Anchor Tap
Quick info
About Anchor Tap
Anchor Tap is a traditional pub in London at 20A Horselydown Ln, and its building dates back to the 1700s. The bar serves Samuel Smith beers, including Old Brewery Bitter on cask, for drinkers who want a cask ale. The main room keeps its old decor, which includes an upright piano. A separate restaurant part of the pub opens for food, with steak and ale pie and chicken schnitzel on the menu. The pub takes walk-ins.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention steak and ale pie, Sam Smith's beer, chicken schnitzel and fish and chips.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention steak and ale pie, Sam Smith's beer, chicken schnitzel and fish and chips.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return most for the Sam Smith's beer, praised as thick and creamy with a head that lasts, and one points to the Old Brewery Bitter on cask. Close behind is the food: the steak and ale pie is called delicious and incredible, while the fish and chips, bangers and mash, and Korean fried chicken also get mentions. The chicken schnitzel draws a lukewarm "fine, nothing special." Several describe a very traditional old pub with a fifties feel and an upright piano, a friendly, chatty bartender, and outside seating on a sunny day. A few say it is handy for a bite after the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. On the downside, one reviewer found the food slow to come out, and another calls it a bit pricey for what is offered. One local resident says they were told the pub was closed because of flooding while the room was full of drinkers, and describes the team as rude on previous visits. Another reviewer says the Christmas season is the best time to come, and a reviewer who arrived just as the restaurant side opened ended up chatting with the bartender.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return most for the Sam Smith's beer, praised as thick and creamy with a head that lasts, and one points to the Old Brewery Bitter on cask. Close behind is the food: the steak and ale pie is called delicious and incredible, while the fish and chips, bangers and mash, and Korean fried chicken also get mentions. The chicken schnitzel draws a lukewarm "fine, nothing special." Several describe a very traditional old pub with a fifties feel and an upright piano, a friendly, chatty bartender, and outside seating on a sunny day. A few say it is handy for a bite after the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. On the downside, one reviewer found the food slow to come out, and another calls it a bit pricey for what is offered. One local resident says they were told the pub was closed because of flooding while the room was full of drinkers, and describes the team as rude on previous visits. Another reviewer says the Christmas season is the best time to come, and a reviewer who arrived just as the restaurant side opened ended up chatting with the bartender.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“The Anchor Tap is my favourite pub in London, hands down. A true British pub, top spec, it has everything. The best season to come is around Christmas time, there is no a better place genuinely.”
- Google user
“I went there today during a dog walk to have a pint a do some reading. I walked into a room full of people drinking and got told as soon as I walked through the door that they were closed because of flooding. Obviously I was confused because it hadn’t rained for hours and the floor seemed dry, and the room was full of people drinking. I don’t know what was going on but if you don’t want people in the pub then close the doors or put a sign up, even if it is a vaguely veiled ‘private event’. It’s not the first time I’ve been there and the team have been kind of rude so now I’ll learn my lesson and won’t go back. Local resident.”
- Google user
“I always visit the Anchor Tap when in London. Great beers from Samuel Smith, friendly service and just a beautiful old pub. Make sure to try the Old Brewery Bitter on cask.”
- Google user
“A few hundred feet away from the hustle & bustle of Tower Bridge lies this gem of a pub. Unchanged decor takes you back to the fifties, there's even an upright piano there. The beer, Sam Smith's, was perfect, thick and creamy with a good head that stayed to the last few drops. We had loaded natchos Korean fried chicken and fish fingers goujons.”
- Google user
“Very cool spot, hidden away on the south bank. We had the chicken schnitzel and steak and ale pie. The pie was delicious. The schnitzel was fine, nothing special. Beer is cold and served quickly. Three stars for service because it wasn’t anything e exceptional. Nice guy just did the basics.”
Location
Bars near Anchor Tap
- The Pommelers Rest4.24,6000.1 miWheelchair accessible
qr code ordering, view of tower bridge, free coffee and tea refills
- Marquis Of Wellington Bermondsey4.21,2320.3 miWheelchair accessible
pizza, sports on tvs, sunday quiz night
- The Horniman at Hays4.411,0730.3 miWheelchair accessible
fish and chips, riverside seating by thames, sunday roast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor Tap | 4.51,234 | — | steak and ale pie, Sam Smith's beer, chicken schnitzel |
| The Pommelers RestWheelchair accessible | 4.24,600 | 0.1 mi | qr code ordering, view of tower bridge, free coffee and tea refills |
| Marquis Of Wellington BermondseyWheelchair accessible | 4.21,232 | 0.3 mi | pizza, sports on tvs, sunday quiz night |
| The Horniman at HaysWheelchair accessible | 4.411,073 | 0.3 mi | fish and chips, riverside seating by thames, sunday roast |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Bars nearby
More to explore in London
4.5 · Kings ArmsPubs
67 places
4.7 · Dishoom Covent GardenRestaurants
384 places
5.0 · De VineCafes
121 places
4.7 · Nails & Brows MayfairBeauty
47 places
4.9 · Jacksons Barber shopHair
83 places