Who would have thought this inconspicuous pub - a stone's throw from the trendier restaurants and bars on the Southbank - could cause such a stir? It seems everyone has an opinion on The Anchor and Hope.

The Venue
Smart but unassuming from the outside, The Anchor and Hope sits comfortably amongst the hustle and bustle of The Cut, Waterloo. Deep red painted walls, thick wooden floorboards, and heavy wood furniture give the inside a homely, inviting feel. The dining room leads off from the bar area with a big open kitchen as the focal point. Neither the dining room or the bar area are particular large, so as the evening goes on the rooms fill up fast - expect to become quickly acquainted with your fellow drinkers and diners.

The Atmosphere
The popularity of this bar has been its making; however, the unfortunate side effects of this are the busy bar and long wait times for a table. Unsurprisingly, come 6pm on any weekday and this popular gastropub is already filling up quickly with those out for post-work drinks.

The atmosphere is lively and loud, with a mixture of couples and groups, Waterloo locals and Southbank office workers. The dining room is relatively small and once the room starts to fill up it seems to be a case of placing people wherever there's a space, so if you come as a couple expect to be sharing a dining table with a few others. However, this is no bad thing with the friendly atmosphere adding to the charm of the restaurant.

The Food
The menu is adventurous but small. Despite having to deal with constant demand, the staff are always friendly and helpful, offering advice on the food and drinks on offer. A safe but excellent choice is the steak with bearnaise sauce and chips. Just be warned that the wait time will come in at around 40 minutes - so settle in with a bottle of wine. Unsurprisingly, the steak is well worth the wait – delicious and flavorsome with a good size portion of chunky chips on the side. Portions sizes are big and prices vary - they're slightly more expensive than the average gastropub.

The Drink
With the cheapest bottle of wine starting at £10, the wines at The Anchor and Hope are very reasonably priced considering location and the following this bar has attracted. A good selection of wines, beers and spirits were also available at the bar.

The Last Word
As with anywhere that has received so much good press, expectations are sky high. The Anchor and Hope is quite rightly popular – it's an attractive venue with good food and a friendly atmosphere. Head and shoulders above your average pub, does it really deserve the status it has? Confusing queuing systems, long wait times, and an overly busy bar drag it down.

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