports Bar", I didn't go in, assuming that it would be countless flat screen TVs etc, etc,. Up another flight of stairs to the Dining Room, as I was only having a pint I proceeded all the way to the top to investigate the roof terrace - but this was shut - only open for private dos. So downstairs again to the Dining Room where I found a seat and table with wonderful views over the Thames.
After consuming my pint I decided to visit the gents... The cubicle was awash with someone else's urine and the bowl was caked with the excrement of a previous occupant...
thewednesdayfrog - 4 Feb 2008 10:33
Your best bet for a decent pint when on the Southbank. Always an interesting selection of ales plus Leffe, Fruli and Hoegarrden. Good value food and nice views of the Thames. The only downside is the piped music and the squeeky main door. Somebody get some WD40 on it before it drive everyone mental.
Mothroy - 16 Dec 2007 20:46
Recently had an invitation to free beer on the top floor. Nice views, Landlord beer - sounds fine but the beer was frozen so as to be unrecognisable and needed the terrace heaters to make it barely drinkable (but tasteless). Did not stay long!!
lout_from_the_lane - 8 Oct 2007 09:40
Walk past this place every day. Sure, it occupies one of the most enviable riverside plots, but is probably the most ugly pub in London, modelled on what I can only assume is the bridge of a ship.
Doubtless very cool in the 60s/70s, but an absolute carbuncle. Unfair, but because of its exterior, I can only conjure up images of Watney Red Barrel and Harp Lager!
norbitonpaul - 19 Sep 2007 08:53
Northern And Shell are down the river in that big blue building next to London Bridge. Northern and Shell own the Express. The Express are in that big blue building, where they have been for two years. Or do you assume every single person who drinks in Doggetts works in the building opposite?
Albert_Campion - 24 Aug 2007 14:23
Wrong Albert. I was in there again this week with a well-known journalist from the Daily Excuse. Along came his colleague who happened to work on the Sunday Star. Sorry you don't know everyone.
anonymous - 19 Aug 2007 22:17
Anonymous: The Daily Star and The Express haven't been in that building for two yea. I'm not surprised it took you 15 minutes to get served. You sound a bit clueless.
Albert_Campion - 17 Aug 2007 13:58
Great location wasted on a souless beer factory. Avoid.
keyser_soze - 11 Aug 2007 14:08
average office pub approach only when very drunk. on the plus side i did pick up a very fine filly a few years ago here but still doesnt make up for the place
westyw9 - 10 Aug 2007 16:40
Come on guys - what on earth is the point of allowing wholly-biased landlords to sing their own praises at the top of this piece?

His rosy view of his own pub is not exactly borne out by many of the comments...

It - and all like it - should be clearly headed and marked as "ADVERTISING" since it is not an objective independent view - which is what most us look for in beerintheevening.
anglia1 - 5 Aug 2007 11:46
The upper two floors always seem to be reserved for one function or another but on the rare occasion you can get up there the views are pretty decent. Good beers, pricey but aren't they all down that way.
lennie384 - 11 Jul 2007 20:41
Good choice of well kept real ales and pretty decent grub
with views over the river
alewhale - 9 Jul 2007 20:37
Reply to Lucy M

Anyone who wants to pay with a card for anything costing less than a tenner desereves what they get.
People who do so are a pain the arse, taking up so much time in such a cash-only environment. It costs the proprietor for use to use the card - so you get to pay the difference. Convienient for you, but costly to the end user.

andrewgwb - 8 Jul 2007 05:15
Answer to last entry - because you are prepared to pay it!!
Vote with your feet young man.
andrewgwb - 8 Jul 2007 05:08
How can 2 pints of Fosters come to �5.75 ???
HughJarse - 6 Jul 2007 21:18
Whilst I was in the Doggetts Coat and Badge the downstairs toilet was flooding so I had to use that one on the 2nd floor. I�m glad that I had to go up there as I ended up sitting at the top of the pub admiring the views rather than sitting in the dark, mediocre bar on the ground floor.

