The best pubs in Waterloo

Located on an impossibly handsome street of nineteenth-century workers’ cottages, this is easily the nicest pub in the immediate vicinity. So of course everybody in the immediate vicinity knows it, and the King's Arms is packed most nights as a result. Still, even if you have to battle to get served, it retains at least some of its country pub-style charms.

Reminiscent of a student union, and with an epic burger menu to match, this flat roof pub is one of Waterloo's stranger boozers. It's buckets of fun though, and friendly as anything, decked out with layers of colourful tat and regular drinks offers.

The Anchor & Hope was a pioneer of the London gastropub scene, serving up serious fancy pub grub since 2003. Unlike some gussied-up gastros, the dining area retains the atmosphere of a pub, in a low-lit, art-festooned room. Come hungry for the St John-ish likes of baked Middlewhite porchetta with fennel, chickpeas and harissa, rainbow chard and anchovy, or lambs’ tongues with lentils and salsa verde.

Irish pubs with Thai food: a combo first trailed by Notting Hill’s Churchill Arms at the tail end of the ’80s, and still a winning formula. Mc & Sons is a wood-clad space with framed photos and newspaper clippings paying homage to past generations. Beers from near and far are in regular rotation on tap and all noodle and rice dishes are £8.50 at lunch. There's live Irish trad music every Saturday from 7pm and every Sunday from 5pm. 

The National Theatre’s riverside bar is sure to get you excited about the arts. The large outdoor terrace lets you enjoy the vibrancy of South Bank with a craft beer from their generous range, while cosy leather sofas inside are perfect for an intellectual tête-à-tête. Feed your stomach as well as your mind with their selection of street food including Hong Kong noodles, Armenian flatbread wraps and smash burgers.

Towards Kennington, The Tankard – from beer-focused pub group The Draft House – is a pub that once overlooked asylum Bethlem Hospital (aka Bedlam) and was frequented by a young Charlie Chaplin. Soak up this history on its now-charming terrace or head indoors to work through the top-notch beer selection.

This revamped gastropub is a pretty stylish choice for your next Sunday lunch. During the week, they serve an upmarket take on traditional pub fare to match the sleek interior. Take your pick of the cocktails from their thoughtfully curated menu or ask about their in-house infused G&T. 

Sister pub to the Euston Tap, this craft beer haven is also very close to a station. But this outpost is housed in a hip railway arch. The beer selection is British-focused, with the North especially well represented. The massive keg selection is presented on big TV screens either side of the bar – compelling viewing indeed.

Tucked away behind the Old Vic theatre, the entertainment continues off-stage at this friendly pub with a roof garden. Grab a pint from their diverse line-up of draught IPAs whilst you enjoy live music, open mic nights or the footy. Their beer selection earned them the 2015 Greater London Cellar Keeper award and the booze goes down a treat with the classic British pub food on offer. 

To some, a Brutalist landmark – to others, a ruddy great big eyesore right on the banks of the Thames. We have a strange affection for this 1970s abomination. Concrete geeks might share the same lust. It was done up a touch in early 2024, with upgraded bars and private hire areas, as well as a little bit of magic dust scattered on the outside drinking areas.