231 Long Lane,
Borough,
London,
SE1 4PR
(020) 7357 8740
The ViewLondon Review
Small yet inviting, and proud proprietor of an arsenal of ales, Simon the Tanner is one of Bermondsey’s best-kept secrets.
The Venue
Simon the Tanner is a small, unassuming public house on Long Lane, a ten-minute walk from Borough station and deep in residential Bermondsey. The premises consist of a single room roughly divided into two seating areas – casual and dining - with the imposing bar to the right of centre. The venue can seat parties of all shapes and sizes with its array of wooden tables and chairs, whilst various decorative blackboards extol the virtues of the pub, and recessed walls provide real intimacy. Candles and flowers add a classy touch to the surroundings, and a rickety old piano takes pride of place in the corner, stacked with old paperbacks and board games. Elsewhere, framed photos, antique clocks and a mounted deer skull (complete with antlers!) are thrown into relief by subtle spotlights in the ceiling. The bar, painted green, boasts two shelves stacked with spirits, and an impressive haul of ale logos from their extensive collection.
The Atmosphere
Using its location to its advantage, Simon the Tanner is conspicuously relaxed and cosy for a London establishment – it is as inviting during the day, when the sun streams through the large shop-front windows, as it is at night, when it proves to be a popular port of call for nearby City gents. Endearingly wholesome and not at all flashy or pretentious, the pub has real character and is complemented nicely by friendly staff and an exemplary soundtrack. Open from midday to 11pm every day, the venue doesn't have any regular events to speak of, but is available for hire and can provide for large groups if necessary.
The Food
The patrons offer a rustic, local menu, with most ingredients sourced from the nearby troves of Borough Market. It's limited, but impeccably presented and ultimately very satisfying. The beef and ale stew and Ploughman's lunch are superb, and the charcuterie platter with red pepper relish, in particular, is both light and harmonious. Main courses are in the region of £8, and bite-sized starters or bar snacks (including pork pies and Welsh rarebits) are also available for those ‘on the go’, at around £4.
The Drink
The bar staff pride themselves on their rotating roster of ales, which can vary from day to day. Tasters are available on demand for the connoisseur, and the depth and quality on display is invariably admirable. There are some unusual regular draughts to boot, both on tap (Meantime, Hogan's Cider, Licher Weizen) and in bottles (Kernel, Floris Frais strawberry beer, and the delightfully named Brewdog Punk IPA), all for around £4-£4.50. As with the food, the wine menu is small but comprehensive, with a range of merlots, pinots, chardonnays and rosés on offer for around £4 per glass (£15-£20 per bottle).
The Last Word
With simple cuisine and home comforts, Simon the Tanner manages to do a lot with a little, and is well worth a trip off the beaten track.
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