For commuters, London Bridge station is the gateway to central London from the South East. For tourists it’s close to Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, The Globe and Borough Market. And for those in the know, it’s home to some of the best pubs in the city.
For all those reasons, London Bridge is just as busy over the weekend as it is on a weekday.
So whether you’ve missed your train, are held up by delays or just want to meet up with friends in one of the oldest parts of the city, here are some pubs to try all within a short walk (ideal if you need to make that train).

Bunch of Grapes

Walking distance from train station: 3 minutes

Need to know

Tucked down a side street alongside London Bridge before you cross the road to Borough Market, this is a local-style pub with a wide selection of local lagers.
It has a good-sized downstairs bar, a slightly more dining room feel to the upstairs and a decent (covered) beer garden at the back.
It’s the kind of place you might find yourself wandering if for one, but several hours later…


Getting there: 2 St Thomas Street, Borough, London , SE1 9RS
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed: 9am to 11pm, Thur-Sat: 9am-midnight, Sun: 12pm to 11pm
Feeling hungry?: Food served from midday to 10pm Mon to Sat. Hot bar snacks, burgers, pie and mash, fish and chips.
London Bridge serves Charing Cross (West End) and Cannon Street (for The City) and has c42m rail passengers through its platforms every day. The Tube lines that run through the station are the Jubilee Line and Northern Line (Bank Branch)

Bedales

Walking distance from train station: 3 minutes

Bedales

Need to know

It is hard to believe that such a chilled out place could be found in the heart of one of London’s busiest markets.
It’s all exposed brick walls and candlelight at night, which makes it a romantic option if you are having a bit of a “Brief Encounter” moment near the train station.
It also sells wine from around the world to take away, and the staff know their stuff if you need a recommendation.


Getting there: 5 Bedale Street, London, SE1 9AL
Feeling hungry?: Top class cheese and charcuterie: See full menu
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed: 10am to 10.30pm, Thur-Fri: 10am to 11pm, Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun: 10am to 7pm
Bedales food platter
Bedales food platter
Parts of London Bridge station have been demolished and rebuilt over the years. Even when it opened in 1836 as the London and Greenwich Railway (later South East Railway), it closed immediately to add the London and Croydon Railway (later London Brighton and South Coast Railway) to it. You can still tell that there was once two separate railways.

George Inn

Walking distance from train station: 4 mins

Need to know

Not many pubs are also a National Trust property, but being the last remaining galleried inn in London, the George Inn isn’t any old pub (Charles Dickens even mentions it in Little Dorrit)
In the summer, sitting out in one of the best beer gardens in London, you can sometimes see parties of tourists being shown the gallery, visible from the trestle tables.
Inside the Tudor-like interior (the original burnt down in 1676) there are plenty of nooks and crannies to enjoy a real ale and a natter.


Getting there: 75-77 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NH
Feeling hungry?: It has a nice mixture of main courses and sharing plates: Full menu
Opening Hours: Mon_Sat: 11am to 11pm, Sun: 12pm to 10.30pm

Southwark Tavern

Walking distance from train station: 4 mins

The Southwark Tavern
The Southwark Tavern

Need to know

This pub has one of the best ranges of real ales and craft beers in the London Bridge area.
Don’t be put off by the crowds of people standing outside, it’s no indicator of how busy it is inside, people just like hanging out there.
Our tip is to head downstairs, with its cellar-like atmosphere and open brickwork, grab a booth and settle in for a session.
Downstairs at The Southwark Tavern
Downstairs at The Southwark Tavern


Getting there: 22 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TU
Feeling hungry?: Mains like fish and chips and sharing snacks like sliders. A good spot for a Sunday Roast.Full menu
Opening Hours: Mon-Thur: 11am to Midnight, Fri-Sat: 11am-1am, Sun: noon to midnight.

Katzenjammers

Distance from train station: 4 1/2 mins

Katzenjammers
Need to know
Just round the corner from the Southwark Tavern, this Borough Bierkeller is great for meeting up with bigger groups, thanks to its Oktoberfest-style tables.
Try an authentic Bavarian Beer while listening to the Oompah band on a Friday night.
This pub doesn’t take itself too seriously – you’ll probably end up sharing a table, and the atmosphere is charmingly convivial.

Website and Twitter

Getting there: Hop Exchange, 24 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TY
Feeling hungry?: Schnitzel, Sauerkraut and sausages: Full Menu
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu: 12am to 11pm, Fri-Sat: 12am to 12pm, Sun: 12pm to 10:30pm

Pubs and bars near London Bridge

Have we included all of your favourite pubs and bars, or do you think we need to add more?
Let us know your favourite drinking spots in London Bridge by leaving a comment below.
We have also put together guides of other mainline stations:
  • Fenchurch Street Station
  • Liverpool Street Station
  • Waterloo Station
  • Kings Cross Station
  • Charing Cross Station
  • Victoria Street Station
  • Paddington Station
  • Euston Station
  • Farringdon Station
And finally check our hotels near London Bridge and keep an eye on your train times.