Whilst the food and decor won’t win any awards, the Mulberry Bush is a decent pub with a lively atmosphere.

The Venue
It’s all about location at the Mulberry Bush, another member of the Youngs group. The pub is a short stroll from the vibrant Southbank and its associated attractions like the London Eye, National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall, but because it’s set a little back from the Thames Walkway it avoids the inflated prices and annoying crowds that signify a tourist trap.

Instead, Mulberry Bush is an attractive, modest bar set in a quiet residential row - sandwiched between two houses - with large floor-to-ceiling timber-framed windows opening out onto the pavements when the weather is warm. Outside, smokers often crowd around tall, square cocktail tables whilst inside you can relax on a couch or around a cocktail table, sit down for dining or head up the winding staircase to the small bar upstairs (which can also be hired out for private functions). The traditional pub decor with amber woods, patterned carpet and warm lighting is bland but friendly.

The Atmosphere
The location of the Mulberry Bush opposite the ITV studios means week nights are often busy with TV-types and local workers enjoying a post-5pm tipple with Friday lunchtime and evenings getting especially packed. Weekends mostly see Thames-strollers dropping in for a pint and you can generally expect an animated crowd.

The Food
Nothing will astound on the standard menu, which includes light bites, sharing platters, and typical pub mains like burgers, fish and chips, sausage and mash, and sandwiches.

Light bites start with soup, bruschetta and the like from £3.95, whilst antipasti platters are £9.95 and mains range from £6.95-£8.95. The prices are respectably cheap considering the location, although you don’t get much bang for your buck with dishes such as the grilled chicken Caesar salad (£7.95) offered with what seems to be a ready-made dressing and croutons, and containing minimal chicken. The food serves its purpose.

The Drink
Most people come to the Mulberry Bush to wet their whistle and there’s a respectable choice of ale, lager and wine to do the job. On tap, there’s Peroni, Fosters, Staropramen, Amstel, Deuchars IPA and Kronenbourg, with pints from around £3.40. Bottled brews include Becks, Corona, Peroni, and Mexican lager Pacifico, whilst ale drinkers will find Charles Wells Bombardier and Youngs Bitter on tap.

Wine-wise, small glasses start from an acceptable £3.40, and bottles from £13.30. The list is made up of mostly French wine with some new world drops thrown in, and costs up to £24.75 for a fresh and minerally Jean-Marc Brocard 2006 Chablis.

The Last Word
The Mulberry Bush serves a great purpose for the local workers and passers-by in that it guarantees a good selection of tipples to quench your thirst. However, apart from providing a comfortable drinking hole in a prime spot (especially handy for pre-show or post-riverside walk pints), it has little else to offer.

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