There were a few signs up asking people to keep the noise down as there were exams going on in some of the rooms � I wish I could have done my exams in a pub!

I thought that the lager was spot and the service was up to scratch.

The pub seemed to be advertising everywhere for the hiring out of floors for functions, which I would imagine being fantastic for a party.
Strongers - 16 Apr 2007 11:50
went in here as passed by sooo many times and thought its about time to check it out , me and my friend visited one saturday and went into the sports bar , 2 pool tables , table footy , 2 jackpot machines , ordered 2 pints of fosters came to �5.75 which aint bad i guess , nothing wrong with the beer or the staff , the floor below where the toilets are was packed but it was a good pub with excellent views across the thames , well worth a visit
romfordir - 28 Mar 2007 18:35
It was very expensive for drink and I had a salad - it wasn't good and was expensive. I got fleeced of 35p because my drink and meal came to �9.65, when I asked if I could use the card they said yes but then charged me �10.00 - because anything less than they will make it up to a tenner without telling you and you don't know until you see it printed on the receipt. The toilets were also very filthy and 2 foreigners came up to my friend and tried to distract us with maps and steal her phone.


Lucy.M - 14 Mar 2007 16:38
Magnificent little venue, with new potential on evert visit

Fairly packed on my visit, showing its popularity

Heard that stars have graced these walls

Unheard of ales grace the taps to try

Sitting on a sunny day in the back 'garden' area with the sun on your back makes you reflect that life can be sweet... at times. Wonder what the higher levels are like...

And yes, terenced, I remember roger roger. This pub is the eqivalent of 'driving along in a sleepy summer sun'
the_original_rawnsleys - 14 Mar 2007 09:42
For anyone who remembers this was the pub where Sam and Dexter had a beer in "Roger Roger" before Dexter took a jump off the bridge.... anyway enough about tv comedy...

Very good location and a decent range of beers available. Worth a visit. A tourist and med student trap but seems to be working rather well.
terenced - 12 Mar 2007 08:07
Had a luverly time there which was coz of the wonderful company i was with (Hi Babe :xmasnaughty:).
We really had a good time there on a weekday afternoon.
My chips were quite nice, i think Juicy 'enjoyed' her baked potato and salad, staff were pretty friendly, nice atmosphere and surroundings.
Overall= 10 out of 10 with Juicy, 7 1/2 without.
SpunkyLuvsJuicy - 20 Jan 2007 21:15
I liked it here. Me and my boyfriend went there last week for a drink and something to eat. We always have fun whatever pub we go to!
JuicyluvsSpunky - 19 Jan 2007 15:14
Rubbish. Tourist-tastic. Avoid.
tufnellparka - 18 Jan 2007 15:17
Pretty much everything you don't want in a boozer. Bad food, indifferent drink, very average service, people stealing bags everywhere. There are much better places in the very near vicinity. Surely a place can only get so much kudos for a location on the Thames!
jemmison - 5 Jan 2007 15:10
As you approach, it conjures up images of 2nd world war coastal defences. I visited on a Friday night and it was very busy and noisy (obviously). I will be going again, in summer, during a quiet week-day afternoon, when I can hopefully enjoy the promising riverside views. Not as bad as it looks from the approach.
Fullerspubcollector - 28 Oct 2006 23:10
Had a private party in the Terrace Bar on the 15 Sept 06 and found everything from the venue, location, staff and food to be excellent.
jeff.brewer - 19 Sep 2006 12:01
out of the ordinary building ...but tables out front overlooking the river are a bonus in the sunshine...also tables out back...beer range typical of a Nicholsons pub and well kept.... average london prices....food very good ...service pleasant and quick on the day we went ...will go back
lilscse - 1 Aug 2006 16:32
I was pleasantly suprised by this place, having read the reviews below. True, the building looks pretty ugly, but i'm not going to judge it by that.

