Pub or bar near Waterloo…

[smokymountain]

I need help from some Londoners!

Looking for a pub/bar fordrinks on Thursday near Waterloo but doesn’t have to be on the Southbank. From 5pm. Would like to be able to reserve a table and order bar food a bit later. Cocktails and good beer. We’re all 50+ so nothing too loud or youthful 😆

Any recommendations?!

Thank you!

The Brewdog pub in the station? Or are you looking for something a bit more upmarket?

Brewdog in Waterloo Station is fun.

Duke of Sussex

Fountain and Ink

I was going to suggest the Brewdog, it goes along just near the Leake Street Arches. It's massive. Not so sure about cocktails though, there is an All Bar One over the road, towards the Southbank.

The Kings Arms Roupell Street.

it’s a five min walk from Waterloo but it’s off the tourist trail, traditional local London pub . Very interesting street, railway terraces, they film lots of Victorian things there!

it isn’t large so you would definitely need to reserve a table.

The bar at the BFI and The Understudy at the National Theatre are both nice - not sure if you can book but worth a try. At the Understudy you can get street food from Kerb nearby too.

Ah looks like you can book The Understudy at least: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/eat-and-drink/the-understudy/

I don’t think you can reserve a table in the pub part, only the Thai restaurant end, and they would probably want you to eat when you sit down. It’s so packed in there on Thursdays, I’m not sure it would be suitable for a group unless they’re willing to stand on the street outside which is what I always end up doing! They don’t do cocktails either.

The Anchor and Hope is nice.

If you want a proper meal but also want a good place just to catch up for a drink first, I like to go to Brasserie Blanc as there's a small bar area and you can then move into the restaurant for dinner. I'm not sure if you can book in the bar though - you'd have to check that.

If you're going relatively early before it gets very busy, Las Iguanas is a chain but I've had lovely evenings there having drinks and nibbles. it does get very busy and loud though so that's an issue.

Ping Pong also does quite nice cocktails and nibbles and I suspect the outside terrace is open now as it's heated.

I haven't been to Skylon for years, but I assume that could be good, if pricey. Similarly, the bistro and bar upstairs in the Oxo building. Or the bar at Sea Containers.

Bala Baya is a lovely mediterranean place down a little pedestrianised side road. great cocktails. Also a bit pricey though.

The White Hart, Cornwall Road. You can book tables there.

The Ring at the end of the Cut is a lovely old boozer, boxing themed.

The Hole in the Wall under the arches by the entrance near platforms 20+ is good, it does food and it's a Youngs pub.

However, it'll be busy on a Thursday as that's the main drinking & going out night for commuters

I'd second @chocopuffs suggestion. BFI bar is lovely for people watching, - I thought we'd booked a table at their cafe - but they may only do lunch.

Is Auberge still there? Been a while since I was down that way but used to go there regularly.

Waterloo Tap is great - under the railway arches, great choice of beers but not sure about cocktails.

Another vote for the King's Arms. Smashing pub.

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/eat-and-drink/forza-wine/ - it's lovely here.

Firestation!

I like the bar and restaurant in the Young Vic theatre.

Oh wow!! Thanks for all these suggestions. Been out for the day and haven’t had a chance to check back but will start scrolling through now 😃

OP said nothing too loud!!!

Kings Arms is tiny if it’s the one I’m thinking g off. DofS good shout https://www.thechaptercollection.co.uk/duke-of-sussex-waterloo

I went to the Thirsty Bear a year or so ago and it was fine.