The Woolpack is the locals’ favourite - it will keep you going back for more.

The Venue
A 10 minute walk from London Bridge station and the hustle and bustle of the bars in that area, The Woolpack sits midway down the increasingly popular Bermondsey Street. Wandering down this road you could be forgiven for not thinking much to the place on first glance as its appearance is nothing special. Take the time to pop in, though, and you may find it hard to leave again.

The bar sits centrally, with a seating area comprising delightfully cosy armchairs, smart little tables for two, and large leather booths ready for a group of six or so. A winding staircase takes you up to a second seating area with a couple of sofas and tables – it’s a popular choice for private parties so is often reserved. Out the back of the pub a large heated patio area provides an excellent location for afternoon drinks in the summer (it’s a real suntrap).

The Atmosphere
With its residential setting you will find a mix of young professionals who live or work in the area combined with a strong local presence of those who have been frequenting this pub for some time. On a Friday or Saturday night the place is often heaving with people and you can sometimes be surprised by how busy it is on a weekday. It is best to get there earlier rather than later to secure a decent table, particularly if you’re in a group.

The staff here are excellent, with a queue at the bar lasting a remarkably short amount of time even when at it’s busiest. The music adds to the vibe, as a selection of tunes chosen by whoever is working always seems to hit the right note.

The Food
A real high point of a visit to The Woolpack is having a meal there. A small menu accompanied by daily specials provides a great selection of light bites, sharing plates and main meals, all at really reasonable prices, particularly for the area. The burgers are fantastic but if you’re after a lighter meal you should definitely give the burrito a go, available as either a vegetarian option or with meat. The only downside is the small dessert selection but the rest of the menu more than makes up for it.

The Drink
An average selection of beers and lagers are available on tap at The Woolpack and there is a good choice of bottled beers. Despite serving a couple of ales these are not that well-kept and so if that’s the type of thing you want, this probably isn’t the place to be. There is a small but well-balanced wine list to suit most palates and prices for wine and drinks overall are quite expensive but seem fairly representative of the area.

The Last Word
The Woolpack has all the charm of an old local mixed with the modern vibe of the area it sits in. Definitely worth a look whether it’s for a swift half or an evening out.

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