I have to point out that we went upstairs instead of down, purely because it seemed quieter on the top floor, so perhaps I missed the crap barstaff. Instead, I got smiles and banter from the barmaid, a good pint of Youngs, and a seat with a lovely view. It should probably be said that I had been dying for a beer for about 4 hours before I got there, so nothing was going to spoil that first taste, but after several more pints I still enjoyed the atmosphere of the pub. Nothing outrageously special, but a good meeting point all the same
womble54321 - 20 Jan 2006 09:46
Rather strange pub. Well kept ale though as far as I remember.
Prehaps takes it location a little too much for granted though?
anonymous - 3 Dec 2005 19:05
Utterly vile. Some of the staff are surly and downright rude... if you have the misfortune to deal with the bloke with a face like a slapped @rse you'll know what I mean. Expensive, poorly-kept beer... pools of slops on the bar... agressively enforced drinking up time... noisy suits... disgusting never-fixed overflowing stinky toilets. Hideously ugly building and a bland by-the-numbers-can't-be-arsed interior. There's only one good thing: the view.
Albert_Campion - 2 Dec 2005 18:30
Rather bizarre building, ok beer, full of bankers and the like on week nights, ok service; not too bad i suppose if you're in the area but absolutely noithing special
anonymous - 28 Nov 2005 17:25
I have used it off and on and only when someone else insists on using it as a meeting place to move on from.

The beers can be unusual but are after drawn short of a pint and the service as said elsewhere can be very tight lipped - you sometimes feel that you are an interruption to a previously pleasant day!

The food is good but slow to arrive and thus lukewarm occasionally.

Not worth going out of your way for.
amleyland - 25 Nov 2005 15:09
Was impressed. This place is great and its number one on the Dick Whittington pub tour on the Historic Blackfriars trail!!

Meet us for a pint!!
JonnyB - 31 Oct 2005 13:17
I wouldn't go back here if you paid me. One of the members of staff (he's the one that never smiles) is a first-class d*ckhead. It's expensive and souless. Do yourself a favour, go elsewhere.
anonymous - 16 Oct 2005 00:25
Characterless is spot on. Handy enough in the summer to nick in for a crafty sharpener on the way back to Waterloo but it's for tourists and other assorted transients. Beer - mediocre. Food - looks mediocre. Prices - excessive. Best off heading back towards the City & the Founders Arms really.
MrLash - 29 Sep 2005 10:16
This pub is like a Goose or a Hogs Head, its just characterless - ok its got TV's adorning almost every wall and there are 4 bars but there are much better pubs out there.
markpage45 - 29 Sep 2005 07:48
This place is great!
It's recently had a refurb and looks so much better!
It has a beer garden which looks outstanding with it's tall heated/lighted umbrellas and also a front riverside seating area which is great in the summer!
We recently had a function in the rooftop terrace with a BBQ and I have to say the menu was fantastic for value! You really do have to give it a try sometime!
anonymous - 6 Sep 2005 16:14
I LOVE this pub. Can't get enough of the cider and black and the pool tables, on which I am a bit of a shark! I love the food, had scampi and chips today, yum yum! hope to see you there tonight chappies!
HannahMMMkay - 19 Aug 2005 15:54
Very busy when I visited, served quickly though and managed to get somewhere to sit despite the table looking life a relief map of the Somme by the previous occupants who were obviously just learning how to use a knife and fork...either that or they were feeding each other by catapult!
It was ok for one beer I suppose. Wouldnt go out of my way to drink there.
harlequin - 25 Jun 2005 11:09
Looks horrible from the outside and not much better inside. Has a reasonable number of outside tables which is handy on sunny days. Only redeeming feature is the great view of the river.
rah - 2 Jun 2005 14:09
this pub has had some changes made to it and actually makes it look a lot better
fancyanotherone - 5 May 2005 21:09
Characterless Rip off.

Staff were on the fiddle when we were there on St.Georges Day - short measured everyone ESPECIALLY the foreign tourists. We estimated they made one pint in every seven they sold.

