A welcoming venue in a great, central location, The Bridge Lounge and Dining Room is a top choice for a drink but is let down by lacklustre food.

The Venue
In a prime corner spot on Tooley Street, with the Tower Bridge creating a beautiful backdrop, you can’t miss the large, handsome frontage and neat violet signage of The Bridge Lounge and Dining Room. Inside feels less like a ‘lounge’ and more like a traditional pub with modern embellishments – scattered wooden tables, a fireplace and elegant design touches like the large mirrors, cream paintwork and pillared ceilings surround an island bar that heaves with drinks and is busy with bartenders. A winding staircase takes you upstairs to a relaxed and casual dining area, including some comfy couches, where the large windows make the most of the panorama.

The Atmosphere
A prime destination for after-work drinks, this venue bustles during the week (post 5pm) with suits necking pints on the picnic tables outside or reclining on the couches upstairs. Laidback and lively, there is a constant flow of conversation and ultra-friendly service.

The Food
With a mix of light sides (including sandwiches and rolls you can take away), a selection of the usual British pub classics and some specials, the menu at The Bridge offers something for everyone. Competition for decent food is stiff in this area (with great-quality options in nearby Borough Market and Bermondsey St) and unfortunately the Bridge Lounge and Dining Room doesn’t offer anything remarkable. A special of baked salmon with new potatoes is dry, overcooked and comes served with gluggy caramelised new potatoes and an uninspiring leaf salad. Burgers are standard, and although the mince patties taste good, the whole effect is disappointing for the £8.50 price tag. The sausages and mash may well be the wise choice, singled out as being a dish the venue is exceptionally proud of, and they do have a respectably unique choice of bangers on offer, like mint and jalapeno peppers, wild boar and venison, and beef and Guinness (all supplied by the Franconian Sausage Co) at £8.20 with gravy and mash.

The Drink
Admirable for its selection of real ales and beers from around the world, there is lots of choice on offer for those searching for the perfect pint at this Cask Marque-accredited pub (which means their pints have the stamp of approval for temperature, appearance, aroma and taste). They regularly change their guest ales and feature a range of global beers, from Hoegaarden to Amstel, Estrella, Cobra and Leffe Blonde. The wine list has some lovely choices – a chenin blanc/sauvignon blend from South African Maas Vallei is crisp, fresh and well-priced at £4.05 per glass/£16.20 per bottle. To match those renowned sausages, you have a decent choice of reds from £3.65/£14.60, and there’s also champagnes, sparklers and rose.

The Last Word
A great place to while away lazy afternoons or rev up for an evening with a few pints and a good drop of wine, as long as you’re not too fussy about the food.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (5) image gallery (12)