As Southwark undergoes a major redevelopment, it’s hard to see why the Shipwrights Arms is so stuck in the past. Maybe it’s to show the tourists just how ‘traditional’ they are?

The Venue
The Shipwrights Arms benefits from the fact it has a great location near Southwark station and attractions like the London Dungeons, and it’s also set within a period building with some beautiful original features retained, such as the pretty front windows. They’ve also enlivened the building with lovely hanging baskets above the wooden outdoor tables and chairs. But that’s where it ends.

They have covered this pretty building in the most garish blue paint you could imagine, which is starting to look really dated, and this is a picture that’s reflected within. This is a place in desperate need of a refurbishment as everything is looking tired. The wooden tables, chairs and bar are all worn and the walls are covered with nautical imagery, which is just unimaginative. A lick of paint, some new furnishings and less in the way of seafaring pictures and it would be a fantastic spot for a beer.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere in the Shipwrights Arms is actually pretty upbeat with some friendly bar staff making you feel welcome. There are a few too many tourists for comfort but they are balanced out by the post-5.30pm crowd, made up of office workers popping in for a pint before hitting the Tube.

The Drink
Being located where it is, the prices at the Shipwrights Arms aren’t the cheapest and pints edge the £4 a pint mark. Still, the rather standard choice of lagers (why do so many pubs ignore the great and unusual selection of lagers now available on the market?) are bolstered by some good ales, including Deuchars IPA and Harveys Best as well as a guest ale.

The Last Word
With a lick of paint and a small refurbishment, the Shipwrights Arms could really make the most of a setting that many other pubs would kill to have.

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