My suggestion: Sit on the Terrace, but bring your own Beer

CaptainFab - 26 Apr 2005 10:15
Fantastic! Would never go anywhere else. Grumpy Barman has a truely unique barside manner. I would stronlgy recommend this as a top night spot in the city!
anonymous - 10 Feb 2005 14:59
I had my 29th birthday at Doggetts and thought it was the best pub in London. The atmos is top notch, the food was awesome and the bar staff even got up and danced with me as everyone sung "Happy Birthday" to me.
David Cheung - 9 Nov 2004 18:20
Horrible, expensive food and rude bar staff.
Jo - 19 Sep 2004 14:11
We had our evening wedding reception here, and were very impressed with the service, value and food. Everyone enjoyed the whole evening, and the views from the terrace bar were lovely.
niki greenfield - 8 Sep 2004 18:55
we went to this pub and had a great meal and real ales whilst seeing the sites..the bbq in the garden was a great idea and good value. I left my purse behind and the staff came after me to give it back.
james, kent - 11 Aug 2004 15:07
This place is an absolute disgrace. Dropped in yesterday and had their traditional platter for lunch and can honestly say I've never been served such crap in all my life. No atmos, very expensive and full of tourists. I strongly advise everyone to avoid this dump.
robin - 9 Aug 2004 09:35
Anyone wanting some decent food should walk round to Frank's cafe. Anyone wanting a decent pint should try another pub. Ridiculously expensive & filthy.

Intriguing that the beer garden is at the BACK so you can't even see the 'scenic' river views. If you want to assess the food, look at how many flying rats sustain themselves on the plates full of inedible rubbish.
stabbogaz - 28 Jun 2004 12:45
Location wise excellent... drinks...Quite pricey...food terrible!
Wigan - 22 Jun 2004 14:57
The food is diabolical. Raw eggs on top of mediocre gammon, half cooked chips, burgers like house bricks & staff that don't know the meaning of the word quality
rachel - 22 Jun 2004 14:54
I bought a JD and Coke and a half pint of coke and it cost me �4.90. It turned out that �1.75 was for the half pint of Coke. That makes it �3.50 a pint! Outrageous prices and not a very pleasant atmosphere. Location is the only thing this pub has going for it.
Nick White - 18 Jun 2004 16:41
Absolute shit-hole. Staff were ok, beer was shite. Dirty tables, disgusting toilets. If your idea of fun is standing in other peoples piss as you go to the loo, this is the pub for you.
Tuna - 3 Jun 2004 13:37
Good place to go in the summer, great views, staff are nice and very tolerant have had some many happy memories at this place, would reccomend it anyone. Drinks are reasonable price as well!
Anonymous - 1 Jun 2004 16:34
I enjoyed the draught bitter and the company of johnbeggthenonstopdancer
Paul - 12 Dec 2003 15:18
Always have a great time in there. Never had any problems with the staff - in terms of customer service. Although i did have my wallet nicked in there last Chirstmas!!

Still love the place though. Great on a Friday night (or any night!). Nice terrace with good views over the Thames, even better @ dusk. Oh, and the beer is good as well.

All in all, a good pub to have a nice cold pint in!!!!


Rob - 21 Jul 2003 09:09
Terrible customer service, one of the worst pubs I have been to in a long time. Jon Bassett the manager should learn some customer service and then teach it to his staff.
g.g. - 9 Jul 2003 15:18
If you go, go in the summer as in the winter has all the atmosphere of Waterloo station.
Gary - 23 May 2003 07:00
Excellent. Have some very bitter sweet memories in that place.

one of the best pubs in London? Yes it probablt is!
anonymous - 19 May 2003 10:32
3 Floors
Lots of Terraces
Nice pint of London Pride
Food didn't look too bad
Right by the river nice sunset views.
Can hire the top floor with a BBQ
Steve - 1 May 2003 15:09

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